The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-02
And Later Pass a Bill Removing All
Political Disabilities Incurred Dur
ing the War of the Rebellion.
TWO NOTABLE SPEECHES
GROSVENOR AND SETTLE ON oBLIT-
GRAFTON OF SECTIONAL FEELING.
Gen. WheeIer's Right to Hold Civil
and Military Positions Questioned
MIR. Overstreet Criticised.

WASHINGTON, June 1.--To-day's session
of the House was given to consideration and
passage of a bill called up by Mr.. Jenkins
(Rep., Wis., to remove all political disabili-
ties incurred by the Third section of the
Fourteenth amendment to the Constitution.
The debate gave rise to notable speeches
from Mr.. Grosvenor (Rep., o. and Mr.. Set
tie Oem., KY on the obliteration of all
sectional feeling and the reality at last of
reunited country. Incidental to the debate
several members reviewed the conclusion
that member of Congress could not hold
simultaneously military and civil office
The debate was brought on by reference
to Gen. Joseph Wheeler. now serving as a
majorAgeneral and until recently men,
Der Of the House. The statement that some
States were unable to respond to the de-
mands for volunteers called forth, Incl
dentally, explanations and an alleged inter-
view with Mr.. Overstreet (Rep.. Ind on
the subject rejecting ON the loyalty of GER
tain States was condemned by several mem
bers, but the discussion was declared out of
order. The passage of the bill considered
to-day by the House will affect but few per-
sons, since the general acts passed in Pres
ident Grants administration and many spe-
cial relief bills have removed all disabilities,
with the exception of those in few hun
bred cases.
The statement made by Mr.. Lacey Rep,
Iowa) that Major General Wheeler, of Ala
bama, was absent from the House on leave
brought Mr.. Bailey (Dem.. Texas to his
feet. II rise he said, ito correct false
statement Of the gentleman from Iowa.
The gentleman from Alabama is not absent
on leave of the House, and will not be with
my consent so long as 1 am a member"
Mr.. Speaker" cried Mr.. McMfllin Dem.
Temp, interrupting, there is not mem
Der of this House who does not love the
gentleman from Alabama for going to the
front to serve his country
Il say" continued Mr.. Bailey, with con-
siderable feeling, Il do not believe man
can hold under the Constitution a military
and civil Office at the same time, and 1
would object to a proposition that would
embody the abandonment of this belief,
even were it made for my brother.
Il want to say, Mr.. Speaker, responded
Mr.. McMilln, Il would not object to grant
ing leave to any men on this floor who
might want to go and put their bodies to
| the fire of the enemy"
Mr. Bailey later secured the floor and ex-
| planned his position, arguing at length the
unconstitutionality of any one holding a
military and civil office at once. He quoted
| presidents, and referred to the recent case
f, of Senator Sewell as establishing that the
| acceptance of a military office VacateS the
| congressional office which the party accept
| ing formerly occupied The gentleman
| cannot serve in the army and here in the
House, and his people ought to have repre-
| Sentation.
| Mr. Grosvenor indorsed the position taken
by Mr. Bailey, and incidentally declared his
| belief that no mans patriotism will be
i called lin question because he stands rigidly
! by the terms of the Constitution and it's
manifest spirit" Proceeding, he depressed
to speak eloquently and feelngly of the re-
united country, and the universally of pa
trlotlSm manifest on every hand He at
| tributed the friendly attitude of Europe,
| now growing daily more pronounced to the
| fact that Europe was convinced for the first
| time that absolute loyalty prevailed in this
| land. IF there is anything that makes a
| soldier of the civil war feel grateful to AL
mighty God it is to be permitted to live to
| see the present union of his country Con-
| Guiding, the gray haired member from Ohio
| declared: Il ready to vote to remove
| every vestige Of legislation such as is aimed
| at In this bill, and, so help me God, l will
| try to forget"
In the course Of his remarks referring to
statements that some States had not re-
| sponded promptly to the call for volunteers,
| Mr.. Grosvenor explained it on the ground
| that National Guard organizations in some
| States were not so we'll advanced as in
others, and where raw men were to be pre-
| sented it required longer to respond than in
| cases where well-equipped national guards
men We're ready for instant response. He
refuted the insinuation that delay was
| consequent to any want Of interest or pa
| triotism in any quarter.
The speech of Mr. Grosvenor was brief
| but SO nonsectional, fraternal and patriotic
| that the entire house broke into GENEROUS
applause. The. speech called forth a re-
| spouse from Mr.. Settle Dem, KY on the
| part of the South that has not often been
| surpassed in phraseology and eloquence. He
tween the sections following the war, when
neither loved the other, until the present
when united country confronted the
| enemy. "Her sons (referring to the South
| at the end of the civil war; laid down their
! arms in good faith upon the altar of their
| country, and in the same spirit they now
| do not believe the American people were
| ever so united as they are to-day" Con-
| tinuing, he said the American people would
! free not only Cuba, but would free them
selves, and 'out of this fire and flood
wherewith we are now Being baptized, we
shall come forth, doubt not, new men and
| new women, clean every whit with sec
! tional hate and sectional bitterness clean
gone forever That were a contamination
| devoutly to be wished"
| When Mr.. Settle concluded several minutes
! elapsed before order was restored. Members
! from all quarters of the chamber crowded
to the Kentucky. members seat and con-
! graduated him. Meantime the hall was filled
with the hum of voices in complimentary
| comment.
Mr.. Parker (Rep. N. J.) argued for the
| bill and supported the construction of the
| Constitution as advocated by Mr.. Grosvenor
f ana OF en a Wheeer the the Present ese a
Mr.. Lewis CDem., Wash.) read from a
morning paper a purported interview with
Mr.. Overstreet (Rep.. Ind.). in which he was
/ being Indifferent to the war, after having
| insisted through their representatives upon
| precipitating it and to the failure of some
! Southern States to fill their quotas as an
| intimation of Indifference and disloyalty
Mr.. Lewis denounced. the sentiment as who'll
| ly unwarranted
Mr. Steele (Rep., Ind) called attention to
! the absence of his colleague, but Mr.. Lewis
| disavowed any purpose to attack anything
but the sentiment. and proceeded with his
speech.
Mr.. Gaines (Dem.. TENN interrupted TO
declare that mo patriot would father such
an interview"
Representative Henderson (Rep., la adj
vocated the passage of the bill. He thought
the time propitious for ii to be acted upon
and his hope was that the vote might be
unanimous.
Mr.. Fleming Dem. Ga-) was proceeding
to discuss the Overstreet interview. and had
pronounced it utterly absurd and false,
when he was called to order as not speak
ing to the bill.
In the course of brief speech supporting
the bill, Mr.. Linney (Rep., n. Co paid a
tribute to the late Ensign Worth Bagley.
who died at Cardenas. as none but the
noblest heroes die
Messrs. Simpson (Pop.. Kan.) and r.
Frederick (Rep,, KAN supported the bill.
Mr.. Cannon CRep., I'D also spoke for the
bill and it was passed unanimously. The
House adjourned at 2:53 o'clock D. m.
The Hawaiian Resolutions.
WASHINGTON. June IAN understands
ing was reached to-day whereby the
Hawaiian resolutions will be considered In