Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-03-14

was then agreed to, but while the doors
were being closed it was discovered that
the preamble to the bill had not been
passed, and motion to secure its imme-
diate passage was made.
Mr.. Edmunds, however, insisted that
the order of the Senate be first executed.
so the doors were closed and Immediately
reopened. The preamble was then passed
by vote of 30 yeas to % nays. During
the vote Mr.. Miller, of New York, ex-
pressed wish to vote. and without OBJ
lection transferred Mr.. Camden's pair to
Blr. Aldrich, who was now ABSENT Mr.,
Miller then voted before the preamble was
passed.
Mr.. Hawley expressed the hope that the
majority would spare the Senate from a
vote annulling the decision of the court
martial, which was as lawfully cOnsti-
tuted an authority as the Supreme Court
of the United States.
Mr.. C0nger remarked that it was dis
grace enough to have been a member of a
body which would pass such bill
Mr.. GroOme--Order! Order!
Mr.. COnger continuing If that were
disgrace or honor enough, if that were an
honor, but the preamble was something
that no Senator should vote for.
The preamble to the bill as passed re-
cites that the Board of Officers convened
by the President to examine and report
upon the case of Gen. Porter stated that
justice required the President to annul
the findings and sentence of the court
martial in Gen. POrter's case, and to re.
store him to the positions of which the
sentence deprived him, such restoration
to take effect from the date of his dis
mlssal from the service; that the Presi-
dent had Temitted so much of the sentence
as disqualified Gen. Porter from holding
office, and that in order to do Justice to
Gen. Porter it was enacted, etc.
The bill then authorizes the President by
and with the advice and consent of the
Senate, to appoint Gen. Porter to the DO
sitiOn of Colonel in the army of the same
grade and rank held by him at the time of
dismissal, and authorizes the President,
in his discretion, to place Gen. Porter on
the retired list as of that grade. Gen. Por-
ter, however, to receive no compensation
or allowance prior to his appointment un-
der the act.
IN THE HOUSE.
In the House to-day. on motion of Mr..
Hammond, of Georgia, a bill was passed
authorizing the Cbairmen of the sub-cOm-
mlttees OF the committees of the two
houses of Congress to administer Oaths.
The morning hour having been dispensed
with, the House at II: 80 O'Clock went into
committee of the whole, with Mr.. Blount.
of Georgia, in the Chair, on the post office
appropriation bill, the pending amend
ment being that offered by Mr.. Skinner.
increasing the appropriation for the pay
ment to letter carriers and the incidental
expenses of the free delivery service from
$3,60O,000 to $4,000,000.
Mr.. Horr, of Michigan, spoke upon the
necessity of an increased approximation.
and Mr.. Findlay, of Maryland, read let
ter from the Postmaster of Baltimore. set
ting forth that the passage of the bill in
its present shape would most surely re-
suit in the crippling of the free delivery
system in that city.
Finally, after several members had
spoken upon it, the amendment was
adopted by a vote Of 122 to 55, Mr.. Towns
hend giving notice that he would demand
the yeas and nays in the House.
Mr.. HOrr moved to strike out the pro-
Vlso that land-grant railroads shall re-
ceiye for mail transportation but so per
cent. Of the compensation allowed to
other roads. The debate on this motion
was cut off by the committee rising for
the purpose of considering a motion to
limit the debate. FiIibustering was re-
sorted to, and the House adjourned with
out reading conclusion upon the pend
ing motion,