, 1888-02-28
Congressional.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27.-To day, after
the presentation Of a number of petitions
and bills, the senate, on motion of Ed
munds, resumed consideration of the
Nicaragua canal bill. Alter an hours de-
bate the bill passed IS to 10.
The senate then took up the bill grant
ing a pension to ex-soldiers and sailors
who are incapacitated for the perfor-
nance Of manual labor and providing for
pensions to dependent relatives OF de-
ceased soldiers and sailors. Second Sec
ton was amended by adding the words,
and who are without other adequate
ways of self-support."
Plumb moved to strike out the word
totally" before the word ''incapaci-
lated and gave notice that if his motion
prevailed he would move to amend fur
ther by providing that the pension should
be from 81 to $l2 a month, according to
the degree of incapacity.
After discussion the amendment was
agreed to, yeas 81, nays 23, and the word
Totally was struck u
Call moved an amendment to make the
bill apply to those who served in the
Florida war, but accepted a modification
of it moved by Morgan by making it ap.
ply to those who served in wal with Mex
leo, (for thirty days. and in wars with
Indian tribes. Without disposing of this
amendment the bill was laid aside, and
Blair proposed an amendment, lin order
to have it printed, providing for a ser
vice pension at the rate of $40 a month.
The senate then adjourned.
In the house TO day Matson of Indiana,
from the committee on invalid pensions,
reported adversely the resolution reclting
the one hundred day circular issued by
Gen. Black, commissioner of pensions,
and directing the committee to inquire
whether such circular was issued, and if
so whether any pension claims had been
rejected through noncompliance with the
requests contained therein. Matson stated
such circular had been issued and its
effect had been saldtary. Many claims
had been vigorously prosecuted and al
lowed which otherwise would have re-
manned Enacted upon on account of want
of evidence.
Mason Of Illinois regarded the issuing
of the circular as usurpation on the part
of the, commissioner of pensions. The
circular in so many words said to the
claimants that unless their claims were
perfected within 100 days they would be
dismissed. The commissioner had actual.
ly taken the place of congress and had
enacted a statute of limitations, and in
one department of his office, between 700
and 800 cases had been dismissed because
the claimants failed to perfect their evil
denco within 100 days. 1t was true the
case could be rcopened at any time on the
filing OF additional proof, sbut that fact
should have been stated by the commits
sioner in his circular letter,
Watson defended the action of the com
missioner and the resolution was tabled.
Yeas, 49, nays, ST,
The following resolutions were intro.
dIced and referred
by Morrow, Califoruia-Calling on the
president for information rs to what steps
had been taken to prevent the continued
immigration of Chinese labOrers in the
United States Notwithstanding the pro-
visions of the treaty of Nov. II, 1870,
and the laws passed in pursuance there
of also 10 establish a quarantine station
Mt San Francisco.
Holman, misunderstanding the com
mittee on private land claims to inquire
into the matter Of the Maxwell land
grant with a view to the relief of home
stead and pre-emDtion settlers.
BY Grain, Texas-Joiut resolution ox-
tending the term of office of the president
until 3Oth of April, 1889, and changing
the date of meeting OF congress.
By Voorhees,, Washington Territory
For the appointment of a commission to
select the place for a naval station on the
Pacific coast.
BY Carey, Wyoming-For admission as
a state the territory of Wyoming.
BY Mason, Hlinois-Providing that
hereafter letters issued by tho commits,
sioner of pensions and fixing the time in
which pension proofs must be furnished,
shall contain a statement that no statute