The New York herald., 1879-02-15
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.


Mr.. SOUTHLAND (dem) of Ohio stated that the COM
mtee the state of the law relating to the election
of President had last session reported constitutional
amendment in regard thereto. 1t evident that
no action would be taken it this session. and he
asked leave for gentlemen to print any remarks they
might desire to make in relation to that amendment.
So ordered.
The SPEAKER proceeded to call committees for
ports Of private nature.
Mr.. BRAGG (dem.) of Wis, from the Committee on
Military Affairs, reported bill authorizing the Presi
dent to appoint James Shields. Of Missouri, as
brgader general the retired list. such appoint
ment to be in lieu Of the pension which he now
ceives.
Mr.. WHITE, (rep) Of Pa. rose to Q point Of order,
and although appealed to to withdraw his point by
Messrs. Bragg. of Wisconsin; Cox. of New York;
Franklin of Missouri, and Buter, Of Massachusetts,
he refused to do SO.
great deal of confusion was occasioned by Mr..
Franklin coming to the republican side of the
hall and charging the republicans with not having
been in earnest year in their efforts for the ap-
pointment Of General Shields doorkeeper.
To this Mr.. WHITE replied that the democrats were
welcome to mako all the party capital they wanted
out of his action. He was willing to take the
sponsibility that member Of Congress should take
The confusion was 30 great that Mr. BRrDoEs (dem.
Of Pa, led to inquire whether this county
town meeting or the United States House of Repre-
Finally the Speaker sustained the point of order
aud the bill was referred to the Committee of the
Whole.
At twenty minutes past twelve p. NJ the House
went into Committee Of the Whole (Mr. Mills. OF
Texas, In the char) on the private calendar.
An hour and half was consumed in the dis.
cussion Of private bill authorizing the Court Of
tha. Court in % favor Of Albert Grant Of washington
Finally Mr. EDEN. (dem.) OF ILL.,, moved that the
bill be reported back with Recommendation that it
be laid on the table. The motion was agreed to by
vote OF 30 10 63.
Then came up one Of the "war Claim" bills-a bill
to pay John 7. Armstrong. of Virginia. $1s4O, for
the rent Of wharf in Alexandria during the war
The usual debate participated in by the usual per-
followed, General Butler making q long speech
in opposition to the bill The Southern members
who spoke opposed this and all other claims, and
Mr.. Aiken, of South Carolina. said no man who was
loyal to the Confederacy ever had or ever would pre-
PENsokINa OF CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS
Mr.. KEIrER rep, of Ohio. criticised Mr.. Buffers
Speech and citing the part of it in relation to pension
ing Confederate soldiers asked whether he under
stood him correctly.
Mr.. BurLER-I repeat that whenever the question
of the depletion Of the Treasury by these claims
Is over, think that the pity. the humanity of the
North will take care OF the maned men Of the war;
and (if you wish to know it, see no more reason
why Confederate soldier. manned and crippled in
the honest discharge of what he believed to be his
duty, should not be pensioned, than why q Confed-
crate general who honestly believed he was doing his
duty should be put into republican Cabinet (gen-
era applause and clapping of hands on the the deni
Mr. KEEPER remarked that the fair inference from
what Mr.. Butler had said that he in
favor of putting Confederates into the Cabinet.
Mr.. BUTLER-I have not said that was in favor Of
IL. do think that the country has yet come up
to il; but when we have withdrawn all causes Of
difference nobody from the North will object to
Confederate being In the Cabinet any more than
from humanity to pension Confederate soldiers.
Mr.. KEIFER, of Ohio-Then the gentleman under
takes say lat least that is the fair nference that
the present administration is only step IN advance
OF him? lie has not yet yet come to the time when
he is in favor of putting Confederate generals in the
Cabinet or of persioning Confederate soldiers?
Mr.. BUrTRR-Ncther one nor the other.
Mr.. KEIFER--Not yet; but the gentleman thinks
he is very nearly there-he Is almost persuaded"
without action the bill the committee rose, and
the House. ut nve =. NJ. took till half-past
r. NJ, the evening session to be for debate
only.
EVENING SESSION.
During the evening session variety Of speeches
made upon many different subjects, among
them by Mr.. Kelley. OF Pennsylvania. on the
financial question. large part of which devoted
TO the exposure and demolition of the doctrines and
policy of Mr.. Hugh Mccullough and the contrac-
tionists.
The House. at halspast ten p. NJ. adjourned