The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-15
JUSTICE TO GENERAL GRANT.
The Senate Passes a Bill for Placing
His Name on the Retired List,
The Measure Receiving the Approval Of All
the Senators Except Nine-Debate ON
the Interstate Commerce Bill.
THE SENATE.
Passage OF the Bill Placing General Grant on
the Retired List.


Passage OF the Bill Placing General Grant on
the Retired List.
WASHINGTON JAN 14.-Mr. Allison from the
committee of appropriations, pursuant to the
recommendation of the President, reported
bill, which was passed, providing for compensa-
ton and expenses of special electoral messen-
gers to be sent to Iowa and Oregon for returns
of the late presidential election in those States.
Mr.. Cockrell asked why such bill was nee
essary
Mr.. Allison said the, returns were not here,
and the laws required, in such case, that mes
sengers should be sent.
Mr.. Ceckrell suggested that copy of the laws
be sent to Iowa and Oregon, instead of messen-
gers at great expense
Mr.. Dolph explained that the snow blockade
on the Northern Pacific was partially response
BILE for the failure to receive the Oregon re-
turns. The copy sent by messenger had been
received
Mr.. Edmunds, calling Mr.. Frye to the chair,
took the floor and called up the BILL offered yes
terGay by him, providing that the President
may appoint to the retired list one person who
has occupied the position of general command
Ing any VI ZIG OIL the OHlGcu StdCeSb VI
the position of general-in-chief of the United
States army. He moved an amendment by add
ing with the rank and full pay of such general
or general-in-chief, as the case may be-"
The amendment agreed to.
Mr.. Cockrell desired to record his vote against
the bill, not knowing if the yeas and nays would
be called on it. The retired list was not the
place for private citizens 1t had been created
for officers who, being still in the SERVICE had
been rendered unfit for duty. There was
neither justice nor propriety in placing private
citizens on such a list. General Grant was now
enjoying the receipt of $4,000 year, which was
enough for the support OF any American citizen.
Mr.. Edmunds said he concurred in the general
principle laid down by Mr. Cockrell as to the re-
tired list, that it was not the place for private
citizens He (Mr Edmunds) was on that point
q Democrat os Democrats. But senator and
citizen he was glad of the opportunity to ask the
passage of this bill. Gen. Grant had served his
country faithfully and calamity in the Mexican
war while young lieutenant; he became gener-
al of the armies Of the United States on an oc-
casion of very considerable importance and in
terest Mr. Edmunds said he was Stating it In
this way In order not to excite the temper
OF anybody on the other side OF tb> chamber.
Gen. Grant had been removed from the Office of
general of the armies of the United States,
from which he would have been retired when he
reached the proper age and put on this very list,
to assume again the command of the armies Of
the United States commandments chief under
its constitution He had not sought the place; he
had obeyed the call of duty that removed him
from the technical place he had held in the army
to higher place as the constitutional commander
OF the United States army, under the law. When
his term expired he became private citizen In
that state of the case, and under circumstances
which all knew, and in views of the honor, respect
gratitude and duty we owe him as ''primus in
illpStrius' in the history of this country, Mr..
Edmunds would be glad to have a unanimous
vote for the bill.
Mr.. Maxey had heretofore opposed efforts of
this character, being opposed to placing private
t.rzens the retired list; but the circumstances
of this case were exceptional. AS Southern
man who had opposed the course of Gen. Grant
he (Mr. Maxey) could not but recognize that
when the supreme hour came to the Southern
States, when they had to yield up all save their
honor no man had ever acted with more mag
nanlmity and generosity than u. S. Grant. And
at Appommattox-not only did Mr. Maxey re-
member that, but the people among whom he
lived remembered, and he did not believe there
was to day man in the South who would be-
grudge a reasonable and fair support for Gen.
Grant in his declining years. Mr.. Maxey added
that he had known Gen. Grant forty years. and
believed his present troubles arose entirely from
Gen. Grants supreme confidence in his friends
Mr.. Gibson said that while the form of the
bill might not commend itself to his judgment,
he syinpathized with the people of the country
who desired to testify their appreciation of Gen
eral Grants services. AS a senator from Lou
1Slana ne IelU III incumbent on MIN TO vote Tor
the bill to show the good will and sympathy of
the people of that State for General Grant.
Mr. George said he was here as a senator from
Mississippi in the restored Union. On being
commissioned by his people to come here, he had
made a contract with himself that in his votes
in the Senate, on all questions that affected the
honor of his people, he would vote exactly as if
he had worn the federal instead Of the confed-
crate uniform. He believed the people desired
the passage of the proposed measure.
Mr 10 haH a rpn
ure when it was proposed some years ago. be-
cause he had not approved certain acts Of Gen.
Grants administration, and because Gen. Grant
dill not then need aid. Under present circam-
stances, however, he favored the bill.
Mr.. Voorhees, said Mr.. Cockrells reference to
Gen. Grants income. might create misappre
hension in the popular mind. When the guar
anteed term shonld expire, six years hence, the
investment of the fund would prove of little
value Mr.. Voorhees, added that if he was
Southern man, he would strongly favor this
measure. He recalled the fact that Secretary
Stanton wanted to arrest and imprson Robert
u. Lee, after the surrender at Appomattox, and
Gen. Grant told Stanton that Lee was his
(Grant's1 paroled prisoner, and not hair of his
head should be molested He remembered also.
Grants fearless acknowledgment of his error in
the Fitz John Porter matter
The bill was then pasSed-yeas 40, nays g.
The nays were Messrs Beck, Cockrell, Coke,
Harris Pendleton, Salisbury, Slater, Vance and
Walker.
Mr. Cullom introduced a bill to increase the
appropriation for public building at Quincy,
H., from $175, 900 to $500, 900.
The Senate upon motion of Mr. Hale, took up
the naval appropriation bill. The Senate com
mittees amendments were concurred in, and the
bill passed.
Mr.. Morgan asked unanimous consent to call
UP the bill declaring forfeiture of lands grant
ed the State of Michigan, in aid of the construc-
ton of railroad from Little Bay to Marquette
and Ontonagon and consent was granted. He
moved that the bill be recommitted. He said it
was the purpose of the committee only to pro-
vide for forfeiture of unearned lands. The de-
scripton of lands made in the bill was incorrect,
and required amendment. The bill was recon-
misted.
INTERSTATE COMMERCE
The Chair laid before the Senate the interstate
commerce bill, and Senator Slater offered an
amendment prohibiting the charging of higher