, 1884-01-20

militarylmattrrs, to discuss igravely q
subject about which they knew nothing
whatever and never would know any
thing. Laughter He moved that
the committee rise.
The last remark of Slocum was re-
ceived with Indignation by the repub-
licans, and as they were In the major
ity the motion to rise was voted down.
Slocum continuing: L am no de-
fender Of General Grant. For the first
time in my life I stand on the door to
hear republicans attack the military
reputation Of General Grant. Shouts
of ''Ohl nol' from the republican side.
The gentleman who has Just taken his
seat has done so in violent manner.
If l understood the gentleman's
(Cutcheon) language correctly, 1t was
an impeachment either of his Integrity
or his military reputation. The point
l make is this: In the forty-thlrd con-
gress General Garfield introduced a
resolution asking the appointment of q
board to investigate this case, and the
board was appointed.
Reed asserted that the resolution
never was agreed to and rldiculed the
idea that a court could have been ap-
pointed in pursuance of it.
Slocum.-General Garfield introduce
ed a resolution asking that such a board
be organized by the president, and
should make a report to congress.
What l say is, that either the friends
of Garfield must accept that request, or
repudiate the whole thing.
Calkins. On the contrary he had
such confidence 10 his Judgment In the
court martial that he had no Idea but
that the commission would sustain it,
as 1t would have done If properly con-
stituted.
Calkins-The gentleman refers to the
commission.
Slocum-I refer to this. l say that
James A. Garfield introduced the reso-
luton appointing this board [ieers and
laughter and cries of oh! from the re-
publican side, and the board was APP
pointed pursuant to his desires, and II
he is going to refuse his own bantling,
or his friends going to do it, let him
start and do so.
Calkins-The gentleman does not aid
his bill by traducing Garfield.
Slocum-I do not traduce him, but
he demanded that this Investigation be
made.
In reply TO Slooum's remarks, Clutch
con quoted from a letter from Garfield
to Hon. J. D. Cox, dated February IS,
1880. in which he stated that he was
stunned by the decision of the Scho6eld
board.
Slocum-I am no defender of James
A. Garfield.
Miller (Pa.)-He does not need 1t.
Slocum-I understood the gentleman
said If Garfield had been living this bill
would not lie here. If he will refer to
house report l44, second session forty
third congress, he will find that James
A. Garfield was the father of this bill.
Applause on the democratic side.
Send for your bill.
Greenleaf spoke in support of the
bill, claiming that under the circum-
stances of the case, Porter was not only
justified in disregarding Pope's orders,
but would have been liable to censure
10 he had Ohevnd than
Browne, Of Indiana, approved the
bill. BE went into the history of the
case, quoting the evidence and deduc-
ing therefrom the conclusion that the
decision of the court martial WAS just;
Porter wilfully disobeyed the orders of
the commanding officer.
Further debate on the Porter bill was
continued by Wise, Horr, Slocum and
Taylor. Of Ohio.
The latter Indignantly resented SlO-
GUMS assertion that the members of
the house we're not competent to act
i~ntelligently In this case. He said IL
he could not decide 1t he would not
make mockery of his action aud vote
upon it. Applause.
Adjourned.