The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-03-29
CONGRESS.
An Abstract of the More Important
Proceedings in Both Houses.
TUESDAY, MARCH 90.

ter-State railroad trains on the Sabbath, and Tor
better legal protection for women and girls in
the Territories and other places under the con-
troll Of Congress.
Senator Davis. from the Committee on Pen
sions to whom was referred the bill rs. 23Sl) to
so amend Section 9646 Of the Revised Statutes
as to allow the pensions Of officers Of the army
and navy. their widows and dependent parents,
TO be rated as Of the rank held by such officers
ut the date of discharge. reported ii With
amendments, and submitted the report thereon.
Senator Turpic from the Committee on Pen
sions TO whom were referred the following
bills reported adversely thereon; and they
were postponed indefinitely:
bill Is. 1900 for the increase Of pensions
for the loss OF an eye;
bill IS. 3S0} to increase the rate Of pension
for deafness and loss Of sight; and
bin Is 1874 fixing the rate Of pension for
the total loss Of an eye or the sight thereof
The Senator reported another bill covering
the ground of the postponed bills which was
read twice by its title and referred. 1t is as
follows;
That Section 46gs Of the Revised Statutes of the
United States be. and the same Is hereby, amended
60 as to allow TO all persons who are now paid, or
NAV hereafter be found entitled TO, pension for
the loss Of one eye or the sight thereof under exist
Ing laws Tor such disability. pension OF Go per
month in lien OF any lesser sum now by law pro-
vided therefor the increase herein provided 10 take
effect only from the passage OF TINS act.
SIC. 2. That nothing herein contained shall de-
rrive peRsioner Of the right to higher rating by
reason Of bis rating for total disability, as is now
provided for by existing laws.
SEC. g. That the Commissioner of Pensions is
hereby required and authorized TO prOportionately
divide the rate Tor partial loss OF Sig oil either or
both eyes upon the basis Of the rate for the loss OF
one eye herein provided for
Senator Blair called up for consideration the
following bill introduced by him:
That before persons shall be appointed TO the
civil service Of ne United states ii shall be made
81 lfaE-al r..
Government OF the United States during the Of
the rebellion, if of lawful age at any time during
said war; and whenever such persons not loyal to
the United states during said war shall be appoint
&c to Office in the civil service, those not dishon
0rEbiy discharged from the military or naval serv-
ice of the sO-called Confederate States, and now
suffering from disability resulting from wounds
sickness incurred in said service shall be preferred
TO other persons not shown to have been loyal IN
the war Of the rebellion provided they are found
10 possess the business capacity necessary to the
proper discharge Of such offices.
He said, in support Of it:
"The object Of the bill is simply this that, as
among those who were disloyal to the Govern
ment during the war, those who were disabled
by active military service shall have the pref
ereDce, other things being equal, in appoint
ments 10 the civil service.
We have applied that principle with refer
ence 10 those who were loyal, and il seems to
me that it is a very good principle to adopt
with reference to those who were dislOyal.
il
good faith am told by one who belonged TO
the number Of those who lost a leg in the serv-
ice of the C0nfederacy and from other sources
i have the same general knowledge that in
many Of the Southern States there are tIou-
sands, and I know that In State Of North Caro-
lima there arc at least 10000, Of the soldiers Of
the Confederacy who lost arms or legs in the
service very large majority Of whom are in
poor circumstances.
1t seems to me that if either this Admins
tFatiOn or any other Administration Of the Gov
eminent is TO give appointments in the civil
service 10 anybody who was disloyal to the
Government, these men, If otherwise compe-
tent, ought TO have the preference. That is
the object of the bill, and nothing else"
Senator Hale said be was not willing to con
sent that the same discriminating favor that
has been applied to the loyal soldier Of the
North, giving him preference disappointment
because Of his services In the war for the sup
preston Of the rebellion, should be By Congress
granted TO the Southern soldier who was en-
gagged in the work Of destroying the Union,
when we prefer Union soldiers for their serv-
ices in maintaining ii.
Senator Berry said that in behalf Of the
wounded soldiers Of the South he would say
that they had asked no preference, and nothing
81 the hands Of the Government except to be
permitted to take care ofthemselves, which they
have been able 10 do SO far: that any intimation
that these soldiers were not equal in point OF
courage, in point OF love OF country, in point oil
honor ID every other point, TO any other men,
is unfounded and unjust, aud unwarranted By
the facts.
Senator Plat said that the &" Confederate sol
der may have loved what was called the Con.
federate States, but he loved the Union only
just enough to fight against it and try TO de.
strOy it; and viii not sit in my seat and have
his loyalty, his devotion, his courage, and his
love FOR the Union put on q par with that Of the
soldier who fought 70 maintain it, without On.
tering my protest against it."
Senators Hampton, Henderson Daniel and
Hawley opposed the bill, and Senator Riddle
berger supported ii. He said: The bill doe
not discriminate against loyal men. The young
men were actuated and impeled bya sentiment
inculcaied BY the very men whom the Senator
from Massachusetts says this bill would dis
crIminate against. IL there be an element il
the South that ought to be Disseminated
against Do is that very element, that aged ele
ment, that experienced element that precipi
tat6d upon the young men Of the country wa
from which they bad nothing to gain but dis
aster and loss Of four years Of active life, 0
training and Of education
Since this Administration began ] hav
known aFmless and legless Confederate soldier
turned out Of Office ia the South not because 0
their politics, but sI1aply because they had beer
put there By a Republican Administration. AM
A+--4A PAGES baPpt4cl DE LAG very men HhOL
the real Confederate soldier actually detests to
day.
Take the disabled Confederate soldier in til
South and you viii end in nine cases out Of tel
man who viii tell you that be is glad the wa
terminated as il did. If you want TO find tn
uurec0ustucJed element Of the South talk
those whom the Senator from Massachusetts say
are recognized for their eminent services befor
and since the war, who were years in accept
ing the three amendments TO the Constitution
when The actual Confederate element Of tn
South would have accepted them at once The
knew what il was to 1ght and they knew VIVA
i was % surrender
:. i therefore. Mr.. President, and ] hope wit
becoming difidence, here as a Confederate d
support the bill Of the Senator from New Hamr
shire. Whenever this Government has auy
thing to bestow in the way Of an Office ! woul
have lt given 20 the wounded OF the disable
Confederate, 50 as 10 have il understood tha
those men eminent for their services in di
Aiding and WOunding these soldiers should I
excluded / would not allow them TO con
here u had my way. BY way Of ILLUSTRATION
take, for instance, the young men. They 20