The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1881-03-03
HOUSE.
euNDRY CIVIL APPROPRIATION BILL.

Mr.. Bragg raised point of order
against the clause appropriating $4,000
for the purchase of private papers of the
late Confederate General Bragg and
Polk, relating to the late war.
Messrs. Baker ard Blackburn con.
tended that the point OF order was not
we'll taken.
Mr.. Blackburn stated that the papers
referred to had been appraised, under
an act of Congress, and it was late in the
day for the gentleman from Wisconsin
60 undertake to tell the House there
was no law, and no authority, for that
appropriation. He denied the state.
ment made by Mr.. Bragg, that the Sec.
retary of War bad recon mended that
Che papers should not be purchased.
Mr.. Bragg asked Mr.. Black burn to
read the Secretary's report, wlich Mr.
Blackburn refused to, stating that if he
sought dictation as to what he should
do he would go to more reputable
quarter from which to get it.
Mr.. Bragg-Oh that has no effect here
Mr.. Black burn, continuing, said these
papers were necessary to a fair state
ment and history of the late war, and he
was sure no gentlemen on the other side
of the House would oppose the PROPOSE.
tion for the purchase of the papers.
Mr.. Bragg said he would debate the
Eoint Of order in a different way than
that used by the gentleman from Ken
lucky. Instead OF stating what the law
was, he would read it; instead of assert
ing what the Secretary of War had
DONE ne would read this report, and if
he we're to 60 beyond that for facts he
should say the came broker who had i'm
duCed the Government to buy other pa.
pers, had occupied his time in prevent
ing these papers being given the Gov
ernment, in order that they should be
bought by the Government, He con.
tinued to argue in support of his point
of order, which was, however, oVerruled
by the chair.
Mr.. Thomas then moved to strike out
the clause making the appropriation.
1t was opposed to the purchase of these
papers. Under the law all records of
general character that threw any light
upon the pathway of history, belonged
30 the Government of the United States.
Mr.. Baker opposed the amendment.
'Ebe Government was engaged in an EN-.
lnently wise work, a work Of publishing
g record of the war of the rebellion. 1t
was important to the age and to ages to
come, that the Government should
have these records, and that contrlbu.
tions should be made to them from ev-
, cry direction and from every standpoint
in order that the people and future his
torians might look at the great struggle
from every aspect. When the Govern
ment ceased to be large enough, to ap.
propriate few thousand dollars to
leave to coming ages record of all that
was done on all sides in the unhappy
war, he for one, should be ashamed he
q was an American citizen.
Mr.. McCOok said the time had come,
or soon would come, when, as an Amer.
.1csH citizen, without saying word in
regard to the cause, he could have as
much pride in the pluck and determin-
alton Of the Confederates as in the
sturdy courage Of the Northern soldiers.
I Applause, But when it came to pur.
chasing the papers of two Confederate
Generals, for which there was no neces.
sity, it seemed to him it was carrying
Che sentiment little too far.
Mr.. Hawley opposed the amendment.
de would rather print some supeIhuous
records than that any critics should
find fault with the presentation of the
subject on account of partiality.
Mr. Bragg proceeded to argue in favor
~0fthe amendment, and in the course of
his remarks said I'll ere had been state.
Lnents made during the debate were
(sarcastically) mistakes. q"
Mr.. Blackbdrn-By whom were they
zmade2 l ~ hH thal a i
Mr.. Bragg by the gentleman from
Kentucky. o3u'0 'I.' %
Mr.. Blackburn-ThRt is one statement
made by the gentleman from Wiscon.
egin, which is not true. fgrs 1a1
Mr.. Bragg-I do not yield to the gen.
atlemsn. When he gss himself in
talking mood he talks go rapidly thers
lis no wonder he forgets what he SAYS,
2 Mr., Blackburn-4T am always respon-
ssiblefof what | say! p p QUO '9'i9''1l !
Mr.. Bragg (Qdietly) Doubtless 50,
land 80 am 4 Applauss on the Repub.
I Lean sidel That question Of RESPONSE
blity 10 always present with everybody.
iii err or meke mistake / am always
willing to make amends. III say that
which iB untrue, and say it consciously,
A ought to be punished, and I hold my.
ssek rsgponSible for such puniahment,
arri1fgr 9f