Mr. SHERMAN. I stated distinctly when I rose that I was opposed to the system of the equalization of bounties at the present session and in the present condition 0 'our finances; but I am now talking about the amendment. I say, if the Senator really wishes to equalize bounties, he should base his bill upon the prop position made by the HoRep, because if local communities did pay to the soldier money, it was just as good to him as if it had been paid by the national Government. When we started out in this war we started out with the proposition that the U.S. should pay no bounties. The $100 was given rather as the substitute for the uarter section of land usually voted to our sol icrs. Mr. President, I find that my throat is so much affected that really I ought not to proceed; but there are 2 or 3 other considerations in this matter that I probably ought to mention. This is not a debt. It is admitted on all hands that we do not owe our soldiers anything. it is said that no soldiers ever served so well or deserved so well of their country. That is true; but no soldiers were ever paid so well; no soldiers ever received so much money permonth; no soldiers ever received such gratuities and bounties and aids, both local and national; no soldiers were ever so honored by any people in the world as our soldiers have been; no soldiers ever had the road to promotion open to them as ours have had; an now many a gallant fellow who entered the ranks as a common soldier bears upon his shoulder the star of a brigadier and even the double star of a major general. No soldiers were ever so kindly treated. They are a part of our community. They are our fathers and brothers and kindred. Now it seems to me to treat them as you would mercenary soldiers who entered the service merely to gain money is absurd. It is not the proper view to present of this case. They entered into it in many instances without regard to the money they were to receive. In the early period of the war I saw 100s of the finest young men of Ohio enter the service rmen who were ontircly independent, above want, who need not have given a stroke of labor during their whole lives at 11 dollars a month, and they served gallantly and well. The idea of trying to equalize them or putting them upon the basis of receiving money gratuities I am sure would wound their pride. There are 1000s of such soldiers throughout the country who do not ask your bounty. I believe that more than ten, perhaps 20%. of the money appropriated by this bi I will go into the hands of agents and attorneys; it will never reach these soldiers; while the fact of this increase of the public debt will, in my judgment, tend to lower the price and value of our securities, to derange the currency of the country, and by increasing the public debt increase the cost of all the necessaries of life. The evils which will flow from it will be very great indeed. I therefore, in any aspect, am opposed to this attempt to equalize the bounties; but. if it must be done, if the Senate have made u their minds to do it, it is much wiser to ta 'e the House proposition requiring the equalization of the bounties upon the basis of a deduction of the local bounties. If it is to be done, in my judgment it ought to be done by abill fully discussed on its own merits and not hitched on to an appropriation bill. Suppose this matter does go over until next winter, will any harm result? The Senfrom Massachusetts says these men cannot get their money for 4 years. Then what harm will be done by a post ponement? We will have time to consider it; the ComMilAffrs will have time to reexamine this question and to mature a proper bill; we will have new information on the sub'cct. We can have an estimate made by the PayMGen and by the proper accounting officers of the Treasury as to the amount that will be necessary. We may then be able to see our wa through financially. Our revenues may be arger than we anticipate; our expenses may not be so great. No harm can be done by laying this proposition over until next winter, while now, just at this critical moment, when there is so much unccrtainty, not only in our financial affairs but abroad, the passage of this measure, by s iowing an utter disregard of all these pecuniary considerations, may seriously embarrass our public credit. I say that no harm can be done by putting this measure over. The people of this country will never forget the services of their soldiers. They are showing everywhere, all over the country, the highest appreciation of their services. Soldiers are now filling your offices; they are receiving your honors; and they Will always be regarded With favor and With affection. Your miserable bounty bill, while it may embarrass the Government and derange our finances, will scarcely be anything to them. Suppose you give to one of these gallant he roes $100 or 8200, what will he care for it? If he is an able bodied man, he has resumed the ordinary occupations of his life, every where favored an befriended; if he is dead and has left behind him a widow and children, they are provided for by increased pensions; so that in no view that I can take 0 this subject is it indispensable to pass this bill at this time. If he is disabled, wounded, he is on your pension list. If the pension is not large enough my friendfrom Indiana is the almoner of our mercy and of our bounty in that regard, and any bill that he introduces in regar to pensions will pass, and his heart is overflowing with kindness toward these men. I ask, therefore, is there any necessity or pressure for this measure? None whatever. 0 force us at this period of the session, at this hour of the night to vote upon a bill of this kind, without any opportunity to study its details, it seems to me is unwise leflislation. If, however, the Senate are disposed, to do Iit, in pursuance of the instructions musta I have receive an of my public duty, make some provision, either that these bounties shall only be paid out of the current revenue as it accrues and exceeds our expenditure, or else we must meet the question fairly and authorize the SecyTreasury to borrow money to pay these boun tics. We all know that it is perfectly idle, in addition to the enormous appropriations that we are passing this session, which will absorb the current revenue, to throw upon him this large mass ofunliquidated and unadjusted debt. We must provide the Ways&Means of pay in it if we re ose to contract this liabiity.