The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-02-25

ton Prof langley, District Commissioner Ros-
sell, and Attorney Perry appeared before tho
Committee. The first four are the Park Com
missioners the latter gentleman being their at
tOrney. The owners Of the property con-
demned were represented by Judge Jero VI.
Wilson, who argued that the law establishing
the Park was unconstitutional, and that the
owners would prefer to have the question set
tied by the Supreme Court, provided relief was
not furnished by Congress. He thought it I'M
fair that the owners should be compelled to
give up their land under law which fixed a
maximum value regardless Of what the real
value of the land might he. Mr.. Perry. for the
Commission, argued that il had only set in
Judgment on matters that had been previously
adjudicated by court, aud showed each step
that had been taken by the Commission how
every conceivable hindrance had been thrown
in its way, and how every objection that had
been raised rs 10 the constitutionality OF the
act had been oyerruled; he denied that the
Commission had gone beyond the appropriation
Al the conclusion Of the arguments the Com
mittee decided 10 have thorough iuve,tiga-
ton made, at which everything connected with
the transactions Of the Commission would be
looked into
The Committee on Invalid Pensions Of the
House Of Representatives on Friday Feb. 70,
indicated that they propose TO inaugurato a
new departure in pension legislation in n GER
tain class Of cases which come before that Com
mittce each year The Committee refused to
authorize favorable report on a bill increas-
ing the pension of the widow Of the late Gen
John Gregg from $50 10 500 per month. The
custom hitherto has been 10 report fayoraby
bills increasing the pensions of widows Of Off
GERS who held high rank hut the majority Of
the present committee hold the opinion that
the question of the rank of dead officers should
not prevail in the consideration Of cases Of this
character.
The Washington ex-Confederate Association
met at Union Hall on Friday evening. Feb, 10.
Representatives Allen, OF Mississippi; Breckin-
ridge, Of Arkansas; Senator Berry, aud Col.
Dickinson, Of New York, made addresses. In
introducing Mr.. Allen, the President Of tho
Association said: An old Confederate will now
address you This Mr.. Allen took exceptions
10, saying " ] am not an old Confederate /
am one Of the youngest alive" lie also said he
would go little out Of the regular order, and
would not touch upon why tho war was fought
What he took particular pride in was holr they
fought lie never stopped 60 think why ne
went in; be had no grievances, no negroes to
lose; but when the Yankees came down South
aud got after them, he found disposition
among his people to resist the invasion. SO far
as he was concerned, he said he would not swap
his record Of having been private Confederate
soldier for any pension the Government could
give for he was mighty proud Of that fact and
had no apology to make for tho little part he
took lin the war Of the rebellion. If they
wanted TO write him down as a traitor, then
he was one Of the traitors who followed the
noble Lee, than whom no man who ever walked
the green earth possessed nobler attributes Of
true greatness. lie also wanted to know what
better yindication they could have than the
fact that they marched in the columns Of
Stonewall Jackson. The best Office he ever
held was that Of private in the rebel army
He has often since the war had promotion
thrust upon him. men often wanting TO call
him Colonel, but lie repudiated the title. aud
wants to stick to his higher Office Of private
The very fact that such meeting aad such
talking could take place under the shadow Of
the dome Of the Capitol, without interference
from anybody, where men who hold high OFF,
ces were allowed to brag Of their participation
in the bloody struggle for tho disruption Of the
Government, shows conclusively that we are
entitled 10 brag, as DO our Fourth Of July ora
tors, that we are the freest Nation on Gods
green EARTH
80
Four special excursion trains Of IN xuriously-
furnished cars rolled ont OF the Baltimore &
Ohio Depot on Friday afternoon, Feb. 70, con-
tanning about half the members OF the House Of
Representatives and large contingent Of SEN
ators, who went 10 Chicago as guests Of that city
10 inspect the Worlds Fair buildings aud
grounds. Mr.. A. 7. Ewing, Chairman Of the
Citizens Committee Of Chicago had charge Of
all the arrangements, but each separate section
was ia charge Of one Of the Illinois Congress
men. The several trains followed each other
at intervals Of - minutes 10 insure safety. The
/ Congressional visitors reached Chicago at
O'Clock Saturday afternoon, aud were taken TO
the various hotels, where plans for their rcccp-
ton and entertainment had been previously
arranged. Ina the evening a grand reception
was given them at the palatial residence Of Mr..
Potter Palmer, the wife Of that gentleman be-
Ing the President Of the National Board Of
I ~ Il.