Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-02-02
The Debate on the FIrz John Porter Bill.


WAsHISGToN, February 1st.-The long de-
bate over the Fitz Jthn Porter relief bill
came 10 an end this evening The national
exhibition to-day was more animated than on
any previous day of the debate, and under
the direction OF General Slocum, who cut
loDg-winded orators short by insisting on g
vote TO night, things became quite warm be-
fore the end was reached. Heretofore the
Democratic members have contented them
selves with listening. To-day some of them
began to ask the speakers on the other side
troublesome questions General Woolford,
late Colonel Of the First Kentucky Nolun-
teers, opened for Porter, in which he testi-
fed his respect for the ConfeGera
around him by saying that they were
good ightsrB, and better qualified to pass en-
Porter's case than Horr, of Michigan, who
had stayed at home. Calkins, of Indiana,
followed against the bill, making quite
sensation by statement in his peroration
that if the House passed the bill 1.-The people
will reverse your decision and spit upon you" p"
Several members thus threatened warmly
Congratulated Calkins on the conclusion of
his speech William Walter Phelps next
occupied an hour defending Porter. His rt-
marks were listened to throughout with
marked attention, end when he made The
point that of all those accused of disioyalty,
some of whom had openly attempted to de-
stroy the Union, Porter was the last who had
not been forgiven, aud readmitted to
the good opinion of mankind,
he was greeted with prolonged
applause. Phelps produced the originals of
several letters. among them one from Reverdy
Johnson and Edward Everett. iu which the
opinion was expressed that Porter had been
unjustly convicted These were passed
around among the members. Along towards
o'clock Henley of California obtained the
floor for ten minutes. He devoted himself
especially to the efforts of members on the
Republican side to explain away General
Grants position on POrter's case. He said
he had heari The gentleman frsm Michigan
tCutcbeon) severely criticiss Grant but he
had read his speech as published in the
Record in vain for the remarks. Therefore
he did not know whether the slurs cast on
Grant by Cutcheon would ever see the light
This reference to a Congressional weakness
for garbliug the records brought down the
house. Cutcheon charged up and down the
aisle and shouted for recognition but the
uproar continued. He finally sailed into tne
c,osk-room, and Henley finished. Half an
hour afterwards Cutcheon returned, and got
the floor. He began to explain his attitude
on the Grant letter, when Henley interrupted
with the question, " If he (Cutcheol) was so
anxious to let the world know how he stood,
Why he ba1 eliminated tnRt part OF his re-
marks from the records Roars OF laughter
and applause followed. Cutcheons answer
was, Because | wanted to" The truth is
understood to be that leading Republicans
advised him to eliminate the remarks, as they
were vary bitter. and liable to involve Clutch.
con in future trouble. Henley's assault on
the week point in the Republican argument
is likely to keep several on that side of the
House explaining 10 other places. General
SIocum's psrsisteuoY in forcing a vote has
taken this intsrminabls case off the private
calendar, which it has blocked for over q
month.
Newmanites and ARtl-SewmanItes
NEW YoRK, February lst.-The scenes in
DR.. Newmsn's church, as reported in all the
morning papers, were q repetition of the
former stormy proceedings between the New
man partissns and their opponents. with JAN
ney at the head. At least one-halt of the
people in the room were standing, and
dozen people were endeavoring to make
themselves heard. \ stalwsrt Young man
with flushed face waved his srns in the air
and shouted vehemeutly, ami white.haired
quiet sni harmony. The excitement was IT,
tense, and the effect on the feminine eIe-
ment, which constituted fully one-half the
ssssmblsge, was strangely stimulating
Some of the younger women used their voices
freely. aud WED with the men in tbs earnest
ness % their expressions. Ia order to test
the sense Of the meeting, s motion was made
that all who desired Newman 20 remain as
permanent pss.or would resp5nd AYE" An
Affirmative shout that put 10 shame all tie