Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-02-23
FITZ JOHN PORTER.
The Cabinet, it is Said, in Favor of His
Restoration to the Army-0nly One
Question Undecided.
Additional Presentments by the Grand
Jury in the Stsr-RoEte Cases
The Utah Contest.

WASHINGTON, February 22-The Presi-
dent and cabinet have, so it seems as Off
cially announced decided in favor of the re-
storation of Fitz John Porter to the army.
The only question in connection with the
case that il undecided is to Porter's back pay.
When cashiered he held the rank OF colonel
IN the regular army and major-general of
volunteers. The question now Ia whether
his back pay as major general would accrue
to him up to his reinstatement or wht ther it
would terminate in 1866, when the other
sjor generals were mustered out of service.
The question has been referred to the attor
ney-general for his opinion. The President
will nominate Porter colonel of ipf.ntry
to fill the first vacsny, and Porter will prob
ably ask TO be retired.
THE "srAR" SAYS:
The case of General Fiiz John Porter has
been several times before the cabinet, and
fayorablY considered. IL Is said to be the
opinion Of the administration and its deter
miuation that Porter should be given the
justice TO which he is entitled The decision
of the advisory board that Porter wss n,
only unjustly dealt with, but that if it lad
not been for him there would have been great
disaster to the Union army, has had great
weight with the President and clbinet Gen.
eral Schotield was president OF the advisory
board. 1t was stated in the Safr, yesterday,
that the case had been referred to the attor-
ney- general for decision. The principal point
upon which that official will d, eide will be
in regard to the mastering out of Porter from
the volunteer force. General Fitz John Por-
ter was, when cashiered major general
of volunteers and colonel in the regular
army, Fifteenth infantry. The question ia,
when his back pay as major-general of yolun-
teers shall cease There Is no no such force
under government employ volunteer
force. The question is, whether there
shall be back pay TO General Por-
ter, or whether he can claim il
to the date of his proposed reinstatems nj.
He can only be reinstated by nomination
to the Senate and confirmation. He will
be nominated as colonel of inf ,ntry, to fill
the first vacancy. The question of the date
of his being mustered out maj pr general
of volunteers will be settled by the decision
of the attorney general. 1t is estimated that
when confirmed by the Senate "a colonel of
the regular army, Porter will be entitled 10
about 81 $4,000 back pay. When Porter was
cashiered he was forever disqualified from
holding any Office of public trust or profit
under the United States government. The
nomination 10 be colonel If infantry, which
will be made without doubt, will carry with
it a pardon from all disabilities imposed by
the court-m artial
"A Kick from ason
Sergeant Mason complains that he has
been confined in a dark, dingy, rat-infested
cell ever since September, when he shot at
Guiteau, and he Is indignant at the discrim-
inatiou shown in favor of the assassin.
The Utah Contest.
The entire House Elections Committee
will tomorrow act on the Utah contest. Ar
guments have been concluded, and while
there has been no formed expression of opin-
ion by the committee, it is generally believed
that they will decide alike against Cannon's
eligibility and the claim of Campbsll to a
seat, and will refer the matter to the people
for a new election.
Additional Presenfments by the Grand
Jury.
In addition to being presented for iHdict-
me Mt for conspiracy in the Star-route cases,
additional presentments were brought in
against the following yesterday afternoon:
J. r. Miner, for perjury in connection with
the Star-route from Bismarck to Fort Keogh
and route from st. Charles to Greehorn; j.
L. Sanderson, for perjury in connection with
the route from Saqualch to Lake City; John
w. Dorsey, for perjury in connection with
the route from Pueblo u Rosita and the
route from Trinidad TO Madison City; NJ. C.
Peertell for subornation OF perjury in con-
nection with the ronte from Rawlings to
White river; John w. Peck, for perjury in
connection with the route from Kearney,
Nebraska, to Kent, and the route from
Eugene City to Bridge Creek, Colorado.
Purchase of Valuable Papers Recon-
mendeu.
The Joint Committee on Library held .
meeting to-day to consider the ACCESSIBILITY
of recommending the purchase of Stevens's
collection of manuscripts and rare printed
books, written by or relating to Benjamin
Franklin, which are offered to the govern
ment for $1,000 by their London possessor.
They comprise all the papers bequeathed by
Franklin to his grandson, William Temple
Franklin, and include some twenty four
thousand documents specially selected by DIR.
Franklin after his retirement from public
affairs and were never printed. Assistant
Secretary Davis, DIR. Edward Everett Hale
end Librarian Dwight, of the state depart
ment, were present and favored the pur-
chase. The Indications are that the joint
committee will report favoring the purchase
Capital Briefs
A sub committee, consisting OF Van Ar
nam, Rosecrans and Aiken, was appointed
to-day TO consider the various bills to pre-
vent the introduction of contagious and in
fictitious diseases.
The Hon. Wayne MacYeagh continued his
argument to day before the House Commit
tee on Commerce against the theory OF regu-
lation by the government OF interstate traffic
He appeared in behalf of the Pennsylvania
Railway Company.
The House Committee on Public Health
agreed to the Senate bill for the disposal of
vaccine point, with amendments providing
for their distribution through State ana
municipal authorities, boards OF health nd
regularly licensed physicians.