The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-02-28
THE PROTECTION OF WOMEN.

FFtTN O,TTV UFETl
and the usual number Of petitions from the
Woman's Christian Temperance union in
favor Of prohibition, and one for the better
protection Of women. In connection with the
latter petition, Mr.. Blair, (who presented it,
said that the petition had been circulated
throughout the country by direction of the
national convention OF the Woman's Christian
Temperance union, aided by the Knights Of
Labor, and that these two great organizations
were acting IN unison for the promotion of
that great object. Civilization of the present
day, he said, seemed to have developed
crime almost unknown in the annals Of the
race; so that crime against girls and young
women ESPECIALLY in large cites) had come to
he worse than had ever been perpetrated
against women OF tho association. He be-
)ieved, in fact he knew, that the appeal thus
made 10 congress in favor of the woman
hood Of the country would not be in vain. He
asked that the memorial and bill, which he
had prepared on the same subject, be referred
90 the Judiciary committee. SO ordered
The floor was accorded, in committee Of the
whole, TO the committee on public buildings
and grounds. The first bill called up was ono
approprating $4,000 additional for the public
bljldinc AT Chattanooga, Tenn
Mr.. j and renew ed his opposition to what he
considered loose method of dealing with the
public buildings matter, and finally offered
All amendment providing that no public build
ing shall hereafter be constructed unless some
one OF the executive department shall first
certify 10 congress that no suitable accommo-
dation for the service Of the government can be
obtained in the city or town specified, at a less
rental than 5000 Ia year.
The amendment was ruled out of order, and
the bill was agreed to.
Upon the next bin appropriating $4,000
Tor the purchase of n site for public building
at Buffalo, New York. Mr.. Bland took occa-
sion 10 renew his attack upon the tariff and to
advocate reduction OF the surplus by tho pay
ment Of the bonded debt. He appealed to tho
house to cease TO waste money on these public
buildings and TO come down to the democratic
doctrine of the reduction of taxation. He re-
ferred to the presidents message "a reference
which was received with applause on the dem
ocratic side) and as a democrat denounced
every attempt TO take the. peoples money
from the treasury by the Blair educatianal
bill, public building measures and other
squandering propositions.
Mr.. Bland replied that he would not permit
handful OF men to sweep these bills through
in shame and scandal, but no would avail him
self of his constitutional right TO require q
quorum to vote on every proposition
THOSE TATrERED TROPHIES.
WAsHrNGToN February 20.-The secretary
OF war today returned to the house his answer
TO the Bonteie resolution, calling for informa-
United States have heosa.omoyed from the
place where they were displayed and concealed
and If so by what authority and for what pur-
pose and further, rs TO what propositions have
bttU thhNt ny government ONlCl1lS Tor tho sur
render OF these flags, and whether it is true
that portion of them were actually surren-
dcred to persons having no right to their pos
session. AS preliminary, the secretary gives
brief history OF the flags, showing that from
1862 until the close of the war United States
generals in the field sent to the war department
flags that were captured by their troops 1t
is also probable he says, that some flags of this
description reached the department through
other channels or tho whole number cap
tured and deposited with the department, $50
were United States flags originally captured
by the contedcratos and recaptured from them,
and 5i4 were confederate flags taken by
United States troops, making n total of $50 in
custody OF the department. The secretary re-
views eNhauStiYeiy the legislation upon this
subject, showing that since 1874 there has
been no statutes requiring public exhibition
oil such flags and then in order. es he saws
that nothing may he omitted from his answer
TO the resolution, he summarizes his detailed re-
pines 70 specific inquiries contained in the said
resolution.
In reply to the first clause Of the resolves, have
the honor 10 say that II Is not true that fl s stand
nrds and co,orS captured from enelnies OF the
United States have been removed from the place
where they were displayed, required by law and
haye slnce been concealed nom the public The
Hays standards and coloS captured prior 10 the
war OF the rebellion were displayed. SO far as can
be asoertained IN the military academy at West
Point, as heretofore reiterated, and have not since
been removed or coucta ed nom the public. The
haes standards and cOlurs captured in the war of
the febelli"n were never displayed, under proyiS-
IONS OF the statute OF ISL and therefore, have not
been removed from any place of display and CON
ceaied iron The public. All matters known 10 this
uearmeht ~ reeard TO their care and custody have
In reply to the second clause in the resolutions
have the honor to ay that the only proposition for
the surrender of any OF said ilaeS, standards and
colors, within TIE knowledge of this department.
was made 10y the adIu;aui. general OF the army as
before reiterated aud action and orders thereon
ana with default ~ tie same by the president are
fully set forth IN the foregoing statement and OK
libits therein referred 70.
In regard TO the actual surrender and delivery of
Hays and colorS 10 persons having right TO their
possession before the eountermandins order OF the
president was Issued" concerning which iuflrmn-
lion is requested in the third clause of resolves l
have the honor 10 say that IL is not true that the
hagb referred 10 andineIuded in the proposition of
up or surrendered either before or
amer said coun,ermandiug order 10
any persons or organizations whatever, hgt the
same are stu In The custody of this DEF arlment
and, further that the flags and colars calured in
The war OF the rebellion are covtred by and included
IN The statutes heretofore mentioned that the
delivery ofany ofthem 60 any persons other than
Custod,Hns OF the government constitutes delivery
80 persons having no right 20 their possession" us
set forth IN said resolve then II must be answered
that q portion OF said flags have been surrendered
and delivered Us follows:
OF confederate flags, nine were given up on the
written order OF Mr.. Stanton and twelve others
issued during his administration u the war deyart
menL ana presumably Icy his authority Al least
fifty more confederate flags were lent by Mr. Stanton
To individuals or associations who subsequently re
turned tncth one confederate Tag was lent by
General Bennett, acting secretary OF war, and has
not been returned.
In conclusion, the secretary in reply TO the
fourth clause IN the resolves, saws:
have the honor 90 say that descriptive list OF
al facs, banners and colors that have been placed
~ the custody OF the war department and can he
identified rs having been borne ly any particular
orsAnieauon, accom- anies This report, aud as 10
what measures, II any, have been taken o. comfy
with the requirement. and obvious intcur' OF SIC.
ton OF the revised statutes specified in such,reso.
iion ! have The honor a. reply that have hereto
fore detailed an that has been done ia the matter
and have Tie honor, further. 20 call the attention
o. ne house u She fact that sections IS 1854 and
1,o95 refer 70 the navy department uuly.'
1hE BLAIR riiL.
The Blair educational bin has now hecn In
me hands OF The committee on education for
over a week aud aS yes they have not consd-
tre0 u. IL \ IN the hands of subcommittee
composed OF Mcssrs. Grain. Cobb. Pennington.
Lane, q Donncll, Russell and White. die ma
9ofty, OF whom are opposed 70 H. and viii
probably not report ID 40 all. However. tLe
lHenas OF TIE 0ill ere very anxious for n re-
lori, even though 10 be AN adverse one. in oy,ier
that ihe mouse vote may be taken, aud arc ON.
deaForing 90 get tic committee 20 nct NJ
tendlor is Known 20 be an opponent of tbc
bill' There Is no doubt however. but that he
subcommittee report viii be adopted.