New-York tribune., 1878-04-13
ONE OF THE HOUSES LIVELY DAYS.


ONE OF THE HOUSES LIVELY DAYS
THIS CASE BEING MADE A TEST CT The SENSE of
CONGRESS AS TO WAR CLAIMS.
IpY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
WAsuINGToN April 12.-The first bill on the pr
vate calendar of the House of Representatives, lol
several weeks past has been that for the Telei ol
William and Mary College. in Virginia. week ago.
when the House had completed IT'S other
business and was about to 90 into committee
Of the Whole the private calendar, the desire 10
postpone the discussion this measure, whlch Is
looked upon both by Republicans and Democrats rs
a sort of test, caused an early adjournment 10
day the subject was taken up and led to one OF lhe
most interesting discussions OF the whole SESSION.
William and Mary College has been before Con-
rress in one form or another, asking for relief for
the last seventy y-fve years. During the Revolu-
iiopary War its buildings were occupied by the
patriot troops and were partially destroyed by them
The trustees of the college asked Congress to rem
burse them; but although bill for the relief OF the
institution was many times introduced, the Demo-
Gratis Of the South who then had control of Congress-
never acted favorably upon it, During the last war
the college buildings again occupied by Federal
troops, who were disodged from them. and some OF
them were set on fire. it is said by struggling Union
soldiers Now the institution asks for an appro-
praton of $65, 900 to cover this loss
The consideration of this bill has given rise to
good deal of sentimental speech-maklng. 1t has
generally received the support of some OF the best
educated representatives of the North on account OF
the scholarly traditions of the old college,
and of the iustriOus names to be found
in its roll of alumni. To-day Dr. Lorng,
Of Massachusetts in speech which showed unusual
care in its PREPARATION and quite eloquent in its
delivery entreated the House to pass the bill This
was considered by the Southern Representatives,
who are almost unanimous in its support, as great
card and il was hoped that the effect of the speech
would be to bring the House to speedy vote favor
able TO the measure.
But the Republicans have no intention Of allow
ing this bill to be made precedent entering
wedge for an immense class of Southern claims
which are sure TO follow in its wake.
After DR.. Loring had finished his speech,
amidst loud applause from the Democrats
and from some of the Republicans, score
or more of the former crowded about his seat
10 congratulate him on the success of his effort.
hard-headed New-England Representative, Mr.
Reed, of Maine, then followed with address forty
minutes long, which, to say the least, neutralzdd
all that DR.. Loring had said. He opposed
the bill because it would establish danger
ous precedent, and he produced some facts
worthy the attention of taxpayers. From the sta
tistics which he presented and which supple
mented by other Representatives, it appeared that
notwithstanding the fact that this is
the session before the Congressional elections,
period during which the South is
supposed to be on its good behavior, fully one
fourth in number of all the bills introduced in the
House during the present session. and now waiting
for action, are for the payment of Southern claims
of one sort another. Among them are many
bills for the relief of educational institutions.
General Grant established important
precedent in refusing to sign bills of this very class
He vetoed measure for the relief of the East Ten
nessee University. That Mr.. Reed said, was loyal
institution in that its teachers had never ncucated
secession doctrines nor left their duties professors
to Join the Confederate Army; its pupils had
not participated in the Rebellion its buildings had
been used and destroyed by Union forces, and yet
General Grant rather than establish so dangerous
precedent vetoed the bill passed by large majority
in each House of Congress to pay for the damages
which it had suffered.
Mr. Reed was followed by Mr. Martin l. Town
send, of New-YOrk, one of the most earnest and
plain-spoken members of the House, and withal a
great humOrst. He showed by the book how great
was the love of Virginia for Massachusetts, and for
the North, and proved that whenever measures in
which the North is particularly interested are pend
Y,
against them. He said that Virginia started with
better advantages than any other State its wealth
was greater its position more influential; and yet
hardly any one of the Northern States has failed to
outstrip it in material development. Even New
Jersey, no declared, the last that God created and
which consists simply of a load of sand left over
after the other States were made is more wealthy
and more enterprisng than the Old Dominion; in
fact, the City of Newark manufactures in a year
enough Yankee notions to buy out body and
breeches, any Democratic State in the Union.
Mr.. Il townsend is very quick in repartee, and dis
played his skill on more than occasion to-day.
lie said that if Virginia would do something herself
instead of begging for aid, he would vote to give
her assistance; if Virginia would build cotton
factory he would vote for a tariff to protect IFS
products At this point North Carolina
member interposed with Will You ever
vote to take off tho tax from Virginia
tobacco 7" Mr., Townsend instantly replied: mo:
the man who is not willing to pay for the tobacco
he chews does not deserve to have any, and it's
mean and sneaTing act for Democrat to propose to
take the tax of from tobacco and whiskey and put
il on the wOman's drink, tea"
At the close of Mr.. TOwnsend's speech the commit
Tee rose and the House adjourned This bill is likely
to occupy the time of the House for several Friday
afternoons before vote is reached upon it.
THE DEBATE.
Hfp cOODE LEADS OFF WITH AN APPEAL IN BE-