Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-02-26
FORTY-SIXTH CONGRESS.
TSecOnd Session
The Senate
POLITICAL DISABILITIES,

unanimous consent to have the bill removing
Baltimore taken up. MIR. Heiskell served in
the confederate army when boy. and under
section 1913, revised statutes, is ineligible to
appointment in the army. He thinks he may
get an appointment as paymaster in the army,
and asks to have his disabilities under said
section removed.
Senator Edmunds asked why the Senator
avoided passing repeating statute entirely.
He thought that wonld be a more open and
brave act. He characterized this and all bills
of its kind as parts of policy to break down
the guarantees of liberty.
Senator Garland thought it high time section
1918 was repealed. Ee proposed to amend the
pending bill by striking out all after the en-
acting clause and inserting THAT section ,2lS
of revised statutes naming its provisions) be
and the same if hereby repealed
Senator Edwards-I am very glad the Senator
from Arkansas Garland, who is always logical
and always brave has made the motion. 1 had
Just risen to make it myself, in order to put
this question On its true grounds. l hope the
amendment will be agreed to, and when It is l
ask the yeas and nays on the third reading of
the bill.
The amendment was agreed to, and the cues
ton being on the third reading of the bill it
was determined in the affirmative. Yeas Sc,
nays ga strict party vote, the Dem ocrats
voting yea and the Republicans nay.
When Senator Harris name was called he
stated that he was paired in all political ques-
lions with Senator Conkling, and asked Sena-
tor Edmunds whether he considered this DO
itical question.
Senator Edmunds-I think decidedly it is,
and one of the chief ones of the time.
Senator Harris-Then l will withhold nv
vote.
The bill was read g third time. The aues-
ton being on its passage, Senator Edmunds
said: We have now this question presented
upon perfectly fair grounds. No special legis-
ton to provide for favorites of particular men,
but broad principles. He went on to say that
the object of the bill was not to affect young
men, unless boys of twelve years old were en-
listed in the confederate army. Senators
would see by figuring it up, that the sole pur-
pose and effect of the repeal was to restore to
the United States army, among others, the very
men who deserted it to make war against the
flag they had been educated and sworn to sup
port. That is what it comes to.
Senator Thurman-With great Difference to
my friend, l say it comes to no such thing
and that it is mere ghost that is fitting be-
fore his eyes when he sees any such vision. l
did suppose that the people of this country
had the right to the services of every able
bodied man in time of war, and that if we
should get into war again, and no country can
say it will always be at peace, we have the
right to the service of the men who were lately
in the confederacy did suppose long enough
time had elapsed to quiet the fears of anyb body
who is not harassed with nervousness, that God
forbid should ever harass me about the loyalty
of the people of the South,
how can any of these men
get appointments in the army? Only by nom
ipation by the President and confirmation by
the Senate. Who are likely 10 get positions?
Certainly not old men. Certainly not men who
are verging on three score and ten. Who are
likely to be needed in case we should 60 to war
again? Not those alluded to by the Senator
from Vermont, who left our own army and
went into the confederate service. But there
are MEN of military talent and experience who
are as ready to serve now under the star spang-
led banner as any men between here and Cana
da, and we are asked to brand them for which
there is no political or any other necessity. l
am not afraid of Northern people on the subject.
Northern people, a majority of them, want to
bury the hatred of war. They want peace,
they want fraternity once more, and they don't
want to reject the services of any competent
and now loyal man by inquiring whether or not
he didn't sometime or other bear musket in
the confederate army.
Senator Beck supported the bill and re-
marked ne had urged such measure on appro-
pirate occasions and sometimes, perhaps, when
it wasn't appropriate.
Senator Logan claimed there should be a dis
tinction made in our army to-day, in time of
peace, between those who fought for the Union
and those who fought to destroy it. l have al
ways maintained that and ever shall maintain
it, not because l have feelings of animosity
against those men, but they were found in a
certain position against the government, and
hal how cd
to wear the uniform of this country and draw
its sword to the preference Of men who have
always been faithful to 1t.
Senator Thurman-The Senator from IL
LIMOS, Logan, would not remove this brand
from these men in time of peace, but when
war comes, SHOULD it come with any foreign
power or powers, he is willing to say to these
men, Here, we have branded you during all
these long years of peace and all the while
when you were perfectly loyal, and now in the
hour of the countrY's need, we appeal to your
patriotism to come out and fight for it.
Senator Logan didn't say that.
Senator Thurman-No, but that ia exactly
what it comes to.
Senator Logan beg the Senator's pardon.
1 said no such thing. said it would be time
to consider that question when war comes, and
if the Senator wishes to call me out ON that
question l will argue with him. Honestly,
peace or war, had L the appointing power l
would give it to these men who have never
failed when their country called. (Applause
in the gallery. which was promptly checked
by the chair)
Senator Thurman-That sounds very we'll
indeed, and we know now what the programme
of the Senator u.s. that in war he wouldn't
commission one single man, however loyal
however eminent and distinguished his mill
tary talent, If that man fifty, thirty, twenty
years ago had been on the Confederate side. l
am perfectly willing the Senator shall take that
ground and stand on it.
Senator Teller objected to further considers
ton of the bill.
The vice president ruled the objection came
too late. The bill had been taken up by uni
mons consent and could not be laid aside on
objection, and Senator Edmunds again spoke
in opposition to the bill. During his remarks
the morning hour expired and the 5 per cent.
bill was taken up. After remarks by Senator
Kirkwood in support of the bill and by Sena-
tor Edmunds in reply, the question required
on the motion of Senator EdmuDds made sew
eral days ago for inoefnIte postponement of
the bill, and it WAS agreed to, yeas %, nays 81.
Senator Mcdonald at z P. M. moved the
Senate adjourn. The result of the vote Was.
yeas IS, nays IS; quorum. Several roll
calls upon the same motion followed with a
like result, but fually the motion was adopted,
81 to IS, and adjourned.