The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-03-21
DIXIES PROUD HEROES.
A FAIR FIELD AND NO FAVORS is
ALL THEY ASK.

Two SIDES OF UQ6 (gu0SD1On.
WASHINGTON, March 20.--In the Senate
today Mr.. Blair, who yesterday introduced
a bill giving preference for civil service ap-
pointments among men who had been dis
loval during the war to those who had
served in the Confederate army, and who
were suffering from wounds or disabilities.
asked Mr.. Platt, who had objected to second
reading of the bill, to withdraw his obiec-
ton.
Mr.. Platt said that he could not object to
to the bill being read the second time to-
day and referred to committee His OBJ
lection yesterday had been based upon what
seemed to be an inference from the title of
the bill.
Mr.. Blair remarked that the object of
the bill was simply to provide that in ap-
pointments to the civil service made from
among those who had been disloyal, prefer
ence should be given to those who were suf-
fering from wounds or disabilities resulting
from service in the army of the Confeder-
acy He had introduced the bill in entire
good faith.
NORTH CARoLINAS NAMED ARMY
He understood that in the State of North
Carolina there were to-day 10000 .ex-
soldiers of the Confederacy who had lost
limbs in the service, and that very large
number of them were in poor circum-
stances. 1t seemed to him that if the gov
eminent under this administration or under
any other administration gave appoint
ments to men who had been disoyal prefer
ence should be given to those who had
served in the Confederate army and were
now disabled, other things being equal
The debate on MIR Blair's bill was con-
tinued up to o'clock. when, at his sugges-
ton, the bill went over till to morrow with
out action. Speeches were made by Messrs.
Platt, Hale, Berry, Blair, Hoar, Riddle
berger, Hampton, George, Manderson,
Daniel and Hawley.
ATTITUDE OF THE soUTHERNERS.
The Southern Senators, while expressing
the kindliest feelings for the generosity and
philanthropy which had prompted the in
PRODUCTION of the bill, disclaimed all desire
on the part of the ex-Confederates for the
passage of any such exceptional measure,
but thought that as a matter of courtesy
and uniformity of practice the bill should
be read the second time and refer red.
The Nol lthern Senators were of one &C
cord in condemning the measure as unwise
and i'll considered.
In the course of the debate. Mr.. Black re-
peated that the bill simply made discrimi-
nation among those who had been disloyal,
giving preference to a man who had
served in the Confederate army and been
disabled, as against a man who had also
been disloyal, but who had not served in
the army.
HALE OBJECTS.
Mr. Hale said it is made merit by this
bill, that the applicant for office had served
in the Confederate army and had there been
disabled. He, for one, would not consent
TO any such discrimination in favor of Con-
tederate soldiers as had been made in the
statutes in tavor of Federal soldiers.
Mr.. Blair said that the bill had originated
with himself, after conversation with vari-
GUS parties, and was derived from various
sources. As to the condition of the wound
ed Confederate soldiers in the South, there
were many of them who were not only
grlevously wound ed but were in great des-
titution.
HoAR PLEASED.
Mr.. Hoar was very much gratifed to
learn both from the Senator from New
Hampshire, and the Senator from Arkansas
lAlr. Berry, that the proposition had not
come from the ex-Confederate soldiers, or
from anybody representing them. There
was no occasion therefore, to enter at this
ume on discussion as to what would or
would not be proper in dealing with this
NAoso VI ClOlLeuS- many Ol U1db CLASS were
IN the Senate, and had the respect and
friendship of their associates. He did not
believe that the pending measure would
ever have come from the gentlemen repre-
sentng the States formerly in secession.
MI. Hampton expressed great gratitica-
tlon at the generous action of the Senator
from New Hampshire in introducing the
bill. 1t was bold, kind and generous act
on his part. Still he Mr. Hampton would
l.; NJ - 4 u
der had asked for the passage of any such
bill
THE TRUE TEST.
His own opinion was that in appoint
ments to Federal offices the government
should seek the man who was best qualified
toperform the duties of the office.
, Mr. George said that the question before
Sue senate was not as to the passage of the
,plll; it was simply whether the bill should
nave IN accordance with the unvarying
rue OF the Senate, the courtesy of second
Tneaqlng and of reference to the committee.
ne had never observed a breach of that
rule He agreed with the Senator
rom South Carolina (Mr. Hampton
mat no Confederate had asked
ioI such bill. He did not
ueheye that any Confederate would ever
as ask Tor it, and in voting las he would for
@ sne second reading of the bill, he should
~ uo so from any motive or wish on his
part TO facilitate such legislation.
DIDN'T WANT TO BE DIsCoURTEoUs.
;, lie found the bill introduced by the dis
1ugulshed Senator from the North
whose service in the Union army
"a" peen very meritoriouS) Of
MS ms own motion, acting on his own judg
luont and he George did not feel that he
81 tusht TO slap him in the facen by voting
W elllse his bill the universal courtesy of
'0SSg4u reading and reference to committee.
W Nr Daniel said that il the question were
e ol courtesy or discourtesv to the Soma
vi VINO had introduced the bill, there
Ioud be no doubt in his mind rs TO how he
S5iiouId vote. He felt incapable of offering
n courtesy to any Senator, and certainly
ne should 20 very far to avoid doing so
"ard one who had been inspired by such
o. u9gnanimous and generous sentiment
mat which the Senator from New
c,u pShire had exhibited, but no public
cr',on or .s could ever be belittled by the ques-
'0A o. courtesy.
49, URGED NOT TO DODGE.
cro oue question before the Senate was the
M tIlety OF the consideration of the bill.
vii laa gone TO committee in due course,
bs~l out Sut vote, or comment, no one would
h ny 4. ieit that there was anything improper
,ro3 ~. put since the question had been made
goa r,,i. II, that question had to be met, and he
tho that no exConfederate in
op.,. Senate would dodge that
lnishtt although doubtless his emotion