New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-02-26
A STIRRING DEBATE IN THE SENATE.

BILL DENOUNCED AS AN ATTEMPT TO APTolNI
CONFEDERATEs TO THE ARMY.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
WASHINGTON, Feb. GA brief but stirring po-
litcal debate took place IN the Senate to-day. III
was evidently unexpected to Senators upon both
sides. and manifestly very unwelcome TO majority
of the Democrats One of the latter, gentleman
whose qualities of rnent statesmanship and per-
sonal virtue have often been made the subject OF
commentator, even by hs political opponents,
was hea-d from the gallery expressing his dispeas-
ure in very profane terms to little knot of Demo-
Gratis who had gathered about him in hasty confer
ence.
Senator Whyte asked that the bill for the re-
moval of the disabilities of James Monroe Haskel
be taken up by unanimous consent.
A single objection would have carried the bill
over but it was not the purpose of Senator Ed
munds. to whom all parties look to apply the check
in caes of irregularIy to have it go over He said
he could not see why a special bill Of this character
was brought forward. A general bin for the repeal
of the entire statute pending, so that any per-
son who had served in the rebel army or navy might
be appointed to the United States Army lie read
the section which declares that person who
served in any capacity in the military naval or civil
service of the Confederate States shall be appointed
to any position in the Army of the United States.
Democratic Senators knew that there was trouble
in the ar, ana thau the matel Hdu IcduJ Souc ooo
far to be suppressed.
After hasty consultation Senator Bayard rose
and said that the Committee on Military Affairs
had instructed him to report this bill, because 1t
was q case of personal eXgency. For bis part he
would speed the day when the youth of every sec
ton of the country should be able to serve III every
branch of the public service He said this young
man went from Maryland to Virginia when he was
only sixteen years of age, and he was under age
when the war closed.
Senator Edmunds replied in a strong speech show
ing the tendency of the Democratic party to wipe
out all war legislation. He said that this an
effort to wipe out a statute that had been thought
wise and necessary when it was passed. He called
attention to the fact that the proposed beneficiary
had not as bad many others, merely followed his
State into rebellion ; he had left his State and
entered into rebellion in which his State took no
part lie continued, stating that there is no single
statute passed either to support the war for the
preservation of the Union to guard the liberties
and rights of the people preserved by the Union |
that has not been assaed within the last two or
three years. and which 1t cannot be trnthtully said
there has not been presented ana pressed measure
TO repeal or set aside
Senator Garland said that he agreed with what
the Senator from Vermont had so we'll said, that
there was no good reason for repeating this statute
in piecemeal, and moved an amendment as substl-
tute repeating the whole statute
Great excitement was at once manifest on the
Democratic side but it speedily quieted and
the Democrats, without exception, put themselves
squarcy on record in favor of removing all restrc
ton against the restoration OF ex-rebels to the
United States Army.
The vote was upon the third reading of the bill.
as amended, and the yeas and nays were called for
bv Mr. Edmunds, who called attention to the fact
that persons young enough to enter the Army
throuah West Point were too young at the time of
the Rebellion to have been Of service in any
jy to the Rebellion, and the statute did not there
fcre apply TO their cases lhe sole purpose ana ell
feet this repeal he said therefore, to restore
10 the Army Of the United States among others, tine
very men who deserted it to mai war against the
nag that they had been educated and sworn to sup
port.
Senator Logan also made stirring speech, ex
pressing the belief that the chief result OF the re-
peal OF the statute wOuld be to place upon the re-
tired list of the Army many of those who had left 1t
to 90 into the Rebellion.
Senator Thurman came TO the front, usual in
emergencies. and said that the people of the North
We're not easily alarmed. He believed IN the
right of every man to the armies of his
country, and the rgt of the country TO their ser
The question was not disposed Of, but went over
ct the expiration of the morning hour
LIVELY DEBATE on THE STAR ROUTES.
GENERAL HiwLEY USES PRETTY STRONG LANGUAGE
ABOUT THE DEFICIENCY IN THE APPROpRIA-
lBY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIDUNE.l
WASHINGTON, Feb. 25.-The session OF the House
to-day was wholly devoted TO a discussion Of the
bill to appropriate money to carry on the star
Route Mail Service during the remainder Of the
current fiscal year. The discussion
lively one ana there indications that the bill
must be materially altered before it pass the
House
Mr. Bount, of Georgia, Mr. Cannon, Of Illinois,
and General llawey, of Connecticut made
speeches in favor OF the bill as reported. Mr.. Has
kell, of Kansas. strongly opposed it. .
The debate showed that there is feeling Of pro-
nounced hostility among members of the Appropria-
tions Committee against the present administration
Of the Post Office Department so fara 1t relates to
the Star Service. General lawley was especially
outspoken in his dcnunciations Of the action OF the
Assistant Postmasier-Geueral in creating so large
deficiency. He said IN effect that it was hagrant
and wanton violation OF law.
Mr. Haskell made strong defence of The Post
Ofllec Department and it apparent that the
sympathies of a majority of the House were with
him.
wher the Horse adjourned several amendments
were pending. II will probably take another day
10 dispose OF the bill.
GENERAL WARNER NOT AFRAID.
MS COMMENTS on THE sUBJECr OF TIE DEMO
Gratis HOLDING CAUCCsEs THIS wINTgR-IHE
fIIZ JOHN PORTER CASE.
iBY TELEGRAPH TRfBUSE.l
WAsHiNGToN Feb. 25.-GeDeral Warner, of Ohio,
has introduced bill to establish commission to
review pension claims which have been dsaIowed
by the Commissoper of Pensions. In explanation
of his purpose, Mr.. Warner remarked to-day that
he is opposed to having Congress turned into a
Court of Appeal TO the acts of executive Of
fceis which have been performed according olaw.
Then said correspondent OF The TRIBUNE