Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-02-17


court martial appeared TO have been
dictated by the personal feelings OF its
members rather than desire to learn the
truth and administer justice. This might
sound like harsh judgment, but 1t was
warranted by fact. 1t was true, ana
truth did not cease TO be truth because OF
ooncealment or strenuous denial.
STAND OF THE soUTHERNERs.
In conclusion Mr.. Wheeler said: "Do
not misunderstood the attitude OF myself
and other ex-COnfederate soldiers who
vote for this bill. Do not misinterpret our
interest IN this case. The necessity for
our action would not exist were u not
that some of the opponents to the bill still
appeal to the character OF party passion
which has long since been repudiated by
the Republicans who are most esteemed
hy their political adherents. l regret and
deplore she efforts TO degrade Judicial
question TO a party conflict, but we are
free from responsibility OF the position
these gentlemen have voluntarily as
sumed, and no taunts from mistaken zeal
OTIS can drive us from our plain and I'M
questioned duty.
THEIR ONLY OBJECT.
'tWe advocate and support this bill be-
cause we see in IT tho only means to re-
pair cruel wrong, 10 atone for gross,
though perhaps unintentional, injustice
to relieve q gallant soldier and honorable
gentlemen from grievOus martyrdom,
long and nobly endured. As soldiers, we
are bound 10 spare no effort to relieve this
brave commander from unmerited dis
grace. As men, we feel called upon TO do
all in our power 10 succor the weak and
suffering. As gentlemen, we are obliged
70 do frankly and fearlessly what we con-
ceive to be honorable and right. As SER
wants Of the people, we must strive to Sc
cure this tardy justice TO one who 80 ably
served them; aud as citizens OF this great
republic, IL Is our duty and our pride to
cherish and defend its honor, and we.
therefore, seek to ettace this blot upon the
fair fame of our country"
MIR. cUTCHEoN's OPPOSITION.
Mr.. Cutcheon, of Michigan, began his
speech in opposition TO the bill by saying:
Mr.. Chairman-or perhaps should rather
say, 'If the court please"-the supreme
court martial of the Army is now in ses-
sion. Mr.. Cutcheon held that 1t was an
open question whether the bill as It now
stood would not give Gen. Porter
| pay from the date OF dismissal, as
| we'll as restore him to tue Army.
/ He (CutcheOn) did not believe Con-
| gress had constitutional power TO revise
| the finding of general court martial
/ when confirmed by the President and ex-
]
the bill for the additional reason that he
was profoundly convinced that the court
martial had arrived at just conclusion
at the one time when the facts had been
| justly presented, that the verdict had
1 been RIG hteOus and the sentence merciinl.
Mr.. Cutcheon made a long and impas-
stoned argument, in the course Of which
ne said ne was fully aware that the yer.
| dict was already made up, and that moth
i inc that could bn 1afd would gh4uQn DuF
vote. The committee then rose, and the
| House at 5 O'Clock took recess until
O'Clock, the evening session to be for the
| further consideration Of the Fttz-J0hn
Porter bill.
BROUGHT BACK 10 PORTER.
BIr. Brown, OF Pennsylvania, brought
the debate back to the FItz-J0hn Porter
case and opposed the pending bill, admit
ting that~if 1t were merely a measure OF
amnesty be would have favored 1t.
Messrs. ROwell, Of Illinois, and Perkins,
| OF Kansas, opposed the bill.
Mr, Hanback,, OF Kansas promised his
speech with declaration that the Demo-
cratic party have never built school
| houses and never would. On the nv wheel
OF progress 1t had ever been an air-brake
with Pan Electric attachments. IL was
not strange, therefore, that II would cast
solid column votes In favor OF one OF the
most pronounced failures OF the war. lie
also opposed the bill.
BRADY SAWS THEAIR
When the House met at Z O'CLOCK
Messrs. Springer and Eden, of Illinois
were the only gentlemen who were called
to order by the Speakers gavel, and re
cess was taken for half hour. At 1890
O'Clock dozen members had put in an
appearance and the House went into CON-
mIttee of the whole on the Fitz-John
Porter bill.
Mr.. Brady, Of Virginia took the floor,
and, turning aside from the subject under
discussion, devoted himself 10 review
OF the political situation In Virginia"
1 He then proceeded TO reply TO the speech
Of Mr.. Wise, made when the BOutelle res
olutiOn was up some time ago, and TO dis
cuss that resolution.
Mr. Peters, Of Kansas, confessed 70 a
strong feeling Of prejudice against Gen.
Porter for the reason that one Of bis boy
hoods warmest friends had laid down his
life on Aug. 20. 1862, while If Gen. Porter
had obey ed orders that friend might have
been living to-day. IL was vain TO at.
tempt TO prove to HIM that there had been
no battle ON Aug. 20, for he knew to the
contrary, having taken part In the en-
gagement on that day.
The committee then rose and the House,
at l0:l0 O'Clock, adjourned.
/