Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1916-03-02
Representatives Pass Hot
Remarks When Civil
War Bill Comes Up.
SECTIONAL FEELING
BOBS UP IN DEBATE
''Don't Owe One Cent to
the Men Who Tried to
Destroy Government

WAsiilNGroN' March 1'IAf'er
w series of hot exchanges
among a half dozen representatives
over principles involved in reimburse
ment of citizens of the southern states
for property seized by the Union
troops during the civil war. the house
today passed n bill to restore the
right of the court of claims to con-
slider claims of such reimbursements
aggrcgating $4,000 An amendment
adopted would require claimants to
show proof of loyalty to the Union.
Representatives Heflin of Alabama
and Clark of Florida resented state
ments by Representative Mann of
Illinois. the Republican leader. and
Stafford of Wisconsin, claiming they
were attempting to raise sectional
prejudice over the bill Represent
ative Mann's assertion that we do
not owe one cent to the men who
cndeavored to destroy the govern
ment', raised the ire of Mr.. Heflin.
who shouted that nobody but "A cow
ard and vulgarian would use that
language here"
Representative Stafford said the
bill was seeking to make the enter
ing wedge to pay claims of those who
were disloyal and that is the only
purpose OF the bill"
Diving Into Cess Pool
1T had been hoped replied Rep
reSentative Clark. that no attempt To
raise sectional prejudice would ever
again be made upon this floor. 1t has
remained for the gentleman from
Wisconsin when brotherly love Is he
controlling spirit throughout the ma
ton to dive into this cess pool and
attempt again To create sectional feel
ing upon the floor of this house.
we are American citizens. as true
To the flag and as loyal TO this country
as he or any of the people whom he
represents. When the nation was in
trouble a few years ago and the loyal
men of the north went to the defense
Of the flag "A southerner marched 10
the martial music of our country
alongside every northern soldier. And
IL unhapply we should have trouble
now | apprehend that IA defense OF
the flag viii come more unanimously
from our section than from that part
where the hyphenated citizen dwclls
and controls. The gentleman says It
Is loot TO demand payment of an
honest debt. The government took
the property. They sold it and put
the proceeds into the treasury and
kept the money as "a trust fund for
years. Ever since the forty ninth
congress these claimants have been
asking not a payment but the poor
privilege of going into federal court
and letting the judges say whether
these claimants ought to be paid
Minority Leader Mann replied that
it was not the Republican side that in
jected sectionalism. but the Demo-
cratic war claims committee, which
reported the bill to the house. Al
ways, he said, it has been thought
proper to insert proof of loyalty be-
fore a civil war claim should be al
lowed.
All just Debts Paid.
If" he said 1--WE have to throw
out the question of loyalty to ap.
pease our Democratic friends, the
time may come. | do not know when
we may be willing to purchase their
good will in that way. | had sup
posed that the men of the south were
lust as loyal as we. | believe they
are. We have paid all the people
that we honestly owe. We do not
owe one cent to the men who en-
deaVored to destroy the government
Men took their chances in the war.
do not think II is necessary to buy
the south by making appropriations
which we would not make anywhere
else"
Representative Heflin of Alabama
resented what he called this un-
called for attack against my people"
81 do not believe" he said. that
there Is another man on that side OF
the house at present who in the light
of history would make such charge
and SANDER against my people. My
people are not for sale. They en-
dured the hardships and privations OF
war for what they believed was right,
the hardships of reconstruction, liv-
ing faithfully by the compact made
by Lee and Grant at AppomattoX.
They settled forever and question
of secession, that never was settled
except by the sword, At this time
when this side is seeking to have a
just settlement of claims. nobody
should inject such "A question into this
debate as the gentleman from Illinois.
Mr.. Mann, has done. Let these mat
ters be tried on their merits, but let
no such vulgar and slanderous at
tacks as that made by him he heard
on the floor of this house. And 1
want to say in conclusion that no.
body but coward and vulgariau
would use that language here"
Conductors Seek More Money.