The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1878-02-13
WEST VIRGINIA SPEAKS.
WILSON, KENNA, DAVIS, HERE
FORD.
All Put In Their Little Oars-Claims,
Currency, SIIver-Don Pfatt
ON Hereford,
Correspondence OF the Register.

dteS nom tnree members Oh Inc west
Virginia Congressional delegation have
delivered themselves of speeches. Col.
Wilson, on Friday last, discussed "loysl
claims" MIR. kenns spoke to his resolu-
tion on silver and greenbscks on Satur-
day, and on Monday Senator Davis made
an argument on the Bland bill.
Colonel Wilson took advantage of the
debate upon bill to compensate "loysl"
persons IN Alexandria, for the use
by the army, during the war of
the Pioneer mills of that city, to
advocate the claims of "loyal' citizens
OF States which did not secede, for sub.
sistence furnished the Federal army
during the war. As on a previous occa-
sion, 70 which | referred, Colonel Will
son spoke as lawyer, weighing care
fully each statement and supporting
every assertion with authority. He dis
associated the. e.subject matter of his dis
cusslon from that under debate, and in
sisted that it was inhuman and unjust
that every act of Congress touching the
government bonds sho1ld be in the in-
terest OF the bondholders, whist the
"poor, loyal, honest men" are suffering
for the want OF the money that the gov
ernment oweed them, who fed the Union
soldier, gave him subsistence, shelter
and transportation; and whilst
the poor soldier himself, cries in vain
for his pension; claims which the Gov
ernment is under every obligation OF
honor and justice 10 meet. He defended
himself from the silly attack for his bill
defining "loyslty" and "disloyslty," and
said it was principle OF justice, over
and over again decided byi the highest
courts, that no man should be presumed
guilty OF crime, not even treason, but
that the presumption must be OF his in
nocence, and his guilt must be proven.
As to these loyal claims, he wanted
them transferred from the Quarter
Master Generals and Commissionary
Generals offices, TO the District Courts
OF the L. S. IN the various States,
to the Court of Claims, or 20 q Commls-
sion appointed for the purpose, because
the QQa:terrnsster-Genersl SAID that it
would take him thirteen years longer TO
dispose OF the cases. The heads OF these
departments, the Secretary Of War and
Mr.. Hayes, all agreed and concurred
with him in this matter. He showed that
these claims amounted ~ SS,OO0,OOO and
not 81, zoo, 100000, as the Sentinel puts it.
He did nothing to widen the scope OF any
statute upon this subject, but thought
that when the government owed money
to 'loysl citizens in States not in the re-
belIion" for "sinews of war" furnished
the army, the government was under an
obligation OF the highest character to en-
able citizen to recover what .jury would
give him verdict for unhesitatingly. He
was listened to with very marked
attention, and it was the universal ver-
dict that he had made a capital srgu.
ment, notwithstanding his time was 30
limited. There was general disposi.
tion TO extend his time, but it could not
be done under the rules.
Mr.. kenns's speech was very care
fully prepared one, showing great 70.
search and labor and thorough mastery
Of the most intricate subject how before
Congress. His was an able effort,
directed against the money power ant in
behalf Of crushed industries and the labor.
Ing class. He opened his remarks by say
il q that he went further in his "msdness"
than the SILVER lunscy," to which Mr..
Chttenden had just alluded. He review
ed the financial legislation OF the country,
calling attention TO the various acts
which had been passed in the interest OF
government securities. Summing up up
on these propositions he said:
First. The bonds payable IN currency
had been bought for fifty cents on the
dollar.
Second. The contract had been repu-
dated and they had been declared pay
able in coin:
Third. The contract was again repu-
disted and they were declared payable in
gold.
Fourth. The panic of 1878 and kindred
results Of financial legislation he'd par
alyzed business, sunihilsted values, and
laid PROSTATE the bleeding industries OF
the country.
He then proceeded to point out the
msnuer IN which the Resumption act,
passed under those circumstances, had
Affected the country. Turning then 10
the remedies, he demanded n repesl OF
the Resumption act; the remonetizs!ion
Of silver; the abolition Of the National
Bauk system and the attaching OF the full
legal tender QusIity TO the greenoacks.
Mr. CniItenden, from Brooklyn, had
lust denounced the silver bill IS a delu-
sion. A striking point IN Mr.. kennss
speech was the reading of q dispatch OF
the dsv before from New York, IN which
/, was announced that in Hoboken, oniy =
across the river from Mr.. Chlttenden' 9
district, three thousand people were SUI
iering tor food.
Mr. kenna struck new path IN this
much-explored wood. His speech was
especially directed 10 legislation upon
this subject that the Banking and Cur
reucy Committee now have under dis
CUssIon.
Sens,or Davis spoke for about thirty
minutes in favor Of the demonstration oi
silver. Some Of the papers in the state
have been accusing Senator Davis OF
being opposed to the Blsnt bill. Hl'
speech yesterday was relutstion OF 80 =
such charges. As presume his speech
will beouoted in the ROOSTER ST length
from the Record, l refrain from any
further mention OF il, save 20 say ihs'
!: Was what wss 10 be expected
from one 50 thoroughly yersed in finance
sud currency. ss is Henry q. Davis.
Whilst upon this subject OF silver,
must men.ioa the hAntsSmest compli'
rnent Of the season, from the pen OF Donr
PiAtt. Upon second thoughts, will In
seri It IN tot9, asa compliment well de-
served. and IS coming from msn TnC
rarely ever uses bis pen, eIceP. 70 60 io'
some ones scalp. L. appeared IN Sun
days Capital and is IS follows:
Silver in 8 nutshell is the pane 10
Senstor Hereford's close and conPae
statement Of the question. He takes
broader view, makes finer srZuneais
,ion and 9 better deduction than any o
the others, and, best Of all, . shorse
speech.
He states SIMPLY and forcibly the spar
snd letter OF the law, that the interest o.
The bonds should be paid in com, no