New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-03-13
THE FITZ JOHN PORTER BILL
DEBATE IN AN ALMOST EMPTY CHAMBER
FEW SENATORS INTERESTED IN FoRkGoNh 'o''
Observation-Disclosures GALLERIES
10 TRIBUNf.l

,rv srx.Tops INTERESTED IN FoREGoNE CON-
Observation-Disclosures GALLERIES
my TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuNfl
WASHINGTON March 12.-Nelther the lIiehuS
nor tho opponents ofthe Fitz John Porter he,oI 1
Meet that the discussion which begun in the senate
,aar ord !. likely 10 continue for one or TWO uays
HANGAR will in any way affect single vote Every Sena
for hv this time has probably made up his mhd "nener
he will support the measure or oppose IT, Inc sTee'N
making therefore would seem to be waste OF 'ine.
Tno ARGUMENTS made today Mr.. Sewe In favor ana
nv Mr. wilson against, tho passage OF the Dill only
xcted Temporary and languid interest among sena-
tors especially those the Democratic SIDE iew he
pubicsps paid both speakers the compliment oil tne at
tenon for the entire length Of their discourse By Tar
the greater number however retired to the coaKrOouS
whence their animated conversation and laughter couu
be heard at intervals by the crowded galleries TO whom
these signs OF from Senatorial cares afforded
.ome diversion in the task listening to the monotono1s
voices Of the speakers Hafadozen or more spen1 mn
nifty for paying visit 10 the barber MI Hoaf whV.
Il confidently expected Will vote Tor me reneI I" h TN
John Porter devoted his leisure TO reading novel Wncn
seemed him great deal more interCst ihah tue TO
cita of the events OF August ~ ana 90 ,b n one
OF the sofas in the rear of the chamber, hS :. A.
Sewells voice The faces Of most Democratic senators
expressed impotence al the delay offered Dy tbe hill
presumed TO differ with them TO the merits OF ~
and before half hour had passed IN the r Ave
the measure, there were scarcely more tht nyobcr
remaining In their seats that side OF the ch'h''
TIE SENATORS WHO WERE INTERESTED
rrhore was a small knot Of Senators, however WIN
seemed 10 he paving closest attention 10
that passed Mr. Logan. OF course was loreno' ''iO1
these Early in the discussion he had taken Sed "o
In the middle of the chamber, where ne ieha'noo
6urine the entire debate diligently taking notes and con-
1,,ne huge scrapbook and other material piled up in
front Of him. MI Henderson. who will speak tomorrow
was frequently making suggestions ana hoiunS uui
RED consultations with him. Ex-Governor Nu'on
nso displayed considerable interest in MI wilson's ersu
ment while Messrs Dawes, Frye and Allison prove" ''
all times appreciative listeners.
The galleries were packed long before the time set lot
Che opening OF the discussion had arrived Many were
turned away for OF room. Even the diplomatic gar
iery which ordinarily is vacant, could boast OF ABOUT
dozen occupants amcng them Mrs. McEroy ana Inc VIE
OF the Swiss Minister From another psr Oh te hont
Mrs Logan who IA credited with knowing as nuSn sooI
the Fitz John Porter rs her husband anu WIZ s
ssye s9p s y e% smiled sn as Mr. seven
presented hts arguments IN favor OF the man VINO sne W
ON The oor the chamber the friends and opponents
OF Porter could be seen in greater or lesser Th
different times IN the OF the afternoon lhcIo
were Messrs Curtin and Phelps representing me Gsee
IN favor OF me 6 bsr who listened With appar
emf approval to the remarks Of Senator Wilson
THE CHARACTER OF THE SPEECHES.
Roth sneakers read from manuscript, Nj. Sewell in
.lipshod careless manner and in a tone scarcely
audible in the galleries, While Mr VII
son. whose voice is ordinarily powerful ana
delivery impressive seemed labor under some dsad
nv reason hoarseneSs and inability 70 read MS
IOs Nv the unsteady light which the clouds passing over
the s,vgbt afforded Two O'Clock the hour set IOr
The beginning OF the discussion. At that time the PeurO
ppeumOnia hill under consideration. nuinbeI OF
fepaors wished debate on that measure continued MI
ecwel however insisted proceeding TO the conSid
eraton OF tho special order Mr. Miller OF New.Nork IN
vain pleaded for the prompt disposal OF n!A
Affecting vast interests, ieOpardzed by the 1hIe Con
Cress 10 act before bin designed only to benefit shSI
{ndvidual and which would probably take severe GAYS 3
discussion taken up The friends OF the Porter MI
asked for vote the result OF which23 yeas "a "a NAYS
compelled Mr. Miller withdraw his measure AZ hfeen
infinite, past two the clerk Lad finished the reading 0 the
Porter bill. The galleries which Tor Two
hour. had patiently waited for develop
ineuts settled flown to air OF expectancy,
and Mr. Sewen was to adjust his eyeglasses ana
prppaIe for the delivery Of his speech. Before he had
talked ten minutes the audience became restless, the
chair had 10 rap repeatedly for order and finally the
ookeepeTs kept busy opening the doors for the
people no preferred the fresh mir outside TO the sns
mosphcrC OF the chamber and the remarks OF the New
Jersey senator In the of his speech Mr. Sewell
mad read M the Clerks the article OF General Grant
in me North American entitled IAN CndeseTved Sug-
ma"
Al the close OF Senator Wilson's speech MI Logan re-
marked that he hoped to get through with the case ny
tomorrow. except he added the gentlemen on Ie
other side OF tie House wish 10 Ne heard me Genie
men referred 10 remained silent Their o3Ks OF olei-
sncc however clearly indications OF then purpose
20 pass fhe bill debate no debate. Ihey certainly nave
the reuuisite number OF votes.