Evening star., 1884-01-19
AT THE CAPITOL. TO-DAY.
SENATE NOT IN SESSION.
The HOnse.

tee Of the whole, the floor was accorded to Mr.
Cutcheon. OF Michigan, member OF the minority
OF the committee on military affairs. 1t was, he
said, embarrassing for him to stand here In the face
Of the opinions OF military men so distinguished as
the gentlemen from California and New York,
tGenS. RoSecranS and Socum) to differ from them
In regard to military matter; but his embarrass-
ment disappeared when he remembered that the
principal question in this case not matter of
military strategy, but OF the sitting OF facts and
laws. The principal involved in the bill was an
tagonistc to the Very spirit of the Constitution our
and institutions. To the judicial branch OF the gov
ernment alone belonged the power to determine law
tive branch should usurp judicial functions and sit
IN review and judgment on the finding OF the high
est military court which could be convened
1t was proposition which embodied revou-
ton. Comparing the court which convicted
Porter and the West Point board of re-
view, ne declared that the former was legal
court which had given Porter fair and free trial
while the latter was a board with no legal status
1t was responsible to no law. If its members took
an oath 1t was an extra judicial oath. Their find
ing was an extra Judicial finding. 1t was simply
the advice OF the amiabe gentlemen to the Presi-
dent, which he did not see tit to adopt. To place
the Judgment OF the board against the finding Of
the court, was to place an opinion which bound no
one against decision which bound all the world
GEN. GRANT AND FI1z JOHN PORTER.
Referring to General Grants letter, he asserted
that no one could go farther than himsefin admira-
tion for that great soldier; but he could not forget
that for eight long years General Grant sat in the
Knocking in season and out of season, at the doors
OF the White House asking Grant to permit a new
hearing. He could not forget that Grant said, in
1869 and 1874, that he had examined the papers
submitted to him, that he was not pre-
pared to grant the review asked. But In
1881. when both houses Of the American Congress
were WEI IN the hands OF the opposition, and when
bill was pending before Congress to reappoint Gen
Grant generel OF the army and place him on the re-
tired list, there came burst OF sunlight as from
Heaven, like the light which struck down Paul at
Damascus. All at once light broke on his mind,
and he found that for eighteen years he had been
doing Fltz John Porter Injustice. applause on the
republican Side.) Therefore, the opinion OF Gen.
Grant could not have the influence on him which 1t
otherwise would have.
Mr. Cutcheon said that Porter's action could only
be explained by his hatred of General Pope. When
his country cried "Fitz Jonn Porter, this way" he
thought 1t was the voice Of Pope and not Of his
time when mans country called for him when the
destiny of the republic hung trembling in the bal
anes anee 1t tnoy was the Sth of August 1862. II
tary leader had need to feel the pulses
OF his subordinate officers beat In unison
1t was the 21th OF august, 1862, when Porter DISC
Deyeu MS orders. TWO reaS OnSWere assigned for
his not doing so: That the night was dark and the
road bad Porter could not march that night, but
Stonewall Jackson marched with an entire corps.
Lee marched that night; but this brilliant leader
or the Union army could not march because. for
sooth, 1t was dark. He went on to describe the
Datte OF the goth OF August and pictured Porter lying
under The trees at Bethel church. without making an
attempt to aid his comradeS-n- arms because there
was little pine brush in the way. The Bethe-
hemtc song seemed to have fallen upon Porter's
corps That day-"Peace on earth' and good will to
the other side. During the battle OF August 29th
where was Porter? Reclining under tree two and
corps In the army? Gone into camp for the night.
Cowardlce was no excuse, for Porter had shown
excuse, for he was a trained soldier. He
had not the excuse OF not knowing the VIII OF his
commander for the order was explicit Already
Clemency mad been exercised towards FitZ John
fOrter HIS disabilities had been removed and he
stood Tree American citizen. Mercy to him was
cruelty cruelty to thousands G A century ago, Admiral
BayRe of the English navy, had diSobeyed an order
to take his ship into action He was tried, con-
vcted and shot to death for that disobedience and
refused to take his ship into action when ordered
by Superior. [Applause on the republican side.I
District in Congress.
THE PROPOSED NEW SNOW LAW.
The bill relating to police regulations in the Dis
trct of Columbia, prepared by Commissioner Ed
monds, and now before Congress, contains pro-
posed new law in relation to the removal OF snow
from the sidewalks. 1t is as follows: "That when
snow has remained for six hotrS after Snowstorm
upon any of the sidewalks, in the cities OF Wash
cleaned by the Commissioners OF the District of
Columbia, and the expense thereof, duly certified
by The commissioners, but not exceeding for each
removal TWO cents per lineal foot OF such sidewalk
Shall Immediately be assessed against the adjacent
property and be collected as other realty taxes
PrOrided, That nothing contained in this section
shall be construed to exempt any property-owne
or his agent from the effect Of any law Or laws i'm
posing fine and penalty upon owners, tenants,
walks. That all violations OF this act shall be pros
ecuted In the Police Court, upon Information, In the
name OF the District OF Columbia"
Capitol Topics.
AN OLD CLAIM DISPOSED OF.
The House committee On claims yesterday passed
upon claim which has been coming before Con-
gress for a good many years In 1853 the steamer
Independence, owned by Cornelius Vanderbilt, was
wrecked in the bay Of Magdalina, Lower California
and the passengers and crew were cast adrift on
the island of Marguerite. The steamer Meteor
took them off and supplied them with provisions,
clOtnlng, medical attention, etc, and carried them
TO San Francisco. For this service the captain OF
the Meteor claimed $25 600 from the United States
claim adversely, holding that ii there was any
equity in 1t, 1t lays against the estate OF Cornelius
vanderbilt and not against the government
The committee also ordered a favorable reDOrt
upon bill to release the securities OF the late
Collector Rollins, OF San Francisco. In 1869 Mr.
Rollins died. and the Secretary of the Treasury APP
pointed collector ad interim against the protest
OF the securities. During the incumbency OF this
temporary appontee defalcation Of so GOO oc-
ltleS on Rollins bond were not liable
MRS. GAINES CLAIM
The House committee on private land claims yes
terday unanimously agreed to report favorably the
bill OF Representative Robinson, of New York, for
the relief OF Myra Clark Gaines. The bill provides
lOI lSStle VI W MIS-. (ydlneS
acres OF land on account OF grants made by Spain
TO John Lynd and Thomas UrQuhart, from whom
the claimant received title to such lands. 1t Is pro-
vded that no mineral land shall be included in the
grant.
NEW PRINTING CLERK.
Secretary McCook, of the Senate, to-day appointed
Mr. Joseph w. Bartlett, of Massachusetts,, printing
clerk, vice Edwin X. Harris a son Of Senator Har-
ris. Mr.. Bartlett was formerly an employe of the
House. The appointment takes effect Monday.
IN FAVOR OF BLACKBURN
1t is very clear that the sympathy Of members of
the House is with Mr.. Blackburn in his contest for
the Kentucky senatOrship. On both the demo-
cratic and republican sides STAR reporter to-day
heard the exclamation, 81 do hope Joe
Will get It,"
HOUSE APPOINTMENTS.
r. j. Penn was to-day appointed assistant in the
folding room OF the House, and Archibald McGinnis
assistant clerk to the committee on invalid pea-
SOnS
PACIFIC RAILROADS COMMITTEE.
Messrs. Throckmortoa, Crisp and Hanback,, of the
House committee On Pacific railroads, to-day dis
cussed bills compelling railroad companies to pay
for the cost Of surveying and selecting certain lands
granted by Congress to aid in their construction.
The subcommittee decided to give all parties inter-
pay for the cost Of surveying and selecting the
lands taxes cannot be collected by the states. II
Is probable that bill compelling all land grant
railroad companies to pay these costs will be
reported from the committee at an early day.
THE PACIFIC RAILROADS.
The subcommittee on Pacific railroads decided
to-day to report to the whole committee on Mon
pay Tor the surveys In selecting sites In certain land
grants.
THE LOWELL BANKRUPTCY Bill.
MI. Torrey, OF st. Louis. president of the bank