The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-02-12
FORTY.NlNTH CONGRESS.
THE FIJI JOHN PORTER BILL IN
THE HOUSE.
An Amendment TO the EustIs Reso-
luton - Discussion ON the
Educational Bill.

WASHINGTON, February Il.-Ho,lse.
Mr.. Reed Me offered a resolution
modifying tue order making the Fitz
John Porter bill a continuing special
order from to-day until next Thurs
day, 30 rs to provide that the bill shall
not be considered until after the sec
ond morning hour on each day.
Mr.. Randall Pa. endeavored to
have the order further amended, 80
that the previous question should be
ordered on Tuesday instead OF Thurs
day, but he was unsuccessful, and Mr..
Reeds resolution was adopted.
Mr.. Bingham Pa asked leave to
introduce bill granting pension OF
$1,000 per annum TO the widow Of Gen.
w. S. Hancock, but Mr.. Beach IN. Y.
objected.
Mr. Wellborn TEX ], from the Com.
mittee on Indian Affairs, reported the
Indian appropriation bill, and II was
referred to the committee OF the
whole.
Mr.. Rogers lark. !, from the Com
mittee on the Judiciary, reported a
bill comforting civil jurisdiction in
certain cases arising in the Indian
Territory on United States courts
which exercise criminal jurisdiction
over the Territory. House calendar.
Mr.. e. B. Taylor, from the same
committee, reported bill to extend
the laws Of the United States over
certain unorganized territory south OF
the Slate OF Kansas. House cal
endar.
In the second morning hour Mr..
Adams | III. ], on behalf OF the Com
mlttee 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, 1926; nays, 100. Mr.. Adams en-
tered motion 10 reconsider aud to
lay that motion on the table, but the
morning hour having expired final
action was not taken.
The House then, at 2 o'clock, went
into committee OF the, whole, Mr..
Springer iii. in the chair, on the
Fitz John Porter bill.
The debate was opened by Mr..
Haynes OF New Hampshire in sup
port Of the bill. The strongest preju.
dice which he had ever entertained
had been against Porter, but II had
disappeared when he proceeded to
examine the case. He did not share
in the estimate OF Pope entertained
by many of Poiter's friends, but he
believed that II any other OF Pope's
generals had been in Porter's place
and had aCtsd as Porter had acted
there would never have been court.
martial, and no Union general of that
campaign would have suffered for
more than twenty years stigma
worse than death. 1t had been Por-
ter's disrespectful and inexcusable al
lusions to Pope that had singled him
out as an object of suspicion and an |
object OF revenge. Porter had been
one Of the growlers, and his punish
ment had been out of all proportion
TO his otfense. Both Lincoln and
Grant, at one time, had equally be-
lieved in the justice OF the Porter
sentence, but he TO whom the oppor-
tunity had been given for a calm,
review tf the case
had proclaimed the Injustice OF
the verdict, and become the earnest
champion Of Porter's cause, and he
was bold man who dsred impugn
the military judgment OF U. s. Graut.
II Lincoln had lived he (Mr. Haynes)
believed that Lincoln and Grant
would have stood together in q de-
mand iof Justice to Fitz John Potter.
Mr.. Steele Ind. took the floor in
opposition to the bill, and promised
his speech with the remark, "Whst in
thunder are we here for; why are we
Fitz John Porter?" and
spoke Tor some time in opposition TO
he bill, during which he was several
lines interrupted by Mr.. Bragg, going
over the same Arguments heretofore
Used against Porter, and after dwelling
With great minute OF detail upon
he military operations of the 9th of
August, Mr.. Steele concluded his
speech as follows: "If we have wars
hereafter they will be for a common
country. Let us not say by our action
hat we want any man Of Porter's
Kind ID command when the Oount1y's
e'ttl 10 AAA hNAkHis TX us BAY 10
'ur sons and our sons sons.
When you receive an order obey IL,
hough at the cost OF your life, Let
Is say to our sons and our sons sons:
Even without an order, il you hear
he call Of battle move on TO the sue.
or OF your companions, whether YOU
Ike your commanding officer or mol"
MIR. Bragg inquired whether II was
lot rs grave q blunder on the part of
ubordlnRta officer 10 precipitate an
ctlon before the lines we're formed
nd the preparations for battle made
IS i was for him not TO engage in ]
,atte. ,
Mr.. steele-We had line of battle,
nd the numbers left on the field at. I
eat that 1t was great line OF battle, |
nd the gentleman for whom YOU l
peak did not make reconnaissance {
inform himself whether or not he 6
'ouid be able to succor his comrades. {
Mr.. Bragg-I find that those who {
,eTe not there know very much more c
bout II than those who were.
Mr.. Steele-In reply to that have q
Dad the reports OF as distinguished ]
oldiers as ever did battle for any @
ause, who were there. /
The committee then rose and the
iouee adjourned. \
INA ]