Morning journal and courier., 1881-01-29

had robbed the cradle and the grave to sup
ply the armies, and although Captain Pag'
was seventy years of age when he resigned
he could render service to the confederacy.
Mr.. Goode said Captain Page was too ole
at the time to go into the service of the Con
federacy, but In justice to the dead would say
if Page were living now he would not thanh
him for saying that even at the age of 20 hs
would not have gone In 8 struggle in which
his native State was involved.
Mr.. Coager replied, and In the course OF
his remarks said he doubted whether Cap
tain Page would thank, If he were living,
Mi. Goode for apologizing for bis treason to
the United States. He would do the boy
who fought on Lake Erie the Justice to
state that if he were alive he would not come
to Congress to ask for less than 5000. Mr..
Conger made long speech in denunciation
of all who participated in the rebellion.
Mr.. House, of Tennessee, said Mr.. Conger
had beloved himself hoarse on the questi on
of loyalty, while a very simple bill was un-
der consideration. All there was in the bill
was that an aged widow of naval omcer
who had reflected honor upon his country
asked for money that was due her husband
before the rebellion broke out.
Mr.. Cox, of New York, regretted the bit
terness that had been shown by Mr.. Conger
In this debate. Fifteen years after the war
had closed he was surprised that this ques-
b1OA NO OEOuSAt 0ASCA % ASoPNO-
lican administration had appointed such men
as Mosby, sLongstreet and Alderman to Of
fee it was late to object to the
payment sof $136.S5 to poor
widow. Mr.. Cox referred to the fact that
General Butler had at one time advocated
general amnesty even to JEFF. Davis. Mr.. Cox
made an earnest appeal in favor of dropping
the issues of the war and returning to peace
and harmony.
Mr.. Bragg said that personally he had no
objection to this bill. The principle it estab-
lished was another thing. An officer who de-
serts his flag is entitled to no consideration
except that which the generosity of the gov
anyone to put an end to the talk about the
rebellion, but SO long as these claims were
brought here it would be talked about.
Mr., Hawley did not say whether he voted
on this bill or not, but principle was in
volved regarding the payment of rebel claims.
When they appealed to his sympathies he
would say pay this widow, but when it was
claimed that logic and law recognized it he
repudiated the idea.
Mr.. Wright, of Pennsylvania, said it was
manifest that this bill could not be passed, and
if the gentleman who had charge of it would
withdraw it he would give his check for the
amount.
Mr.. Goode-1 am indebted to the gentle
man from Pennsylvania for his offer, but
want to say that Captain Pages widow is not
here as psuper or beggar. She simply
demands the money that her husband earned
long before there was any thought of the
rebellion To refuse to pay this claim would
be rank reputation.
The bill was by vote of 70 to So ordered
to be reported favorably to the House, but
notice was given that the yeas and nays
would be called on there. The committee
then rose. Without taking action on any of
the private bills the House adjourned.