The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-01-19
xLvurush CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON. January is, 1884.


recommending immediate action. az the
situation OF the party must now be most
pprilous. Also. a correspondence relating
10 the execution OF the characterization
act. as asked for by the Senate in resolu-
ton OF the eth instant.
All 1885 the Senate went into executive
session.
when the doors were re0pened at i:35
the Senate adjourned.
While I'm executive session the Senate
rejected the Mexican treaty, the vote being
80 yeas to 20 nays not the necessary two
thirds voting In the affirmative.
Before the result was announced Sena-
tor Morgan changed his vote, making the
result 81 yeas to 81 NAYS. Senator Morgan
then made motion TO reconsider, pending
which the executive session closed.
During the debate preceding the vote on
the Mexican treaty motion was made and
carried amending the treaty by extending
the time six months within which 1t shall
be ratified.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE
Mr.. Slocum. of New York. asked unani-
nous consent that to-moTrow's session he
set apart for debate only on Fitz John Por-
ter.
Mr.. Reed, OF Maine, objected.
Mr.. Brumm. Of Pennsylvania, offered q
resolution. which was referred to the Com
mittee on Foreign Affairs, instructlng that
committee 10 make inquiry as 10 whether
any foreign minister accredited to the
United States has endeavored to nullify the
effects OF the unanimous resolution OF this
House by representations rejecting on the
1, ,,,ta of lie NeV
Mr.. Slocum, OF New York. moved to dis
pense with the morning hour, and though
there was general opposition on the Re-
publican side the motion secured the requi-
site two-thirds vote-15S to IS.
The House then. at 1880, went into
Committee Of the Whole on the private
calendar-Mr. Springer, OF Illinois. in the
chair-the first bill being that for the relief
of Fitz John Porter.
The report Of the majority and the views
Of the minority were read. During the
reading OF the latter Mr.. Steele. Of Indiana,
complained that the order Of the House re-
curing both reports to he printed together
had not been carried out, and that the
minority report could not be obtained at
The dOcument-room.
Mr.. Slocum called attention to the fact
that the majority report had been printed
long before the views Of the minority were
presented. Nobody was TO blame because
they were not printed together.
The Chair declared that the debate was
out Of order, and the reading was con-
tinued.
At its conclusion Mr.. Slocum proceeded
TO speak in support OF the Bill. He would
not 90 INTO a technical discussion OF the
evidence presented to the court-martill,
for Congress was not 4 court OF appeal.
The proper court Of appeal was the Board
appointed by the President to review the
case. and its decision should be final. III
any gentleman desired a clear, concise con-
ception of the case, he could find il in 4 few
pointed and comprehensive sentences ut
tered BY General Grant. He drew Il pic
ture OF the excitement which existed at
the time OF Porter's trial, and, without
casting any aspersiOn on the court, declared
that the result was foregone conclusion.
Up TO the hour Of his arrest there had not
been a stain on Porter's escutcheon, but in
a time OF intense excitement, when mems
passions usurped their reason, his brilliant
reputation was no shield. For twenty
long years that man had suffered rs even
worse criminals seldom were compelled to
suffer, but to-day FitZ-John Porter, no
matter what the action OF Congress would
be, stood before the world fully yindicated.
No. not indicated. but awarded the high
est need OF praise Ey the most eminent
authority OF the country. The
same men who had ruined Porter had
struck deadly blow at Sherman; and at Il
review of the Union army General Sher-
To- = 70 bo
of War because he had attempted TO throw
disgrace upOn him. 1t was his (Slocum's)
firm belief that had not the war closed Us
il had Sherman's name would have been
placed side by side with that OF Porter.
Mr.. Slocum's speech was listened to at
tenlively throughout, and at It's conclusion
he was warmly applauded.
Mr.. Steele. OF Indiana, followed with a
speech in opposition to the bill. lie said
Mr.. Slocum had not addressed himself at
Ill to the merits OF the case, but had aD-
Dcaled TO the SympatlIies OF the House. In
he course OF his remarks he said Porter
rad declined to obey orders, because he
aid that il he moved his men III as or
Tered he would have to fight; to which
Mcdowell had replied, "That is what we
,ame here for"
Mr.. Maginni>, of Montana. inquired
Why. if Mcdowell wanted to fight, he did
lot do so.
Mr.. Calkins, of Indiana. replied that that
vas Just what he did.
Both these gentlemen spoke in al eX-
tied manner. and several other members
jumping to their feet caused great confu- |
ion in the committee for some moments !
nd drowned the voices of the debaters.
Continuing, Mr. Steele said that he did |
lot wish to reflect upon the gentlemen who |
Omposed the Board OF Review, but he |
laimed that they did not constitute legal !
Constitutional court, and that under the !
avs of New York they were liable to trial |
Or assuming judicial functions. Referring |
D the organization OF the Board he said |
hat Senator Randolph had obtained list |
I the names OF the persons selected, sent |
TO Wizards Hotel, and submitted it to !
entIemen there TO know whether it was
satisfactory or not. General Schofield |
iould have liked to get the nomination
Dr. the presidency, and Randolph carried
and New Jersey in his
reecheS- pocket.
Mr.. Rosecrans inquired what the gentle
ian had said.
MI. steele: II say l1dt His iIiehus uli-
erstood and the country understood, and
ne gentleman himself understood. that
chofleld would like to be tickled with the
Mr.. Rosecrans II understood no such
ling."
After speech from Mr.. Lyman. OF Mas
lchusetts, in support Of the bill, the COM
littee rose and the House agreed TO hold
session tomorrow for debate only on the
itz-Jobn Porter bill.
A note from the Speaker announced bis
Dpolntment OF Mr.. Cox, OF New York, to
It as speaker pro tempore tomorrow, and
len the House adjourned.