Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-05-08
AT THE NATIONS CAPITAL
MIR. EDNIUNDS ASKS THAT GEN.
GRANT BE RETIRED.

The House NOn-COncurs in the Senate
Amendments to the Fitz John Porter
BiII-Mr. SIOcum Rubs Keifer the
Wrong Way-Effects of the Tariff
Fights End.
WASHINGTON, May In the Senate
to-day the following bills were introduced:
By Mr.. Edmunds-A bill to place U. 5.
Grant, late General of the Army, upon
the retired list of the army. In moving,
reference of the bill to the Committee on
Military Affairs, Mr.. Edmunds COM
mended it to the early consideration of
that committee for reasons, which, he
said, every body understood.
Mr.. Frye accepted Mr. Vests amendment.
Several other amendments were offered and
notice given of still others. The section pro-
yldlng for the carriage of ocean mails gave
rise to a long debate in which the tariff issue
was again raised. Mr.. Frye asked and o.
tanned unanimous consent that the general
debate on the bill will close tomorrow at 8
O'Clock. Mr. Morgan coupled his consent with
a condition that no Senator who has already
spoken on the bill should speak tomorrow.
The Senate then adjourned.
IN THE HOUSE.
In the House to-day. Mr.. BrOadhead. of
Missouri, from the Committee on the Judici-
airy, reported the French spOlation claims
bill, and it was referred to the committee of
the whole.
Mr.. Boyle. of PENNSYLVANIA from the Com
mittee on Commerce, reported a bill for the
appointment of a scientific commission to con-
iuct special investigation on the occasion
of the international electric exhibition, to be
held at Philadelphia in 1884. 1t was referred
to the committee of the whole.
Mr.. Stewart, of Texas, from the Committee
on Foreign Affairs, reported a bill authOriz-
ing the appointment of three commissioners
to visit the principal countries of South and
Central America and Mexico. for the purpose
Of collecting Information looking to the eX-
tension of American trade and commerce. and
the Strengthening offriendly and mutually ad-
vantageOUs relations between the United
states and all other American nationalities.
1t was referred to the committee of the whole.
Mr.. ROsecrans, or California, from the Com
mittee on Military Affairs. reported a resolU-
ton directing that committee to investigate
the present management of the Soldiers
Home. 1t was referred to the House calen-
dar.
Mr.. Woodward of Wisconsin, from the Com
mittee on Library, reported joint resolution
for the completion of the monument to Mary,
the mother of Washington. 1t was referred
to the committee of the whole.
Mr.. Dibble, of South Carolina, from the Com
mittee on Public Buildings and Grounds, re
ported Il bill for the sale Of real estate and
riparian rights owned by the United States at
Harper's Ferry 1t was referred to the COM
mittee Of the whole.
Mr.. Willis, of Kentucky, from the Commit
tee on Rivers and HarbOrs, reported the river
and harbor appropriation bill. 1t was or
dered printed and recommtted
The House then, on motion of Mr.. SlOcum, of
New Ork, proceeded to consideration of the
business on the Speakers table. The Senate
amendment to the House bill repeating the
iron clad oath, on motion of Mr.. Cox, of New
York was concurred in. The next bill on
the table was that for the relief of Fitz John
Porter with the Senate amendments
MT. heiier moved to refer the bill to the
Military Committee.
Mr.. BelfOrd thought that the motion for
reference was a StealthV 3ttpmpt tn do ini
tice to a man who had already been treated
unjustly according to the testimony of the
greatest OF American generals, General
Grant.
Mr.. Slocum, of New York, moved non-con-
currence in the Senate amendments. Mr.
Hlscock, OF New York, made constitutional
argument in opposition to the bill.
Mr.. heifer, of Ohio in the course OF the fur
ther discussion of the question, spoke in Sc
we're terms of Fitz John Porter.
Mr.. SlOcum said that he was glad that the
gentleman from Ohio had attacked Fitz John
Porter. Gen. Porter would be glad of it, be-
cause he would regard what the gentleman
SAID against him as a compliment, and it
would be so regarded by the country. He
(Slocum) had only been surprised that the
gentleman from Ohio had not summoned
Charles Garfield and Elder to sustain his
course IN this instance as he had done a few
days ago. Applause on the Democratic side
and Kisses from the Republicans. Garfield
and Elder were two of keifer's witnesses in
his recent controversy with Gen. BOyntOn,
whose testimony the Boynton Investigation
Committee declared unworthy OF belief.
Mr.. keifer replied that he had supposed
that the gentleman would get down to some
thing or other in the peculiar exigencies OF
the case of Fitz John Porter, which was be-
meath the dignity of a member.
Mr.. Belford, of Colorado, said that he would
take Gen. Grants word as to the injustice
which had been done to Gen. Porter rather
than the word of Gen. keifer or Of any other
General on the floor. He protested against this
being made party question. Was man to be
robbed of his right to justice in order to sub
serve the interests of political parties? The
constitutional quibbles brought up by the
gentlemen from New York and Ohio were
brought up to give the President an excuse to
veto the bill. They were trying to be custo-
dians of the Presidents conscience
The motion to refer the bill was lost and the
Senate amendments were non-cOncurred in.
The Senate amendments were non-concurred
in to the bill establishing bureau of animal
industry.
on motion of Mr.. Singleton, of Mississippi
n resolution was adopted announcing the
intention of the House to attend in a body the
unveiling of the statue of Chief Justice Mar
shall saturday next. The House then ad-
jOurned.