The times., 1898-06-02
WIP|HG OUT OLD SCORES
Bill to Remove Disabilities
Passes the House.
PATRIOTIC LOVE FFA' 7
Mr. bailey Creates n Diversion by
CrItieising Gen. wheeIer's Dual
Position AS oGieer and Congress-
man-Mr. Lewis Bitterly Attacks
Secretary OFerstreet.

BY a unanimous vote in the House yes
terday the bill removing all disabilities
imposed by the fourteenth constitutional
amendment upon persons who broke their
oath of allegiance to the United States
TO take service in the Confederate States
during the rebellion was passed Thus
is removed the last vestige of discrimi-
mating legislation that grew out of the
civl war
The attendance in the House yesterday
showed the continued absence of many
members who are looking after renomi-
nation.
The first business came from the Mill
tary Committee. Chairman Hit report
ed a bin authorizing the appointment of
twenty-five additional quartermaster
sergeants. at an aggregate cost of
SIs. gS4s5 per annum. BY unanimous con-
senf the bin was Immediately considered
Chairman Hull explained that the in
crease of the number of artillery regi-
meats makes Il necessary 70 increase the
nurlber Of post Quartermaster sergeants
from eighty to one hundred and five. He
said that these sergeants would be ap-
pointed from the serseants OF the army.
and unless the pending bin was passed
Il would be necessary to employ twenty
hpe additional civilian clerks at a rate OF
compensation far in excess of the cost of
appointing sergeants. After some debate
Mr. Underwood of Alabama objected.
Mr. Jenkins submitted the conference
report on the bill to vest the District
Supreme Court with jurisdiction over
wills and other matters of probate. He
said the only change Of any moment was
one authorizing the probate Of wills that
had been probated in other jurisdictions.
Nj Jenkins added that the bin, as finally
formulated In conference. had been sub
mitted 10 the judges Of the District
Supreme Court and Of the Court of Ap-
peals and they all approved it. The re-
pcrt Was agreed 10.
The disabilities Bill
The Senate bin to remove all disabili-
ties imposed by the fourteenth amendment
10 the Constitution was reported with an
amendment The amendment did not
change the purpose or object of the meas
ure- Il was stated by Mr.. Jenkins that
the amendment, which was in the nature
OF substitute had been made neces-
sary 70 render the legislation more dis
CiECt and definite, and that the Senate
bill being hastily drawn. was defective.
This bill removes the restriction i'm
posed upon persons who served in the
Confederate States after having taken
an oath to serve the United States.
Mr.. Lacey Of Iowa said the pending bill
would repeal the last vestige OF disability
imposed by Legislation emanating from
the civil war He said il was doubtful II
any persons were living TO whom the leg
islati0n would apply. but II ought TO be
passed. a remark of AIR. Laceys pre-
cipitated a sharp exchange between
Messrs- Bailey Of Texas and AIcAillin of
Tennessee
Mr. Lacey said that Gen. Wheeler was
now absent from the House on indefinite
leave 10 serve in the army. Mr. Bailey
interrupted TO say that Gen. Wheeler was
not absent on leave and that he could not
obtain leave while ne lBailey) held his
seat and could object
Ar. McMilhn rushed down the aisle and
exclaimed that every member of the
House applauded Gen. Wheeler and ap-
proved his absence; that for HIS part he
had nothing but words of praise and sen
timent of profound admiration for any
man who exposed his body to bullets IN
defense OF the honor Of the country. This
expression was greeted with loud ap-
plause from both sides of the chamber.
Representative Bailey took the floor in
defense of his opposition TO the absence of
Gen Wheeler on the ground that no man
should hold military office and a seat
In Congress at the same time
The Constitution" he said denies The
right Of any member of Congress TO do
TINS. and under stress of no excitement
would ] approve q violation of the Con-
stitution-" Mr.. Bailey quoted from the
Constitution in proof of his assertion ana
continued; We have seen the wisdom of
this provision vindicated- Ii is inconsis-
tent with the duties Of q representative TO
be soldier and inconsistent with the
duties Of soldier to be a representative.
RafEey's Position Indorsed
''fias not this question been gone over
by the Attorney General?7 inquired MIR.
Hull
II has admitted Mr.. Bailey. but
still defend my position and must ex-
press surprise that my assertions are
questioned"
Mr. Bailey cited several precedeuts
bearing out his argument. And now a
very serious question arises" he con-
ttnued- Suppose this House should in
the course Of time, find itself without a
quorum, owing to a depletion of its men,
bership through Representatives taking
military Offices. Do you think the SER
geaat-at-arms would have the power To
so asld arrest the members of this body
while. they served in various positions of
compand in the Army?''
Gen. -Crosgenor of Ohio followed Mr.
Bailey. E1e said L indorse every argu-
ment advanced by the gentleman from
Texas AIR Bailey). If one representa-
tive can accept a commission from the
President swear to obey the President
and yet hold his seat in this House where
is the limit? Why could il not happen
that majority Of the members of the
House be given commissions 10 carry
around in their pockets all sworn 10
obey the commands of the President?"
But Mr.. Grosvenor declared his belief
that Gen. Wheeler had in his own mind
renounced the seat he held in the House
upon accepting the major-generaIshin
albeit he had not rendered a formal
resignation Concluding. the speaker
said: y believe Gen Wheeler Went forth
in the spirit Of unsulIied and unalIoVed
patriotism. Gen Wheeler came into The
Ways and Means Committee room the
the day before he left and said he only
wanted TO get a few papers. He said he
had never franked a single document
since his appointment, and you know
there could not be any higher evidence
of Wheeler's sacrifice"
Gen Wheeler EuIOEized.
Following Representative Grosvenor a
number of other speakers. prominent
among them Mr. McMillin, took the floor
20 eUiogize the absent Gen Wheeler as a
warrior and as a statesman, and defend
his Eame against the insinuation that he
Coveted two offices
Mr.. Bailey realized that he had been