New-York tribune., 1884-01-27

WASHINGTON. Jan 26-Interest in the Fitz John
Porter case seems 10 increase rather than wane as
the debate continues. All the public galleries OF
the House were crowded to-day and many visitors
stood in the doorways until late hour The seats
reserved for persons who hold Representatives
cards of admission filled with weI-
dressed spectators who paid close attention.
Strong indeed are the social influences exerted in
Porters behalf and loud and frequent were the
expressions of sympathy for him. As to-days sit
ting was 81 for debate only" large majority Of the
members took advantage of the opportunity to
attend TO the department work" which occupies
so much of their time.
Mr. RAY, of New-York concluded his long, and in
some respects effective speech in favor of the bill
At the beginning of his remarks Mr.. Ray,
who served in the Union Army,
said that he would discuss the case
from the standpoint of private soldier. but he did
not adhere closely to that promise. The next
speech also was by Union soldier
Captain Thomas of Illinois, who served under
Grant and sherman, and understands what military
discipline demands Of officer and soldier alike.
Captain Thomas argued that Congress has no
constitutional ri ght to annul the findings revoke
the sentence of general court-martial, an opinion
which is maintained by good many other members
of the House.
THE COURT-MARTIAL ATTACKED.
Mr.. F0llett, of Ohio, Mr.. ButterwOrths successor,
spoke with great earnestness and force in favor OF
the bill. Although new member he seemed 10 feel
no embarrassment, and although he served in
the Army he felt hesitation in attacking the
court-martia before which Porter was tried assail-
the integrity of its proceedings, If not
of the distinguished officers who COM
posed it, Mr. FOett stands high as
q lawyer at the Cincinnati bar, and his plea for
Porter was an able and ingenious one. Some pass
ages Of his speech were eloquent and elected
hearty applause from the friends of the bill.
The best speech of the day and one of the best
made during the four days of discussion was that
of Mr.. HOrr against the bill. Both sides OF the
House listened attentively and frequent rounds OF
applause from floor aud galleries, as well as numerous
Interruptions by General Rosecrans and General
Slocum attested the deep impression made by tho
Michigan Representative. He would discuss
the case he said from the standpoint of a man who
remained at home during the war-as one OF the
people who, according to General Slocum, warped
and influenced the court-martal, and clalnored
for a victim" who happened to be Porter. He
would deploy no regiments, muster no brgades.
wheel no divisions, send out 10 skr-
mishers. He had thought that he knew
whether division was bigger than a brigade or q
regiment until General Slocum made his speech the
other day now he not certain.
MAKING USE OF GRANTS NAME.
MANY references had been made by friends of the
bill to General Grants letter in favor of Porter.
Why the Democrats should bring that letter upso
often he could not see For years they had been as
sailing Grants private character, denonncmg his
public acts declaring hlm TO be man OF small
mental calibre, incapable of forming a sound
opinion and attempting to belittle him as soldier.
They had called him "A butcher and ransaeked
their vocabularies for epihets Of contempt and de-
| -. 10 And vet
sion only they are willing, nay anxious, to use his
great name Mr. Horn had always held Grant in the
highest esteem, and should always admire and re-
spect him. despite the great mistake he had mads
in respect to Fitz John Porter.
The friends of the bill had seemed anxious that
this bill should not be regarded a partisan or pO-
litical measure and had SAID something about the
fact that many Republicans favor it. He had no
objection to that What he would like TO see would
be division among the Democrats on this or any
other question in respect to which they raise
the "nou-partisan" cry, but at the same
time vote for sody. They reminded him
of an old man i'll Michigan who was q
staunch Methodist His children belonged to
various other denominations, and one day s1ne-
thing drew them iuto religious discussion, which,
from being animated became hot and loud. Tho
old man felt called upon to interfere. lie sad'
"We must not have these sectanan differences IN
the family. Let's all be MethOdstS' Never was
a story better applied, and even the hottest advo-
Gates of the bill joined heartily in the shouts OF
laughter and applause which went up ON all sides.
PLAIN WORDS TO EX-CONFEDEEAlES.
Mr.. Horr then said he wanted TO say few words
70 the Representatives who fought the otLer side
He wanted TO appeal to their sense of popretJ, nOt
to say decency, on this question. II NJ Johh
Porters disobedence andmlSconduct benehted any
body. the men on the Rebel side were the beneh-
ciaries II would seem, therefore, as a matter or
good taste that they ought 10 refrain from acting as
Jurors in this case. They were Interested parties.
lie did not question the sincerity ol thyi eAPITS
sons of sympathy for Porter; he might tecl mo
same way if he had been with them IN tle wal.
Neither would he question the honesty 3I lneI pc
lief hat Porter was njustly condemned. And yeg
if would look better and be better il they would
not mix up IN tins matter
RrSroNsE FROM JOnN s. WISE.
In The middle of his remarks on tins subject John
s. Wise. of Virginia, and asked MI llorr ~
Weld to him for five minutes, which be did. Mr.
Wise said that this view of the impressed him
so forciblv that hc could not forbcar an Immediate
expression of his approval. lie was one oi thoSo
who fought on the other side. ~ boy OF
seventeen he had taken his place
m the ranks and had fought
and bled for cause lac believed al the time to be
a inst one. This discussion had carried hilh Dark
i'm memory to hat tmc-tO the bloody avenues OF
the WILDERNESS aud the smoke OF Ch1ncellorHlls-,
to the unnumlcred graves OF the heroic tohIeaer-
ate dead he did not believe H. ought TO iak. pai9
I'M the decision of this controversy aud he hoped
that other members who, ike him, had served re tne
Confederate cause would agree with hlm. MI
Wlses speech was heartily chccrcd BY the Repubh-
cans. III a.: ,o,,orLa
Mr.. IIorr resumed and closed Ih7 lemarhs
IN an r,rncst and eloquent protest
aGainst the passage of the bill he dccaled II
adopted would be no yndcailon dS s'5n &r"I ioa o9
fRe Uonsc and when Mr.. Iiolr SAT
down General Slocum after some pe'%hhnlh hirh M Ts
marks. moved an adjournment iH Woion "'s'R s % no
attery,rJ Withdrew and Colonel Noi0Id oil heh-
al tnnk the oor lie. TOO. wasa Union ,odler,