Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-01-12
A Really Lively Scene Enacted in the
House Last Night.
JONES OF VIRGINIA OBJECTED
To the Consideration Of Mr..
Springer's Bill to Pension Major
General John A. McClernand,
Because There was not a
Quorum Present-Mr. Jones
and Others Say Some Harsh
Things.

WASHINGTON, January II. - The
feature of the night session of the
House was the deoa.e which grew out
OF the attempt OF Mr.. Springer (Dem.,
Ill. }, to pass bill granting SlOO per
mouth to Major.General John a. Nc
Clernand.
Mr.. Jones Dem, Va.). inisted upon
making the point of no quorum.
Mr.. Springer in a heated speech lee
tared those of his Southern Democratic
colleag ues who constantly assumed an
attitude of hostility toward the pension
of the Union soldiers. He called atten-
tion TO the fact that but thirteen Demo
Gratis had been returned to the next
House from the North. He warned
them that If their course was persisted
in none would be returned the succeed
ing Congress.
Mr.. Pence Pop, Colo.), In an earn
est speech appealing to Mr.. Jones to
withdraw his point, spoke OF the well
known, distinguished, patriotic services
of General McClernand, when Mr..
Waugh rep, Ind.),
THREW A BoMBsHELL
into the discussion by asking If the ben
efciary of this bill was not the same
General John A. McClernand who was
relieved from command before Vicks-
burg by General Grant tor unsoldierly
conduct, and of whom General Halleck
said il was premeditated murder TO
place him 10 command. The attack on
General McClernsnd came from an un-
expected source, aud Mr.. Marsh (ReD.,
Ill.), and others fastened 10 his de-
Tense.
Mr.. Marsh declared hotly that Gen
eral McCernand had never been guilty
of unsoldierly conduct, and the
history of the transaction would show
tina: he had not been removed by Gen
eral Grant for that reason.
"Dld not General Grant remove him
FOR cause which he deemed proper
persisted Mr.. Waugh.
II do not desire TO impugn the char
scter of General Grant," replied Mr..
Marsh sharply, "but desire to say that
his action IN this case was a mistake"
"Whst reason did General Grant as
sign?" interrupted MIR. Cox (Dem.,
Tenn.).
"Was it not because he was too quick
at Vicksburg?"
II never heard it charged against
Grant," replied Mr.. Marsh, that he
criticised a soldier for coming in too
quick" Applause
THE DISCUSSION WAS PROLONGED
for more than an hour and was marked
by several sensational scenes, one OF
which was the Kissing Of Mr.. Jones,
when he said that the widow Of Genera!
John A. Logan, who received a pension
OF 1000 a year, was living In social
luxury in this city and annually spent
more than her peesion money Tor
flowers displayed by her at her social
functions. Later on when he pro-
claimed his pride in the Confederate
cause that had gone down In defeat, the
Republicans ia chorus shouted: 1--WE
have no doubt of it" but in the gal
Ieries many OF the spectators applauded
vigorously.
Mr.. Springer was finally forced to
withdraw the bill. But even after the
bill had been Withdrawn Mr.. Champ
Clark (Dem., MissourD, got the floor and
in characteristic speech scored Mr..
Jones roundly, as he said on behalf
of his Democratic colleagues OF the
Notrh. He began by saying that the
Democratic party presented dissolying
view. and would soon be lost TO sight
through the memory dear. he at
tributed much OF the Democratic dis
f,I Tho nf fhA
Southern Democrats on the pension
Question, and charged the defeat OF at
least fifty Northern Democrats TO the
speeches of Mr.. Jones. He then paid
A MAGNIFICENT TRIBUTE
to McClernand. 81 saw him preside at
the ST. Louis convention" he SAID
(which nominated Samuel j. ridden
who was elected President OF the United
States. and whom the. towards on this
floor allowed to be swindled out OF his
seat"
He declared that the greatest marti-
net who ever ruined a great cause was
Jefferson Davis, and next to him ranked
stanton. If McClernand had had fair
chsncs he gave it as his opinion that be
would have been as great a soldier as
Grant.
After appealing to Mr.. Jones to allo"
tbia meritoriOus hill 10 go through, ne
turned 80 him and said impressively
that the Democrats of the North were
sIck and tired of having their Southern
marty associates come to Congress and
stab their party in the back.
1--WE are through with you," Mr..
Clark concluded.
After passing two bills the House at
1880 adjourned.