Evening star., 1898-06-01

| to the war and prayed for such prosecution
as would bring an early peace with honor
and glory to American arms and with
broader civilization to the world In the
galleries was general sprinkling of SOL
diers from Camp Aiger.
Removing Political Disabilities.
Mr.. Jenkins (Wis.) secur ed consideration
| of the Senate bill removing all political
disabilities incurred by the third section of
| the fourteenth amendment to the Constitu-
ton. The bill precipitated an unexpected
debate, which turned upon the constitu-
tional right of Gen. Joe Wheeler who,
without resigning from the House. has as
| sumed and now holds the office of major
general in the volunteer army.
Mr.. Lacey Qowe), advocating the bill,
had referred to the present as an opportune
time for passing the bill, and incidentally
spoke of Gen. Wheeler as being absent on
leave, an ex-confederate serving in the
country's army, an ante-bellum West
Pointer, whose disabilities had been re-
moved by an act several years since.
Mr. Bailey CTexas) took the floor in op-
position to the bill.
ut is he said, Ito correct false state
ment 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. McMllin Tenn J.
interrupting, there is not member of this
House who does not love the general from
country"
II say" continued Mr.. Bailey, with con-
siderable feeling, Il do not believe a man
can hold under the Constitution a military
and civil office at the same time, and
would object to proposition that would
embody the abandonment of this belief,
even were 1t made for my brother"
II want to say. Mr.: Speaker" responded
r. uynI mot oh {oCf fCo
Ing leave to any man on this floor who
might want to go and put their bodiee to
the fire of the enemy --.s. - b
Mr.. Bailey secured later the floor and ex-
planned his position, arguing at length the
unconstituttonality of any one holding a
military and civil office at once. He quoted
precedents and referred to the recent case of
Senator Sewell as establishing that the ac-
ceptance OF a military commission vacated
the congressional Office which the party ac-
cepttng formerly occupied.
The general from Alabama" concluded
Mr.. BAILEY, cannot serve in the army and
here in the House, and his people ought to
have representation
Mr.. Grosvenor of Ohio indorsed the posi-
ton taken by MIR. Bailey. and incidentally
declared his belief that no mans patriot
ism will be called III question because he
stands rigidly by the terms of the Consti-
tuition and Its manifest spirit. Proceeding
ne digressed to speak eloquently and feel.
ingly of the reunited country, and the uni
versatility of patriotism manifest upon every
hand. He attributed the friendly attitude
of Europe now growing daily more pro-
nounced, to the fact that Europe was con-
vinced for the first time that absolute 10y
atty prevailed in this land.
If there is anything that makes a SOL
dier of the late war feel grateful to AL
mighty God 1t is to be permitted to live to
see the present union of his country"
Concluding. he declared Il am ready to
vote to remove every vestige of legislation
such as Is aimed at in this bill. and also,
help me, God, will try to forget"
The speech Of Mr.. Grosvenor was brief,
but SO non-sectional, fraternal and patri-
otic that the entire House broke into gen.
erous applause. -
In the course of his remarks, referring
to the statements that some states had not
responded promptly to the call for volun-
teers he explained 1t 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 1t required longer to respond than
in cases where well-equipped National
Guardsmen were ready for instant re-
sponse. He refuted the insinuation that
delay was consequent to any want of In
terest or patriotism in any quarter.
The speech called forth a response from
Mr.. Settle of Kentucky upon the part Of
the south.