Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-07-13
Mr.. Hepburn Calls Negro's Service
to Confederacy Infamous.
REToRT BY SENATOR WILLIAMS
Mississippian Makes Stirring Plea
for Colored Man on the Ground
of Sentiment.


head Of the Confederate States Of
America.
During the discussion Senator Hepburn
referred to Jones service for Jefferson
Davis as an Infamous record" and the
remark brought sharp rebuke from Mr.
Williams
AS the son of a man who gladly gave
his life to cause that he thought was
right" Senator Williams exclaimed, II
am not willing to hear a civilized man in
this twentieth century call it an infamous
cause. But for the parliamentary rules
that restrain me l would have few
words to say about the kind Of human
being in whose heart such thoughts can
exist
Reply By Mr.. Lodge.
Senator Lodge. author Of the resolution
abolishing the places on the Senate roll,
one of which is held by Jones, entered
prompt reply to Senator Williams.
I'VE all of us respect the loyalty Of this
old colored man, not only to the man he
served. but to the Senate" he COM
mented. But the point Is whether or
not the Senate is desirous Of entering
on the the - policy OF placing on what is
ployes who have been here many years."
Mr.. Lodge contended that 1t was dan
gerous' to enter on a civil pension list,
because of the amount of money in
volved.
Il am not pleading for a policy and
have no quarrel with the senator from
Massa chuSettS,' Mr.. Williams retOrted. II
am pleading for an exception. on senti-
mental grounds that deserve sympathy"
which the resolution was passed yes,
terday was agreed to thereupon. A de-
mand for roll call failed OF the suffi-
cient number Of seconds
Senator Penrose, who succeeded Senator
Aldrich as chairman of the finance COM
mittee, announced himself in favor Of
retaining Jones on the Senate pay roll.
Favored By Penrose.
THE Senate roll is not the only one
upon which superannuated clerks are car
ried." Mr.. Penrose remarked, referring
to the departments. mo one would de-
sire to be brutal to faithful employees
He urged that one other veteran en-
ploye. also proposed for discharge by the
resolution, should be retained. and plead
ed also for clerk employed in preparing
statistics for the finance committee.
Il don't know from what state he
comes. but I appreciate his long and
faithful and valuable service" Mr.. PEN
rose commented.
Senator Hepburn precipitated a discus
sion of the lost cause of the days of
1S6l-6S minute later. He began by re-
marking that he would oppose the
employing of horse by the government
that had hauled cannon for the southern
army. But he explained that he would
vote for Mr.. Williams amendment to
save James Jones because Of Jones' loyal
service to the Senate.
II want it understood that I am not
voting for it because he acted in connec-
ton with an attempt to destroy this gov
ernment but because he has performed
faithful service" continued Mr.. Hepburn;
mot because he claims to be the custo-
dian of the seal of the assumed govern
ment, when historians tell us that he
probably never saw 1t.
Gould Not Know Seal.
HE couldn't know the seal from a yell
low dog. but he comes here claiming
some special virtue because Of his serv-
ice for the leader of the lost cause"
He expressed regret that the issue of
s61-65 had been brought up.
Not for any glory attached to an 'In-
famous record" Mr.. Hepburn said, would
he support Mr.. Williams amendment.
When the vote was taken, however, Mr.
Hepburn was among those who replied in
the negative.
That reference to Infamous record
started Senator Williams. He spoke with
voice that trembled with emotion, his
shaking hands showing the sentiment in
him that had been deeply touched AS
the son Of man who had given his life
for cause he thought was right, Mr.
Williams proclaimed, he resented the ref
erence to the cause as Infamous" The
Senate chamber was filled with members,
and they gave Mr. Williams marked at
tentiOn.
Favors Recognition Of Loyalty.
Senator Williams appeal for the old
colored man who had been bodyguard to
the president OF the Confederacy was a
plea for recognition of loyalty in service
II rise for the purpose Of pleading the
cause of an old. faithful and honest
negro man. Senator williams began,
after Senator Lodge had called up the
resolution which threatened to cut Jones
from the Senate's pay roll. II do not
know that have anything to urge in his
behalf except sentiment. Among all
Of the masnificent attributes Of the
right In saying that loyalty was the
greatest Of them all, loyalty to a country,
to state. to cause. to a leader. to a
man. loyalty to. something. It is not
darkey possessed it in a very high degree.
He is very old now, believe pretty
nearly eighty years OF age
They say that he has done no work
for about two years. or very little I
have no doubt that is true. But, Mr..
President, you do not always compensate
by present service Tor what you are re-
ceiving. If character and past services
cannot heap UP superf1uity to be credited
to present service in old age sometimes
the world would be rather bad place
to live in. Here u.s. for example. the
senator from Maine (dr. Frye), and in
my time have known many more. Who
Is there who would have called upon
Morgan or Pettus OF Alabama or the SEN
tor from Maine or anybody else to resign
because they could not render each day
a present service for present emolu-
ment?
"Mr. President. this old darky was
loyal as slave to Jefferson Davis Of
Mississippi. That loyalty might have
been accounted for by the fact that 1t
may be 1t was the part OF policy OF the
slaves position. But when freedom came
he was loyal still. loyal to the man who
had been his master. who had never said
a cross word to him or laid upon him q
blow. He followed him voluntarily %
his bodyguard. He went with him 10