The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-02-14
FORTT-NINTH CONGRESS-.
THE IIIZ JOHN PORTER DEBATE
~ IN THE HOUSE.
The Ridiculous Attitude Of the Sen.
ate Regarding the Presidents
Appointments.

] AHO hNAeO OuS AliituNc VI thc ocH'
ate Regarding the Presidents
Appointments.
WARRINGTON, February l3>House
The Speaker laid before the House
the reply OF the Postmaster-General in
response TO the resolution calling for
information as to whether the eight
hour law is now applicable to letter
carriers. Referred. The Postmaster.
General states that there is no depart
ment regulation prescribing the num-
Der OF hours during which letter.car-
riers are required TO work, and that
| the eight hour law has not been
deemed applicable to letter-carTiers,
because they have not been regarded
as "laboreIs, workmen or mechanics"
The opinion that the law is not appli-
cable to letter-caTriers was, the Post
master-Genersl is informed, promul-
gated from the department before his
incumbency of his Office, and no
change has been directed since.
Mr.. Payson Ill ], from the Commit
tee on Public Lands, reported bill to
quiet. the titles on the Des Moints
river lands in Iowa. House calendar.
Mr.. Geddes 70 ], from the Commit
tee on War Claims, reported back Mr..
Blanchard's resolution calling on the
Secretary Of the Treasury for informa-
ton as to the moneys and funds seized
or collected by Gems Banks or Butler
while in the Department OF the Gulf.
Adopted.
Mr.. Bragg Wis. from the Commit
tee on Military Affairs, reported bill
providing for the location OF branch
soldiers home west Of the Rocky
mountains. Committee OF the whole.
Adverse reports were submitted
from the Committee on Posi- offices and
PoetToads on bills to enable the people
to name their postmasters; to regulate
the naming OF postoffices; 10 facilitate
the delivery Of mail matter, and TO
regulate the sub-letting Of mail con-
tracts, and they were laid upon the
table.
Mr.. Campbell Penn. from the
Committee on Manufactures reported
a bill authorizing the appointment of
a committee to examine and test mon,
steel and other building material
Committee OF the whole.
Mr.. 0'Neill No from the Commit
tee on Labor, reported a bill to pro-
tsct mechanics, laborers and servants
in their wages. House calendar.
Mr.. Gibson W. Va. from the Com
mittee on Expenditures in the De-
partment OF Justice, submitted a re-
port on the resolution relative to the
Bell-Pan- Electric telephone contro-
versy, and it was referred to the House
calendar:
The pending business in the morn
ing hour wa1 the motion to table the
motion to reconsider the vote by
which the House on Thursday passed
the bill authorizing national banks to
increase their capital stock and change
their location and names. The molten
to reconsider was tabled-yeas, lis;
nays, "a.
Mr.. Durham Ill. !, on behalf Of the
Committee on Commerce, called up
aud the House passed bill authoriz-
ing the Mississippi Water Power and
Boom Company of Brainerd, Mimi, to
construct dam across the Mississippi
river.
Mr.. Irion [Ls,l on behalf of the
same committee, called up the bill au-
thoriziDg the several executive depart
ments to loan the New Orleans Expo
sition certain articles for exhibit.
Pending action the morning hour
expired and the House went into COM
mittee Of the whole (Mr. Springer
Ill. in the chair on tine Filz John
Porter bill.
Mr.. Swinbnrne { N. Y !, who was en-.
titled to the floor, being in i'll health,
his remarks were read by the Clerk.
He favored the bill, and expressed the
opinion that the country owed Gen.
Porter gratitude instead Of punish
ment.
Mr.. Houk Tenn. said that il the
measure were one praying pardon,
asking for amnesty, demanding that
something should be done to promote
that cancellation of which the country
had heard 80 much if it were a plan
for the purpose Of removing some dis
qualification imposed for political con-
siderations, it would have received his
cordial, cheerful and earnest support
But he would vote against the pending
bill, because he believed it abs olutely
destructive OF the very fabric of the
government itself. Mr.. Porter had
been charged with and convicted CT
the highest otfense known to military
law, and to pass this bill WAS to de-
stroy the discipline OF the whole
United States army. This was no is
sue OF mercy and amnesty, but it was
a fair issue { / treachery OF the boldest,
blacklist and most infamous kind on
the one hand, and simple devotion
and simple obedience to oAers on the
other.
Mr.. Wolford Ky. attacked wha, lie
called the inconsistencies OF the oppo-
nents OF the bill. The President
could only pardon TO limited extent;
Congress had no power, they said.
Now where was the power? They
took the absurd position that there
was no power to remedy. The inno-
cent must suffer and muet be blasted.
All the boastsd liberty, all the boasted
grandeur OF the power of the Ameri
can republic, was sham. II they
Contended that there was fair con-
struction Of the constitution then it
ought to be amended.
Pending the conclusion Of Mr..
Woltord's speech the committee rose.
On motion OF Mr.. Tucker IVA. the
House bill authorizing the Treasurer
OF the United States, in his discretion
and with the consent of the Secretary
Of the Treasury, TO sppoint!one OF his
clerks TO discharge the duties Of Treas
urer or Assistant Treasurer in the
event OF the illness or absence Of either