Mr. GRIJNI LL. Mr. Speaker, I believe that I have the credit, whether I deserve it or not, of bein very liberal in my votes in this House, and desire to be so on this occasion. But before I vote, I desire to inquire in regard to another very large class for whom I do not see any immediate prospect of provision being made. I wish to inquire in regard to the poor widows and mothers of private soldiers and maimed men with large families receiving 8 dollars permonth. Here is the case of a noted woman, honored in being the mother of n numerous, brave family. She is now receiving something like $300 a year from the Government. That is well. But when it is proposed to double this pension because this ady had the honor to be the mother of such sons, one of whom now enjoys a lucrative foreign mission, while there are so manv others who are deserving and absolutely indigent, I cannot see the propriety of supporting such a proposition; certainly when it sets a precedent which may involve the expenditureof millions of dollars. Now, sir, I wish to state a fact in regard to my own State in connection with this proposed liberality. When we were raising troops 1000 brave men of our State, mainly above 45 years of age, some of whom had sons, and even grandsons in the service of the country, were willing to enlist for the war. They supposed, of course, that they would receive the same treatment in reference to bounty, &c., as other troops. So far did this understanding extend that even the paymaster gave them a portion of their bounties. But when they were mustered out of service, 1/3rd and more of their number having died or become unfit for duty, the bounty which they had received was deducted from their ay, being at once a mortification and a hards ip. By a bill we have sought to redress this wrong to the sacrificing “ grey beards” of the war above 45 years of age, many of whom went home, er the place they lelt as home, to find their houses burned in some instances, and their property gone, thus left poor, dependent upon their relatives, or thrown back years financially. Now, the Governmenthas notthe charity or the justice even to give back to these men at art of the bounty. 0w, sir, before I vote this to the mother or the father of any major general, I shall ask justicetobe doneto these “ grey beards, ” n, though above 40 years of age, doing their duty well. I tell you there are poor iuen now dependent upon scanty means we should 1st look to. I tell you they were brave men, and deserve something from the Government if we have charities to bestow. But here is the difference in this case. It is for the private soldier, for the cor, that we are ca led to legislate. Let us of that before we double the pensions of those who are now already well to do in this world, and who can rest upon their honors until families in absolute want are provided for. I ask the Clerk to read what I send up.