The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-04-16


1t themselves. When they came to report the bill in
relation to payments for postal services rendered in
1.-The South prior to the war; they put in that bill an
eAcuf sion of those who had not been loyal to the
Aderacy, and they did rightly enough, and we
are c.oing rightly enough now.
lou gentlemen on the other Eide began war
which resulted in the destruction of fifty thousand
killed on the field OF battle our side and as many
more upon yours; and hundreds of thousands of
Others are now dragging out a miserable existence
from the effects of that war,
Now, whatever may be the question of right or
wrong for any individual, the only justification of
rebellion is success. The consequences are too fear
1ul or men to be allowed to make it the escape of
their passions. 1t involves death to men and dc.
struction to property. You do not need to be told
Its miseries, for you have suffered Them ANY set of
men who propose to plunge their people into these
horrors are bound to be successful take the conse
guences. You were beaten and yet you want us to
take the consequences
You gentlemen opposite come forward and insist
That the victorious country shall pay for the damages
inflicted by it upon its enemies ask you if this is
reasonable and sensible? ask you whether in the
present condition of the country it is wise? Gentle
men, the business interests of the country will not
allow you to succeed In this attempt; and you owe
great deal of your liberties to the business men of
Inc country. Why will not you your own part
now disposition to let by-gones be by-gones and
ct us have rest and peace returning prosperity?
Mr. Cummings trust the gentleman from Maine
before he takesihis seat, will allow me tn correct
statement which he made. He puts the proportion
OF war claims at onetenth. have lust looked at the
Congressional Record and find the total number of
bills introduced into this House ND to and including
yesterday is forty-two hundred and eshty-two. A
week or two ago the clerk Of the committee on war
claims informed me that there were then pending
before that committee over twelve hundred bills.
These bills all grow out of the war and are almost
entirely for the relief of persons in the Southern
States. Besides these, there bills pending befo
several other committees. The committee on claims
ofwhich am member, has before it one single bill
which proposes to give to North Carolina S43 900 for
Cotton seized Instead of the number of these claims
being but one-tenth of the bills introduced into this
House, they are really more than one-fourth-that
as, those before the war claims committee alone are
more than one-fourth. This you observe does not
include the cotton bills, the bills for the improve
ment of southern rivers for captured and abandoned
property and others of like nature.
Mr.. ReedI confined my remarks to the results
merely Of my personal observation. There are a
great many other claims of the same class which
have been referred to the committees from the file
room from other Congresses of which meant to
have spoken. thank the gentleman for his supple
entary statement because such figures ealculat-
ed to call the attention of the House and the country
TITS matter To say that it is alarming is to use
very mild language
L now yield the remainder of my time to the gen.
tienian from New York, MIR. Townsend.