The Russellville Democrat., 1891-03-26


 Mir. Manning was against the bill, and hoped it would not be resurrected.
 Mir. Sellers was against the bill and spoke against reconsideration.
 Mir. Owens was opposed to re- consideration and explained his position.
 Mir. Russell favored reconsidera- ton, and spoke in favor of the bill.
 Mir. Williams, of Yell, moved the previous question, and Mr. Otey closed the debate.
 The motion to reconsider failed by a vote of ayes, 29; nays, 55.
 Mir. Flippin reported senate bills 72, "A, 99, and house bill 235, cor. rectly enrolled.
 Special order, house bill 222, to pension disabled ex- Confederate sol diers, was taken up and the til. be- ing upon it's final passage, the fol- lowing discussion was had:
 Mir. Peterson said.
 Mir. Speaker---In addressing my self to this subject, I do not wish to portray afresh the scenes, nor dis cuss the righteousness of the prin- ciples or the wisdom of the policy of the war. More silvery tongued orators than l have painted in living colors the deeds of valor of the Southern soldiery-that soldiery whose gallantry the world has stood still to admire. Their deeds will yet be both painted and sung as long as humankind continues to admire ] valor, patriotism and the love oi home in their fellowman.
 So far as the purposes of this bill are concerned, it matters not whether the policy for which the sons of the Southland fought was wise or the principles right or not, Arkansas called, and her sons did not stop tc question whether their state was right or wrong, but the thought was My country calls, and I must go." They did go, and willingly laid life, property and all on her altar without hope oi reward or preferment. Nor do they now ask compensation for all the sacrifices they made. It is free will offering in recognition of servi. ces for which the states gratitude is due to her most honored and most honorable citizens. This bill does not call upon the government of the United States to pension those that were engaged in rebellion against that government. The cry of rebel which has been raised here then does not apply. Arkansas proposes by this bill 10 pension her soldiery, and that soldiery was never in rebellion against Arkansas. They came forward at the call of their state and offered themselves 8 sacri. fee on her altar in life, limb and property. Surely those who offered all and lost all but life and honor i'll the service of the state the state owes something.
 l have no personal interest in this measure. I was only small boy when the war ended. But the fact that 1 was not in the war--the fact that l have neither kith nor kin, so far as is known to nae, who will be the states benefciaries under this measure, will not deter me from supporting it.
 would not be willing to throw open the floodgstes of the state treasury for this or any other pur- pose, but 1 think that is far from being the case under this bill. The bill, though not all that I could wish in every way, yet is certainly well guarded, so far as expenditures are concerned. The number of pension CTS or benefciaries of this bill can not now, think, be much in excess of 800. That number, drawing at the average rate of S75 per annum, each, which is above the actual aver age, would receive s22, 300, which, with the S10,000 appropriated for the support of the Confederate home, would amount to s32 ,500. And it should be remembered that the num- Der must decrease as the years roll by.
 Now, MT. Speaker, members on this floor seem 10 have some- what different opinions as to whether this bill contemplates sn act of charity, or the payment Of debt of gratitude owed by the state to those old, infrm and crip- pied soldiers who are no longer able to provide for themselve. Sir, l am inclined to the latter opinion, but it matters not with me in which light it is considered, it is measure to provide for the most faithful servants of the state--those servants who proved themselves to be faithful faithful, even unto the death, and who are no longer able to take care of themselves, and I, therefore, am for the bill, first, last and all the time.
 MT. Adams said:
 MT. Speaker-This debate has taken very wide range. It has opened up the field of politics, patriotism and the general principles of pensions. Pensions should never convey the idea of pe- cuniary reward for services rendered.