Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-03-21
CONGRESSIONAL.
yx.cONFSDERArR s0LDIsRs AND TIE
CIVIL SERVICE.
A Bill Giving Preference in Appointment to
Those Who Were in the Army Causes
Aspirited Discussion in
the Senate.
WASHINGTON, March 20. 1888.
senate.

WASHINGTON, March ~, 1885.
senate.
Among the bills reported from com
miticcs and placed on the calendar we're
the following: To encourage the holding
Of a National Industrial Exposition Of
arts. mechanics, aud products of the
colorcd race in the United States in
lSSS-'S9 10 authorize the Secretary Of
The Treasury 10 apply surplus money in
tho Treasury 90 the purchase OF United
States bonds and 10 the Prepayment Of
interest Notice was given 10y Mir. Al
drich. who reported this bin, that he
would call II mp at sn carly date.
Mr.. Blair, who yesterday introduced q
hill giving the preference for civil-ser-
vice appointments (Hmong men who had
been disloyal during the var 70 those
who had served in the Confederate army
and who were suffering from wounds or
disabilities, asked Nr. Plat (who had
objected 10 the second reading OF the
bill TO withdraw his objection.
Mr.. Platt sad that be could not object
90 the bill being read n second time to-
day and referred t. q committee. lis
objection Yesterday had been based upon
what seemed 20 be an inference from the
title Of the biz.
Mr.. Blair remarked that the object Of
the m.l Was simply to provide that in
appointments 20 the civil service, made
from among those who had been dlsloval,
preference should bee given to those VINO
were suffering from wounds or disabilities
resulting from service IN the army of the
Conlcdcracv. lie had introduced the
bill in entire good faith. He understood
that in the State Of North Carolina there
were TO-DAY 10000 eX-soldiers Of the
Confedcracv who hid lost limbs IN the
service. and that very large number Of
them were la poor circumstances. IL
seemed 10 him that If the Government
under this Administration, or under any
other Administration, gave appointments
10 men who had been dIsloyal, preference
should bc given % those who had served
ia the Confederate army aud were disa-
biel other things being cquaD.
The debate on Mr.. Blalr's bill was
continued up 10 , o'clock, when, at his
suggestion. the bill went over TIL to-
morrow without action. Speeches were
maieby Mcssrs. Platt. Hale, Berry, Blair,
Hoar, RiddlcbtrRer, Hampton. George,
Maujorsou, Daniel, and HaVlcy. The
southern senator's. while expressing the
Eudhcst feelings for the generosity and
philanthropy which had prompted the
introduction Of the Mll, discialmcd all
desire on tine part Of the eX-Confcde-
rates for the passage of any such eXcep-
tloual measure. but thought that as
matter of courtesy and uniformity Of
principle the bill should be read a second
time and referred. The northern scna-
tors were Of one accord in condemning
the measure as unWise and ill-con-
s.dcrel
In the course Of the debate Mr.. Blair
repeated that the bill simply made dis
examination among those who had been
oi,loya', giving preference to men who
lad served in the Confederate army and
been disabled az against "a man who had
g. SID been dis.oyal but Who had not served
IL the army.
Mr.. hale said il IS made a merit by
TINS bill that the applicant Tor Office
Lad served IN the Confederate army, and
lad there been disabled. lie for one
would not consent 10 any such discriml-
nation M favor Of Confederate soldiers
l., had been made in the statutes In favor
Of Federal soldiers
Mr.. Blair sand that the bin had |
ORIGINATED with himself after converse
tons with various parties and from III |
formation derived from various sources /
rs % the condition Of wounded Con- |
tolerate soldiers IN the South. There |
were many OF them who were not only |
wounded, but il great desu-
tuition
Mr.. Hoar was very much Pratitied to |
learn bot1 from the Senator from New |
Hampshire and the Senator from ATkan- |
sas Mr. Berry that the proposition had /
not come from oX-COufedcTate soldiers /
or from anybody representing them.
There was 10 occasion, therefore, to en-
Ter az this time oil "a discussion as TO |
what would or would hot be proper Ia
dealing with this class of citizens. Many /
of that class were in the Senate ana had
the respect and friendship Of their assO-
ciates. lie did not believe that the
pending measure would ever have come
from gentleman representing States
formerly IN the rebellion.
Mr.. Hampton expressed great gratifi-
ration al the generous action OF the Sena-
tor from New Hampshire in introducing
.he bill. 1t was bold, kind, and Gene
-ous act on his part. Still he (Nr.
.lampton) would vote against the bill.
40 Confederate soldier he'd asked forthe
passage Of such bill. His own opinion
Vas that in appointments to Federal
IAces the Government should seek the
uan who was best qualified TO perform
ue duties of the office.
Mr.. George said that the question be-
ore the Senate was not rs TO the passage
# the bill. Il was simply whether the
lill should have, in accordance with the
inyarving rule of tie Senate, the cOur-
e-v Of % second reading and reference
ID committee. lie had never observed /
breach OF that rule. lie agreed with
he senator from South Cardinal Iamp-
onl that no Confederate had asked for
uch q bill. lie did not believe
nat am Confederate would ever
six for It, and in voting Gas be would
" a second reading of the bill he should ,
.Ot DO 30 from any motive or wish on
rs part 70 facilitate such legislation.
But be found the bill introduced by q {
senator from the North !
" hose service III the United States army
ad been very meritoriousl, Of ms own {
otiou, acting on his own judgment, and
e (Georgel did not feel that NE ought /
ID slap him Ia the face 10y voting to re- I
lse his bill the universal courtesy of Il ,
econd reading and reference to COM
littee.
MIR. Daniel said that if the question
,ere one Of courtesy or discourteSy to ,
le Senator who had introduced tue bill, 5
mere would be no doubt IN his mind as
o how he should vote. lie felt incapa-
lie OF Offering discourtesy 10 any sena- (
Or. aud certainly he should 60 very far {
o avoid doing so toward one who /
ad been inspired by such mag ]
animous and generous sentiment
s that which the Senator from
Jew Hampshire had exhibited Bat I
10 public question could ever be beht-
led by q question Of courtesy. The s
neefiou lefore the Senate was the pro- q