The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-01-12
Afternoon Session.
FIrz JOHN PORTER.


Mr. spann offered preamble and resolution re-
quesrng representatives, and instructing Indi-
representatives in Congress to use their in
hnence by voice and vote to defeat the General
Fits John Porter relief bill. 1t is as follows:
"Whereas, There is now Dendin gin the Sem
ate of the United States a bill known the bill
for the relief OF General Fiiz John Porter from
the finding of court martial properly organ
lied, which fOund him guilty Of dsobedience of
orders to his superior officers, thereby bringing
great disaster to the cause of the Union army,
and causing great loss OF life and bringing shame
and disgrace to the brave and loyal men who
were standing in defense of the Union;
"ResOlved, That our senators and representa-
lives in both houses of Congress hereby
asked and urged to their influence of voice
and vote to defeat said measure, and the secro-
tarY OF the Senate Is directed to transmit a
cUpy Of this resolution to each congressman and
senator from Indiana"
Mr.. VOvles moved to lay 1t on the table
This motion was agreed to-yeas %, nays IT.
Pending the roil-call, Mr.. Brown, in eXplana-
ton of his vote, said he thought our senators
and representatives in Congress are quite as
competent to DISCHARGE their duties without in
structions from this Senate as they would be with
them. In the next place, General Grant, who is
the king of all The kings in the Republican party,
has declared his belief in the complete innocence
of General Porter, and denounced the convictions
as wrong; and many other members of the Re-
publican party, equally as able as the senator
from Rush tMr. Spann), have likewise spoken in
POrteT's behalf. For that reason h0 should vote
to lay the resolution on the table.
Mr.. Campbell, when his name called, was
understood to say that he had not examined into
the Fitz John Porter case, but believed there
are two sides to The question to nstatement.
He had confidence in those who have the decis
is0n of that question, and was willing to allow
them to act without direction from this body, and
had no desire to give Instructions to them on
that question. He voted "yea."
Mr.. Graham, when his name was called, said
for years this question had been reposlng and
tine country has been satisfied. Though the
question has been hrUugh forward from time to
ume, General Porter has never been restored.
General Logan, who has KNOWLEDGE of the
merits of the case, still adheres to the wisdom
OF the verdict OF the court martial He was
satisfied that the officers failure to do his duty
eau sed thousands of soldiers to sleep the long
sleep of death, ana now he aft Jrd to sleep i'll
allegiance He voted mo"
Mr.. Howard, understanding this to be polti-
cal question, being paired declined to vote.
Mr. Mcintosh, when his name was called, said
lie could not regard this as a political question,
and "a he was perfectly willing to vote upon the
merits of the question he voted may"
Mr.. spann, when his name was called said he
was sorry, exceedingly sorry that some senator's
on the other side of the chamber shield them.
selves from voting this resolution behind
what is commonly known as pair. He did not
regard this as n political question in any sense;
however, as some think so, and, intending to OBJ
serve his pair with "A fellOw-senator (Mr. Belll
hr should not vote.
Mr.. Willard, when his name was called, said he
DID not regard this as political question, nor
did he desire this vote to reveal partisan vote.
, Fer .1at reason, and being willing to vote upon
The question directly, he would not vote with a
majority of his own party, but voted mo"
MIR Yancey considered this strictly political
question. He believed that in Justice had been
dealt cut tt Fitl John Porter fifteen years ago he
would not be now knocking at the door for back
pay and reinstatement. He thought 1t outrag enus
that any man who had pursued such traitorous
course sh0nd seek to be restored to an equal
footing with honest men. He voted ''no."
Mr.. Benz desired his name to be called again,
and said he did not consider this political Ques-
ton, and voted may, I" but he would change his
vote now and vote yea tlaugnterl
Mr.. keiser desired his name to be called again,
saying, without regarding this q political
question at all, and as one who served with his
tellOw-members on this floor, now opposed to
him III politics, he voted mo"
Mr.. Hllllgass had not regarded this as a politi-
cal question, but as 1t is put Ill that light he de-
sired to have his name called again to
change his vote He was following of the
grandest and nOblest leaders OF The Union army,
when standing before this body he said a great
injustice has been done General Fitz John
Porter. Being soldier III the army, with General
Grant leader-afterward elevated to the
chief magistrary of the United States by the
soldiers of this country, who very recently said
he was satisfied, upon an investigation of the
testimony and evidence in the case, that great
injustice had been done worthy comrade in
arms-he thought he could afford a soldier in
the Union army to vote ''yea."
Mr.. Smith, of Jay, demanding that his name be
called again, also changed his vote from may
to ''yea."
After the memorial service which followed
the Senate adjourned.