Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-02-02
IN THE HOUSE.
Lively Discussion of the Fitz John Por-
ter Bill and its Passaee

Lively Discussion of the Fitz John Por-
ter Bill and its Passage.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.-The Speaker
laid before the House a letter from the
AttOrney-General asking for an increase
of the clerical force in the Department of
Justice. 1t was referred.
Mr.. DOckery, of Missouri, introduced a
bill prohibiting the removal of employees
of the House, except for cause, during the
vacation of Congress. 1t was referred.
And also resolution amending the rules
so as to make similar provision. 1t was
referred.
On motion Of Mr.. Randall, of Pennsyl-
vania, the further conference asked by
the Senate on the Greely relief bill was
agreed to, and Mr.. Randall and MIR. Cal
kins were appointed as cOnferees.
The Speaker appointed Messrs. Ellis,
Holman and Ryan as cOnferees on the part
of the House on the bill appropriating
5000 for the support of destitute Indians
in Montana.
The morning hour having been dis
pensed with the House at 2:45 o'clock went
into committee of the whole, with Mr..
Springer. Of Illinois, in the chair, on the
kitz John Porter bill, the general debate
being limited to three hours and forty-five
minutes.
Nj. Wolford Of Kentucky, resumed his
argument, begun last Saturday, in sup
port of the bill. He criticised the speech
made by Mr.. HOrr, of Michigan, lecturing
ex-COnfederates for voting upon this bill.
That gentleman had said that eX-Con-
federates had no right to vote upon this
proposition.
Mr.. HOrr shook his head.
Mr.. WOlfOrd said that he was clad he
misunderstood the gentleman He had
understood him to say that as Gen.
POrter's conduct had helped the Con-
federates they were interested, and had
no right to vote.
Mr.. Horr explained that he had argued
that good faith should prevent them from
doing 50.
Mr.. WolfOrd was happy to hear that it
was only lecture on faith. The gentle
man had assumed that ex-COnfederates
were interested, and had argued that self
respect should prevent them from taking
part in this debate. The gentleman would
have had more respect for eX-Confeder-
ates ii, like himself, they had been in
front, and he would moi haye attempted
to scare them upon the question Of faith.
He regretted that in this Congress a gem
tleman had expressed such sentiments.
He had thought that eX-COnfederates
were here &c members Of the American
Congress, with the right Grd duty to vote
on every question. He hoped thai no man
who had served in the Confederate army
had got so mad over the fight that after
90 years he could not do an act
of justice to a man who had fought against
him. He hoped that no man would get
up and say, Il can't vote on this bill. L
am interested, am still mad.' He un-
derstOod that his Confederate friends were
here loving the flag, and loving the c0un.
try; that they were here saying to-day and
forever that they had left behind them
the bitter feelings engendered by war, and
everything that divided the country. Were
men forever to stand and quarrel over old
issues? Let Congress - forward and
say that it is ready to do Justice 10 d
wronged and injured man.
Mr.. Milliken. of Maine, inquired wheth-
er he was to understand that the gentle
man asked the members to vote for the
relief of General Porter as an act of con
ciliatiOn to his Confederate friendss If it
was asked on that ground he would vote
for his relief.
Mr.. WOlfOrd replied that he asked it on
the highest grounds ever presented, He
demanded it only as an act of Justice, and
he proposed to demonstrate that it was an
act of justice to a long injured man. ZAP
plause on the Democratic side.
MIR. WOlfOrd passed on to a review of
the case, and was frequently applauded
by members who collected around him
in the centre aisle, but his remarks at
Zines were so low as to be inaudlble.
Mr.. Calkins, c. Indiana, began his ar
gument in opposition to the bill by state
ment thai be knew that there was no
doubt about its passage.
William Walter Phelps. of New Jersey,
the Republican who represents the dis
trict in which Gen. Porter lives, spoke at
lengthfn favor OF the bill. Speaking for
the one most interested, he expressed his
regret that any unkind allusiOns to the
dead or to the living had been made in the
course of this discussion. In the long pur-
suit of justice Gen. Porter himself had
never made any imputation on those who
lmpeded him in the pursuit, and he must
not be held responsible for any unkind al
lusions which had been made on this
floor. either by those friendly to the bill or
those who were opposed to it. Let all those
illusions be eliminated from the debate and
let the case stand upon its own merits.
He spoke for Gen. Porter because he was
his constituent and because it was his
duty. 1t was also his pleasure and his
pride, because he believed Gen Porter to
be an honest man and a loyal soldier.
The mills of the gods grind slowly. 1t
was twenty-One years ago Monday of last
week since the last signature was put
upon the verdict of the military jury