Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-01-28
FORTYEIGHTR CONGRESS.
First Session.
HOUSE.

The Speaker laid before the House me
credentials Of p. W. Rockwell, a. q MEMBER
elect from the 18th Massachusetts district
and that gentleman appeared at the bar OF
the House and took the oath Of ONCE.
MIR. Hatch of Mo-, from the committee on
Agriculture, reported bill for the estAo-
iishment Of bureau of animal iidustry, 70
prevent tine expectation of diseased eatuie
and to provide means for the suppression and
extirpation of pieuro pneumonia ana o'ner
contagious diseases among domestic anillAis-
Printed and recUmmtted-
The House then at 1910 vent into COM
mItree On the whole on the Fitz John Porter
bill.
Mr.. Follett Of Ohio, hoped that the ques-
ton would not be discussed as political one
IL was not treason against the government
that Porter was charged with, but treason
against Pope. therefore the House was to be
divided in considering question involving
the character and rights of an American Cit
liens into partzans of Pope and Porter.
Mr. Milliken of Maine inquired if Pope
had not been unnecessarily attacked by For
ter's friends and if his defence had not been
caused By the fact that the gentlemen who
were defending Porter could not do so with
out attempting TO asperse the character OF
other men, who, whatever might have been
their ability in war, fought faithfully under
the flag of their country, and never had the
taunt OF treason cast upon them.
Mr.. Foilett replied that he for one would
not atrack the character Of Pope. He did
not propose TO say of Pope that he had not
said of himself. On the contrary he pro-
proposed to confine himself to the record for
he knew nothing OF the case outside the
record. He then passed on to a review of
the evidence in the case and concluded from
il that Porter acted under a wise discrimina-
ton in his action of the 29th of August. 1t
was charged and charged solely for the pur-
pose of accomplishing an object that Porter
came to the House TO present his claim to
body composed in part of men who were
once in rebellion against the laws and gov
eminent Of the United States. These men
were here entitled to the same right, same
privileges and the same immunities that every
other citizen is entitled. He for one could
not as an Ameriran citizen seek every Op-
portunity that he could find to smack in the
face men who were as loyal and true as any
man over whom the flag of our country Heated.
If there were any men on the floor who were
capable of passing impartial on the merits
of this CONTROVERSY, they were men who had
not had their prejudice, passion or feelings
aroused in any way by personal antagonism
between two men, one of whom occupied a
conspicuous position in the army of the
North. applause on tine democratic SIDE
Mr. Belford of Colorado, said he had cour-
age and boldness to do what was just with
out regard to any prejudice which exist.
Gen. Grant was the greatest soldier who had
appeared since the the time of Julius Caesar,
Pompei was conquered. Hannibal was con-
quered. Napoleon was conquered. but Grant
never lost battle and Gen {Grant had fully
examined this case and said that injustice had
been done to Gen. Porter. He proposed to
bury the prejudices of the past and do justice
to a man whom the greatest general on the
face of the earth declared to be wronged and
outraged. He would follow Grants judg-
ment against that of captains and colonies
of the militia. daughter and applause.)
Mr.. Horr Of Michigan, presented, as he
said, the theory of mnn who said at home,
in regard to the Fitz John Porter case, and
denied that the trial had been ordered in
obedience to the clamor of those fellows.
The trouble it'll Fitz John Porter was that
he became disgruntled, that he refused to
give Pope support He ought to have done
it. 1t was contended that there was no sufficient
motive assigned for POrter's action and that
therefore he had not wilfully disobeyed or
ders. why? Most of the disobedience in
the army was due to jealousy among the Off
GERS. Take the House of Representatives
for instance, and higher type of humanity
could not be found anywhere. daughter.
In the organization of committee let some
old man in the service be superseded by a
youngster and there would be sulking. There
were some men. however, who did not sulk,
even Benedict Arnold, on the battlefield OF
Saratoga. where he was removed from com
mand through the jealousy of Gates, did moi
sulk, but rode into the fight and stayed there
until he was carried off on litter.
Mr.. Wolford of Kentucky took the floor
in support of the bill, but yielded to motion
that the committee rise and the House at five
o'clock adjourned.