The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-01-17

In the House, only one private bill was con-
sidered, claim of the heirs of VIM. Johnson.
OF Fayette County, Tenn, for $4,000 worth of
stores confscsted during the war. Three hours
were consumed in debate, but on account Of
the opposition the bill was finally withdrawn.
The debate on the Justice of Southern war
claims finally drifted into discussion of the
number of loyal persons in the South during
the war. Gen. Wheeler ALA, d. attempted TO
show that over 100000 men (negroes and
whites) from the Confederate States entered
the Union army.
Mr.. Bingham PA, r. J, in calling Mr.. Wheel
er's attention TO what he styled the absurdity
of this statement, said that the best estimate of
available arm-bearing men in the South was
1.064. 600; in the Confederate army was about
100000; hence the impOssibility of such en-
listment of Southern men in the Northern
army.
Mr.. Grosvenor (0hio, r. doubted If there
were, exclusive of negroes 5000 men in the
Northern army from the States in rebellion.
Mr.. Cockrell (Tex-, d. opposed the payment
OF all Southern war claims. He declared, with
much intensity of feeling, that he and others
like him. who had fought against the Union
in a cause which they believed to be right, for
he had no regrets to offer or apologies to make,
should not como begging Of the conquerors the
repayment of their losses.
At the evening session. Mr.. Springer asked
favorable action upon the Senate bill to grant
a pension of 500 month to Maj .-Gen. John A.
McClernand. which he had unsuccessfully
pushed for several days There was not a quo
rum present, and upon the vote Mr.. Jones. of
Virginia, made the point of 10 quorum. This
aroused Mr.. Springer's indignation, and he
criticised, with severity, the course of those of
his Southern colleagues who persisted in main
tanning an attitude of hostility toward the PEN
soning Of Union soldiers. He pointed out the
fact that but 13 Democrats had been returned
to the saith Congress from the Northern States,
and said that il this course were not changed
there would be no Northern Democrats in the
succeeding Congress.
Mr.. Pence appealed to Mr.. Jones TO withdraw
his point of no quorum. referring to the gallant
conduct aud high reputation for patriotism of
the beneficiary of the bill as a sufficient reason
for the request.
Mr.. Waugh lind, R. asked II this Gen. Nc
Clernand was the same Gen. John A. McCler-
nand who was removed from his command in
soldiery conduct" and of whom Gen. Halleck
wrote to Gen. Sherman, in 1864, that 1t would
be murder to give him command.
Mr.. Marsh I'll, r. replied most vigorously
to this question. He declared with passionate
earnestness that Gen. McClernand had never
been guilty of unsodierly conduct, and that
the history Of the Yicksburg campaign would
Grant for that reason.
Didn't Gen. Grant remove him for causes
which he deemed prOper?" continued Mr..
Waugh.
IL do not desire to reject upon Gen. Grant"
said Dir. Marsh, "but say that while he acted
for reasons that seemed proper at that time,
his action was mistake"
Mr.. Jones took the floor and attacked the
policy of picking out soldier here and there
for big pension, or the widow Of one. who
is able TO gather influence enough 10 get bill
through Congress. Mr.. Jones said he was
boy when the war broke out, notwithstanding
which he served more days and nights in the
trenches in the line of duty than thousands Of
the men now drawing pensions from the Gov
eminent.
"On which side?" several members asked.
Drawing himself up Mr.. Jones responded &.
"On the side of the Confederate States of
America. OF whose cause, although il went
down IN defeat am as proud now as then,
when defended H. an enthusiastic boy"
Mr.. Clark Mo, d. said that having been de-
feated for Congress he proposed now TO
press his opinion. For the gentleman from
Virginia personally he had much regard, but
he wanted to say that in the late election there
were To- % or 80 Democratic candidates in the
North who went down to their political death
because of the speeches he had made.
" i hope the gentleman from Missouri was
not one." said Mr. Jones.
Yes, j did, and because of the pension
speeches you made here We are tired aud
sick of having these Southern members come
up bereand stab us in the back"