The National tribune., 1886-05-13

this foor who were in the rebellion at one time
against the Government; but through the largess,
through the bounty, through the humanity, II you
choose oi the dominant party, they hold seats here
to-day upon this floor. Yet the gentleman says u
y oishonorable 10 press these questions upon them
because they cannot give negative votes IN silence
Why not What Is there 10 prevent any gentle
man on that side expressing himself on any one OF
these propositions. If he wants toY LIS X because
there s great party necessity on the part OF those
gentlemen 10 assume 10 occupy position on these
questions which they do not really occupy is
tlat the reason why they should keep silent, or
why they cannot give negative votes? deny Il.
Those gentlemen are not IN situation their friend
and advocate would assume they are. The debate
on this question negatives that. These gentlemen,
OF number Of them, have expressed themselves
through their votes and through their speeches.
take IL, therefore, The special reason why the
gentleman from New York thought II was dlshon-
orable, Why ID was dishonest to press these men,
was not the real one. ID Is simply because he IS
opposed 10 this class of legislation simply because
n l. in bs lime lsra,,ss he ali,xesi II To e his duty
as one Of the marked and recognized leaders OF the
Democratic party, on all occasions when he may
have the opportunity, 20 oppose tins class OF egis-
lation when It can be safely and securely done.
Several amendments to the bill were re-
iccted The session extended far into the night,
the House adjourning at 1:30 o'clock in the
morning without reaching conclusion on the
bill.
A BOY BUGLER sTIRs Up THE STATESMEN.
A very spicy and interesting debate also took
place on a private bill to pay Francis w. Halde-
man, Of Avoca, Iowa, $3.50 as compensation for
services performed and money expended for the
benefit of the United States during the late
war. The Committee on War Claims cut the
amount down TO 500, aud recommended the
passage Of the bill SO amended. The report
says:
In the Fan OF Che year 1868 Francis W. Halde-
man. being then mere lad l. years old. too young TO
be enlisted aud received into the military service OF
the United States, procured, at has own expense,
uniform, and, in the same manner. armed himself,
and went with an Ohio regiment from his home in
Thin, o., to Johnsons Island, in Sandusky Bay,
and was there engaged for some lime IN guarding
prisoners. He then attached himself 10 the 4sih
Ohio, aud went 10 Camp Dennison, near CINCINNATI,
o., and again sought 10 be mustered IN as a drum.
mer, but was rejected account of his age and
size. he then attached himself 10 Co. A, 18th Ohio
Cav, and NH the officers of that regiment testify
that he faithfully performed the duties Of a cavalry
soldier, bugler scout, and enlisted man IA
the ranks, until the end OF the year 1864. IL also
appears that he received such injuries TO his phys
ical health while ia the line OF his duty that he
has never recovered from the same. HIS conduct
was Of such gallant nature thai be has received
honorable mentlon by name IN the history OF nus
regiment. lie has never been paid one cent, be-
cause he never mustered. The gallant and
meritOrious services Of this brave and patriotic
youth deserve recognition.
Mr. Bragg Wis opposed the bill. he said:
Mr. Chairman, do not want to say anything
against so brave boy that; but IL does seem TO
me lad II years old too small 20 be enlisted even
]
! service, The chances are those glorious achieve
ments he performed, which made him historical Ia
the history OF hs regiment have been performed
largely by the pen-and-ink brigade since the waT.
as wei all that species Of recollection which
writes up great deal Of military history and fur
nisbes an immense amount Of pension evidence and
proof To support claims; in other words, they
very likely 10 be creations of the Imagination
But whether this was 80 or not the Government
I refused 20 take tins boy into its service. IL de-
clined 10 have him. and on competent authority
rejected him because he was unfit for service. But
like enmp-follOwer OF hOrse-leech be followed on,
and followed on, and followed on. Nhyy On ac-
count OF thai glorious and patriotic sentiment which
prevailed all over the State OF Ohio. He went 10
Ohio but he started from Iowa. He wanted 90 go
down 10 guard the prisoners in Lake Erie. That
boy, II j remember tle report hcre-and that is
where he got itit was an aerthougbt OF that gori-
Gus patriotism which filed him when he wanted 90
80 when the Government ssid he should not. What
has become Of it? Has II oozed out like the cour-
age OF some people we have heard tell Of? What
was 10 be such glorious record OF courage and
patriotic sentiment, which 10 impel him 10 90
when the Government tired 10 keep him from go
ing, has now developed into "A begging propensity.
The gentleman from Iowa who presented his claim
undoubtedly knows the boy. He is undoubtedly
a nice hoy, and il occurred TO him Il would be a
clever thing TO give something 10 that boy. SO il
went There are Thousand boys l know who
would Ike u very much and be just as thankful
But ulere is no earthly ground IN the world for
paying this boy for anything that he did. lie has
! got no claim upon the Government whatever; and
in no condition DOW 10 be giving presents 10
boyseven II tley do live in Iowa or Indiana or Ohio
mitiee on War Claims happens 10 live.
Mr.. Lyman (Iowa)
Mr.. Chairman. ] do not see any reason whatever
I why tllis assault should be made upon this young
man. do know him. and he does live in the State
OF Iowa. bu; did not know him al the time he was
serving bis country Ia the army. II has been said
4 by the gentleman from Wisconsin that the country
3 refused 10 receive him as an enlisted man and 10
muster him into lie service rs soldier in the army
u Is true be not received and mustered. be-
cause he not within the age Of enlistment; but
81 a. =
ms service and the faithful service too, which he
rendered. The country did not refuse TO allow him
20 arm and uniform himself at his own expense, and
his HTms and uniform Ia its defense during the
I period of bic service.
/ Iknow this Young man cow whiIeT did not know
him thea and do know thai his health il broken,
and, n 10 believe the evidence furnished be-
I fore the War Claims Committee broken by reason
Of bis exposure in The service lie asks at this late
day for this compensation IN view Of the expendi-
4 lures incurred by himself and / sorry 10 hear
him assliled az he has been upon the floor Of this
House by the commander Of the " Iron Brigade.
Mr. Weaver Iowa:
Mr. Chairman. II the gentleman from Wisconsin
! Mr.. Bragg desires TO oppose this measure upon
lis merils and without attacking tlc reputation Of
this brave lad that h all right. But think il IL
/ ungraciOus, Hfler This young has made his
military history, after he has been honorRbly mem
toned la the records 81 his regiment, afer lac has
sustained his reputation before the committee hav-
ing charge ~ hs claim, that the gentleman should
rise here without knowledge Of the facts Of the case
! on which tIc claim is based and say before the
/ American Congress and put n into the Record that
the young man 10 trying 20 impose upon the House
1 by trying 70 get a claim through here by begging.
4 know many men who went into the army and
served faithfully. and who would have spurned 10
ask for pension or pay while their health was
good. lie gave not only an example Of his yalor 10
the Government, but he gave 10 the Government
his Deulthi sacrifice which To many men u dearer
than life ilsef and why then should his reputation
BE- assailed here without cause without evidence >
The Government las had his services as n soldier
and II u has pad any other man for his services il
z NEUulu fEz Young tlak lie - had
health and in need Of and that 10 ali there Is OF
n.
Dir. Bragg wis.,:
have not assailed anybody's character. know
nothing u tins boy character on his services ex-
1 ccpt fIom the record which The committee have
made for him. ! spoke Of the record they have
made, ana IL IL absurd is face
/ have seen many painting, many n cut % ths
drummer boy WltA the American nag wrapped
around linn lying dead IN the altitude a. III hc had
I led the charge the enemy works but nobody
Ia his sense believes such thing ever took place
lsut il looked pretty in the picture. II they had
looked for the drummer boy " hen there was a bat
te ihey would have found him knocking out the
/ head 81 tile drum soon as the fight commenced
aud going a. the rear II be had the pretext Of help
iug 10 carry q wounded soldier 20 ambulance
n they had looked foT the drum they would hRy'
found nothing bot ihe shell of il. Poetry is on'
thing and reality BE- another.
IL ls absurd 20 suppose boy y years old, toa
small 10 BE- taken for drummer, Eecce'
by sbudy Tor cavalry scout. Yet that is wlla
t8c report hays. That must be the kind Uf cayalFl
my friend alluded 70 the other day when he spok
of the valuable cavalry We had la the first part Q
the war.
There j. no real claim on tie part Of this boy.
/ a. merely a tFumpcd-up claim la these days peo
pie - think all they have 10 DO IL 20 knock
r aud lhc snipural promise viii be fnihled, 3"
a Z shall De opened unto you that IL thcy knock a