Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-03-13
FORTY-EIGHVH CONGRBSS.
First Ression.
sen ATE.

Mr. jackson submitted joint resolution
providing tor the submission to the States of
a constitutlonai amendment making the pres
ioehtiai term six years, and making the
president ineligible 10 reelection. Ii was re-
ierred to the committee on judiciary. The
Senate took up for consideration the House
pieuro pneumonia bill.
Mr. Cook spoke strongly against the bill
In Its present shape, as il included all COM
nunlcable diseases whatever, which he said
would place all OF the cattle Of Virginia at
the mercy of the commissioner of agriculture
The bill went over. and the Senate took up
the bill for the relief of Fitz John Porter
hr. Sewall addressed the Senate on the
bill.
He gave history OF the case, eulogizing
members of the advisory board which de-
ciared the sentence of the court martial in
ficted on Gen. Porter in 1868, was founded
on error and in ignorance of the real facts,
and that so far from his conduct deserving
condemnation, it merited praise. Convic-
tions were supplemented by the judgment
of the ablest general of the army, late at its
head and President of the United States,
(Gen. Grant, who, after months of labor,
confirmed the conclusion of that board. Mr..
Sewall sent to the clerks desk and had read
an articles of Gen. Grants in The North
American Review, entitled An Undeserved
Stigma" and letters of Grant, Gen. Terry
and Gen. Walker on the subject of injustice
to Porter by the court martial. Mr.. Sewall
concluded as follows: Il am interested. Mr.
President, in the case of Fitz John Porter,
because served in the army of the Potomac
during the entire period he was connected
with it, From its formation as a soldier
am interested for the honor and integrity and
dtapt ptt,lt nt tlaa tAI Co.
the honor of our government and the sense
of the justice of the people, and to see that
no stain rest upon them by the failure of
their representatives to right wrong recog-
nlZed by the government and demanded by
our countrymen through an almost united
public press"
Mr.. Wilson followed He said an order
was issued to Porter by a commanding officer,
which order Gen. Porter had not obeyed.
The fact was that there had been disobedience
and there had been disaster. Whether or
not the disaster was due to disobedience
could not be demonstrated. The questions
before the Senate was as to the duty of a
military officer to obey lawful order. That
duty was met here by the alleged right to
the exercise of discretion. An affirmance by
the Senate of duty would defeat the bill.
A declaration of the right to exercise discre-
ton would pass the bill. No man doubted
Porter's ability as soldier, or his knowl-
edge of law, yet he had assumed the discre-
ton belonging to no one but his superior, well
knowing the assumption of such discretion
would put an end to military organization.
Had there not been here such disobedience
as might have been punished with death
Discretion had no place in military law. If
Congress desired to invite wide spread insu
bordination in the army it had only to pass
this bill.
Mr.. Manderson took the floor, but on sug-
gestion of Mr.. Logan gave way to the mo-
ton that the Senate go into executive ses-
sion, Mr.. Logan saying he thought the Sen
ate could get through with the bill tomor-
row, if the debate should begin early.
An original bill to provide for an aseer-
tainment of the claims of American citizens
for spoiliation committed by the French
prior to July 81, 1901, was reported favora-
blv from the committee and placed on the
calendar.
The Senate then went into executive ses-
sion and afterwards adjourned.
HOUSE.
The morning hour having been dispensed
with, the House at l.. % went into a commit
tee of the whole, Mr.. Buckner of Missouri
in the chair, on the postotfice bill.
The pending amendment was that offered
by Mr. Horr of Michigan, increasing from
$40, ,5O0. 900 to SIP. .250, 600 the appropriation
for the compensation of pOstmasters.
After remarks BY Mr.. Belford of Col. and
Mr., Townshend of Ills the amendment was
lost, a to 50.
Mr.. Davis of Ills, moved to strike out the
clause limiting the salaries of postmasters to
$4,000.
Mr.. Holman of Ind, offered an amend
ment fixing the salary OF the postmaster at
New York at $4,000.
Mr.. Money of Miss, chairman of the post
office committee, advocated the Davis amend
ment, believing that better service could be
procured by paying reasonable salaries.
Mr.. Morse OF Mass. opposed the reduction
of salaries, and stated that when the office at
Boston was vacant there were only five ap-
plcants for the position on account of the
small salary and the large bonds required
He had Just refused to go on the bond of his
postmaster.
Mr.. Dunn of Ark, asked whether he
he would gone on the same mans if the
salary had been larger.
Mr.. Morse replied he would have done so
most decidedly. The idea of cutting the
salary of that officer was farcical.
Mr. Brigham of Penn, opposed the pro-
posed limitation of salary and iptimated that
Mr. Holmans proposition to except New
York was made because of knowledge that if
that were not done he could not carry his
side of the House with him.
Mr.. Horr inquired whether Holmans fav-
oring New York did not arise from the fact
that New York was the home of the 'Sun
which had just published his picture to the
country.
Mr., Holman's amendmen was rejected,
the opponents of the limitation clause all
voting against it.
A motion to strike out the limitation clause
was agreed to; III to 45. This leaves the
salaries as at present.
Mr.. Horr moved to increase the approp'
riations for clerks in post offices by sl25,OoO
lost 71 to Ill.
Mr.. skinner of New York offered an
amendment, increasing by 100000 the ap-
preparation for the payment of letter carriers.
Pending the action the committee rose and