The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-31
THE FIPTIETH CONGRESS-.
The House ConferS Pensions Upon the Widows
of Generals Logan and Blair.

/ WASHINGTON, March 30.-In the House. to-
| day. motion of Mr.. McCreary, of Kentucky,
| the Senate amendments TO the House bill author
| izlng the President to arrange a conference for
| the purpose of encouraging reciprocal CONNER
cial relations between the United States and the
Republics of Mexico. Central and South Ameri-
| ca, and the Empire of Brazil, were non-con-
Cured in.
| mr.. Russell of Massachusetts, asked consent
to report from the committee on foreign affairs,
| for immediate consideration. of joint resolu-
ton appropriating $25, 900 to enable the United
States to participate in the international exhi-
bition TO be held at Barcelona. Spain. in April,
1888. After some debate, the resolution was
adopted.
Tne'Speaksr stated that, under special order.
the pending business was the consideration of
the House bill granting a pension of s., 900 per
snnum to Mary S. Logan, and the Senate bill
increasing to So 600 a year the pension of APP
that it was honor to aid by voice and vote in
the passage of bills granting pensions to Mrs.
Logan and Mrs. Blair, the widows of two illus
trious soldiers and Statesmen. Mr.. Tarsney. of
Michigan, was aware that it was not popular
thing to oppose pension bill brought into the
House by one of the committees. 1t had been
said, in and out of this hall, that the
party to which he belonged was opposed to the
granting of pensions of all kinds. He
could demonstrate to the House and country
that Democrats had quite as much interest in
the general welfare OF ex-soidiers of the late
the Republicans had. In order to do this he
quoted statistics showing the numbers of the
mem bers of the Democratic party who entered
the federal army in the various States. The
Democratic administration had treated the ex-
soldiers more fairly and literally than any adj
minlstration since the close of the The
Forty ninth Congress had passed more private
pension bills than had any other Congress.
Mr.. Laird, of Nebraska: How many did your
President vstos'
Mr.. Tarsney: "More than any of your Presi-
dents ever did, and thank God he did So be-
Il tn In
that no mistake was made when Grover Cleve-
land was called to the chair. Applause on Dem
ocratic SIDE. 1t Demonstrates the fact that the
country has at the helm careful.
prudent and criticising that he exam
ines the bills for himself, approves
those that are just and proper, and disapproves
those that not" Mr. Tarsney contended
that the Hancock pension bill could not be cited
as a precedent for the bill granting pension to
Mrs. Logan. Hancock a soldier when he
died Logan was not 1t was about time to call |
halt. when Congress was asked to pay a pen
sion to the widow OF United States Senator
Mr.. Taulbee of Kentucky. opposed the bill as |
being class legislation, and discriminating |
against the WIDOWS of general officers who were |
killed during the Mr.. Cannon. of Illinois,
said that he would vote for both bills. not only |
account of the distinguished services of the /
deceased but on the broader ground of sound |
public policy This country relied not the |
regular army, but the citizen soldiers; and
while the names of Thomas, and Hancock. and
Shields, and FArragut stood out as names which
all Americans We're proud OF, along with them
and equal with them stood the names of Logan
and Blair. He took pride in voting for these /
bills. SO that he could say to the youth of the
land that they should try to achieve the same
grandeur that those men have achieved.
Mr.. Clardy. of Missouri, said that he would |
cheerfully vote for the bill granting pension to
Mrs Logan as well as for the bill increasing |
the pension of Mrs Blair. If there was no |
precedent for them let Congress set a precedent,
which might, perhaps be invoked in other years
by othe Congresses in behalf of the widows of /
other Lognns and other Blairs. if unfortunately,
our country should again become involved in
war.
Mr.. Mason, of Illinois, said that one of the
bills for the relief of Mrs Logan. So far as
General Logan was concerned, Congress had |
consigned him to his last resting place; 1T had |
done its last duty to him. Mrs. Logan was
ideal American. She had been at Belmont and /
Shiloh. not only for her husbands sake, but for
the sake of the sufferers IN the hospital Days
and nights. weeks and months. without compen-
sation. she stood beside the bed OF the weak aud !
suffering. THIS bill was for the relief of Mary
Logan. and this fact should be considered by |
gentlemen IN deciding the way in which they
should vote.
Mr. Springer said that the services of such /
men Logan and Blair were beyond the meas
urement of dollars and cents. The people owed !
TO them and their wives and children debt of /
gratitude which could never be DISCHARGED. The |
pending bill bat in feeble way offered the
Nations tribute to the memory of departed ne
roes.
Mr.. Enloe. of Tennessee, announced himself
as opposed TO the character of legislation which /
proposed to esta blish class distinction, and Mr..
Walker OF Missouri opposed the measures
UPON the kdtlis GROUND. ar W lISon OF aillne-
sofa, opposed the bills un-American and UNI
just TO other pensioners.
Mr. Hatch. of Missouri said there
widows OF other brave and gallant officers who
received a pension of only so month. and no
saw no reason Why the widows of Generals
Logan and Blair should be taken of that
class and their pensions raissd 10 So. 900 year, |
when the average income of the people Of Mis-
seuri who would pay portion of il, was less
less than one half that sum.
Mr. Matson, Of Indiana said that the passage |
OF these bills meant the immediate establish.
inent Of an aristocratIc class Ia this country If
they should become laws, Il would be
year until all of The widows of general officers
would ask 10 be pensioned 81 The same sum- He