The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1884-07-10
THE WORK OF CONGRESS-.
What Il Being Done BY tho National
Legislature.


Legislature.
Bills were reported to the Senate on the
soth ult., TO forfeit the uncarned land grant OF
the Northern Pacific Road, and for the ercc-
ton Of public building 1t Akron. Ohio. An
adverse report was made on the bill to
grant ptibtic lands 10 the Survivors OF
the Mountain Meadow. massacre. Mr.. Cameron
called uij resolution to discharge the Finance
b,ii for the retirement and reeoinase Of trade
dollars. but II was voted down. The river and
harbor bill was taken up, and several amend
st were Q, hous ~ JOIN,
appropriations for five days from June 30.
President Arthur sent to the Senate the name OF
x;;coneres.man Henry s. Neal q Ohio ;, g p. be
resentAtives, Mr.. King introduced a-bill appro-
prtating. 100000 to prevent the introduc-
ton Of cholera into the United States.
bridge At st. Paul and the disposition OF
useless military reservations were agreed
70. The Committee on Elections made report
Representative at-large from Virginia. The for
LITIGATION bill was discussed. Messrs. Horr.
Finerty. and Dorshcimer favored the majority
man and Foilett made speeches on the opposits
hide No action was taken.
THE river and harbor bill passed the Sen.
ate on the list inst The bill as passed by the
Senate appropratcs $l3,5s4;7oO. As 1t lett the
House 1t provided for an appropriation Of ti2,-
oss.2oo. Bills were also passed to provide fof
branch Of the Soldiers Home west of the Mis-
sissippi; for the relief OF soldiers improperly
cha, eed with deser,ion, and to grant pension Of
$50 per month to the widow of Gen. James b.
Stecdman. IL was agreed to refer to the Com
mttee on Finance resolutions for the redemp-
ton Of 10000 goo trade dollgrs and for an inyes-
York. In the House Ut Representatives. the
Conference Committee on the naval approprta-
ton bill announced its inability to aarce, OBJ
cruisers and to continue work on the
monitors. The House voted to insist on
its disagreement on both OF these ques-
The Conference Committee on the postoffice
appropriation bin reported failure to agree on
the items OF railway mail clerks and for compen..
to rccedc and accept the Senates decision The
fertilization bill was discussed in the House
again, Mi. Randall offered 4 bill embodying the
substitute this for the bill reported by the ma
jority. the House adjourned.
THE Senate passed the sundry civil appro-
priation bill on the I'd inst, after striking out
the clause providing salaries instead OF fees for
Of $50 to 81. adopted the Notifications bin recon-
which considered the measure. II appropriates
$4,000. The majority recommended bin APP
propriating Ass0o,00c. The President sent TO
the House message vetOing the bill for the re.
lief Of Fitz John Porter the Attorney General
House, on motion Of Mr.. slocum, OF New York,
Immediately passed the measure over the presis
dents veto by los to rs. The President, In his
ney General regarding the constitutionality Of
causes that deter me from giving this
as 4 shs 81 which
than twenty years since Gen. Fitz John Porter
was tried and convicted, was pronounced by 9
Ct n and
tigation Of the charges IT which IL found the
accused guilty, was thorough aud conscientious,
and its findings and sentence IN due course n. O.
dent OF the United States. Its legal compe.
tency, its jurisdiction OF the accused and
Of the subjects Of q. accusation ,s the sub
matters which have never been brought In ques-
ton Its JUDGMENT, therefore. 10 final and con.
elusive In It's character. The supreme Court OF
&C urt martial such as this was, rs the organism
provided by law and clothed with the duty Of
administering justice In this class Of cases. Its
basis aud are surrounded by the same consid-
crations which give conclusiveness to the judg.
mcnts OF other tribunals, including as well
lows accordingly that when a lawfully
constitutcd-court martial has duly declared its
findings andits sentence and the same has been
gress has any power to set them aside. The ex-
istcncc OF such power is not openly asserted
nor perhaps is II necessarily implied IN the
provisions of the bill which is before me, but
when it's enacting clauses are read in the light
of the recitals OF Its preamble 1t will be seen
that 1t seeks In effect . practical annulment OF
the findings and sentenccof competent court
M nj lalatn n
findings has been reached after investigation by
beard consisting of three officers Of the army
This board was not created in pursuance OF any
statutory authority, and was powerless to COM
pel the attendance OF witnesses or to pronounce
Judgment which could be lawfully enforced
The officers who composed il, IN their report e
the Secretary of War, dated March 10, 1879
state that in their opinion Justice requires
such action ~ may be necessary tS
annnl and set aside the findings and sentences
ct the conrt-martial In the case OF Maj. Gen
Fitz.John Porter. and to restore him to the post
ton OF which their sentence deprived him, such
restoration to take effect from the date
visions of the bill now under consideration art
avowedly based on the assumption that tho
findings OF the court stai are found to be er.
roneous. But IL will be borne in mind that thu
inves i4ation which Is claimed to have resulted
In this discovery was made many wears after ths
event to which these findings related and under
duce the evidence on which they were based. l,
seems to me that the proposed legislation woult
establish q dangerous precedent calculated Il
faree and etfee, Of the iassmen,s Of the va
rfous tribunals established under our Constitu
tion and laws ! have already. In the exercis.
81 the rardonnS hewsr WITH which the lIes,
that made It impossible for Fitx John Porter &
hold an office Of trust or profit under the Gov
eminent OF the United States. But ! am nn
| willing To give my sanction to any legislatioi
which shall practically annul and set at nanGh
| the solemn and deliberate conclusions Of tn,
tribunal by which he was convicted, and Of tn,
| President by whom the findings We're examines
and approved.
THE ant.-t h:ncsc bill passed the Senate OF
| the sd inst. by vote OF ~ to H. The Senate
by vote Of 81 to -. failed to PASS the Fitz Johl
Porter bill over the Presidents veto. A resolu
| ton was adopted for an inquiry into the a ba
| city of the stce-rroducing works In the Unite,
States and the tools In the navy-yards to furnisl
outfits for new vessels or gums for seacoast de
lenses; The bill to forfeit nnearned lands grant
cd TO the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad was pass
| ed. with an amendment to refer to the court
| the question OF title after forfeiture
In the House Of Representatives, the select com
| was not guilty OF breach Of privilege, while
minority declare that he .obbied OH the floor II
the interest OF his son. The House refused :
cation appropriation hill. and appointed ne,
| conferrees. An attempt TO pass the Mexica
| PENSION blu was followed by the loss OF
i quorum.
BILLS to pension the widow of Gen. Ord. to ID
crease the allowance to Mrs Frank p. Blair, an
TO authorize the retirement of Gen. Averill wit
the rank of Colonel passed the Senate on the It
inst. The conferrees on the deficiency appro
priation bill were reappointed, As tha Senate in
| sisted on its amendments. The posts
telegraph bill was postponed for the session
| The House OF Representatives resumed consid
Grafton OF the Mexican pension bin; and as