New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-25
IN THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT.
THE sENATE's GIFT TO EX-CoNFEDERATE
OFFICERS
IT PASSES MR. HILLS BILL ALLOWING THEM ~
SERVE ONCE MORE IN THE ARMY OR NAVY
NO ACTION on MR. VESTS SILVER
COINAGE REsOLUTIoN-A RE
CESS TAKEN UNTIL

[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBE


Washington Dec 4-There was faint echo IN
the Senate to-day OF last weeks outbreak OF war
like and patriotic spirit when. after an interesting
discussion bill was passed by unanimous Vo'e
TO remove the last vestge of military or haVai
disability resting surviving officers OF the SOUTH
ern Confederacy. Under law passed soon al'e'
the close of the War Of the Rebellion former officers
of the United States Army or Navy who left Their
standards to enter the Confederate service were
forever dcbarreG from re-enerlng either the Wii'-
tary or the naval establishment Efforts hao peeh
made at various times to repeal this prohiDitoh'
along with other disabilities, civil ana ml!-tarE'
which had been imposed in reconstruction days
but were gradually re,nquished or abolished Long
continued National tranquility had dVeSted the
agitation for the full restoration OF military PRIV
ileges to exConfederates of practicai Importance
and Congress had shown only a languid interest III
the effort to wipe away this last trace oil punitive
and discriminating legislation
The recent threat Of war with Great Briiah De
cause Of that country's indsposion TO respect the
American application OF the Monroe Doctrine 10
the Venezuelan boundary dispute started the "s'a
ton for repeal afresh. and Mr.. HIS bill 10 remove
existing disabilities introduced last week was re-
ceived with general favor by Senators Of both par
ties Having been reached on the calen'ar 'o-udE'
an effort made TO have it passed at once VIII
out the formality Of reference to the COMMITTEE
on Military Affairs. Mr.. sherman. MI Gray ana a
few other Senate while fdvorinS the ph' were
inclined TO insist that 1t should take the regular
course through committee; but the patriotic ardor
of Mr. HILL Mr. Chandler and a fcws others oil us
more enthusiastic supporters could not be restrained
and the measure finally passed without reference
and without opposition.
The attendance of Senators to-day was as full as
usual no falling off on account or the CHRISTMAS
bo.idays being noticeable. The galleries were wen
filled Resolutions and memorials from ONO IN
dorsing the action OF the President in relation 10
Venezuela and in favor of recognizing the CUBAN
revolutionsts as belligerents were presented by
Mr. Sherman lRep, Ohio and referred TO 'he
Committee Foreign Relations.
A bill for the purchase of Dolly Madison picture
nv Andrews was reported from the Committee on
the Library and placed on the calendar; and one
for the purchase Of statue OF the late Chiei jus
tice Salmon i. Chase was introduced by MT. o'e'
man Rep Ohio and referred TO the Library COM
mttee.
rifles TO each State and Territory for the National
Guards thereof, in exchange for The rifles now heiu
nv then, Mr. Uaw.ey (Rep. Comm explained mat
II had nothing whatever TO do with the dioilc war
scare" The biz was referred TO the Committee OH
Military Affairs.
Mr.. Squire REP. wasa) introduced a bill requir-
ing the engineers on the subsidized American line oil
steamships 10 be ,raerican citizens. Referred 10
the Committee Conaerce.
Mr. Allen pop. Ne') offered the following resolu-
ton:
Whereas. Recent events have shown tn i E.' %
obtain greater foothod on the American oo""-
Whereas. Such an attemp, shows the necessity Of
closer union Of the American republics; tnepeaot ,.
~, states sss Of America me should as Speedily
possible invite al American repuDllcs 10 ei..en mo
closer union mo S To os Of Promoting the general
dnss u, and Commercial welfare Of the members
European or other foreign encroachments. -
Such union should be made h Gi foriSr and
unit Of value should be established and maln'ainsu
heren which shall be n fa ssa ep Sh1fr and the
people thereof.
The resolution was referred TO the Committee on
Foreign Relations
Mr. Hill dem, ~ y asked the Senate to take
I'D and pass the bill introduced by him last week to
repeal the statute which prohibits the exConfeder
ate officers who had previously been commissioned
officers in the United States Army or Navy from
holding positions in the Army or Navy.
Mr. Sherman (I2ep. Ohio declared himself as
heartily in favor of the bill, but thought that it
should take the ordinary course and be referred TO
the Committee Military Affairs.
Mr.. Hill argued that the bill was perfectly SIM
pie one and needed consideration by a commit
tee. He thought that 1t would be a good thing, just
before Christmas. to make this present TO the old
Confederate officers who had formerly held COM
missions in the United States Army.
Mr.. Chandler (Rep, y. h favored the bill, and
declared that ii ought TO be passed, and passed to-
day. 1t was simple in its character As the Senate
had the other day unanimously, without distinction
Of party to the support Of a Democratic Pres
ident when he announced National principles in re-
lation to Venezuela, so he hoped that, to-day, with
out delay, without criticism, without amendment,
freely and generously, this bill might be passed by
the affirmative vote of every Senator
Mr.. Gray dem, Deli, while favoring the bill,
agreed with Mr. Sherman that II should be referred
TO committee In the regular way
Mr. Hauie lRen
justified the act which it was now proposed to re-
peal 1t was proper legislation at the time II was
passed. but that time had now passed away.
Mr.. Daniel dem. Va favored the bill, and pre-
scented resolutions of the Virginia Legislature favor
ing its passage and indorsing the Presidents Venez-
uelan message He said that when the Confede:-
ate soldiers laid down their arms. they laid dow,
and done with fighting: The disagreeable
E OF the % s~s aoS of tbe Norm
people. with common country IT should not
BEEN eaueaed e West Point and annapolis that
the expenses of those institutions had been con-
Mr. Sherman submitted the motion TO refer the
bill to the Committee on Military Affairs. -
,hs moon o ree fna i'm
70 the BIZ except o a S on
lie called attention. to the fses hoWsVeT th hs Con e
signed their 't Commissions in the Union Lons-
street. Joe" Johnston, Maury and others-had been
ston to the bill last week was merely as 10 a
technical point. to It's merits for he favored
IL. But yet, ne said newspaper in the South had
taken occasion 10 LAID Mr.. HILL to condemn him
(Mr Plato wanting IN every attribute or patriot
ism, and 10 apply all sorts Of epthets to him. be-
ing very careful to send him a marked copy OF each
paper. Q.aughter) He had examined the bill, and
was satisfied that it was now in proper form, anu
that IL would effect the purpose which It's author
had In view: and he so full Of forgiveness this
morning-the day before Chrisfmas-that he was
willing to join the Senator from New-fork in pre-
senting this Christmas gift TO those officers who
fought In the Confederate Army, and who, he was
sure would rejoice TO fight in the Army of the
whole country II the opportunity presented Itself
OF which, he believed. there was no prospect at pres
ent. 1870 .
Mr.. Allen pop. Neb) expressed his belief that
the bill would not have been heard of II war ha:
not been threatened and If President Cleveland had
not been twisting the British Hons tall" lie
hoped however, that the motion TO refer would be
withdrawn. and thai the bill would be passed al
once. -. -, 80,
would have occasioned such .ong debate. Every