Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-01-12
JONES OF VIRGINIA.
He Fights a Pension to General
John A. McCIernand
AND THEREBY RAISES A HOT BREEZE

oiana, Who Attacks the Old Soldiers
Record-Ready Defenders Found in
both Parties - Southern Democratic
members Given . Raking by Their
Northern Brethren for Their Course.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 12.-The feature of
the night session Of the house was de-
bate which grew out Of the attempt of
Springer to pass a bill granting $40 per
month to Major General John A. McCler-
nand. Jones Dem. of Virginia insisted
upon making the point Of no quorum.
Springer in u heated speech lectured those
OF his southern Democratic colleagues who
constantly assumed an attitude of hostil-
ity toward the pension of Union soldiers.
He called attention to the fact that but
thirteen Democrats had been returned to
the next house from the north. He warned
them that if their course was persisted in
none would be returned to the succeeding
congress. Pence (Pop) of Colorado, in an
earnest speech appealing to Jones to with
draw his point, spoke of the well known
distine uished patriotic services of General
McClernand
Waugh Lets Go BOmbshelI.
Then Waugh (Rep of Indiana threw a
bombsheH into the discussion by. asking
If the beneficiary of this bill was not the
same General John A. McClernand who
was relieved from command before Vicks-
burg -by General Grant for unsoldierly
conduct, and of whom General Halleck
said it was premeditatel murder to place
him in command. This attack on GEN
eral McClernand came from al unex-
pected source, and Marsh (Rep of Ilii-
nois and Others hastened to his defense.
Marsh declared hotly that McClernand
had never been guilty of unsoldierly con-
duct and the history Of the transaction
would show that he had not been removed
by General Grant for that reason.
Couldn't Go Too Quickly for Grant.
"Didn't General Grant remove him for
causes which he deemed proper?" persist
ed Waugh. Il do not desire to impugn
the character of General Grant," replied
Marsh sharply, 'but 1 desire to say that
his action in this case was a mistake
"What reason did General Grant as
sign?" interrupted Cox (Dem.) Of Ten
nessec. WAS it not because he was too
quick at Vicksburg?'
Il never heard it charged against
Grant" replied Marsh, that he criticised
u soldier for going in too quick" [Ap-
plausc.
The discussion was prolonged for more
than an hour and was marked by several
sensational scenes, one of which was the
kissing of Jones.
Jones Attacks Mrs. Logan.
This was when he said that the widow Of
General John A. Logan, who received q
pension OF 81 600 a year, was living in So
cial luxury in this city and annually spent
more than her pension money for flowers
displayed by her at her social functions.
Later on when he proclaimed his pride in
the Confederate cause that had gone down
in defeat the Republicans in chorus
shouted: 1--WE have no doubt of ii, but
in the galleries many of the spectators ap-
plaudcd vigorously. Springer was finally
forced to withdraw the bill. But after the
bill had been withdrawn Clark of Mis-
souri, got the floor and in a characteristic
speech scored Jones roundly, as he said,
ON behalf of his Democratic colleagues of
the north.
CIark's Tribute to McClernand.
He began by saying that the Democratic
party presented a dissolving view, and
would soon be lost to sight, though to
memory dear. He attributed much Of the
Democratic disaster last fall to the course
of southern Democrats on the pension
question, and charged the defeat of at
least fifty northern Democrats to the
speeches of Jones. He then paid n mag
nificent tribute to McClernand. Il saw
him preside at the St. Louis convention"
he said, (which nominated Samuel j. Til
den, who was elected president of the
United States and whom the towards on
this floor allowed to be swindled out of
his seat"
Bids Farewell to the South.
He declared that the greatest Martinez
who ever ruined great cause was Jetfcr-
son Davis. and next to him ranked Stan
ton If McClernnnd had had fair
chance he gave il has his opinion that he
would have been rs great a soldier as
Grant. After appealing to Jones to allow
this meritcrious bill TO go through he
turned to him and said impressively that
the Democrats of the north Were sick and
tired Of having their southern party as-
sociatcs come to congress and stab their
partp in the back. We are through
with YOU" Clark concluded.
STATUS OF MONEY LEGISLATION.