Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-05-15
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS-.

with amendments, the bill introduced on the
previous day by Mr.. Eaton, making it unlaw-
full to use any part Of the army and navy at
the polls. He also gave notice that he would
call it up at an early day. Mr.. Beck re-
ported from the committee on appropriations,
with amendments to the legislative, execu-
tive and judicial appropriation bill. The
President pro tenn. announced the reception
of the house bill to prohibit military inter
ference at elections, and it was read the, FIRST
time. Mr.. Edmunds said that as the mea-
sure is very important, he must object to
the reading of the bill at that time with q
view to its reference to committee. ia.
In the House, resolution was introduced
rendering the thanks of the American people
to Mexico, for its hearty contribution to the
success of the industrial mission of the Ameri-
can merchants and manufacturers recently
visiting the city Of Mexico. The House con.
CURED in the Senate amendment to the bill
providing for certain expenses. Of the present
session. Mr.. Knott, chairman of the Judicial
ry committee, reported back without amend.
ment, the bills introduced the day before
to prohibit military interference at the polls.
Mr.. Robson offered substitute, making it
unlawful to bring to or employ at any place
where general or special election is being
held in any State, any part of the army or
navy, unless such employment shall be neces'
sary to carry out the provisions of the cousti-
tuition, or to overcome forcible obstruction Of
the execution of laws made in pursuance there
of, and making any violation Of this act a
penal offence. The substitute was entitled,
"a bill to further protect the Freedom of
Elections" 1t was defeated by vote Of
yeas, SO; nays, 12l, the Greenbackers voting
in the affirmative with the Democrats. Mr..
Chalmers attempted to call up resolution
heretofore offered by him for the investigation
of the Fort Pillow massacre, but the House
adjourned without action on his motion.
In the Senate on the 7th, on motion of Mr..
Ingalls,, resolution was adopted calling OF
the President to communicate ..s the Senate
what measyress had had been taken to prevent the
occupation of the Indian Territory by white
settlers. The House bill to prohibit military
interference in elections, was read twice in the
Senate and by vote of "a against 81 was
disagreed to on the motion of Mr.. Edmunds
to refer it to the committee on the judiciary,
and it was then laid on the table subject to be
called up hereafter. The contested election
case between SpoAord and Kellogg, from
Louisiana, was discussed, which resulted in
adopting resolution authorizing the com.
mittee on privileges and elections to take
testimony in the matter. The Senate then
took up the House bill for prohibiting militia.
ry interference at the polls. Mr.. Blaine Of
fered an amendment imposing severe penalties
upon any person who shall carry concealed
weapon at any place, or within one mile of
any place, where a general or special election
for Representatives to Congress is being held.
In the House, Mr.. Chalmers, of Missis-
sippi, called up as question of privilege, the
resolution previously offered by him for inves'
tigation into his conduct at Fort Pillow. He
said that his friends had pointed out to him
the difficulty in the way of such an investiga-
ton, and that he himself recognized the dan
ger of rekindling the flames of passion and
prejudice which all good men desired to see
covered up in their ashes but it was hard
thing to ask soldiers who had lost all save
honor, to permit that also to be taken from
them by the repetition of accusations that
were utterly untrue. The action of the House
yesterday had, however, satisfied him that the
gentlemen were not willing now to 60 into
that investigation, and therefore he had con.
cluded to accept the advice of his friends,
ard to make his own statement. He pro-
cseded to narrate the incidents of the attack
or Fort Pillow, in which. attack he had been
early in the day in command of the Confeder-
ate cavalry, but about 9 o'clock in the morn
ing Gen. Forrest had arrived and taken COM
mand. He admitted that a number of the gar
rison who were making for the gun-boat had
been fired at and killed, but if any had been
killed in violation of the usages of the war,
the most searching examination on the part
of the Congressional Committee had been
unable to ix any responsibility for it, at least
on the general officers in command. He de-.
MED that any wounded men had been burn
ed up in the quarters that had been set on fire
the morning after the capture of the Fort.
He asserted that 40 per cent. Of the garrison
were saved wholly untouched. A part of the
Federal troops had been run out Of the fort,
and nearly all of those were killed or wound
ed, but large number Of the garrison (most-
ly white men) had remained, and had gather
ed around General Forrest and himself for
protection and had been protected. As to
Confederates taking advantage Of the flag
of truce in order to gain better position,
that statement was not true. He said so in
vindication of his dead commander, for
"glory is the soldiers pride, the soldiers
wealth is honor"
In reply to questions by Mr. Hawley, Of
CONNECTICUT, he stated that the garrison Of
Fort Pillow numbered 577 men, Of whom
about 40 per cent. were saved, that about
300 were killed and wounded, and about 250
on the Confederate side.
Remarks were made by Mr.. Garfield as to
the impolicy of re-opening the subject, with
the intimation that the officers were not so
responsible as had at first been supposed. But
the general impression at the time had been
strengthened by an order issued about three
,r,oL, nra,,;ouelv hv Ganera1 Forrest that If