Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-01-13

second Session.
sen ATE.

SOuCcTul1g puOllc DOtlcv
OF the executive department of the confeder-
ate States, filed at the war department bv
General Sherman.
Mr.. Harris made some opposition on the
ground that the papers were Gen. Sherman's
side OF personal issue between himself and
Jefferson Davis. If the Senate did not pro-
pose to take action in the matter, he failed to
see the object of the resolution
Mr.. Hawley said he presumed the papers
would hnd their way into publicity, and he
had desired complete and not partial edi-
ton of them published
Mr.. George said the controversy was
personal one between two private citizens of
the United States.
Mr.: Conger disputed Davis right to be
called citizen in any relation of equality to
Gen. Sherman.
MIR. George was willing that the contro-
versy should be settled by history. He had
no fear that the result would be adverse to
the honor or patriotism of jefferson Davis.
Mr.. Morgan said it may be true that Jeffer-
son Davis political disabilities had been
removed, but he was no less a man because
of that. 1t was not less true that he was be-
loved by millions of people, yet in the United
States he had been no more an enemy of the
United States than many senators now on the
floor of the United States Senate.
MIR. ingalls, said that Jefferson Davis name
had never been mentioned in the Senate with
out Messrs. Morgan, Vest and their assoc-
ates endorsing him and declaring that he was
a man of honor and patriot, and that mil
lions of people in the United States loved
him. AS long as such remarks were indulged
in, it was in vain to declare that animosities
engendered by war had been buried forever.
1t did not sound well to have f1aunted so con-
tlx, f,- be- ,L.., - al.
Senate, the fact that Davis was a patriot and
a man of honor, and was beloved by millions.
MIR. Sherman, after reclting the circuH-
stances OF the controversy, said he had no
desire to wound the feelings of an old man.
but great Cod" said he, ''will it ever be
disputed in this country of ours at any time
within thousand years, that in the war and
before the war Jefferson Davis was conspir
ator and traitor to his country? Never.
trust"
Mr. Sherman felt compelled to enter his
most solemn protest against Davis being
treated as patriot.
Mr.. Lamar characterized Mr.. Sherman's
statement OF the controversy as marked by
fragrant inaccuracies. As to the issue be-
tween jefferson Davis and Gen. Sherman, he
(Lamar) did not impugn Gen. Shermsn's
veracity, but insisted that he had been misin-
said, had surrendered upon questions. The
dividing sections had given up the rights of
the people to secede from the Union, and had
given up the right of each State to judge for
itself of the infraction of the constitution and
mode of redress. 1t had fought for its own
view and in it had lost; but no man should in
his presence call Jefferson Davis a traitor
without his Uamar's) responding with a
stern and emphatic denial.
MIR Vest said the senator from Kansas
| Ungalls) could not speak in the Senate with
out becoming personal There was, under
the old common law, an offence known as
being a common scold, the punishment for
which was a ducking. He Vest replied to
the assertion that he had never been accred-
tied to the confederate Senate. He asserted
that his credentials had never been disputed
by his own constituents, and added that the
senator from Kansas knew what he meant.
At o'clock the matter went over until to-
morrow.
The chair laid formally before the Senate
the unfinished legislative business. it being
the inter State commerce bill, but this yield
ed to a motion for the consideration of exec
utive business.
The naval bill, just passed the House, was
the first, however, laid before the Senate,
and was referred to the committee on appro-
priations.
A joint resolution providing for meeting
of both Houses in joint convention on Feb.
| II to count the electoral vote, was also laid
before the Senate and referred to the commit
tee on privileges and elections.
The Senate then on motion of Mr.. Miller
of California, went into executive session and
when the doors were re-opened adjourned.
HOUSE.
| The speaker announced the appointment of
| Mr. Perkins of Kansas, as a member of the
committee on rivers and harbors, vice Mr.
Robinson of Ohio, resigned.
| Under the call of States, the following bills
were introduced and referred:
BY MIR. Boutelle of Maine, to settle the
claims of any State for expenses incurred in
the defence of the United States.
| Bv Mr.. McComas of Maryland, rendering
the thanks of Congress to Commanders
Schlev and Coffin and Lieut.. Emery and the
officers and men under them for the rescue
of Lieut. Greely and surviving comrades.
! By Mr. George of Oregon, to authorize the
transfer of one of the vessels of the Greedy
expedition to the treasury department for a
revenue cutter and the retention of the other
two for use in the navy.
| The House then proceeded to the consider
alton of business relating to the District of
| Columbia.
| At3.l5 the House went into committee
of the whole tMr Wilson of Iowa in the
chairl on the consular and diplomatic appro-
priation bill.
Mr. Hill of Illinois moved to restore to the
s35OO class the consulship at Hackaw, China,
which in the bill has been placed in the $500
class.
In advocacy of this amendment, Mr.. Ryan
of Kansas called attention to the fact that the
| line of steamers now running between Shang-
| hal and Hankaw were run under the American
| flag.
In response, Mr.. Burns of Missouri inti-
mated that the steamers were sailed under
the American flag, not because Americans
owned or were interested in them, but for
the purpose of protection during the French
and Chinese war.
| Mr. Reed of Maine inquired how foreigners
could sail vessels under the American flag
under our statutes.
Mr. Burns replied that he could not answer
for the truth of the assertion.
| After further debate vote was taken and
the amendment was lost.
Mr.. Cameron of Illinois raised point of
no quorum.
The roll call disclosed the presence of less
than a quorum, and the fact having been re-
ported to the House, the House at $40 ad-
journed.