Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1886-02-25
FITz JOHN PORTER.
His Bill Passed by the House Of
Representatives After a
Warm Debate.
Exciting Scene Between Cutch-
con, Of Michigan, and Bragg,
Of Wisconsin.
IAssociGted Press report.l

lAssociated Press report
/ The Fitz-John Porter bfil was passed by the
National House OF Representatives ON tho 18th
OF February, the vote being: Yeas III, nays
1t5. Prior TO the voting Messrs. Phelps IN. J.),
Curtin (Pa.)i ana Warner (o.) spoke in favor of
the bill. Mr.. Bragg cwis) moved the previous
question and closed the debate, Mr. Everhart
lPa) moved to recommit the bill. with instruc-
tons TO strike out the words "priof to bis APP
pointment under this act," so as to mako the
proviso read Said Fitz-John Porter shall re-
ceive no pay. compensation, or allowance what
soeVer Mr.. Reed, suggesting that this gave an
opportunity for vindicating Porter from any
question OF money, demanded the yeas and
nays. The motion to recommit was lost on q
vote OF yeas l12, nays l73.
Mr.. Bragg then withdrew his demand for the
previous question and again took the floor. In
the course OF "A speech in support Of the bill he
declared that Mr.. Cutcheon CMich.l in at
tempting to show that there had been a general
engagement at the second battle OF Bull Run on
Aug: 20 had ingenjously used table Of the cas-
palties between Aug. 10 and Sept. 2. Mr.
tutcheoh declared that he had 30 stated in his
speech.
Mr.. Bragg-You took table OF figures from a
heading that covered almost month, ana yeu
have published it in your speech as evidence Of
the losses on the 20th and your Republican con-
stituents who do not read anything but your
speech IN Republican newspaper will think
that an historical evidence of the war.
Mr. Cutcheon declared that the heading of
the table showed precisely what IL was. Mr.
Bragg declined to YIELD and Mr.. Cutcheon as
serted his right to reply, as he had been mis-
quoted.
Mr.. Bragg advancing to the bar of the fiouse)
i state what you said. state what the figures
are.
Mr.. Cutcheon (also advancing into the space
in front Of the Speakers desk)-Now you are try
ing to ram falsehcod down the throat OF this
House. Applause on the Republican side
Mr.. Bragg-I draw my own inference as to
your purposes, and (defiantlyJ will repeat them
Il you desire Applause on the Democratic
side.l
AT this time there was good deal of confu-
sion SS cuIEs nnd SIxstSmet in the House and It was
hasr Inf tha ;"9 ss,,e ., tt. 49,, I'LL I'LL tc
order and Stated to Mr. Cutcheon that he must
not interrupt Mr.. Bragg without permission, the
former Indignantly exclaimed: Then the gen.
tlefnan must not fa1sify fasts."
"Ah," was Mr.. Bragg's fetort Il am glad I
have driven that radical from under Stanton's
petticoats so that he has come to the front"
Mr.. Bragg continuing, said:
would to God there was more freedom OF con-
science allowed in the Republican party, then
Porter would have vastly more votes. But as
there is a Presidential candidate in training for
the grand old party who is to run on the
Fitz-John Porter issue, 1t will not do for more
Republicans to come over, because the Black
Eagle of the West might not like it," Applause
and laughter on the Democratic side and grOans
from the Republican side.l
Mr.. Bragg said he was glad TO hear the groafs,
because it showed there was little life left I'm
the Republicans. Groans did not proceed from
strong body in a happy and contended frame of
mind, but from one suffering from cramp in
the bowels. He again demanded the previous
question.
Mr. Cutcheon rose to question OF personal
privilege, and was granted permission by the
Speaker to explain away the charge made by
Mr.. Bragg. AS Mr.. Cutcheon was about TO ex-
plain, Mr.. Bragg interrupted, and was called to
order by the Republicans. Mr. Bragg shouted,
defantly:
Il will give you cause for personal expIana-
tion IL you let me speak. The gentleman stated
that Fitz-John Porter was lying two and half
miles from the head Of his corps, but there is
no evidence Of that. / will give him cause for q
personal explanation IL you want it"