National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-01-23

ated were erecting q monument thirty feet
high to Robert +. Lee, the chief military
head Of the rebellion. There was no Justice
in the claim that broad patriotism re-
qulred the obliteratiOn Of the records Of the
grandest triumph ever made for humanity
since first the morning stars sang together
Applause on the Republican sile.1
There were two statutes on the books
debating that in government appointments
soldiers should he given preference. These
had not only been treated with contempt
but I'm .the case Of the Norfolk navy yard
and custom house gallant, efficient, worthy,
faithful public servants, who had followed
the flag Of their country across hundred
battle fields, had been turned out, that their
places might be given to men who had
fought to destroy the government.
Mr.. G.. d. Wise Of Virginia, was glad
that he had an opportunity to make n state.
ment of facts, although he had hoped that
the subject Of this resolution would not
have been discussed until information
had been received from the Secretary Of the
Navy. The gentleman from Maine MIR
Boutelle) on more than one occasion had
sought to revive the passions and prciu-
dices Of the war lie Mr.. Wise) would
examine how much Of truth there was IN
the statement Of these resolutions. The
Secretary Of the Navy was called upon to
report IL any tablet had been destroyed at
Grated the fact that the dry dock ut Ports
mouth had been destroyed. lie was glad OF
the opportunity TO inform the gentleman
from Maine that the dry dock ut Portsmouth
had never been destroyed. Applause on the
Democratic side The gentleman asked the
Secretary of the Navy II inscriptions had
been removed from cannon captured from
the confederate army. lie would inform
The gentleman from Maine that no cannons
with such inscriptions had ever been in
the Portsmouth navy yard. The gentleman
from Maine wanted TO know II Union SOL
dicr had been discharged and a confederate
put In his place. lie would inform the gem
tleman from Maine that the man who was
discharged had never been in the Union
army; had never been within thousand
miles Of line Of fbattle; had never heard the
music Of q mimic bullet.
"Did he not render great service to his
COuntryY' asked Mr.. BOutelle. "No, slr,n
replied Mr. Wise "lic, sir, was In receipt
offs large salary in bomb-proof position,
while brave men fought the battles Of their
country. The confederate, or the one whom
you allege was appointed on account OF his
service in the confederate army, was ap-
pointed after competitive examination,
and the man to whom you refer was re-
moved for beastly intOXicatiOnn
"YOur fellow. w.citi2cus OF Maine are auX-
iOus to know If q confederate has been ap-
pointed In the Norfolk navy yard by this
administration. Have you forgotten that
during the Grant administration and dur
ing the administration of Hayes and Ar
thur you sent the captain of the confed-
crate guerllas, John :. Mosby, to repre-
sent the government Of the United States
in a foreign country [Applausc on the
Democratic side. Have you forgotten
that LongstreCt, confederate lieutenant
general, was selected by your Republican
administration for the most important Office
in GeorgiaY Why is II, will ask the gem
ilcman from Maine, that we have not heard
howl about these appointments"
docs the gentleman desire reply?o in
quircd Mr.. Boutelle.
"No, sir;n exclaimed Mr.. Wise, ego read
the speech of the senator of the United
States who, with all Kindness, is, in the esti-
nation Of the whole country, better man
thany are. Goread the speech of Charles
Sumner, OF Massachusetts.n
"lf Charles Sumner knew that his mag
unanimous suggestion would be quoted by
you for such purpose he would turn in his
gravc,' exclaimed Mr.. BOutelle, amid much
confusion.
"The last words spoken by that great
leader on his dying bed at McGregor," said
Mr.. Wise, "were that he thanked God that
he closed his eyes on the world, believing
that peace had returned to a distracted
country And yet! and yet! the halls OF
legislation are TO be annoyed by the back
biting Of such men rs the gentleman from
Maine. Now, Mr.. Speaker, want to say
one word more to him, while we sit here
and vote pensions to your soldiers
"Our sOldiersw exclaimed Mr.. Boutelle.
"YGs,n replied Mr.. Wise, sour soldiers.
We are in the house Of our fathers, and we
have come to stay. While we are ready
and willing to vote pensions to honorably
discharged soldiers who served their country
in time of war, we will never consent that
II shall be held aud proclaimed on high that
one who happened to have been in the con-
federate army Is forever disbarrcd from the
service Of his country"
Mr.. Wise's time had expired aHd Mr..
Brumm, of Pennsylvania, moved that It be
extended. To this there was storm OF
objections, and Mr.. Wise took his scat.
The resolution as amended by the com.
mittee on naval affairs was then adopted
and at $3.50 the House took recess until
7:30, when 1t passed sixteen pension and
two disability bills, and at $40 adjourned
until Monday,