The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1884-02-02
BULL RUN PORTER,
HIS BILL PASSES THE HOUSE.
william Walter Philips aAk.a Strong Speech for
Porter-Gov. Curtia Closes tho D.bat.-rhs
Ill Passed By Nearly Strict rsriy Yoif,
0., Ohiy One Democrat Voting Against II. ''".

WASHINGTON, D. O. February l.-Mr
Dockery introduced bill prohibiting the
removal Of employees OF the House excep
for cause during vacation Of Congress.
The conference asked by tho Senate on
the Gretly relief bill wss agreed to, ant
Randall aud Calkins appointed conierees
The Speaker appointed Els, Holman
and Ryan coniereea on the part oil the
House on the bill sppropriating $4,000 fol
the supper. Of the destitute Indians in
Montana. INE, lnEf h1'
Tha House then went into Committee O.
the Whole, Mr.. Springer III the chair, on
the Filz John Porter bill. -. >,
Mr.. Woltord spoke in support Of the bill
Mr. Phelps spoke in favor OF the bill,
and in regard 10 Gen. Gartields connection
with the matter ho read joint resolution
introduced by him for tho appointment d
~ board Of review, aud stated that he had
private letters from that gentleman which
he cou!d twist in!o aa approval OF this bill
as other gentlemen had twisted private let.
ters into u disappIoval ofit.
Porter bad his faults, but was not gl,iliy
OF treason. II members forget that wound
in Mexico, let them not forget the 30th oil
August, 1862, when he got an order that
was sent'in time, when the Fifth army
corps went into battle with Porter at its
head, when they marched ''into the laws
Of deats, into the gates Of hell" That was
magnificent and that also IVES war. ZAP.
plauae on the Democratic side.) @'1~--''r
Mr.. Converse offered an amendment
making Filz John Porter's retirement coin.
pulsory. This was agreed upon in com.
mittee, but subsequently, reversed by the
HOUSE. The committee roso and the bill
was ordered engrossed and read third
time.
Mr. Curtin then took the floor to close
tho debate. He knew Porter we'll, aud il
the beginning Of the war that General WAS
q most enlightened and ardent advocate OF
military discipline. The record would
show that tho first citizsns who asked for
redress OF his wrongs we're Horace Greeley,
Henry Wilson and himself. Certainly the
fidelity o! those persons to the Union could
not be questioned. He was pained to hear
q distinguished member Of tie House
kelfer) over aud over again say that Por.
ter was d coward. Before God be never
knew Porter who was fool or COW ard,
(Applause.) Hs had never before come
acroEs man WHO had the temerity to say
that Porter was q coward and be never
would hear 1t again.
He gave an interesting history OF the
movements OF the Army OF tho Potomac.
Nsurly every member Of the House stood
in y circle around him and frequently
applauded his remarks. Referring to the
fac. that Mr. Calcheon eliminated IRON the
record bis impu.ntion upon General Grant,
hecdngra!u!ated TINT gentleman on his good
taste, and that between the delivery OF the
speech and the publication he had time
70 repent. He criticised the speech Of
Horr, for It's expression OF opinion that no
ex-Conledera,e should vote upon The bill,
and took it Tor granted that men who wsre
In error, but in tho belief that they were
right had fought in q great war, v ere better
men than quartermasIcrs, paymas!ers, sul-
lers aud con,rac,ors. Laughter.) 5si'N
In brilliant peroralion, which was
warmly applauded, he appealed to tbs
House to do justice 10 wronged man, and
at the conclusion Of bis speech was heartily
congratulated by his parry friends.
The bill then ,ss:ed by lS4 10 7S..
The following Republicans voted f,r the
bill: Messrs. Bayne, Bnrlejsb, Harmer,
Haynes, James, kean, Lslrd, long, ~ Hara,
Phelps, Poland, Ranuey, Ray, Rockwell,
Smith, Stewart. Mr.. CONVERGE, Of Ohio,
was the only Democrat who voted agains.
It. General GoH and every Republican
member from Onio, voted against it. y