The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-02-16
THE OLD BLOODY SHIRT.
BOUTELLE ATTACKS THE SOUTH
ON THE PENSION ISSUE.

"
Oates Of Alabama Refutes the SANDER
Gus Statements of the Maine Dema-
RoRue-Boutelle Accused Ex-Confed-
crate Congressman Of Voting Against
Pensions on All Occssions-A Denial
That Did Not Mines Words.
WASHINGTON, Feb 15-Iu the House
to-day, on motion of Mr.. Wheeler the bill
was passed authorizing the construction of
a bridge across the Tennessee river at Shelf
field, Ala.
The House adopted, without debate, the
resolution relating to the contested election
Of Reynolds VS.. Shonk, from the Twelfth
district of Pennsylvania.
The resolution confirms the title OF Mr..
Shonk, the republican contestee, TO his seat.
The House then resumed in committee
consideration of the pension appropriation
bill.
Mr.. Boutelle spoke vigorously against the
adoption Of the proposed amendments 70
the pension law. 1t had been said that the
union veterans would be as safe in the
hands OF the ex-oOnfederates as they had
been 10 the hands of the Republican party.
Much as he regretted it, 1t was his duty to
congress sho led that upon every question
affecting liberality of the government in
pensioning the men who saved its life, the
eK-oontederate members had been
almost uniformly and almost, II not quite,
solid against 1t. And to-day, almost thirty
years after the last shot of the war had
ceased to reverbe rate, the political party
which was coming into power March next,
whose headquarters were south of Mason
and Dixon's line, was Fastening to proclaim
its policy. To-day the House was con-
fronted with proposition to strike a seri-
GUS, demorAlIzing aud lit was intended)
fatal blow at the pension system Of the re-
public. This was due 20 the fact that the
gentlemen who had served against the gov
eminent, on the battle field had assumed the
responsibility of putting on this appropria-
ton bill this new legislation. because the
proper committees from which it should
emanate, happened to be composed of
men who had different estimate ofsthe
value of the services OF the soldiers of the
union. This subject which lay 80 dear to
the hearts Of the loyal people Of the country
had been taken out OF the hands of COM
mlttees composed Of loyal men. and had
been untimely thrust before this House by
majority of men who had tonight against
the country. There was no chivalry in
tampering With the generosity of the gov
eminent. and Ia using against the govern
menS the very weapons which It's generosity
had returned TO the hands OF the men who
had attempted to destroy it.
OATES DEFENDS HIS COLLEAGUES.
MIR. Oates said that he had but one mo-
ment TO say a word as TO the misrepresenta-
ton OF the ex-confederates on the floor OF
this House made by the gentleman from
Maine. The gentleman's charge was a gem
eral one that the ex-confederates had voted
against pensions in support of union soldiers.
The gentleman had stated that this was in
pursuance OF "a declaration which had been
made some years ago, that the Democratic
party would never cease until the last
vestige Of war legislation had been swept
from the statute books. That charge had
been made against MIR. Blackburn OF Ken
lucky when he was a member of this body,
a charge that he had made use OF that ex-
preston. But that charge had been denied
by Mr.. Blackburn, aud he (Mr. Oates de-
fed The gentleman to find such q remark in
the Congressional Record.
Mr.. Boutelle said that he did not remsm-
Der who it was that had made the remark.
Mr.. Oates replied that he did remember
the circumstances alluded 70 and he put the
denial of Mr.. Blackburn against the charge
of the gentleman from Maine.
Mr. Boutelle stated that he had used it
only az illustrating the attitude OF the
Democratic party to-day.
Mr.. Oates And IL was false.
Mr.. Boutelle-I would not say that.
Mr.. Oates continuing, said that the other
charges of the gentleman were equally un.
warranted and Ill founded. The gentleman
had stated that the democrats had refused
TO put Gen. Grant on the retired list during
his last illness. They had done nothing of
the kind. When the bin came up Gen.
Grant was not i'll. And the gentleman knew
that the opposition was not opposition to
Gen. Grant, whom all ex-confederatas ad-
mire as q soldier, but opposition TO
the principle of pensioningegsny man
who had resigned as a soldier in order to
take a civil position. No gentleman could
charge him, or any other ex-confederate,
with opposing . proper pension to any
union soldier who was worthy Of a pension.
He would not follow the gentleman from
Maine In his TRADE. He was sorry that the
gentleman should have seen proper 70 make
such a TRADE as be had. He regretted that
the RentleInanshad exhibited the "bloody
shirt" to the House.
After further debate the general dis
cussion was closed and the bill was read for
amendments. No action was taken on any
OF the committee amendments, aud at