The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-02-17

Committee on the Pacific Railroad, gave notice
that on Tuesday next he would report back
the Southern Pacific railroad bill for imme
diate action The House then proceeded to
the consideration OF the report of the Military
committee on the West Point Academy rules.
Mr. Stevenson of Ohio, iutimated an appre-
henslon lest the action on the subject would be
a precedent, and the House would have a
west FONT case every session. He did not
oppose the restoration of three cadets OF the
OF some and the trial by court martial of the
rest OF the first class He believed that the
Houseln adopting such a resolution would
transcend its jurisdiction.
Mr.. johnson of California, in supporting his
resolution ordering a court of enquiry into the
conduct OF the officers of the academy charged
that againt one of the expelled cadets, Barnes,
whom he lJohnson) had nominated to the
academy they had evinced malignancy and
hate, and had been guilty of falsehood, that
the cropping OF Barnes from the rolls for deh-
cheney after shameful examination was the
most villainous portion of the whole transac-
ton. He referred to Gen. Upton's intimation
as to the ease with which Barnes could be got
rid OF and said that his (Johnson's) district had
been wounded in its dignity by the action of
Gen. Upton, who was not tit to occupy posi-
ton as Dedagogue in district school,
He declared that the record made up against
Barnes after false and spurious examination
was as false as hell, as false as the malignant
heart of the scoundIel who made it.
MIR. Niblack of Indiana, eulogized the char
acter OF Gen. Pitcher, Superintendent OF the
academy. He said that the three cadets of the
4th class had been guilty of grave violation OF
discipline, but that the TACT afforded no mlt'ga-
ton or legal justification for the conduct OF the
first class, and taking it all together he was
disposed to treat the whole tran saction as one
of those exceptional aud impulsive affairs that
arise occasionally in all Institutions of learn
ing. He would vote for the first resolution to
restore the cadets of the fourth class but he
would vote against the second resolution. He
asked to have printed in the Globe as part OF
his remarks the version of the the affair given
by the first class aud published in the New
York papers, and sent to the clerks desk and
had read a letter to himself from Gen. Pitcher,
invoking his (Niblack' 81 assistance to protect
him from undeserved condemnation and from
partisan malevolence, intimating that the sub
committee which made the investigation did
so with strong prejudices; that their sittings
did not exceed eight hours, and that although
he had earnestly entreated them to examine
aud investigate every thing relating tc the dis
cipline of the academy-they had examined but
four OF the cadets. Gen. Pitcher further says,
Il have carried a burden in the effort to har
monize the social relations between the color
ed cadet and his companions which no one else
in the land has attempted; that the effort will
prove Of magnitude to any one who attempts
it Will be realized when the honorable mem.
bers are in such close relations as those under
which tie cadets live sd.
Mr.. Coburn, of Indiana, expressed the idea
that the three cadets of the fourth class shall
be punished slightly, that the cadets of the
the officers OF the academy should be visited
with the severest reprehension.
Mr.. Shanks, of Indiana, desired that the
people of his State be represented in the pro-
test against the West Point schools, that the
school ought to be wiped out and its interest
Snraad q inst &c No.
ing concentrated into school for scandal
which had disgraced the nation.
The discussion was continued by Messrs.
Packard, of Indiana, and Stoughton, of Mich
lgan, in support OF the resolutions and by Mr.
Dyer, of Missouri. against it,
Mr. Banks, of Massachusetts, said it was not
the business of the House to undertake the
regulation of the affairs at the Military Acad-
envy. He was in favor Of the restoration of
the three cadets of the fourth class and of
sending back the case of abe first class to the
officers of the institution with instructions to
investigate, and if IN the judgment of the
House the result arrived at was not correct the
House might then revise it. 49,.
Mr.. Logan, of Illinois, differed entirely with
the view of Mr. Banks in reference to the
power of Congress over the Military Academy,
and he argued in favor of the resolutions re-
ported by the committee.
The hour allowed for discussion having closed
Mr.. Garfield, of Ohio,s moved to reconsider the
vote ordering the main question, SO that he
might have an opportunity of addressing the
House, but tho motion was rejected and the
House proceeded to vote on the resolutions
and amendments. ,l-t e t-.iaail
The amendment offered by Mr.. Butler, of
Massachusetts, to substitute for the second
resolution of the committee the resolution de-
filming the first class on graduation of the Gus
tomary furlough was rejected 81 to II. Mr..
Johnson's amendment, directing court of in
quiry on the conduct CT the officers of the
academy was agreed to-S5 to 50. The first
resolution of the committee, directing the res
toration of cadets Baird, Barnes and Felck-
niger, was agreed to without DIVISION
Mr.. Farnsworth, of Illinois, moved to lay
the second resolution of the committee, direct
ing dismissal of the leaders and instig ators of
the first class and court -martialing the others
and the additional resolution offered by Mr..
Johnson, of California, on the table and mega
tived-33 to 100.
The second resolution was then agreed to-
113 to 49,
The bill from Committee on Commerce to
provide for better security of life on board ves-
sells propelled in whole or in part by steam was
passed as substitute for the pending Senate
bill. g.. Ii3t
The bill contains II sections, covering IS
printed pages, and states the regulation to be
.A>~r---a- ny- riouurrrs guard 3gaTnst the loss
or danger from fire, leaking, explosions or
other accidents. Adjourned.