New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-01-19
PLEADING FOR PORTER.
DEBATE ON THE RELIEF BILL IN THR
HOUSE.
GENERAL sLoCUM SUPPORTS TIE MEAsURE-MR.
STEELE AND MR.. LYMAN OPPOSE 1T.

STEELE AND MR.. LYMAN OPPOSE 1T.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrEUyEl
WASHINGTON, Jan. 1s.-The House to-day began
to fight again the second battle Of Bull Run,
and there is every indication that this engagement
will last longer than the battle; the casualties may
not be so numerous, but the combat promises to be
almost as noisy. The debate was opened by Gen.
eral Slocum. When General SOcum was cadet at
West Point, Fitz John Porter was his instructor,
and they served together at every battlefield
of the Army of the Potomac from the
beginning down to the day Of Porters
arrest. General Socum has a high admira-
ton for the abilities of his former teacher
and comrade, as well as deep personal affec-
tion for him. His personal feelings are therefore
warmly enlisted in Porters behalf, and they gave
the keynote to his speech to-day. He drew strong
picture of the circumstances and influences which
surrounded the cOurt-martia and of the long and
unremittmg struggle of Porter during the last
twenty years to obtain what General Socum firmly
believes he descrves-restOraiOn 10 the Army. Cen
era Slocum sharply criticised the of General
Ialleck, who was he said, Porters real accuser,
and who ordered the court, which he maintained
was therefore illegally constituted
In one respect General SlOcum's speech was un-
fortunate and it undoubtedly cost the bill num-
ber of votes. He distinctly said that he "cast no
aspersionp on the cOurt-martal, but he added
that under the circumstances the result
was foregone conclusion" This express
sou was followed by other animadyerslons
upon the court which will be resented,
when the vote is taken, by number of Representa-
tives who had about made up their minds 10 vote
for the bill as an act of cemency and not because
they had become convinced Of General Porte's Ia
nOcence.
MIR. STEELE OPPOSES THE BILL.
The second speech was against the bill. Colonel
Steele of Indiana, was an officer OF volunteer, dur
ing the war and of the regular army aiterward
until 1879, and he thoroughly understands the
rigorous requirements of military discipline
and the paramount necessity of strict obedience
to orders He has given the Fitz John Porter case
long and careful study and patient investigation,
and he earnestly believes that Porters offence mer-
tied at least all the punishment it has received.
His speech was clear. comprehensive and vigorous,
and 1t received the careful attention Of the House.
The last speech of the day was by Colonel
LYMAN of Massachusetts,, who served
throughout the as an aid on
Meade's staff. Colonel Lyman sketched the battle
field on the floor of the House by imaginary lines
and brought into position the forces OF Jackson,
Longstreet and Porter and described their ma
npuvros on the the two fateful days which ended
in Porter's disgrace His description Of the move
ments was a graphic one and he gave many OF
his auditors more intelligent idea of the battle
field than they ever berore Possessed. Colonel
Lyman pleaded in behalf OF Porter the dis
cretion which as corps commander he
had right to exercise and which he
used after consultation with his division COM
manders in delaying his march one hour under
Pope's first order. He also cOntended that, even If
Porter did disobey the order, no harm came of it,
| for when his troops did arrive at the place to
which they had been ordered, they found no enemy
before them and therefore Porter deserved no
| more than a reprmand."
As to the famous "4:30 order" Colonel Lyman
maintained, first, that Pope was at fault
in giving it, for the conditions were not such as 1t
presupposed; and second that when Porter re-
ceived it, it impossible of execution, for he >
instead of being Oh Jackson's unguarded flank, was
actually confronted by Longstreet with force
double his own, which was thereby outaanked,
while Longstreet's line was joined to Jackson's
flank which Pope supposed to be unprotected
Colonel Lyman said that it was impossible for the
House to sift and weigh tire detalsnvOlyed and that
it must therefore accept the conclusions either OF
the cOur-martia which convicted Porter or or the
board of inquiry appointed by President Hayes TO
investigate the ease OF these TWO tribunals-a
hasty court-martial, sitting IN time OF great pub
lie excitement, or board sitting SIX months IN the
quiet days of peace, with all the old testimony and
much new evidence before it he could not hesi-
tate to accept the conclusions of the latter
INTEREST SHOWN BY SPECTATORS.
General Joseph E. Johnston is deeply interested
in Porters behalf and his erect, sodery figure was
seen moving about the House all day. In one of the
galleries sat q gray-hared man intently watching
the debate, who was pointed out to many as Fitz
John Porter.
The galleries were we'll filed throughout the af-
ternoon by spectators, who seemed to be deeply IN
| terested in the discussion.
Probably in no case before in the history of Con-
| gre.s have so many and powerful influences, both
social and political, been brought to bear in mans
favor as in this one. At a rather early hour the
Democratic side of the House thnned out, as many
went home TO prepare for the journey to Phllade-
phia to attend the love feast of the Commonwealth
| Club. me-,
Some of the Southern men declare that the FitZ
| John Porter case has become a great BORE"
| TOO much time has been wasted on this case
already" said an impatient SOutherner today. liz
men had shot Fitz John Porter or II the lanKeS
| Government had shot him, 10 would have been all
one to him and valuable time would not have to DO
wasted on this never-ending struggle -
Before the House adjourned General Slo-
cum said that, as about twenty-five men
| desired to speak on the bill, be would
ask unanimous consent TO have a session " for de:
bate only" Tomorrow The consent was gwen ana
a dozen men, more less, will therefore 20 70 the
House tomorrow and engage in the unprohtable
business OF reading 10 empty chairs ana deserted
solemn pages Of The Rec0rd and then read by no.
body. . Am -.
There is prospect that before the bill gets
10 a vote an amendment will be offered providing
tor the placing of General Grant the retired list
When a vote is reached the bill will undoubtedly
pass the House.
-srtpt aTV