Evening journal., 1915-03-06
lcontinued rom Page %

HlnClplc IN the conuuCN VI ""f t""e
the destruction of property, unless
there is some necessity Of war, unless
II is an incident of war, when the de-
struction is ordered by the Govern
ment itself or by the commanding gen
eral standing in the position of the
Government. such destruction renders
the Government liable for the prop
erty thus destroyed.
This is a principle recognized in
everv civilized nation Of the world.
That was the situation at the Virginia
Military Institute on that morning.
No necessity existed--there was no
reason except one Of wanton reprisal-
and yet the property OF that splendid
institution Of learning was committed
to the flames.
Mr.. POST. MIR. Speaker, will the
gentleman yield?
Mr.. FLOOD of virginia. Yes; for
question.
MIR. POST II the facts are as the
gentleman states here, why has not
this been paid long ago?
Mr.. FLOOD OF virginia. Because the
Federal Government is sometimes
slow in doing justice in these mat
ters; but those are the facts. For
tunately we are not in doubt as to the
facts, because they have been testi-
fed TO by Col. DUPONT, Chief Of Ar
tlllery. and Col. Schoonmaker, OF the
Cavalry, both Of whom were there and
whose testimony before the Claims
Committee OF the Senate brought forth
a unanimous report by that committee.
The recollection OF this wrongful
burning was so strong In the mind of
Senator dupont that he himself in
troduced this very bill, the passage of
which we are asking tonight
Mr.. MOORE. Just one other ques-
ton. The facts are much as the gem
ueman states them. have read the
testimony. l would like to know how
the value OF 100000 for tho property
destroyed was arrived at?
Mr.. FLOOD OF virginia. The board
OF this institution, the books having
been burned, kept an accurate account
Of what it cost TO replace these build
ings and library and the scien-
tiho apparatus, and Il amounted
70 something over 100000. The
Senate committee decided to give
them 100000 in lieu OF the destruc-
ton that took place there They GER
tainly did not give them too much; F;
they did not give them enough, but
II will satisfy a just claim against
this Government and will satisfy the
authorities OF this institution.
Air. Speaker, this is a just and a
righteous bill. II was unanimously
reported from the Committee on
Claims OF the Senate. II unanimously
passed the Senate, and was unani-
mously reported from the War Claims
Committee OF this House. / do hope
that this House will do this tardy act
of Justice to this splendid school, this
eamecock military institute, which is
one of the very best in this country,
and whose graduates have illustrated
their heroism and skill and patriotism
upon every battle field in which
American troops have fought from
Buena Vista down TO the present
time. (Applause.)
Mr.. ROGERS. Mr.. Speaker, will
the gentleman yield7
Mr.. FLOOD of Virginia. Yes.
Mr.. ROGERS. VIII the gentleman
state to the House whether there arr
precedents for appropriations OF thii
nature?
Mr.. FLOOD of Virginia. There are
There were four institutions I'm Vir.
ginia that received damages at tho
hands of the Federal Army, and ap-
proprlations have been made fol
every one OF them except this one, but
/ will say this case can never be used
as a precedent for any other bill, be-
cause this is the only instance in the
history OF this country, and | believe
It will be the only instance which will
ever occur in which an educational
institution is wantonly destroyed by
an order of the commanding officer o
an Army OF this Government.
Do this act of justice and you viii
enable this institution to turn out 10I
splendidly equipped officers ever.
year, who Will be ready TO command
our soldiers whenever men are need
ed to defend the American flag or tn
Nations honor. (Applause)
/ reserve the balance of my time
The SPEAKER. The gentleman re
serves 10 minutes.
Mr.. MANN. Mr.. Speaker. we al
know that Sherman's remark tina
war is hell Is correct. We arc learn
ing now, by reading of the war 4
Europe. that war Is not a Sunda
school picnic. We hear on every sid
from there how brutal the enemy Il
wherever the enemy is or whoever IN
enemy Is. The French complain {
the Germans and the German con
plain OF the French. The Austrian
complain OF the Russians and IN
Russians complain Of the Austrian
War is no amusement IL was not a
amusing affair when the Federi
Arm was In Virginia or elsewhere /
the South. It is very easy for SON
Member from Virginia. born since III
war, to now asperse the officers Of III
Union Army by saying there was war
ton destruction of property. VIII;
does he know about f.? Not a thin
Mr.. FLOOD of Virginia. | will te
the gentleman what / know about !
Mr. MANN l did not ask tho gel
tleman 10 tell me. He can tell il
his own time
Mr.. FLOOD of Virginia. What al
the gentleman ask for IL he did M
want me 10 tell2
Mr.. MANN. Tell II in your ov
time. You do not know anythir
about II except what you read.
Mr.. FLOOD of Virginia. / kno
what the gentlemen who swore TO
say.
Mr.. MANN I ask that the gent
man manage TO keep order. He
more belligerent now than G.,
Hunter was.