The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1884-01-18
FITz JOHN PORTER,
THE MINORITY REPORT IN HIS CASE.
Hr. Stsit, ofths Military Commltis., UI,sa BIZ
N VsHs-Hsh canvIne,d Of Porter. willfui
hliOb.dlesce Of ofd'ra--Hs Thiaks the
II Dfit Should not B.eous . Law.
From Our Sptcidi Correspondent.

! From Our sptcidi Co,ntpontlt1lt.
WAsnISoroN, January l0.-Major Steele
Of Indiana, who presented the minori.,
report from the House Committee on Nlili
tary Affairs opposing the reinstatement tc
the rolls OF the army Of Fi,z John Porter
saya the case seelns too important for him
to. o.acqulesce through military or Congress
iohal courtesy in the report Of the majority.
He believes that the court which convicted
General Porter was too able and honorable
men for thtir judgment, based on fresh
personal knowledge OF the events, 10 be
cast aside twenty years alter they consider.
ed the question.
"Do you not find that the verdict OF Tho
court martial and the sentence were incon.
sistent III inquired. VI. g -.
"Not at ALL" he replied. "Pat yourself
IN position similar 10 that OF the court.
You have to approve you, decision kind.
hearted executive--a man to whom e1.
treme measures are repugnsnt. II you did
not want your man to goscot iree wouldn't
you give him sentence that would be
likely to be approved, rather than harsn
one which might be negatived through
mercy? There was no necessity for IL tjct.
ing the extreme plnalty. All this talk
about iiye.to-iour court Is nonsense. No
one knows but what the court was unani.
NOUS"
You arc firmly convinced. Of Porter's
inexcusab!e disobedience, then?" :
"How can ! help being 80 in the face Of
bis ordere? Take that famous 1880 r, NJ
order. Did he proceed against the enemy?
Take McDowell's testimony that there
were no obstacles to Portes's ADVANCE"
You don't admit then, the possibi|it = OF
Longstreet having been between Porter
and Jackson's right?"
There is no evidence that Longstreet
was there, except that given by Conieder-
ates. Even had he been there, 80 much
the more reason why Porter should have
engaged his forces. Why should be have
been permitted to rest in secure inactivity
while his companions were marching
brGvely to death in obedience 10 orders,
Nc matter if Longs,ree.'s forces were
there, he should have oheyed orders, what.
ever lay in his path. No, | cannot bring
myself to believe that he is to be excused
ior having neglected to render the frat
duty OF soldier. There may be feeling
against Mr.. Cutcheon and myself for hav-
ing taken this position and in opposition to
the rest OF the committee, but cannot sur.
render my convictions, even though be
alone in opposing the bill. I think, how
ever. We shall find somo able champions"
what ere the principal points in your
report p
"We shall base our report on the minor
ity report Of the Committee on Military
Affairs oil tbs For:y-six.h Congress,
signed by Auson G. McCook, G. B. Marsh
and Thomas NJ. Browne, adding what in.
dependent views We may hold ourselves.
| am now engaged in a thorough study OF
the case, and am not prepared 10 discuss it
in all its bearings. It is d vast subject and
an important one" ~ ~ .t
Very great interest Is taken in the bill in
Congressional circles, and great earnestness
is being shown by those for and against the
bill. 1t Seems probable at this time that
the bill will be passed by both branches Of
Congress. -. -