The National tribune., 1896-04-02
CONGRESS.
Abstract of the More Important Pro-
ceedingS of Both Houses.
TUESDAY, MARCH "a.

| TUESDAY, MARCH "A.
In the Senate, the feature of the days pro-
ceedings was speech by Senator Mills of
| Texas, who plead for Cuba. Mr.. Mills favored
positive action. The people of Cuba, he said,
had far greater claims on the United States
than mere recognition of belligerency. If Ire
land struck for liberty to-day the hearts of the
American people would beat in sympathy. and
| so if Poland or Hungary asserted the right
OF liberty. But the United States had much
| closer relations to Cuba than to Ireland or Po-
land or Hungary, for it was part of the West
ern Hemisphere, over which the Monroe Doc
trine extended the influence of this country.
In the House, a wordy battle was fought
over Senator Hills bill relating to the appoint
ment of officers in the Army or Navy from
among those who served in the so.called South
ern Confederacy who, previous TO the outbreak
of the war, held commissions as officers in the
| United States service The bill passed the Sem
ate and was favorably reported to the House by
Mr.. Hull, Chairman of the Committee on Mill
tary Affairs. 1t was not expected to meet with
much opposition, it designs to efface the last
memory OF the war by removing the disability
of Confederate officers who renounced their
allegiance to the Union in order to enter the
Confederate service. But the bill, most unex-
pectedly, precipitated q debate.
The bill, which was passed by a vote practi-
cally unanimous at the close of the discussion,
is as follows:
An act to repeal Section 1918 Of the Revised Stat
uies of the United States as amended by chnper 40
OF the laws of 1854 relating 10 appointment of Off.
GERS in the Army or Navy OF the United States.
BE IL enacted bu the Se1rte and House Of Repre-
setatipes Of ne United States Of america IN Con.
oreSs assembled That Section l2iS of the Revised
Statutes of the United States as amended BY chap
ter 46 of the of 1884, which section is follows:
mo person who held a commission in the Army or
Navy of the United States at the beginning of the
late rebellion and afterwards served in any capac-
ity in the military naval or civil service of the So
called Confederate States of either OF the States
in instruction during the late rebellion, shall be
appointed TO any position in the Army or Navy of
the United States" be. and the same is hereby, re-
pealed.
The bill was strongly opposed by Mr.. Bou-
telle. Of Maine, who arraigned as unwise the
proposed policy of the Republicans in the
House to rehabiitate the surviving ex-Con-
federate officers who held commissions in the
army prior to the war.
In reporting the bill to the House Mr.. Hull
said that this bill would remove the last re-
stricton the statute books against ex-Con-
federate soldiers. He added facetiously that if
there was another war he was willing to allow
ex- Confederates to fight for their country aud
get shot in his place.
"What object can be accomplished" asked
Mr. Boutelle.
practically nothing" replied Mr.. Hull, Tex
cept to remove the old restriction in order that
TO destroy the Union may fight to preserve
it."
Have any Union soldiers protested against
this bill ?" asked Mr.. Picker.
"On the contrary" replied Mr.. Hull, 81
have had many letters from old soldiers in
dorsing the bill, and saying that they were glad
to bury the last memory of the war"
Mr.. Boutelle said he did not hold a commits
sion from the Union soldiers and represented
nobody but himself. But he could see no reason
for the passage Of this BILL The sentiment be-
hind it was very beautiful, but what practical !
purpose would it subserve? Was there any |
officer who could be commissioned under it?"
mot that know Of" said Mr.. Hull.
"Then why pass it ?" asked Mr. Boutelle
Mr.. Hull admitted that the purpose of the |
bill was in fact largely sentimental.
Mr.. Boutele, proceeding, declared that If no |
practical purpose was to be served its only |
effect would be to cast discredit on those who |
enacted this law.
The bill, he argued, was without excuse. |
The statute it sought to repeal was proper and |
right. Those who had been educated at the |
expense of the United States, aud had then
deliberately elected to turn their weapons |
against the Union, should never bear comms-
sions again.
He protested his kindly feeling for those who |
fought against the Union, but insisted that it /
was his duty and right to oppose the removal /
of the distinction against those who had vio- |
lated the sacredncss of their obligations to their
flag. be warned gentlemen on his side that |
gentlemen on the other side who had engaged |
in rebellion had not hcsitated ON that account |
to support their views.
Not man on this side voted against the |
retirement OF Gen. Grant" shouted Gen. |
Wheeler, OF Alabama, one of the most distin- |
guished Of the Confederate cavalry leaders.
My memory is not SO short but that re- |
member the circumstances of that case per- !
fectly," retorted Mr.. Boutelle. Ho proceeded |
to recall the circumstances. Samuel ]. Randall, |
"a loyal man and great Democrat" he said, |
was the author sponsor of the bill, and his |
colleagues on the other side refused to the last |
tested election case, designed to turn out Re- |
publican and put in Democrat had the right |
Of way. " Finally" said he, in our dire ex- |
tremity, when feared the great soldier |
would die before the bill could be passed. Mr. |
Wilson, of Iowa, whose seat was being con- |
tested, arose in the closing hours OF the session
and declared that if by sacrificing himself just. !
ice could be done to Gen. Grant he would !
make the sacrifice. Wilson was turned out, |
and Gen. Grant on his deathbed, was placed |
on the Retired List"
Mr.. Boutelle. called attention TO the con-
dition of affairs in the South, which had
brought 30 contested election cases into the
House because the right TO vote was persist
emily and systematically withheld over "a large
portion of the territory OF the United States
Does that show condition of affairs that
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