The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-02-02
PORTER'S YINplCATION.
OF THE SENTENCE OF
The CoURr.MARrIAL.
W "'' 'assed by the Honsc or Representa-.
yves oy Vote OF ISL to 7s-spirlted Speech
es on Both Stdes

LOT Ag r..
: So, rom the Attorney General asking
~. an increase OF clerical force In the De-
partment OF Justice. Referred.
,n "I' Dockery, Of Missouri, introduced a
p,'i pfoniDiting the removal OF employees
v. 'uc rouse. except for cause, during the
'aeatioh OF Congress. Referred.
J a@o resolution amending the rules so
!" 10 make similar provisions. Referred.
on iiiouoh OF Mr.. Randall, OF Pennsyl-
sania' the further conference asked by the
senate on the Greedy relief bill was agreed
. W, ana sieSsrs. Randall and Calkins were
appointed rs conferees.
Inc speaker appointed Messrs. Ellis,
Holman, and Ryan as conferees on the part
OF tne House on the bill approprating
in Montana.
Inc morning hour having been dis
pcnsed With. the House at l2:45 went into
committee OF the Whole, Mr.. Springer, OF
ll'lnois, In the chair, on the Fitz-John
lorter resolution, general debate beng
limited to three hours and forty-fye min
utes.
Mr.. Wolford, OF Kentucky, resumed his
argument, begun last Saturday, in support
OF the bill. lie criticised the speech made
by MI. Horr, Of Michigan, lectlIring cX-
ConIederates for voting upon this bill (:
that the gentleman had said that ex-Con-
federates had no right to vote upon this
proposition.
Mr.. Horn shook his head. Mr.. Wolford
said that he was glad he misunderstood the
gentleman. He had understood him to say
that as Porter's conduct had helped the
ex-ConfcderateS they were interested, and
had no right TO vote.
Mr.. Horn explained that he had argued
that good faith should prevent them from
doing so.
Mr.. Wolford was happy TO hear that it
was only a lecture on faith. The gentle
man bad assumed that eX-Coniederates
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-Couicd-
crates II, like himself. he had been in front,
and he would not have attempted to scare
them upon a question OF faith. He re-
GREETED that in this Congress the gentle
man had expressed such sentiments. He
had thought that eX-Confedelates were
here as members OF the American Con-
gress, with tho right and duty to
vote on every question. He hoped
that no man who had served in
the Confederate army had got so
mad over the fight that after
twenty years lie could not do an act Of
| Justice 10 a man who had fought against
/ him. He hoped that no man would get up
and say, Il can't vote on this DILL am
interestcd; | am still mad" He under
stood that his Confederats friends were
here loving the flag and loving the coun-
/ try: that they were here saying to-day and
| forever they had left behind them the Bit
ter feelings engendered by the war and
everything that divided the country.
Were men forever TO stand and quarrel
over old issues: Let Congress go forward
and say that it is ready to do justice to
wronged and injured man.
Mr.. Milliken. Of Maine, inquired whether
he was to understand that the gentleman
asked members to vote for the relief of
Porter as an act OF cancellation to his Con-
federate friends. II it was asked on that
ground he would vote for his relief.
Mr.. Woliord 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 alon2-iniured man. APP
plause on the Democratic side.]
Mr.. Wolford passed on to Il review Of
the case, and was frequently applauded by
members who collected around him in the
centre aisle; but his remarks were at
times so low as TO be inaudible.
Mr.. Calkins. Of Indiana, began his argu-
ment in opposition 10 the bill BY the state
ment that lie knew there was no doubt
about its passage.
Mr.. William Walter Phelps. OF New
Jersey Republicqn), who represents the
district in which Porter lives. spoke at
length in favor OF the bill. Speaking for
the one most interested, he expressed his
regret that any unkind illusions to the
dead or living had been made in the
course of this discussion. In the
long pursuit of justice. Porter him
self had never made any imputation
on those who impeded him in the
pursuit, and he must not be held
responsible for any unkind illusions
which bad been made on tins floor. either
by those friendly to the bill or those who
were opposed to it. Let all those illusions
he eliminated from the debate, and let the
case stand upon its own merits. He spoke
for Porter because he was his constituent
and because it was his duty. Ii was also
his pleasure and his pride, because he
believed Porter 10 be an honest man and
loyal soldier. 1.-The mills of the gods
grind slowly" II was twenty-one years
a.o Monday OF last week since the last
Signature was put upon the verdict OF the
military Jury which drove him out OF the
army and made him leper whom his own
Government could not touch with an Office |
OF profit or trust. This verdict awarded |
him such inIamy that for the time Iscariot !
and Arnold were his only competitors.
Mir. Boutele, OF Maine, protested against I
the passage Of the bill, and denied that it |
was the unanimous desire OF the men who !
fought under Porter to have him cinstated !
to the armv.
Then a number Of short speeches were
made. all but two beng IN opposition TO
the bill, the exceptions being Mr.. Laird, OF
Nebraska, who served under Porter, and !
made an eloquent appeal for his old COM
mander, and Mr.. Henley, Of California, |
who criticised the action OF Mr.. Cutcheon. |
OF Michigan. in casting lnputations upon |
General Grant and then striking them out !
OF the Record.
In reply, Mr.. Cutchcon expressed his |
high appreciation for the high military !
abilities Of Gen. Grant. but being prc sse !
bv Mr.. Henley with the question, Why /,
did you strike out your remarks?" was !
compelled TO admit that he left them out !
because he wanted TO, an admission which |
caused much merriment.
Mr.. Steele, of Indiana, moved TO strike !
out the name OF Fitz John Porter and in
sert that OF Walb b. Burnett. Rejected. |
Mr.. Calllins, Of Indiana, offered sub |
stitute providing for the converting OF a
new court-martial TO review the case. Lost. !
Mr.. Converse, OF Ohio, offered an amend |
ment making Fitz John Porter's retire
ment compulsory. This was agreed to in !
tine committee, but this action was subse- |
oueutlv reversed by the House.