The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1864-03-31

therefore Mr., Speaker, that his bill will
receive the favorable consideration Of
the House.
Mr.. Wilson. hope the House is
now ready to take vote on the amend
ment. l will no! occupy any further the
time of the House. move The previ.
ous question.
Nj. Whaley. Ihopc the chairman Of
the judiciary Committee will not press
this matter TO o vote now. This Is the
most important question that has been
before the House this session.
MIR. Wilson. merely wish TO test
the sense Of the House, Ifthe House is
willing to have the matter delayed, SO
he il; but | ask the previous question,
aud call for teliers on secondlng the
demand.
TelIors were ordered; and Messra.
Wilson aud WhOley were appointed.
The House divided; and the tellegs re.
ported--ayes, 80, noes &C.
SO the House refused to second the
Previous question,
Mr. Whaey obtained The floor.
Mr.. Eckley, VIII The gentleman
from West Virginia give way for ne TO
move that this bill Be recommitted?
Mr., Wbaley. No, sir must decline
to yield for any such purpose.
Mr.. Speaker, | cannot believe that a
majority of this House, or even those
who are opposed to The amendment sub.
mittod by the geatlema an from Maryland,
desire to deprive the loyal citizens Of
the border States of their Just rights, or
to prevent them from haYing an adjudi.
cation of their claims. | cannot be.
ieve that that is the object even Of those
gentleman who opposed the amendment.
| wish to call the attention of gentlemen
on this floor to the facts on which these
claims rest, and not only of members,
but of their consli uen,s also,
Mr., Speaker, this is an important CUES,
ton 1t is one that involves the rights
and welfare of the suffering people Of
the border States. Could any one have
expected that such opposition would be
made TO an amendment SO fair as that
offered by my friend from Maryland?-
Is there any reason why there should
not be at least a mode provided by
which these people shout have an op,
portunity Of having their claims failly
and honestly adjudicated? | do not re.
fer 10 the claims Of seccssonists and
traitors, but to those of loyal people
who have shown their devotion to this
Union and have made sacrifices for it,
undergoing sutteriogs that are unknown
to the people OF the North.
wish 10 cali attention, further, 10 the
fact that hundreds of thousands of dol
lars of these claims are due TO the uu.
conditionally loyal people oil the border
States, for provisions and commissary
stores furnished in good faith for the
use Of the Army, but where the cerif
Gates given did not comply fully with
the requirements OF the Wal DepaIt'
ment. These claims have been, there
fore, rejected, and are now piled up by
the coId in the Third Auditors olice.--
Is there a proposition TO deprive these
people Of fair chance TO have their
claims adjusted? If not, then Ietsome
remedy for their case be recommended
to the House by the Judiciary Com.
mittee.
It is the duty of Congress to provide
for the payment OF the just claims OF the
loyal people of the border States. Con
trast lheIconlition with that Of the PEG
pie of the North. Every city, every town
every village and hamlet Of the North
is this day more prosperous thanit ever
has been since the settlement Of the con.
tinent; while on the other hand, il you
look to West Virginia, Kentucky, and
Missouri YOU will find nothing bur des-
olanon. Thousands oIther population
have been driven to the free States, who
had happy homes three years ago; had
wealth enough for themselves md their
posterity. but who are now reduced to
absolute want The loyal people OF the
border States have shown their loyalty
in the Army ana ot the polls. They
sent to Congress unconditional Union
men, men who have stood BY the Ad.
mioistration on this floor, who have vo.
ted for every appropriation to carry on
the war. And now, when tits proposed
to have these Just claims honestly and
fairly adjudicaled, we are met with OPP
position from the other side of the
House If this is the policy let US
knowit. Let the constituents Of every
border State nan know it. Let it go
over the wires this evening that there
is a majority in this House opposed to
paying these loyal men or providing a
way o(adjudcatng their claims.
The Attack on Paducnh.
The rebel force under General Forrest