The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1879-03-12
EuioSixing JeT Davis.
AN EXTRAORDINARY DEBATE IN
THE SENATE

| WASHINGTON, March 3.-Pendiua
the consideration of the Arrears o.
Pensions Appropriation bill in The
Senate, before daylight this morning
there occurred ore of the most excl.
ting and interesting debates which
has been heard during the session,
For hours the Senators, many of them
old and not robust men, had been
seated in the close and overheated
chamber They were worn out, both
mentally and physically, and it seem
ed as if the session would drag its
slow length along without interest or
excitement until tho sunlight came.
Suddenly, however, when the mem
bers were most exhausted, and the
galleries most bored by the prosy
and humdrum speeches of compara-
lively obscure Senators, who, on o.
dinary occasions, speak TO empty
benches, Mr.. Hoar took the floor
His calm. self-possessed, slmUst i'm
penetrable face was psler than usual
He bad been at dinner party, was
in fall dress, and, as he arose, his
snow white hair and beard contrast
ing strongly with his keen gray eve
and boyisb, unflrrowed face, be pre-.
sented a striking appearance Sena-
tor Hoar is not popular man among
his associates, far from it; but be
never speaks unless be has something
to say, and, consequently, be is al
ways listened to with attention. This
morning il was evident from bis man
ner that he vas about 10 advance
some proposition Of more than ordi-
nary Importance, and when be NOV
ed to exclude Jefferson Davis, the
late President of the so called South
ern Confederacy, from any benefits
which might be bestowed upon vet
erans of the Mexican war under the
Shields amendment to the bill under
discussion, il was AZ once apparent
20 those who knew the temper of the
Senate that great political debate
was about to begin. Nor was this g
mistake.
With a voice which was most i'm
pressive because Of It's forced calm
ness, the Senator declared that the
name which was inserted in his
amendment bad not been singled out
by any wish Of he, or by the wish Of
any person who agreed with him po-
litically. F5r that singing out JEFF
ferson Davis was himself responsible
By his owa acts he was conspicuous.
By bis attack upon the life Of the na-
lion which bad educated and honor
ed him be was singled cut; snd be-
cause Of The facts that be had never
given uttersnce to one word ofregret
for the past. OF one word Of cheerful
aequiesence ia the present. He was
conspicuous because to-day, as ever,
be spurned the clemency of the Gov
ernment which be could aot over
throw 1t was for these reasons,
Ar. Hoar said, that be would never
consent to tax the loyal widows and
orphans of the land that the name of
jefferson Davis might be placed up
on the pension roll-the roll Of bon
or of the United States.
These words had an almost mag
ieal effect upon the Senate. Mem
bers who few moments before were
half asleep in the eloak-rooms or
lunchiDg in the restaurant, came
crowding into the chamber, wide
awake and expectant The weary
watchers in the galleries were weary
no longer. and from all sides there
vas q buzz of keen anticipation
Even this was husbed, however,
when Mr. Garland, Of Arkansas
gsunt, uncouth, and anguiaF-took
the floor to defend his former chief
tie did SO manfslly, and with all the
intensity of bis Southern. backwoods
nature. But be was no match for
the trained and scholarly Masssehu-
setts lawyer, end when be sat down
there was o general feeling that he
had DOT helped the man who led the
''lost cause.n
No other Southerner seemed ready
to second the effort OF Mr.. Garland,
and for q moment there was a slight
halt in the proceedings. IL was only
for moment, however. Finding that
there was nothing to be expected
from bis "ex-CoDfedeTste friends, I"
Senator Thurman took the door, and
for 90 minutes made a most transpar-
ent bid for the support Of the South
in the next Presidential campaign.
With carefully picked words he eov-
cred JEFF Davis ell over with white
wash, aud did everything possible TO
soothe the wounded feelings Of the
men from the cotton Ststes At the
same time be was most careful to say
nothing which could be construed in
10 al Endorsement of disloyalty. JEFF
ferson Davis, be said, had not sought
al Office, and consequently had new
er had bis disabilities removed /;
hence, 10 the eyes of the Senator
from Massachusetts,. Mr.. Hoar. De
was not worthy to be on the pension
roll of the country, while Lonestreei
was houored with Post Office, Key
with place in the Cabinet, Orr with
the mission to Russia, and Mosby,
who bad hoasted that be was tie
Marion 10 the second war, with pls.
ces of high trust snd profit.
To this Mr. Hoar replied with good
effect. that sll the gentlemen referred
to, and others Of the same class, had
acauiesced in the results Of the war
and having done 50, be-and all the
men Of bis party were gladly willing
to welcome them back to the enjoy
ment Of every benefit which the com
munity could bes.ow.
| This taunt was evidently more
than Senator Lamar could bear
With one hand fiinging back his long
black bair from his high forehead
and with the other nervonsly clutch
ing his chair. be boarsely cried out
IL regret ana AN surprised that toe
Senator from Massachusetts should
wantonly, and withou. provocstior
| fling this insult'--the sentence wss
never finished. Before Mr.. Lamar
could utter another word the gave
fell sharply, and the cool, monoto
nous voice of the Chairman Senator
Eduundsl called him 10 order. a
am in order" bo,ly replied toe Sen