Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1886-01-28
CONGRESSIONAL Spice.

tain inscriptions and the dismissal OF Union
soldiers at the Norfolk navy-yard, with an
amendment extending the inquiry 70 dis
missals made ut the navy-yard and light
house district at Norfolk during the terms
of the immediate predecessors of the pres
emit Secretary of the Navy. The republl-
cans didn't like the widening of the scope
of inquiry and by flhbustering attempted
TO prevent the adoption of the committee 5
resolution Finally they got down to i've
iy talk
The debate was opened by Mr.. Boutelle
of Maine. The resolution he had intro
duced had related to allegations that an Of
hcer of the United States government at
one of the nayy-yards of the government
had ordered the obliteratlon OF honorable
inscriptions on cannon captured by the
United states, and had caused o be re-
moved from the dry docks a memorial tab
let setting forth that it had been destroyed
bv the rebels i'm 1862 and reconstructed IN
1868 lie did not understand that the facts
had been IN any way contradicted.
Mr.. Boutelle then referred 70 the removal
of the superintendent of machinery at the
Davv-vard because of his demurring to the
DETACHMENT of the dry dock, and the APP
continent of q man whose title 10 the pO
siti0n rested on q service IN the Conieder-
,te army. lie considered that a sufficient
reason for calling attention To the matter.
lie had found evidence that since the 4th
of March. 1888 there had been repeated
and systematic removals from the positions
I'm which they were placed of officers of the
government. of wounded and disabled vet
Grams of the republic to make place for the
men who had sought TO destroy H. lie
deemed that q fitting matter TO call to the
attention of the House ard country. The
attempt whenever made, and by whoever
made. Co set up the plea that the tearing
down of the loval memorials of the war was
demanded by any broad sentiment of pa
friotism was based on absolute sOphistry.
The soldier who came TO Washington might
wander In vain through the great art repos-
it0rv of this city looking for the counterfeit
presentment of one OF the heroes who sus-
lained rhe flag of the Union. lie would
fud that the only men who were memorial
lied and remembered in the COrcOran Art
Gallery were Robert E. Lee and StoneSall
jackson These representations were not
simply 90 keep alive memory of great men,
but were the representations OF soldiers.
They were depicted in full confederate uni
form Two wears ago, when the House was
considering an appropriation OF one mil
lion dollars for the New Orleans EXposl-
ton. the people down there who were SO
anxious % have Union memorials oblltera-
ted were erecting q monument 80 feet high
to Robert f. Lee. the chiet-the military
head of the Rebellion. There was no JUS
tice in the claim that a broad patriotism
required the obhterati0n of the records of
the grandest triumph ever made for human 1
it's since first the morning stars sang togeth-
er. Applause on the republican side.
There were two statutes on the books de-
c.ariug that in government appointments
soldiers should be given a preference.
These had not only been treated with con-
tempt. bur I'm the case of the Norfolk navy
ward and custom-house gallant, efficient,
worthy, faithful public servants, who had
followed the flag of their country across
hundred battle-helds had been turned out
chat their places might be given TO the men
who had fought 90 destroy the government.
Applause on the republican side.
Mr. Wise was glad that he had an oppor-
tuuitv tO make a statement of facts, although
be had hoped that the subject Ot this reSo
luton would not have been discussed until
information had been received from the
Secretary of the Navy The gentleman
from Maine Mr. Boutelle on more than
one occasion had sought TO revive the pas
sions and preiudices of war. He Mr.. Wise
would examine how much of truth there
was I'm the statement of these resolutions.
The Secretary of the Navy was called upon
to report If any tablet had been destroyed
no the Norfolk navy-yard which commemo-
rated the fact that the dry dock at Ports
mouth had been destroyed. He was glad
of the opportunity to inform the gentleman
from Maine that the dry dock at Ports
mouth had never been destroyed. APP
pIause ON the democratic side. The gem
teman asked the Secretary of the Navy If
inscriptions had been removed from
cannon captured from the Confederate
army He would inform the gentleman
from Maine that no cann0ns with such
inscriptions had ever been In the
Portsmouth navy-yard. Applause on the
democratic side. The gentleman from
Maine wanted TO know If Union soldier
had been discharged and Confederate put
I'm his place. lie would inform the gentle
man from Maine that the man who was dis
charged had never been IN the Union army,
had never been within a thousand miles Of
"a line of battle; had never heard the music
ofaminie bullet Applause and laughter
ON the democratic side
Mr. Boutelle.-"Did he not reader great
service t0 his country
no. sir" replied Mr.. Wise. He, SIR,
was I'm receipt Of large salary in bomb
proof position while brave men fought the
battles OF their country.
Nr. Brady rose aud asked permission TO
PROFOUND question.
80. sir; no, sir. replied Mr. Wise, Il
wll. give my attention TO You in one min
ute. The Confederate, or the one whom
YOU Mr. Boutelle auege was appointed on
account of his service In the Confederate
army. was appointed after competitive eX-
animation, and the man TO whom you refer
was removed for beastly intoNlcatlon. APP
pIause and laughter ON the democratic side.
one other fact / commend 20 your consld-
Grafton: During the Arthur administration
rhe postmaster at Portsmouth, who was
Union soldier. twice wounded and twice
promoted for gallantry. was removed at the
iictation of William Malone. Applause
ON the democratic side All, Mr. speak
er. it is q cool thing 90 raise fuss over
this isn't it2'
.Your lellow-citizenso of Maine, address
inc Mr.. Boutelle.l are anxious 20 know II
a Confederate has been appointed m the
Norfolk navv-yard by this administration.
rr - .-..,, r.-r-ortarl that duriuu the Grant