New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-02-11
CONGRESS-3D SESSION.

AIlOI NON OltIA'C cD NO1NSSAN~N'
THE AMPNDPD line AND STAFF BILL BEFORE
THE SENATE - ANIMATED DEBATE IN THE
HOUSE = MORE CRITICISMS ON ADMIRAL
PORTER'S OFFICIAL CAREER.
lBY TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUNB.l
WASHINGTON. Friday, Feb. 10, 1871.
In the Senate today little Of interest occurred during
the Legislative session. After Executive session OF
nearly three hours all the Commissioners nominated by
she President yesterday were confirmed. session
ordered for tonight to allow the Legislative Appropra-
ton bill TO be read through but with understanding
that no amendments Of Importance were be acted
Mr. Pomeroy endesvored to have evening session or
dered for Monday. TO consider the steamship Subsidy
bills, hut unable t. secure IT, The Committee on
Naval Affairs reported the ongexpected bill relative to
the rank OF the staff officers in the navy The amend
ments made quite material, and it is said
that while very acceptable to
the staff, others are not. Mr.. Morton introduced
bill TO raise the Mission Berlin to the frscass rank
response to the suggestion OF the President Mr.
also introduced resolution OF inquiry directed to
the Judiciary Committee. and intended to such
legislation will compel the authorities Of Kentucky to
admit coOred testimony into the State Courts Mr. Nye
appointed to the Special Committee on Southern
Outrages in place Of his colleague, Mr. Stewart who de-
Cllned.
After personal explanation by Mr. Porter Of Virginia.
warm debate took place in the House, to-day, bill
reported from the Naval Committee authorize the
President TO reappoint Naval Constructor Banscom to
the position held before he resigned. Mr.. starkweather
who reported the bill, made speech in its favor, and
Mr. Sargent Of California followed in opposition, so
severely crteisng the proposed action that he brought
Gen. Banks to his feet The General who had taken
considerable personal interest in the recounted Its
history, and the efforts he and Others had made In
Hanscoms behalf He charged that the Con-
struotOr had been forced 10 resign on &C
count OF the prosecutions OF Admiral Porter and
other high officers Of the Navy,.who did not like some
ba ha1 nadq IN
These criticisms characterized proving the bravery
the officer and his high OF duty And, referring
reports here for the past day or two that
several gineers unwilling to risk their lives on
the Tennessee and obtained excuses said that II this
was true not single officer of the Engineer Corps dared
10 tell the truth this vessel, which had now sailed
away nobody knows where. with its precious freight
Gen Banks also claimed that the officer, in whose
behalf this bill had been introduced, had visited
Europe after his resignation and pursued his
studies there, so that he the most
competent man position in the country On his
Europe he found that commerce had de-
cned and there employment for him, and. in
the meantime criminal charges had been made against
him His desire was that the may be fully exam
ined, and il he IL vindcaed that he may be rensated
Gen Banks vehemeny asserted that Of the charges
were true; hut If they were, the stood IN charac-
ter Infinitely above those who have been prosecuting
him He also said that this only of numerous
where injustice had been done TO officers and
which. he intimdttd might YET cout uciOIc
Congress. Mr.. Sargent and Gen. Farnsworth
spoke against the BILL ana asserted that the man
resigned in the face of criminal charges and that
ths was equivalent 10 confession OF them. They also
argued that il would he unfair 10 officers who had re-
manned in the service TO place him above them Gen
Butler took the opportunity TO speak in favor Of the BILL
make another If his most bitter attacks on Admi
raj Porter He denied the Admiral had ever done
ANY great service for the country. and gave summary
OF his history with Butler cOloIing) TO prove it, He
also exhibited letter sent by the Admiral TO the Naval
Committee in opposition to HansCom's application. He
deued Admiral Porter had had any authority
81 Assistant Secretary OF the Navy and considerable
amusement caused by remark Of Gen Banks, that,
during the administration Of former Secretary Of the
Navy he called at the Department to ask
favor Admiral Porter had just gone out and the Sec
rctary exclaimed in reply TO his request, why the
devil didn't you ask Admiral POrterf' After some
further debate the bill was passed. The Naval Com
mittee also reported bill giving the Secretary OF the
Navy permission TO recruit 800 for the Practice
ship ut Annapolis An attempt made to get 10 the
the Speakers table, hut, failed, the
House went into Committee OF the Whole the Naval
Appropriation bill, which was finished and passed.