The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-06-14
CONGRESS.
An Abstract Of the More Important
Proceedings in Both Houses.
WEDNESDAY. JUNE 6.

A great many private pension bills were pass
ed by the Senate, and bill granting pensions
TO prisoners of war was reported from the Com
mittee on Pensions by Senator Quay, with ma
jority and minority reports, ordered printed
in the Record and placed on the calendar.
In the House the Mills tariff bill was consid-
cred in Committee of the Whole House. Dur
ing the discussion of the bill Mr.. Boothman
made the following remarks regarding serv-
ice pension bill
Mr. Chairman the pledges of the people of this
Republic to the men who passed through the fiery
furnace Of untold suffering in order preserve the
Nations existence should be Kept.
The consideration of any proposition to reduce
taxation that might prevent the fuilment of these
pledges without first considering the righteous de-
inands of the Union soldiers is to that extent re-
pudiation of an obligation sacred that il only
result in lasting dishonor to the whole American
people.
1t is proposed by this bill to reduce our yearly
revenues to the extent of 900 600 and yet
appears to be asking the question, how will this
affect needed andj just pension legislation1
Can this be done and still leave sufficient reve-
nue. to pay Off the $3.50 900, 600 more of bonds
falling due in 1891, and tue interest the rest of
our bonded debt, and the current expenses of the
Government and At the same time enable US to
keep with honor these pledges OF the Nation to
these sodiers2
Gentlemen say, do we not now pay them $50 GEO.
600 per year. and is not that enough? say no. it
is not enough. For, in the first place. the Union
soldiers themselves only get about 500 100000 of it,
The balance goes to dependent relatives, soldiers
of other wars, Department expenses etc. But of
this am not complaining. Concede that, in some
sense the whole amount Is paid largely for the sol
deFs OF the of 1876. and then let ask what
are some of the reasonable demands they may yet
make, which the Nation should pay.
ANSWER, they are these:
l. A service pension.
2. pension TO their minor children, In case Of
| their decease.
g. A pension to the physically or mentally af-
hicted children as long such disability continues.
4. A pension TO their widows during widowhood.
s. In where there dependent parents,
] 49,
| parents.
6. That these various pensions shall be large
enough to preserve the respective classes from
want in old age aud affiictiou.
believe IN the principle of what 10 known as the
per diem rated service pension" so modified in
cases of " total incapacity" and half total inca
| paeity" that when the pension SO calculated
| would in those be less than SI2 aud S. per
month respectively, it shall be increased to those
| amounts. j think also that the amounts paid in
! the cases of minor children should be at least IS
/ per month, and that should be continued TO
inibecile or otherwise helpless children ~ long as
These are features Mr. Chairman which know
! the Union soldiers feel ought TO be incorporated
into pension system and they feel that ought
therefore ask attention to a statement of the
reasons upon W hich aud because of W Gh such re-
| lief should be granted and TO discussion of the
| objections which are or may DO urged against
! granting it.
the Nation never can. In money, fully discharge
| the debt it owes 10 these men for preserved aud
perpetuated existence. But recognize the prnci-
| pie that their just and reasonable demands upon
the bounty of tlie people must be measured by the
ability OF the people To pay. shall therefore try
to demonstrate in this argument that this claim Oi
theirs is based upon principle; that 1t is
within the ability of the Nation; that The bill, s.
| IS, now standing upon the calendar of this House
| Etvorabiy reported by the Committee Invalid
Pensions OF the House. ought not, as proposed by
that committee TO be amended, TO be enacted into
| law, because il is impoiitic and unjust
| How do soldiers OF 1851 regard this question
The closed % years ago. The average age oil
Ii 4 ~
determine tie question, Is 81 years. The nunhe;
now alive spproximates 10000. There rests un
deniably III the MINDS of these men the conyic
ton that our Government should grant them 8
service pension. Let ask why this IS so. The
answer will develop this state OF facts:
j. That n service pension has been at some time
granted by the Republic to her soldiers of ali prior
| wars.
2. That the soldiers Of prior wars also received
bounty lands while the Union soldiers did not.
| 3. That the Union soldiers paid in cur
rency on an average worth less than 80 per cent. o
| its face value.
| T. That those who volunteered Last received By
| far the larger compensation, that the men whC
really bore the beat aud burden of the day received
the least for 1t.
| 5. That those who loaned money to the Govern
neut, by Legislation adopted since The contract o
| oauing made, but of course decaratory q
that contract, have been or VIII be paid III COIN o
| ITS equivalent, while these men who loaned the
lives to the Nation have met with snci
! generous and honorable treatment.
| 8. That when they returned from the army, IL
better OFF they found themselves in debt for Tia,
support of their families; lands gone up a price
| far beyond their reach; employment gone; bust
ness scattered to the four eu,is of the earth,
| they were practically compelled to begin life ove
| again.
Z. Many of them who served long and faithfully
and in spite of diseased conditions which woulC
| have sent lees resolute 10 their beds in th'
hospitals, refused 10 20 there time and again, anc
| now they have no hospital record and for the
very iaithfulness cannot, though justly entitled
| obtain disability pension.
THURSDAY, JUNE T.
In the Senate the Fisheries Treaty was unde
consideration, and Senator Morgan made quit
a lengthy speech upon the resolution for it
consideration in open Senate; but the question
was decided in favor of the proposition to dis
cuss the matter with open doors at some futur
day. The Senate then adjourned until Monday
In the House the tariff bill was still unde
consideration, and quite lively time was tn
consequence.
Dir. Anderson Iowa made lengthy argu
ment in its favor, his time being EXTENDED
about half an hour though the committee wa
working under the fve-minute rule He wa
subjected To severe cross-examnatioH by TIN
opponents of the bill, and several very witt.
questions and answers were given the advo