The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-12
Congressman Steele Takes the Floor, and
Makes an Argument Strongly Opposing
the Passage of the Measure.
A Map of the Battlefield Gives Rise to
a Scene of Absorbing Interest.
The Blair Education Bill Considered in the
Senate-Mr. Morgan Makes an Argu-
ment Opposing the Measure.
THE HOUSE.
Mr.. Steele Delivers q Speech in Opposition to
Fitz John Porter.

WASHINGTON. Feb 11-Mr. Reed, of Maine,
offered resolution modifying the order making
| the Fitz John Porter bill continuing special
order, from to-day until next Thursday, so as to
provide that the bill shall not be considered un.
til after the second morning hour on each day.
| Mr.. Randall, of Pennsylvania, endeavored ia
| have the order further amended SO that the
previous question should be ordered on Tuesday
| instead of Thursday; but he was unsuccessful,
| and Mr.. Reeds resolution was adopted.
Mr.. Bingham, of Pennsylvania, asked leave
to introduce a bill granting a pension of $4,000
per annum to the widow Of Gen. w S. Hancock,
but Mr.. Beach, of New York, objected.
Mr.. Wellborn, of Texas, from the committee
| on Indian affairs, reported the Indian appropria-
tion BILL and it was referred to the committee Of
the whole.
Mr.. Rogers, of Arkansas, from the committee
on the judiciary, reported bill comforting civil
jurisdiction in certain arising in the Indian
Territory on United States courts, which exer-
else criminal jurisdiction over the Territory.
Placed on the House calendar.
Mr.. E. B. Taylor, from the same committee,
| reported bill to extend the laws of the United
States over certain unorganzed territory south
calendar.
In the second morning hour. Mr.. Adams, OF
Illinois, behalf OF the committee on banking
and currency, called up the bill to enable
national banking associations to increase their
capital stock and to change their names or
location. The bill passed-yeas 129 nays 120
Mr. Adams entered a motion to reconsideH
and to lay that motion on the table; but the
morning hour having expired, final action was
not taken
The House then, at o'clock. went into COM
mittee of the whole-Mr. Springer, of Illinois
in the chair-on the Fitz ohm Porter bill
The debate was opened by Mr. Haynes. Of
New Hampshire in support of the bill The
| strongest prejudice which he had ever ente:-
tanned had been against Porter, but it had dis
appeared when he proceeded to examine the
case. He did not share in the estimate of Pope
entertained by many OF Porter's friends, but ha
believed that if any other of Pope's generals
had been in Porter's place. and had acted as
Porter had acted, there would never have been
a court-martial. and no Union general of that
campaign would have suffered for than
twenty years stigma worse than death. 1t
had been Porters disrespectful and inexcusable
illusions to Pope that had singled him out as
an object of suspicion and as an
object of revenge Porter had been one
had been out of all proportion to his ofpnse
Both Lincoln and Grant, at one time, had equally
believed in the justice of the Porter sentence.
but he to whom the opportunity had been given
for a cam dispassonate review of the case had
proclaimed the injustice of the verdict and be-
come the earnest champion Of Porter's cause.
and he was bold man who dared impugn the
military judgment of u S. Grant. If Lincoln
had lived he Mr.. Haynesl believed that IGn.
coin and Grant would have stood together in q
demand for justice to Fitz John Porter
Mr.. Steele, of Indiana, took the floor in oppo-
sition to the bill. and promised his speech with
the remark. What in thunder are we here for7
Why are we discussing Fitz John Porter9" This
gentle question, he said had been asked by a
number of members of the House, and at least
.one Democrat had added that the Democrats
were going to vote for it, anyhow. He Mr..
SteeleI believed that this was true. bnt he would
not be deferred from giving the reasons why he
would vote against it, Popes famous order, he
said should and could have been easily obeyed.
If Jackson marched that night could not Porter
have also marched9 There was not a soldier in
the House but knew that it was Porter's duty to
obey the order. Had his gallant friend from
Wisconsin Mr.. Braggl received such an order
he would not have disobeyed it, unless he had
failed to obey it after trying.
Mr.. Bragg said he had marched on that night
on clear. open turnpike, but it had become 50
dark that he had been compelled to bivouack by
the roadside, and had been liable to form a line
of tents
Mr.. Steele remembered that the gentleman had
had a good deal of unpleasantness that evening.
The gentleman had found it very inconvenient
for his health and that of his command. jack
son had struck the gentleman that night
Mr.. Bragg replied that he had not met Jack.
son on that night On the night of the 18th he
had participated in battle when he was at
tempting to obey one of Pope's orders TO attack
jackson, who had Is, 900 men at Centerville. The
command had taken the road to Centerville, and
in less than twenty minutes it had struck jack
son with six regiments, and the whole army OF
Virginia had heard the firing and left him to
fight that battle with a corps that was sixteen
miles away. Laughter.
Mr.. Steele said that thore had been gallant
fighting that night. but it had not deferred jack
son from marching his men. He then went on,
to show the evidence of Porter's dislike for Pope.s
and while he did not assert that Porter was dis
loyal to the country, there was no doubt that h0E
was disloyal to Pope
map of the scene of military operations in
question having been hung up on support in
the space in front of the Speakers desk, Mrs
Steele proceeded to point out with q cane thes
movements of the various commanders. In order
to settle the disputed point to whether or noF
a battle had taken place on the 29th of AuguskS
Many of the members formed semi-circlea
about him and manifested great interest as hes
elucidated the points which led to the conclusion
that severe engagement had taken place oui
that date Prominent among his auditors was
Mr.. Oates, Of Alabama, who lost an arm In th@
engagements under discussion, and who free
quently interrupted him with questions anW
suggestions; while Hugh Lewis, door-keeperd
who also lost an arm upon this heid was 0eeplW
interested as he heard the battles fought o'ert
again. AS Mr.. Steele pointed out the positions
of the contending forces. he read extracts froul
the evidence to substantiate his statements.
AS he was quoting from McDoweils testimony
he was interrupted by Mr.. Bragg with the guess
ton as to whether it had not been on the eviA
dence of that officer made to cover his own cons
duct, that Porter hsd been convicted.
Mr.. Steele replied that Porter had been con@
victed fourteen times over without McDowelI'a
faat had 5ad nv IA