Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-01-03
AT THE CAPITOL TO-DAY.
FlTz JOHN PORTER BILL IN THE SENATE.
ARMY APPROPRIATION BILL IN THE HOUSE.
Senate Proceedings.

ARMY APPROPRIATION BILL IN THE HOUSE.
Senate Proceedings.
Messrs. Sherman, Platt, Hawley, Grover. Frye,
Lapham and Miller (New York) presented petl-
tions for q Constitutional amendment prohibiting
the manufacture and sale OF alcoholic liquors, and,
at the suggestion OF Mr. Blair, these and similar
petitions heretofore presented were referred to the
committee on education and labor
The President laid before the Senate a commu-
nicaion from the Secretary OF the Treasury trans
mittng the estimate OF the commissioner OF inter-
nal revenue OF the amount that would be required
to refund the taxes collected stocks OF tobacco,
cigars, matches, &C., now on hand in case OF the
reduction of the tax.
Mr.. Hoar stated that he would endeavor to call
up the presidential succession bill tomorrow.
The president laid before the Senate the memo
rial of the Salt Lake City Bar association in rela-
ton TO the proposed provision for an additional
associate justice OF the Utah supreme court. Re-
ferred to the committee on the judiciary.
Petitions asking for the immediate passage of
the pending whisky bill were laid before the Sem
ate.
THE rrrz JOHN PORTER BILL
At the close of the morning hour Mr. Logan
continued his argument against the bill for the
relief OF Fitz John Porter.
Continuing his discussion Of the details of the
military movements at the second battle OF Bull
Run, Mr.. Logan said that about the hour when
Pope was issuing his order to Porter, dated 430 p
M, to attack Immediately, Porter was writing a
dispatch announcing that he had determined to
retire to Manassas, and that when, thirty minutes
communicate it to his officers, but suppressed it.
Douglas Pope, the on1cer who carried the order,
testiiled that he delivered it at $50
Mr.. Sewell-The character Of Douglas Pope for
veracity is not very good.
Mr.. Logan and the President OF the Senate both
warmly defended the character OF Douglas Pope,
Mr.. Logan finished his speech at 2:O5.
Mr.. Sherman tried to have the bonded whisky
occupy about half an hour reading testimony in
the Porter case In reply to Mr. Logans statements.
Mr. Sherman said that at the conclusion OF Mr..
Sewell's remarks he would again ask the Senate
TO take up the whisky bill
House OF Representatives.
MI. Hatch OF Missouri, presented a telegram
from the st. Louis Mercantile exchange, asking for
the immediate passage Of the "Sherman extension
BILL" Referred.
MI. Sherwin, OF Illinois, presented a memorial
OF the American Social Science association asking
Congress to distribute such moneys as it may see
fit among the several states for the education of
the people Referred.
THE ARMY APPROPRIATION BILL
The House then at II III, went into the committee
OF the Whole [Mr Townsend, of Ohio, in the chair,
on the army appropriation bill, the pending
amendment being that offered by Mr. Browne, OF
Indiana for the gradual abolition Of the pay CORDS
OF the army.
Mr.. Upson, OF Texas, offered as substitute for
that amendment an amendment providing for the
retirement OF such paymasterS or officers of the
pay'department as are incapable OF performing
the duties of their office or also that there shall
be no more appointments to the grade OF major in
the pay department until the number OF majors in
Inat department shall have been reduced below
fifty.
The substitute further provides that In future
appointments to the grade of major and pay
master shall be made from the rank OF captain in
The substitute was ruled out Of order. 49,
~ ME Brownies amendment was adopted-yeas,
Mr. ursoS ON ON THE IMPORTANCE OF . wr1t.n,sc,p.
LINED ARMY.
Mr.. Upson, OF Texas, in speaking to formal
amendment, expressed his interest in all matters
which looked TO increasing the efficiency OF the
army. Having lived for many years on the from
tier. he had learned from personal experience the
importance OF q well-disclplined, wel-appointed
army. The occurrences of the past should serve
as warnings for the future Communlstic and So
cialistic mutterings Of human slau yhter, spolia-
encouraged by lOud-mouthed demagogtes, were
unmistakable warnings OF internal danger to the
peace and good order OF the country. Thoughtful
minds would not treat this matter with fndifTer-
ence, but would consider as the most serious
problem of the day the question OF preserving the
rights and liberties of individuals. He was in
favor OF keeping the army up to a high degree of
etl1cency. and therefore opposed many provisions
OF this bill, which, In his Judgment, would bring
In concluding his speech Mr. Upson called at
tention to the high degree OF efficiency OF the
English army.
Mr.. ROBINSON BROUGHT TO HIS FEET.
This brought Mr. Robinson, of New ork. to his
feet with statement that he could not tell
whether the gentlemans speech was an eulogy of
the American or English army. [Laughterl He
would yield to no one in his admiration of the
american army, but he did not want to see
tives OF monarchy, whether dressed in the uni
form OF an American soldier or dressed in the
ki KIT t., OF Argyle [Laughter:l He was alarmed
Texas. The glory OF the English drum beat was
the sound OF despotism and the death knell OF lib
erty. lApplause.l He did not want to increase
the army or Initiate anything English He wanted
to blot out all that abominable feeling that was
getting into the heads of snObs and flunkeys to
initiate monarchy without having the brains that
it.
Mr. Holman, OF Indiana, offered an amendment
providing that 1t shall not be lawful for officer
expressly authorized by law.
MI Calkins, OF Indiana, inquired whether Mr..
ment would apply.
Mr.. Randall stated that he had learned at the
leave was in the employ OF the Pullman Car com
pany.
Mr.. Reed, of Maine. and Mr. Cook. of New York,
thought that that was case which. Ii true, de-
served the attention of court-martial
The amendment was withdra wn after some dis
cuSSiOn.
The District I'm Congress.
THE DISTRICT APPROPRIATION BIII-cLAUSE ABOLISH
ING THE BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS.
The District of Columbia appropriation bill,
agreed to yesterday by the House committee on
appropriations. appropriates less than the bill of
last year; in round numbers it foots I'D a little
over three million dollars. The bill provides no
salary for the board OF fire commissioners, which
board it proposes to abolish and to transfer their
duties to the District Commissioners. The force
IN the Office OF the collector OF taxes is increased
and that of the auditors office reduced. The an.
preparations for streets nearly the same as are
contained in the estimates OF the Commissioners:
also for schools.
II the civil service committee is not ready to 90
ahead with the civil service bill when the pending
army bill is disposed OF, the District bill will be
called up.
Mr.. Ollnstead's Nomination.
HE Is HEARD IN HIS OWN BEHALF BY THE SENATE
SUB -COMMITTEE.
The Senate subcommittee OF the District com.
mittee, to whom was referred the nomination
OF Mr.. Olmstead for District Commissioner. to-day
heard Mr.. Olmstead in his own behalf The sub
committee came to no conclusion upon the case
and tC Is said they will reDOrt IL back to the fnl