The National tribune., 1888-03-15


Mr. President, there is not human being in
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,, / will
undertake to affirm, of any political party what
ever, who questions that this sum-between
S1S000,000 and $19000,0 00-$18, 000, 600 brings
it up to January, 1887, and it is probably now
nearer 100000, certainly between $4,000
600 and $4,000 000-no person will question
that that has been wisely, judiciously and eco
nomcally bestowed There is not dollar of
it grudged or .condemned by any sane man, so
far as l know within the limits of that Com
monwealth.
If that be true what follows? There is
community where better than any other place
in the country, or as well, persons who are
willing to work to get their own living can
support themselves. There is compact COM
muuity, two-thirds of its people living in cities,
or near large populous towns and although, of
course the disposition to perform does not ex-
list any more there than elsewhere, work may
be performed more readily, promptly and eff
GENTLY than in places where the population is
sparse. Yet in such community as that it is
admitted that the pension system Of this coun-
try is so inadequate to discharge the public
obligation to the surviving soldiers their wild
Ows and orphans, that an expenditure of
$18000,000 or $20,000,000 has been we'll war
ranted, and required, and demanded in that
compact community alone.
Suppose Massachusetts to represent one
country, there would be $360,000,000, in addi-
ton to what has been dispensed by the United
States Government in the form of pensions,
requisite to do what is only required by decency
and strict economical principles for tho supply
of the proper and reasonable wants Of this meri-
torious class of persons.
1t is of no importance who does it. | think
that every dollar of this sum should have been
paid from the National Treasury. l think it
is for the country which these soldiers saved
from death TO save them from poverty and
want so far as it is to be done at all by any
form of public aid.
The fact which / have stated demonstrates
that the pension system of the United States
has been inadequate insufficient, too econom-
ical and strict by at least the sum of $350,000,-
600 to $400 100000 throughout the period
which has existed since the close of the war;
and that one fact alone is a conclusive and
demonstrative answer to any suggestion that
the pension legislation OF this country has been
wasteful, or extravagant, or unreasonable.
He was followed by Senator Hawley with
strong argument in support of the bill. He
said in conclusion that he voted against every
amendment proposed because he desired to take
the simple, straightforward measure of imme-
date relief of loyal sufferers proposed by the
committee. He would cOuutenance nothing
that would in any way embarrass the passage
of the bill.
Senator Dawes wanted the bill to go further
than it did, and favored the amendments.
Senator Hawiey said that if it should be pro-
posed TO add the Ten Commandments TO the
bill he would object to it, and he quoted Ex-
Vice President Hannibal Hamlin's splendid
speech before the National Eneampment IN
support of his position.
The debate concluded with Senator Wilson
making an amendment in favor Of his amend
ment.
NJ ,,1l -ro. ,-lIoa ,,,,,, a. o..;,,, -
agreeing 10 the amendment, and it was defeat
ed, yeas l3, nays 43
Senator Blair introduced the bin passed by the
Senate OF the last Congress pensioning disabled
and dependent soldiers and dependent parents
of such. He said that he did this for the pur-
pose Of relieving those Senators who are placed
in an embarrassing pos ton by the report of
the pending bill. They would have an oppor-
tunity at some future time to vote upon this
bill.
Tho amendment to strike out the words OF
have been In the clause providing FOR pension
ing dependent parents was taken up. Senator
Davis offered no objection to the amendment
and it was coneurred in; as was also the amend
meIt providing that all pensions under the
first clause should commence from the passage
of the act.
The amendment including those who had
served three months in the war with Mexico or
30 days in any Of the wars with Indian tribes
was rejected, yeas q, nays 81.
The amendment TO strike out the word " to-
tally before jncapaciJated was discussed at
length, and Senator Beck made a bitter attack
upon the bill, claiming that it, like the arrears
Of pension bill, was the work of a little ring of
pension attorneys lie thought that the effect
OF the bill would be to greatly increase panper-
ism, and would transfer many useful and hard
working citizens into mere dependents upon
the Nations bounty.
Senator Paddock said that during the consid-
GRAFTON OF the bill by the Committee on PEN
sions no pension attorney or any one connected
with him had appeared before the committee
or any member OF IL to urge its passage. The
only advocate the committee heard was the
regularly constituted Grand Army Pension
Committee, committee made up of members
from different States, men of the highest char
acter and intelligence.
Senator Hawley said that he wished the Sem
ator from Kentucky, instead OF denouncing the
bill aud outside people, would take up the
measure and show the objections to it.
Senator Teller said that it is becoming the
fashion to say I'VE are very generous we are
doing more Tor our soldiers than any other Ma
ton has ever done" This is not true The
French Government has been more liberal to
its soldiers than We have, and the Chinese have
done much better when it comes to the human
ity they have extended their soldiers and
their soldiers children. The French soldier
goes into retirementwith bigger pension than
the American soldier gets. What have we
done so muniticent and so great? 1t is true
orr pension-roll runs up TO fifty or sixty mil
lion dollars, and some years to more; but we
had great army, and We have enrolled now
100000 men on our pension-roll. We have l0O.-
O00 Of them drawing less than $50 year; we
have 10000 Of them drawing s. and less a
month; aud yet We are told over and over
again that we have been so eXtravagant in pen
sous; that we have been so generous in our
treatment of the soldiers! | deny it, Mr. Presi-
dent 1t is a standing shame and disgrace as
long rs any man is on that penson-roll at LIS
or = a month. Identified to anything at all:
if his vital energies nave been lowered if his
capacity for the enjoyment of life and the earn
ing Of his living has been reduced to degree
that it can be figured in dollars and cents, re-
peat it is shame and disgrace that he gets
no more than s. a month"
The Senate proceeded to vote on the amend
ment to omit the word total before incspaci-
tatcs"; which was rejected-yeas IL nays ~
The other amendments reported by the com
mittee were concurred in, and the Senate pro-