Daily Kennebec journal., 1878-03-11
An Exciting Episode in the House
of Representatives.

1HE DISCUSSION OF THE ANTI -BEILUM MAIL
CONTRACT CLAIMs-AN UNEXPECTED EXPOS
URE or THE RoTTENNEss OF THs SOUTHERN
cLAIMs-soME FRANK ADMISSIONS BY THE
SOUTHERN DEMOCRACY.
Especial to the B ostou Daily Advertiser.1
WASHINGTON, March 8.
The scene in the House this afternoon, while
Congressman Willis was exposing the incorrect
ness of Representative Reagan's statements touch
ing what was done by the Confederacy in relation
TO mail contractors of intense interest and ex-
citement. To fully understand the circumstances
little recapitulstion of history is necessary.
The last Congress pas sed appropriation for
paying Southern mail contractors, and others in
the service Of the United States at the breaking
out of the war, what was due them up to the time
their States seeded. For some reason the money
has never been distributed, and bill is before
Congress authoi izing the payment. When it was
under discussion, few days ago, Mr.. Conger of
Michigan, opposed it vigorously on the ground
that these men, when their States seeded, sppro-
prated all the property and money in their posses.
son and turned it over to the Confederate gov
ernment.
Representative Reagan of Texas, formerly post
master-general of the Confederate States, denied
the statements with warmth, asserting hat these
men were instructed by the Confederate govern
ment to account to the United States for all money
and property in their possession up TO a certain
date. His speech was positive, clear and had an
authority which commanded confidence and re-
spect. Several republicans were so much i'm
pressed by 1t that they had a mind to vote for the
bill
When it came up to-day the debate ran along
much as other debstes for a time, without special
l..ll Al. II
nearly empty. After a while Mr.. Conger took the
floor, and having called attention to his statements
and Reagsns controverting il, in order to FIRE shen
the memory Of members yielded to Mr.. Willis,
who produced from the Confederate archives in
the possession of the governne Mt, the reports OF
fostmaster-General Reagan, upon which he read
passage after passage. showing that Reagan, as
Postmastr General of the Confederacv had in
structed and caused to be done just what Conger
asserted was DONE and what Reagan asserted was
not done. The evidence was overwhelming. Rea-
gan himself utterly confounded, while the
whole democratic side OF the House was struck
with amazement, confusion and indignation. Rea-
gan attempted to speak, but there was nothing he
could say except to protest that he had not deib-
erstely attempted to deceive the House. but that
his memory had betrayed hm
Some prominent Southern members declared
that they would not vote for the bill under such
state of facts; Others excitedly, and with little
Judgment, attempted to buster and made show
OF questioning the authenticity of the documents
1he republicans wanted vote on the bill at once
but the democrats begged to have it re committed
to the committee which originally reported it. and
to this end moved that the committee of the whole
rise. They carried this, but when the motion to
re-commt was made. Mr.. Conger made the pon
of order that the bill was not in possession of the
House. but still in committee of the whole, which
was sustained.
The humiliation and anger of the democracy
especially of the Southern men, is great. They
"a thax tL.Y - 4.
them during this Congress, and some of them
more outspoken, do not hesitate to say that thi.
whole Southern claims business is indecent anc
ought to be choked off absolutely.