Mr. DELANO. Agreed; at a former Congress this claim came very near being passed into a law, but it did not quite become a law; and now because it once came so near being a law members say that it should be made an exception to this rule. If there is any logic in that reasoning I have not brains enough to comprehend it. The claim was defeated then, no matter under what circumstances or by what means, it simply failed. Having failed, it stands now on the same footing with all other claims. It received no white washing, it got no infusion of merit, no element of jus tice or equity by the fact of coming so near to being a law, that was not in it intrinsically and by its own nature without the existence of that fact. That fact gives it no power, no merit, no equity, no anything. Now, I understand very well that this claim appeals to the sympathies of gentlemen who have been approached by the claimant, Mr. Armes. But He who knows my heart knows that if, without establishing a rule that would be injurious to the finances of the country, I could vote to give this man $9,000, I would do it. But I am not here to do acts of charity or of benevolence; nor is any other member of this House here for that purpose. Each member must settle these questions according to his own judgment and his own conscience. It is a question of our duty here as legislators, and not a question of humanity to this man. I know very well there is scarcely a member of this House who has not seen this man; and there is no member who has a heart who has not been touched by his condition and by his circumstances. I have felt them myself. But I am not here to be actuated by any feeling of this kind. It is a simple, plain, straight forward question, whether the rule we adopted as necessary to the finances of the nation shall stand or whether it shall be over turned and destroyed. I know how these cases are used as examples, and how the example is carried much. than it really ought to be; and I tell gentlemen that if this claim be passed the flood gates will be hoisted and the rushing tide of claims will pour in and overwhelm you before you are well aware of the danger. See even now how these precedents are used. M open hearted friendfrom Maine [Mr. Bonoj can see now, in the very fact that this claim came very near being a law in a former Congress before the rule I have referred to was adopted, a reason why this claim should now override that which we solemnly Prescribed as a law to ourselves. I mention this to demon strate to this House the danger of setting precedents of this character. I have said more to the House perhaps than I ought to have said. But I pray the House to enter upon this case with a consciousness of what it will lead to, and not allow themselves to be actuated by feelings of benevolence to establish a rule that will be so dangerous to the country.