Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1866-02-06
Generals Thomas and Meade.

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The following IS report Of the pre-
ceedinga in the House Of Representa-
tises on Friday last, when Generals
Thomas and Meade were formally in
trodaced to that body, including the
speeches on the occasion
! The House was the scene of great in
terest to-day. Soon after one O'clock,
Major Generals Meade and Thomas en-
tered the Hall, and were imm ediateIy
surrounded by large number of the
members Mr.. Brooks, of New York.
was on the floor at the time, defending
his contested seat, but he gave way for
Mr.. Garfield, of Ohio, to make a motion
that the House take a recess, and that
the Speaker be requested to escort Gen
erals Meade and Thomas to the SPEAK
er's Chair. This was agreed to unani.
mously. Speaker Colfax left the Chair
and escorted the two heroes down the
main aisle, amid immense demonstra-
tons of applause, on the floor and in
the galleries, and the ladies waving
their handkerchief On reaching the
| Speakers platform, Gen. Meade stood
on the right and Gen. Thomas on The
left Of the Speaker. The Speaker then
said: k### #NN% .Ha
"Gentlemen Of the House o. Representa-
tues: IA
While time shall last and your Repub-
lie endure, none Of US can feelto grateful
to the officers and soldiers who periled
their lives for its preservation. True as
the truest, and brave as the bravest were
Major General Meade, of the Army of
the Potomac, and Major General Thorn.
as, OF the Army of the Cumberland,
whom have the pleasure, by your order,
to introduce to you to-day"
Immense applause greeted these re-
marks.
Major General Meade, in clear, loud
voice, spoke as follows:
Gentlemen o fthe House Of Representa-
tives:
Impressed as / am and as may say
with the solemnity OF this occasion, hav-
ing been introduced to you in so compli-
mentary and distinguished manner as
we have been by the Speaker, it is al
most impossible for me to find fitting
words 10 say how grateful / am, and al
SO my friend and brother, Gen. Thomas,
for thia compliment. If we may be per.
mitted to consider this distinguished
honor rs an approval of our course in
thelate war, which, by the blessing Of
God, has 50 Rloriously trium phed, it will
be to US a reward which we shall always
bear in mind with thankfulness.
Renewed cheering followed, with loud
demands for Gen. Thomas to speak. He
did not seem, at first, disposed to do so,
but finally spoke as follows: E45 "a
Gentlemen: A
did not intend to say anything, kut
TO let my friend, Gen. Meade, thank Won
for this distinguished honor. But, as Yen
have called on me, 1 will say that 4 in
dorse every word be has spoken, and
thank you sincerely for this compile
ment" az s.
Mr.. Spaulding of Ohio, proposed three
cheers tor General Thomas, which were
given with g-ee. enthusiasm. saen
The Speaker then introduced each
member of the House, after which cere>
mony the usual legislative business was
resumed.
The Committee on Ways and Means,
AuA1 anOE uAhBt Ahiu hSlu0 Tue @iOllOWIDR
resolution for consideration at an early
day. n
Ways and Means be instructed to inquire
intcthe expediency of 60 graduating the
taxation for revenue upon fares and
rates charged by railroad companies,
and others, for the transportation of
passengers and freights over the high
ways of commerce, that while the neces.
sary revenue shall be derived, relief may
result to the agricultural and other in
terests of the country from the high and
oppressive .impositions that are now
crushing those interests, especially in
the West, and whether, by the judicious
and lawful exercise of the power of Con-
gress to raise revenue and to regulate
trade and commerce among the States,
relief may not be afforded to the farmers
and consumers of the country from the
exorbitant exactions of combined mo-
nopolies."