National Republican., 1878-05-11

Representatives iron. .the South did just as
those from tho North d:d-they presented the
bills of their constituents. II was the right Of
the constituent to demand It, and It was the
duty Of the Representative to present the
claim. They did not present fraudulent claims,
knowing them to bo such, rs had been
charged.
When bills como here thcy must undergo the
scrutiny Of committees Of the House, and if
they are not proper they will be rejected.
More of this class of claims were paid in Re-
publican Congress than In q Democratic Con-
gress. The vast bulk was paid by virtue Of
law passed by Republican Congress. The
claims were for the friends Of the Republicans,
and 1t did not lie in their mouth to say that
the South must suffer continuously and be re-
preached for these claims
Mr.. THOMPSON culogizcd the loyal men Of
the south who were true among the faithess
and loyal among the disloya, and In the course
of his remarks asserted that the Confcdcracy
had imprisoned and starved citizens solely be-
cause Of their loyalty to the Union.
Mr.. 1IUNTON asked him t. name one case.
Mr.. WHITE pa said he could name cases
IL his colleague (Mr. THoMPsON) did not.
lie would appeal to the records of the Libby
Prison for proof. and If the gentlemen wanted
Instances, he could give them. In 1863, when
Lees army invaded Pennsylvania there were
packed in ono room in Libby Prison loyal men
who were civilians, and who, day after day,
had their numbers thinned out by starvation
aud who were carried from the prison and
placed in unmarked graves, whcro their
bodies still lie. In those terrible days of
August, lSG3, there were men in that prison
who were not allowed the ordinary rations to
sustain life.
Their fUllow-prisoners, soldiers who were
captured in honorable warfare, and were in
the room above them, dropped food to them
through holes in the floor These loyal pris-
oncrs put up their skinny hands, looked up
with their emaciated faces, and hustled each
other to get the crumbs that were dropped
down TO them. lie could prove tho truth of
all these statements if his witnesses were here
many of them have gone to their long homes.
This speech brought gentlemen on both
sides down to the area in front of the Clerks
desk, and there was much confusion and ex-
citcmcnt on the floor.
Mr.. FORT moved that the committee rise,
and the motion was seconded OH both sides.
Mr.. lIUNTON appealed to gentlemen to per-
nit him to be heard, and finally obtained the
ioOr. lie said he had no desire to say any
thing to revive the ranklcd feelings Of the late
war lie did not desire to say word to stir
up again the bad feelings Of that strife. There
was no excuse for bringing 1t on this floor.
The gentleman from Pennsylvania tMr. WHITE
hau drawn his picture purely from his imagi-
nation. When the other gentlemen from Penn
Sylvania Alr. THOMPSON made statement
that dishOnored the Confederate army, of which
he WAS an humble member, lie felt bound to
protest The gentleman had drawn upon his
imagination, and said ho could prove his state
ments, but his witnesses were not here.
Mr.. WHITE There's q witness here.
Mr. HUTTON. do not yield now.
Mr. WHITE tamid calls to order from the
DcmOcrats). | state what know.
Mr. HUNTON again declined to yield, while
Democrats called, Order order!" and Mr.
WHITE rcpcatcllyssvocilerated that he stated
what he knew When order was again re-
stored,
Mr.. HUNTON, resuming, said that If the
Federal prisoners suffered it was the fault of
the Federal Government. The prisoners re-
ccivcd the same ratiOns us were dealt out to
the Confederate soldiers in the field. and IL
food and medicines We're scarce it was owing
TO the action of the Federal Government. The
ComicdCrates made all efforts for an honorable
exchange. 1t is matter Of history that these
efforts were met by refusal on tho Federal
side, under the prctcxt and declaration that
the effect of an exchange would be to prOlong
the war
lie denied that there was any unnecessary
or unavoidable suffering of the prisoners in
the hands Of the ConicdcratCs. History will
show that the Confederate government did all
1t could for the tclicf of the prisoners. lie
might rctOrt, if he would, bv giving aCrOunts
"i the sullcrings and privations of Confederate
prisoners in Federal prisons, but he had no dis
position to harrow up the feelings cngcndcrCd
ny the late war and would not do it, This
was not tho place for these discussions.
Mr. THOMPSON said that when u man was
loyal In the South he honorcl him more for it
Than when he was loyal in Massachusetts, or
Pennsylvania. because the sentiment there
was all one way. But the world believes and
thousands in this country know that suffer
IhsS were unnecessarily severe upon all who
stopl by the flag Of the South. Why was it,
u TINS was not so, that there were so many
refugees from home and friends whenever our
army approached? History Is witness and
the record cannot be blotted out.
Mr. BRIGHT rose and was recognized.
Mr. WHITE pa claimed the floor.
Mr. BRIGHT declined to yield.
Mr.. WHITE Pa.) insisted that ho was next
on the list for recognition.
The House here resOumdcd with calls to vote
and with demands for the regular order.
Mr.. WHITE (Pa.) said injustice had been
done him, and he wanted to be heard
Mr.. BRIGHT finally agreed to give him one
minute.
Mr.. WHITE pa said he had no desire to
uncover the rccolcctiOns Of the past, nor had
he any desire to march the skeletons of Libby
and Andcrsonyilc before tho House LhisScsl
or to bring up the scenes of the past.
At this point there were calls for Mr. WHITE
to speak louder, and yclS aud cnt-culls, while
Mr.. COSGER and others demanded order,
which the Chair (Mr. KNAPP seemed power
lcss to preserve.
Mr.. WHITE, amid the confusion said "I
am your pocr and will maintain my right to
bo heard"
Here the point was made that the one min
ute assigned to Mr.. WHITE had expired but
tho latter persisted, and took issue with Mr..
IluNTuN that Federal prisoners got the same
raliOns rs Confederate soldiers. The fortunes
Of war made him u prisoner, and he knew that
loyal men from the valley Of Virginia and
from East Tennessee We're starved to death iu
Libby Prison.
The point was again made that time was up.
Mr.. WHITE declined TO cease speaking. Mem.
brrS gathered again in the arca Mr.. TUR.
NEE ran to the front to demand ordcr
while Mr.. Waite continued to vOcilrratc and
gcstcuitc. Orlcr was restored after oOmo
difficulty.
Mr.. BRIGHT and Mr.. OLIVER udvonatcd
the pending claim; after which Mr.. BRAGG
moved to strike out the Cnactiug clause, which
motion wa, lost.
The committee then rose aud reported the
bill 10 the House.
The bill to pay the executors of Samuel F.
Fcarm was passed.
Mr.. MCMAHON moved to table the bill for
the relief of the heirs OF John llrXur. Re
jcctcl-ycus -, nays Ito. The bill was then
passed.
Ca motion Of Mr. SMITH OPu.) the pension
appropriation bill was taken from the Speak
rr's table and referred to the Appropriation