The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-01-26
FORTY.ElGHTH CONGRESS.
bENATE.

In the Senate, Mr. Blair introduced bill to
provide for the free circulation of newspapers
and other periodical publications, within the
State where they are published.
Mr.. Sherman called up his resolution on the
Virginia election but its consideration went
over till Monday.
Report incomDlete.J
Mr.. Beck's rsolation was referred to the COM
miitee on finance aud the Alaska bill was TAX
en- MP. long debate arose upon the clause
prohibiting the impt rtaiiop, sale or manufact-
ture of intoxicating liquors in Alaska, except
for scientific or medical purposes. The bill
finally passed without amendment.
Mr.. Hoar then called up the bill providing
for the performance of the duties Of President
In case OF removal, death, resign ation or ina-
biliry of the President and Vice President. 1t
was read three times and passed.
In the contingency named, it vests the Pres
idential duties first in the Secretary Of State;
if there be none, or If he be under impeach-
ment or otherwise ineligible then in the Secre-
tary OF the Treasury; and in Case OF uneligibil-
ty Of that officer then in the Secretary OF War,
aud SO on successively in the Attorney Gener-
al, Postmaster General, Secretary of the Ma
Wy and Secretary of the Interior.
1t provides that whenever any such officer is
thus entrusted with the presidential duties if
Congress shall not be within 20 days of assem-
bling he shall forwith issue a proclamation
convening it within 20 days
The Senate then went into executive session
anu alt5rWafuS aoJ bnrnen until MONDAY.
HOUSE.
The morning hour having been dispensed
with, ths House at II 25 O'Clock went into
committee of the whole, Mr.. Springer of 1 Ii
no 8 in the chair, on the Fitz John Porter bill
Il, b. Taylor OF Ohio took the fiaor, in order
to conclude his speech. begun Saturday last,
in opposition to the bill
He then proceeded to make a resume of the
history OF the Case, and said that gentlemen
from the South must not believe that BY restor-
ing Porter they were holding an olive branch
of peace, or that they we're allaying irritation.
They were creating it. Did the old ~ need
the support OF a man who stopped on the field
OF battle, within besriug of the enemy, be-
cause be disliked his commander. Would the
stars in that fl 4g De any brighter? Let no man
who loved his country less thau he d sllked
his commander take hold of that flag. He
(Taylof) had formed the opinion that his pro-
lection as IN American citizen was not best
served by having such man connected with
the army. (Applause on the Republican side.)
Mr. Bayne, of Penns lvaDia, spoke III sup
port of the bill. While quoting fr I'm Gen.
Longstreet's testimony to show the position of
the troops on the 29th of August, he was in-
terrupted by Mr.. Herbert of Alabama. VINO
stated he belonged 10 LongstreeL's corps and
served in Wilcox's division. He knew that
the division was deploy ed and in line before
II O'Clock and the impression was that it was
much earlier. They waited in line and won
dered why they were not carried into the
fight, aud he never understood the IT asun for
that idleness until he examined tue testimony
in the case. He did not beieve, aud thanked
God for it, that neither the Union army Dor
Confederate army during tho late war furnish
ed Benedict Arnold.
Proceed ding with his argument Mr.. Bsyne
said: The "A 80 order" contemplated an at
tack on jackson flank and at the time Pope
wrote the order he did net know OF the press
ence of Longstreet's force. Obedience to
order was obviously impossible and it would
have been inSanity to have attem pied to Carry
it ont.
After the appointment of a conference COM
mittee on the Greedy relief bill, Mr.. Keller
Of Ohio spoke in opposition to the Porter bill.
He quoted from McClellan's letter to Porter,
appealing 10 him to observe strict obedience
to Pope's orders, thereby showing he knew
that Porter was not loyal to the Commanding
officer.
Mr.. Maginnis of Montana-Did not General
Mcclellan write that letter at the request of
President Lincoln, at the same time assuring
the President no letter was needed?
Mr.. Keifer-Then he had the concurrence of
the immortal Lincoln that Porter was dis
obeyiAg orders. Applause on the Republican
side.) He did not believe Congress had power
to reverse any part of the sentence of the
court in SO far as the sentence was executed.
1t must stand forever, Congress might author
ize Porter's appointment to the army but he
would be branded with the guilty mark of Cain
forever and forever. (Applause.)
Mr.. Ray, of New York, supported the bill.
he contended that Porter's action was loyal
and wise. When Mcclellan wrote that letter
it was at the request of President Lincoln, be-
cause this man Pope, in order to excuse his
own blunders, his o@n ignorance, AMI his own
iucompetency after having been guilty OF most
egreerious blunders that ever disgraced
military annals OF any country after sliDging
shafts OF SANDER at Porter had s1ught to turn
aside the Responsibilities of the failure of his
campaign. That was the verdict of history,
and 1t was the verdict of the people of the
country With few exceptions. When Pope
came to Washington and filled the public
mind with whisperings of falsehood, Porter,
noble, true, brave, patriotic-went to the
President and implcred the board of inquiry
he was camoriDg for hearing, this man Pope
aud his satellites were trying to conceal their
bluDdeis and were poisoning the minds Of the
Secretary af War and the President
Mr.. Miller of Penpsylvalis, inquired what
authority the gentleman bad for saying Pope
poisoned the mind of the President.
Mr.. Ray replied thai he could prove it be-
yond controversy from the records of the House
and Senate, and from Popes own report.
Before the conclusion of Mr. RAYS speech
the committee rose aud the Senate bill was
passed providing for the removal of the re-
mains of the late General Ord from Havana to
Washington.
The Speaker laid before the House letter
from the Postmaster General in response to
the House resolution in regard to the Star
route frauds. stating that itemizsd list OF ex-
penditures was being prepared but that 1t
would be detrimental to the public Interests to
give the names of persons Indebted to the
government and proposed witnesses.
The House then adjourned.
The session tomorrow will be devoted to de-
bate on Fitz j ohm Porter.