The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1883-01-12

MA" V'"Oi NOWo itVIu5 VI lUlcreSys
Forty-S,venth Congress--Second Session.
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Jan. ll.-Mr. Cameron, of
Pennsylvania, presented memorial from
the Pittsburg chamber of commerce against
any reduction of the tariff on bituminous
coal. Also petition to increase the duty
on Sumatra tobacco.
Mr.. Edwards, from the judiciary com.
mittee, reported with an amendment the
bill to amend an act of last session amend.
ing the Revised Statutes in reference to
bgamy, and said he would ask its early
consideration.
AT the close of the morning business, nc.
cording to agreement, the bill for the relief
of Fitz John Porter was laid before the sen.
ate and an amendment was reported from
the committee on military affairs, provid-
ing that Porter shall receive no allowance
prior to his reinstatement in the army.
Agreed to.
Mr.. Conger moved to indefinitely post.
pone the bill
Mr.. Cameron, of Pennsylvania, spoke in
favor OF the bill. lie believed Porter had been
loyal soldier, whose mistakes, II he made
any, were of the head and not of the
heart, He (Porter) never seemed to eat or to
sleep, but was etcrnGly on the alert, choosing
men by his zeal and his confidence, aiding
the authorities by his advice, and instruct.
ing them how to bring order out of chaos.
1t became my duty to take charge
of the railroad from Harrisburg
to Baltimore, and while so
engaged an incident occurred in my office
which impressed me greatly at the time,
and which always seemed to me should
atone to a great extent for any error Gem
eral Porter NAV have committed at any la.
ter period Of the war. II was, to great ex-
tent, through him, in my Judgment, that
The services of General George II. Thomas
were secured to the side of the Union.
General Thomas, then Major Thomas.
was stationed at Carlisle barracks. There wa s
at the same time two other majors OF the
army stationed at the same place. have
forgotten their names, but that is inmate
rial for the records of the war department
will show when the order was received
from the war department by messenger,
who cana across the country, directing
Major Porter TO send troops, then
at Carlisle, to Washington, with
directions to cut their way through
IL was the language Of the order which
makes me say this was at one OF the darkest
periods of the war. The capital of the ma.
tion was menaced bv an enemy camping
within few miles of IL, aud had but a
handful OF men for its protection. Porter,
with quick perception of the gravity of
thorough knowledge OF the fitness
of the man for the duty to be perlomed, Sc.
lected Thomas from the three majors, and
ordered him to report to HIM at my office
in Harrisburg, that being Porier's head.
quarters. Thomas arrived there prompily
the same evening. When informed of the
duty to be performed, Thomas hesitated,
and then begun conversation between
the two officers, which continued until
morning, and with such lasting impression
in my mind. Thomas argued against
war, taking the ground that the trouble had
been brought ON the country by the aboli.
tionists of the north, and while deploring IL
as sincerely rs any man could the south
had just cause for complaint. lie said
Porter took the poslt on that he, (Thomas),
as q soldier, had no right to look al the
cause ol the trouble, but, as an officer of
the United States army, II was his duty
to defend his flag whenever
IL was uttuVheu, Whetntr ny lOcS from
within or from without Potter pleaded as
zealously. as eloquen,ly as | have ever
heard any man plead cause in which his
whole heart was engaged, and II was this
pleading which caused Thomas to arrive
Thomas refused to obey his &c orders. s
but do say he hcsltated, and would much
rather have preferred that the duty had dc.
voycd upon another. Thomas was Vir.
ginian by birth, and had, as many other
good and patriotic men, doubts as 10 the
Of the government coercing
the states back into the Union that had. bv
their legislatures, formally Withdraw, but
during that night he decided to remain with
the Union. From that time forward there
was no doubt, no hesitancv, but an earnest,
hearty support 10 the side which
had for Its motto the interests OF the Union
and today his name Is among tho bright.
est, best aud purest OF Its military heroes,
II FL" John Porter was TO any extent in.
sirumenta In saving this great name 10 our
list Of military, ask, should not this coun.
try be grateful TO him ! think Il would,
Mr.. Conger read letter OF Garheld's
written In 1878 TO Captain Lee, calling the
bill for the relief Of Porter an Astounding
and saying, "The bill will
never pass without calling out A review of
history which will cnlighten tho people on
q most disasreeable porto Of our military
history
Mr.. Logan retained his view of
tho law aud facts, and said senator's
must answer 10 their constituents
II they voted for this bill In the face OF the
testimony. II republican senators so voted
II would be because certain distinguished
gentlemen have taken an interest In hay.
Ing Porter restored. and the restoration of
this man would be the restoration of e
After further debate he bill was
postponed Indefinitely.
The foreign affairs committee will bepin
OF the Hawaiian reciprocity
treaty tomorrow.
The public lands committee TODAY
authorized a favorable report 10 be made
on Pacheca's brush fence bill, which pro.
yides for the settlemen. Of pub lands In
California.
The bill for the relief Of Fiis.John Porter
passed. Ayes, 80; nays, "a.
The following y the vote on the Porter
Ayes Barrow, Beck, Brown. Hu;,er. Cal.
Cameron (of Pennsylvanisl' Cork.
rel, uoke, Davis (of West virsinia). Farley,
Garland. George, German, 0roome. Hamn.
ton, Hoaf, Jackson, Jonas, Jones iol
Floridsh Lamar. Maxey, Morgan Pendlp.
ton, n. Ransom, Salisbury, geveil.
-S5. "'''~e'
'Nsys-hldficb, Anthony. Clair. cams.
con toi wistoNin), Chilcoit, eager, Davis