Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-05-07

WEDNESDAY, May I.

NIL JULES IdI, VI Uu6 SdIIc
a favorable report on the House bill Increasing
the fs,a number mn OF OF apprentices In the navy; He
asked that the Senate now pass the bill; but
objection being made, it went over.
Mr. Whyte reported back from the same COM
mittee the bill to place the name of Spruille
Braden at the foot OF the list of enslgns In the
navy, which was placed on the calendar.
This Is the person who, after serving In the
British navy, was rendered q commission In
that service but refused it. The acceptance of
it would have required him to transfer his
leg1auce as citizen OF the United States to
Great Brftafn.l
Mr.: Call introduced q bill providing for the
purchase OF two hundred acres Of land In Flor
Ida, on which to establish an experimental farm
for the cultivation OF plants adapted to the cli-
mate OF that part of the United states. Referred
to the committee on agriculture.
On motion of Mr.. Ingalls,, it was resolved that
the President OF the United States, il not in
compatible with the public interest, communi-
to the alleged occupation of portion OF the In
dlan Territory by white men, and what action
mas Deen taken to prevent the same.
Mr.. Eaton moved that the House bill to pre-
vent military interference in elections be taken
up for second reading, it having been read a
nrst time % Yesterday;
morning hour had not expired, the Senator
from Connecticut was entitled to make the
motion.
The bill was then read second time.
Mr.. Edmunds inquired what had become Of
the most important part OF the bill-namely.
always taken last on the preamble to q bill, the
preamble ought to be read last.
The preamble was read, when the President
pro TEN said the bill was now open for amend
ment.
Mr.. Edmunds moved to refer the bill to the
committee on the judiciary.
Mr.. Eaton said that, as he had called up the
bill he would be obliged If the Senator would
withdraw his motion in order that he might
make a different one.
Mr.. Edmunds. motion does the Senator
Mr.. Eaton.-I want to move to lay the bill on
tie table.
Mr.. Edmunds. IL cannot withdraw it for that
The question was then taken to refer the bill
to the committee on the judiciary, and decided
In the negative-yeas "a, nays 31-a party vote.
without division OF the Senate, laid upon the
table to be called up hereafter.
The Senate resumed the consideration OF the
resolution reported from the committee on
privileges and elections, asking for authority to
take testimony in the case of Mr.. Spofrord who
contests the seat OF Senator Kellogg.
Mr. Carpenter resumed his remarks from yes
terday.
HOUSE-The reading of the larger portion of
yesterdays journal was dispensed with.
Mr.. Chalmers called up the resolution for the
investigation OF the charges made against him
In connection with the battle OF Fort Pillow.
He said that his friends on both sides of the
House had pointed out to him the difficulties
resolution. he recognized the necessity of being
careful In the precedents to be established.
and the delicate position In which gentlemen
Of the repub ical party might be placed, If
called upon to review report made many years
since by republican Senator, now dead. He
recognized further the possibility that the in
vest yesgatGn might rekinle the flames Of pas
ask soldiers who had lost all save their honor
In the war, to permit that to be taken from
them by the constant repetition Of an accusa-
most emphatica'ly denied. But the action Of
the House yesterday satisfied him that gentle
men were not willing to go into the 1nvestiga
tion, and he would therefore make q shor
statement, though he would much prefer to
have committee investigate the charges.
He proce eded to give history OF the battle OF
Fort Pillow, In which battle he had commanded
a brigade The works had been taken by as
sault, and large number OF the garrison had
run out with guns In their hands. That num-
Der OF them had been killed was unfortunately
OF the usages OF war, the most seaching inves-
tigatton on the part OF Congressional com
mittee had failed to fix the responsibility OF it,
he thought he could show conclusively
that every charge and every insinuation
against him was utterly untrue. He
with the House. Whether he was given the
committee or not, he had no fear that injustice
would be done to him BY men who had been
was willing to place his defence In the hands of
gallant union soldiers. It would not add to the
glory OF union history to detract from the
was the soldiers pride, the soldiers wealth was
honor"
In answer to questions propounded by Mr..
force in the battle was 577, of which 40 per cent
was saved unhurt, about 300 being killed or
"0unoe0.
appointment Of the committee, but expressed
himself as glad that anything which the general
from Mississippi lChalmers) had done or said
should tend to relieve him m from responsibility
Mr.: Burrows said that If committee was not
appointed the statements Of the gentleman
from Mississippi .(Mr. Chamlers) would go to
the country as flying in the face Of mass Of
upon the Fort Pillow massacre, which he char.
acterized as so dark and cruel that satan
might sit at the feet OF the perpetrators Of it
and learn lessons OF cruelty.
Mr.. Chalmers desired to reply, but objection
was made by Mr.. Ellis. Mr.. Chalmers, how
ever, got In remark to the effect that the gem
tleman from Michigan (Mr. Burrows) should be
the last man to bring In charges against an
other, for while he (Mr. Chalmers) made no
charges that gentleman would remember that
charges had been made against him; that his
conduct In the war had not been such as char
acterized gallant soldier.
Mr.. Burrows.-I desire to ask the gentleman
what he means.
Mr.. Chalmers.-I mean to say that 1 was in
formed by Washington reporter that charges
had been made against you In your canvass. l
90 not believe them.
Mr.. RurToWs.-"..e len the gentleman makes
charge against me have right to know what
it is.
Mr. Chalmers.-The charge was that you re-
signed your Office because your command did
not think you were fiG to have it.
Mr.. BurrOWS-I want to say that made no
charges against the gentleman, and this Is the
fist time ever heard the charge suggested by
the gentleman against me.
Mr. ChalmerS-I can find the man that made
the charges.
Mr. BurrOws.-Then will say that the charge
is absolutely untrue. and am glad that the
gentleman does not believe 1t.
On motion OF Mr.. Warner, the whole subject
matter was laid on the table-9S to 20.
Mir. GOode, from committee on education and
labor, reported bill directing the executive OIL
GERS Of the government to carry out the proyf-
siOns of the eight-hour labor law OF 1865 and
made brief argument In its favor,
Mr. Rice argued against the bill, as really in
tie interest OF the work1ngmen OF the country,
but only Of the privileged few who were In gov
eminent employ ment.
The law made an unfair and unjust discrimi-
nation between those who worked for the gov
ernment and those who did not
Mr.. Cox (N.Y) asked Mr.. Rice whether he
was In favor OF repeating or OF enforcing the
Gr. Rice replied that he was In favor of its
repeal.
Mr.. Cox spoke In favor of the bill as being in