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THE WEEKLY CONSTITUTION. ATLANTA, GA., TUESDAY FEBRUARY 255 18; 6
i of the Two Houses
Last Week.
i the President and His Ad
visers—General News.
a—f.
ftc wsto spent rooet of tho week debabiut;
Mr’S HD. w-leh proposes to appropriate $77,-
n 000 to U>e general cans* of education. Tho
J^doa on this hill is non partisan, demi -
mts sad republicans being ranged on either
do, Tho Fit* John Porter ease is ended in
onao tor the session and wiil not go to the
be senate.
Secretary Lamar informed the senate that
be president did not consider it consistent
ith public interests to transmit to tho senate
opies of unofficial papers from private
them filed in the interior department. A
etitlon was presented from tho bankers and
len-hants of Savannah praying for tho silver
linage act.
E,™ * J** 1 .* ° r the number of its mittce. It presents a striking contrast to the
ill. iwJi. ”■** l,iu 0 ^ c rcd and championed by Morrison two
years ago. Instead of proposing a reduction
twenty per cent it asks for less
an five. Tho former Napoleonic idea of a
The Educational Bill Debate.
Mr. Morgan then took the floor and resumed
s argument against the constitutionality of
10pending eddfction bill. So far as tlic stall
Alabama was concerned, lie denied tb
■ns a land of darkness and the lazzarotto of
'norance. to bo inferred from the report of
be rommitUc on education and labor, lie
tad extracts from that report, and expressed
oudtr that any man who had fought in the
[federate army, or was representing a sou
state, could agri c to the matter he quot
Mr. George remarked that Mr. Morgan v
deavoring to hold all the members of tint
nmittee responsible for the individual opin-
s of the chairmen of the committee, (Blai
id in torn, read from the report to sh
it Mr. Morgan’s quotations were but the
idividnal opinions of tho chairman.
Mr. Blair desired to make a remark, but Mr.
organ declined to ho further interrupted. In
le eonrsc of his subsequent remarks, Air.
organ said he had often heard it said tbit
le people if the south were a hoodwinked lot
I slaves, who had been forced into the r.v
ellion and recession by their leaders. Thi3
c emphatically denied, and asserted that, on
' c contrary, the leaden had been forced into
cession by the people, ami that many a cow-
ally heart among the leaders would
»vo failed and fainted hut
ic fact that those leaders knew they did not
re to trifle with the faith of ail enlightened
id splendid people. He characterized tho bill
nder debate as a bribe to the south; but, for
s port, he neither grew blind nor shut his
■os in the presence of any brilie. no matter
jw magnificent. The hill would prove a p.in-
orals box, ami would .cad to what had not in-*
ppropriatcly been termed a condition of “or-
auized hell,’’ between the states and the gen-
II government. Ho prophesied that under
i baneful influence, we would sec the people
the north and the south again frenzied with
reitement.
Mr. George inquired whether Mr. Morgan
cant to say that, after making the apjirupri-
iions, congress might then interpose in tho
ato management of the appropriation',’
Mr. Morgan replied, "’Certainly.”
Mr. George denied this, and said ho could
Dwhcrc fee anything in the hill to warrant
■eli construction.
Sir. Morgan insisted on his point,and argued
Isome length to sustain his contention. Tile
ate, ho said, had no way to compel the see-
rtary of the interior to grant it any part of the
ppropriation except by an appeal to congress;
> that tho intention was that congress should
rep the matter sahjndlos. so that it might
liange the conditions from time to time.
Mr. Jackson said that inasmuch as the dc-
rsign of tho measure was not to establish
itionni schools, but to give temporary aid to
ic states for the purposes of education, lie
onld support it. if the bill permitted
ly control by the general government over
e schools of the state, lie (Jackson) would op-
ise it. Neither did it compel tho.stute to
ke the money, llach state could decide for
self whether to take the money or not. In-
;cad of tending to the consolidation of power
i the general government, it would tend to
nild up the strength and power of the separ-
c states.
Mr. Maxcy followed, takiiig ground in
ppomtion to Jackson, upon the question of the
onatitntionality of the bill. He admitted
lie force of the argument made by the
riends of the bill, that the whole country
nght to assist in the expense of educating the
olored people, and, in order to carry out that
E ca, Mr. Maxcy would be willing to vote
r an appropriation of the proceeds
the public land to l»o devoted to this pur
se. He deemed it nocessary to warn the
ountry against the dangers of centralization,
t bad been said by the advocates cf the pend-
ig measure that congress had not the power
i follow this appropriation and seo that it
as executed. Mr. Maxcy insisted this was
a error, for, if congress had ihepowerto make
ie appropriation, it had the power to follow
le appropriation and direct its execution.
Mr. Pugh said he had voted for this Mil in
aedience to the instruct’ons of his legislature.
Mr. Blair believed the question of
he constitutionality to have been
tried by such overwhelming nu-
bority that any man presenting that
oint and discussing it was simply whiling
way his time. The average length of the
hotil period in the southern states. Mr. Blair
id, was only aliout three months. The ni iin-
■nanee of schools for this peri id rost tho
mthern people sixteen millions annually,
ho seven millions proposed to be given for
hoois under the present bill would only pro
>iig the schools to five months at the utmost,
> that the provision, instead of h-ing liber tl,
as rather parsimonious. Mr. Glair road a
umber of letters from southern people f.i
g the bill.
Mr. Hampton remarked ‘.hat some of the
mtltern legislatures had requested the bill l)
: passed.
Mr, Glair added that it was useless for any-
idy to say that the pcoplo cf tho south did
it want-this bill passed. He had received
Iters from teachers in Texas favoring the
11.
Mr. Coke said the teachers did not represent
ic pfople of Texas. The state was almost
ilialy democratic, amt the hist democratic
nvention denounced this bill.
Mr. Blair thought the action of thotuachc
their convention more expressive of the
ling of the people on the school que-.tiou
an the action of the democratic convention.
gisloturcR of Louisiana. Mississippi,Alabama
<1 other southern states had prononnecd
luminously for this bill and the ncoplu be
nd them demanded it. We must 'have our
tera edneated in order that the people of the
public might become thoroughly liomogcno
Every duty and every obligation,‘con-
itntional and rncral, called upon iu to help
T friends at the south temporarily in their
irk of education.
Mr. Hawley said stato hoard of eduev
ur of Connecticut believed this bill to be
wi|(. Horeriticised Blair's course in having
printed m the Becord speeches formerly dc
on this subject, and said tber,
Iflffe some limitation of the “leave to
1’j.Ivllege.
Ingalls said the north, northwest and
did sot want this hill; on the contrary,
spurned it. The people of Kansas indig
spurned tho assumption that they de
donation from tho national treasury to
their common schools. Mr. Ingall;
Dttigned” with the presumption he h r
rd that the northern and western people
ited this money. Let ns drop disguises and
down to common sense. Don’t insult the
of the northern and western states hy
ig that they want any portion of this
“The bill,” Mr. Ingalls
essentially dishonest and tho states
gonld take money nnder it, were
id by precisely the same spirit that would
poeke$ or nth grave*. [Laughter.] 11
i act of grand larceny on the treasury,
the statea of the south asked for this
the whole country know, that they were ob
taining money under false pretenses.
Mr. Morgan read a telegram roc.lived by him
from the governor of Alabama (Governor
O’Neill), faying he saw no constitutional au
thority fur tho hill,aud indorsing Mr. Morgan’s
position on it.
Mr. Riddlebrrger said some states might list
need money. "On behalf of as good people as
those of Kansas or Texas,” continued Mr. Uiil-
dlebergev, ‘T am not ashnmed to say that we
do want it. We think it is due t» ns. I r.m
glad the slave is froe, but I ask the geutloia"ii
who considered it their duty nnder a higher
law to free him, whether it is not their duty to
come to the rescue of an impoverished people
who accept the situation and who ask that the
freed men may be educated.” [Applause in the
galleries, which was suppressed by the chair.]
Mr. Coke addressed the senate in opposition
to the bill. He entered an earnest protest
agninst iis passage, declaring it to be the mo3t
pcrnirhntK measure introduced into either house
of emigres.-, sinro tho war. Mr. Coke
quoted from writings Of Jefferson, Madison,
and others, early authorities on tho constitu
tion, to maintain his position, and argued at
seme length that the passage of the pending
bill would make congress a body of unlimited
and despotic power, and would bu subversive
of all reserved rights of the states.
Mr. Evarls then took the floor in ndvosary ot
the bill. After paying a glowingtributo to the
philanthropy and foresight of 1’eahody, iu cs-
liihlishing the well known ’’educational fund”
for the south, Mr. Evarls said that in his con
nection with the administration of that
fund. ho saw most encouraging
manifestations of hunger anil thirst,for knowl
edge on the part of the ignorant dosses iu tho
south, and praiseworthy zeal on the part of tho
intelligent classes cf the smith that education
should become general.
Mr. Everts quoted the clause of the consti
tution setting forth that congress should have
power to levy and impose taxes, to pay debts,
and “provide fur tlic common defense and gen
eral welfare.’’ This lie construed to l>o “a
trust power” in legal interpretation, and the
trust covered as well “general welfare” ns
“common defense;” lie inquired how the
United States could escape the execution of
the trust as to “general welfare” any moro
than they could escape tho execution of the
trust as to the “common defense.” Educa
tion was surely something that must he eared
for in connection with the “common defense”
and general welfare. Was tho necessity for
the knilding of a fort in Boston harbor, or at
New York narrows, or was Uio necessity for the
building of.jcttics at the month of the .Missis
sippi move of necessity, more national, moro
nnixersal than the necessity to provide for the
situation produced hy the greatest transaction
that has happened in civilization and changed
tlic condition of the people of this country?”
Mr. Morgan said he would lie one of many
millions of tho American people to regret that
one of the greatest ol’ American lawyers should
thus have declared himsclfin favor of the ab
solutism of congrcs. Tho dis
tinguished senator from New York
(Kvarts,) hail here declared that after
all there was really no restraint in tho consti
tution npon tlic power of taxation liy congress.
Mr. Ingalls said: “Admitting that the con
stitution contained the dormant and sleeping
lower claimed for it by tlic advocates of this
>ill, the practical question was why should
that power ho evoked? Why should wo torn
over the common schools system of tho country
to the custody of the general government?
The south was unjust to itself. Ouo of the
most distressing symptoms about the south
was its want of self-reliance—its disposition to
11 on the general government for assistance.
Nothing made men or nations so strong as tho
exercise of their own faculties. The south hod
net been impoverished by the war. The owner-
liip of four millions of men had simply
wen transferred from tlioir masters to
themselves. A free man, however, was better
than a slave, and thesouth was, therefore, not
i- but rlchor for lie.- change. Mr. Ingalls
read an article from a K'lll cm paper, showing
that since 1S79 the assessed value of southern
repci ty l ad increased by c!MK),00,1,00'), and
hat about $500,000,000 worth of railroads had
been built, and that in every other direction
material progress there was making rapid
strides, ’-Men of the south,” said he, “is that
a true story? Is there any senator from tho
south who will rise in his place and say that
the condition of the south is not immeasurably
better than it was before the war?”
Mr. Kiddlchercer replied that he, for one,
would say that the south was not in as good a
condition ns before the war, though he did not
regiet the result of the war.
Mr. Ingalls saw no occasion for despondency
as to the condition of the colored men. Noth
ing in history eottld compare to the advance
they had made.
Mr. Hoar said that it was he who drafted tho
first of these education bills, ten or fifteen
years ago, and the proposition had
never come from the people of tho
nth. It was a northern idea and
was suggested by northern sentiment. But
three southern democratic votes had been give;
to the first bill introduced hy him in congress
in 1872 or thereabouts. He had listened witli
admiration to tlic eloquent remarks of tho
senator from Kansas (Ingalls), hutthat senator
crrtd in supposing this to he a question of
north and south. Tlic present bill proceeded
iijkiu the ground that in a republic iu which
every citizen lias an equal share in tho gov
ernment, in which the vote of the plantation
negro equalled the vote of the merchant princa,
caurntifn was indispensable to tho con
tinued existence of liberty. It was because
tlio society of the south was our society,
the interest of tho south our intercut? it was
because, in tho sublime trial which ended in
*>, it was determined that hereafter am
forever this was to he national, and not an ng-
. regntion of warring and conflicting comm
nitics, held together by a feeble band; that w.
had the right to demand that the national re
sources should lie poured out to tlioir fullest
extent to secure to every American citizen the
intelligence that was necessary In each, fortho
common benefit of all. Mr. Hoar cited figures
to show ifiat under Ingalls’ theory, Mississippi
would get fifteen times ns much money from
the bill as would Massachusetts, while by the
bill as it stood it would get only four times as
much.
Mr. Ingalls—Nothing lies like figures,
[Langbtej.J
Mr. Hoar—Sometimes people lie under mis
apprehension from not having read figures bo
fore making speeches. [Renewed laughter.
Mr. Hoar agreed that the future of tho colored
race was a bright one; but without regard to
where the blame rested for the ignorance of
tlio colored people he (Hoar) belived that if
the general government did not assist in tho
work of their education, that the work would
be postponed to the remote future.
Mr. Harris agreed with Messrs. Morgan
Coke and Maxcy, that congress bail no paw.
under tho constitution to lew taxes and ap
piopriate money so collected to the purely
state purpose of mainiaining common schools.
But if the question werj free from
this constitutional objection ho (Harri
would --till oppose " it for the reason
that the money to be appropriated for this pur
pose, whether taken finer the treasury of tho
several stales, or from the federal treasury,
avas drawn liy taxation from tlio pockets of tho
pcoplo of the several states aud territories. A:
the people had to pay these < ,000,000, it be
came a matter of interest to them to ascertain
the methed by which it could lie paid with tho
least inconvenience and injury. If collected
under the direct tax system of till state.-, every
dollar from tho earnings of the people would
go into tho treasury, and e. eh citizen would
have contributed in proportion to bis wealth
and his ability to pay. Not so,
however, under the federal system
of taxation, about two-thinls of our rovenm
being collected under the federal tariff law
so that the people were compelled to pay is
amounts in tho way of homilies to protccto
manufacturer?, and tho poorest man was co.
polled to pay as much as tho wealthiest,
the score, therefore, of economy, as well a
right, Mr. Harris would leave tho matte
roromon school education to tlic state?, war
it legitimately and exclusively belonged
hearing delegations who "will only repeat the
old arguments over again.
The New Tariff ltlll.
Washington. Fehrnary 15.—[Special.]—
Morrison’s tarriff bill offered today will be re
ported favorably by tho solid vote of the dem
ocratic majority of the ways and means com-
sweeping horizontal reduction is substituted
a mild attempt to treat in detail all tlio ills
the present system. A big free list is
proposed, including all kinds of lumber and
wood. One of the heaviest cuts is in pig iron,
which is put down from six dollars and sventy-
two cents to five sixty perton. Steel railsarc
reduced from $17 to $12.50 a ton. A
common duty of two and eight
tenths cents a pound is fixed
on wools. A slight reduction is made in flax
and linen goods. While Pennsylvania is ar
rayed against tho hill by reason of its redac
tion on iron and steel, Maine and tho north
west are bristling up at its war on their lum
ber interests, and Ohio will not accept it3 esti
mate of the needs of tho wool growers. Still,
none of these have eauso of complaint equal to
that of the southern states. The duty on clean
riee is proposed to be reduced from 2] to li
cents, and the duty on unclean rice from two
cents to one. Sugar fares littlo hotter. A
sweeping reduction oi twenty tier cent is pro
posed. It it apparently guarded by a clause
excepting the product of countries which im
pose export duty. This would cxcltido Cuban
sugar, ns the Spanish law now stands, but thn
export duty now levied out’uban 3iigar would bo
abolished .tho instant any such biil passed,
and tlic Louisona sugar plautcrs would lie beg
gared. It has hitherto been thought tlntMor-
rison might bo able to get some sort of tariff
bill through thn house, hut since his ideas
have been embodied in this hill, his chances
for even this partial success have dwindled
out of sight.
Washington, February 1.1—Mr. Morrison
expresses the opinion that his tariff bill intro
duced in the house today tvilt cftcct an estima
ted reduction of twenty million dollars iu
revenues from customs, based on the revenues
of that year. The greatest reduction on any
one article is in the case of sugar, where tho
now duly will result In a decrease of ten
million dollars in receipts. The additions to the
free list will involve a loss of five and onc-
liulf millions, and the redactions made by the
' Ml on the other articles about live millions,
blight bufcfgcnera! reductions have been made
in tlio cases of wools, flax, liuen aud hemp-
cottons, window glass, plato glas3 of high
quality, earthenware and China whore duty is
believed to bo excessive. The duty on rice
marble, castor beans and few chemicals is also
slightly reduced.
Among the more important additions made
hy tho hill to the free list after July 1,1S3C,
are the following: Lumber hewn aud sawed
and timber used for spars and in building
wharves, timber squared or sided, notspecially
numerated or provided for; sawed boards,
plank, deals aud other lumber of hemlock,
white wood; sycamore and basswood, and all
other articles of sawed lumber, hubs, staves,
pickets and palings, laths, shingles, pino
clapboards, spi n ice clapboards, wood, unmanu
factured, especially enumerated or provided
for. Proviso—inoperative when imported from
a country levying an exporttax; salt in bags,
sacks, barrels or other packages and iu bulk.
Hemp, manilla and other like substitutes for
hemp, not especially enumerated or provided
for. Jute and juto butts, sisal grass and other
vegetable snlistances. not especially enumerat
ed and provided for. Iron, sulphur, coppor
and lead ore. mineral substances in crude,
slate and metals, mi wrought, not especially
enumerated or provided for. Coal, coke. Indian
corn, ot maize, oats, bay and potatoes.
The bill provides that from and after July
l, next, the following rates of duty shall take
effect: Dressed lumber, 50 cents per tit iu sand
for each finished side. Gotten yarn, tiiroad
warps, etc., ranging eight cents per pound for
yarn, net exceeding twenty cents per pound
in value, to thirty-six cents fur yarn valued
at one dollar and twenty per cent ad valorem
for yarn exceeding one dollar in value. Co!
ton cloth, unbleached, two cents per squuro
yttfi, blenched two aud ore half esnta,
dj <d or crloved* three cents' for the lowcs
jj rude up to 10 per cent ad valorem for the
highest, with many intermediate grades of
duty according to conditions. Pig aud scrap
iron and scrap steel at a quarter of a cent per
pound. Railway bars, twelvo dollars aud a
half per ton for both iron and steel. Bar iron,
from nine-tenths of a cent to one cent. Sheet
iron or steel, no duty over GO per cent.
Hoop iron ciglit-tentlis. All manufactures, or
goods partly manufactured of this class of
iron, not specially provided for. two-tenths of
a cent more duty than is imposed on iron from
which it is made, hut no duty ovcrGO per cent.
Fislr plates one cent, boiler tables 21 cents per
pound, structural iron ono eont, and on and
after December 31. no duty on iron and steel
or any article of iron aud steel about 50 per
cent advalorcm. Copper, excepting copper
ores, from two to three cents per pound.
Sheathing or yellow metal, three cents per
pound. Earthenware and glassware
50 per cent advalorcm, for high
est grades, and 45 • per cent
for lower. Cylinder and crown glass from
50 cents per square Tout for higher grade down
to one and ouc-cighth cents for cammou win
dow glass. On all sugar s'O percentum of sev
eral duties and rates of duty now imposed on
said sugar. Inoperative as to sugars from coun
ties laying export duties. Rice, cleaned, ono
aud three-fourth cents per pound; uncleaucd,
one cent per pound; paddy, one cent
per pound; -broken or granulated
rice, 20 per cent ad valorem. Hemp, jute aud
flax goods and yarns of same, 30 per cent ad
valorem, where not otherwise specified. Bags
and bagging and liko manufactures, not
specially enumerated or provided for in this
act (except bagging for cotton) composed
wholly or in part of flax, liomp, juto, gunny
cloth, gunny bag.s or other material, 35 por
cent ad valorem.
Bagging for cotton, or other manufactures,
not specially enumerated or provided for iu
this act, suitable to uses for which cottou bag
ging is applied, composed in wholo or in part,
of hemp, jute, jute butt?, flax, gunny bags,
gunny cloth or other materials and valued at
seven cents or less per square yard, ono eont
per pound: valued at over seven cents por
square yard one and one and a half cents par
pound. Wools of the third class, two or eight
tenths cents per pound. All woolen goods not
otherwise specially provided for, twenty-five
cents Bcrpound and thirty per contiul valorem.
Woolen goods classified from eight cents per
pound aud 55 per cent adjvalorcm to thirty-
live cents per pound and thirty-five per cent
ad valorem. Marble,one dollar per cubic foot.
All earths or clays, wrought or manufactured,
not especially enumerated or provided for in
this act, two dollars per ton. All medicinal
preparations known as csccnecs, ethers, ex
tracts, inixtnrcs, spirits, tinctures, aud medi
cated wines, of which alcohol is a component
pari, not specially enumerated or provided for
this act, forty cents per pound.
The talk about tho Morrison tariff bill today
indicates more positively than auy signs of
yesterday that it is doomed to defeat. It rc-
dueesabout 15 per cent, and makes its heaviest
cut on southern products. The ways and
means committee is determined to push it
through with a favorable roport. Most of
the democrats of that cummittco ore oppo-.cd
to hearing any cvidcuco on any question
affected, but the republican minority will
make a strong fight for a full investigation
and for an opportunity to all citizens inter
ested, who may choose, to appear and give
evidence. Failing in this they will fight inch
by inch on evciy schedule, and tho bill may
bo badiy disfigured ill detail befora the house
gets a chance to smash it in bulk.
Tiio committee ou ways and means today in
structed Chairman Morrison to requoit an
opinion from the secretary of tho treasury as
to tlio prolmblo effect of the tariff rates pro
posed in tlio Morrison bill upon government
revenuesupod a basis of last ycai’s customs
business. It was stipulated by low tariff mout
hers that in the event of tlio failure of tho
secretary to return an answer by next Toes
day theYonshlcration or tlio tariff bill will be
gin on that day.
Washington, February 19.— [Special.] —
Representative Morrison said this evening
that he did not think it was tho intention of
ike ways and means committco to listen to
oval arguments ou tho tariff hill.
Tee Fill John Porter Debate.
Mr. Wolford, of Kentucky, resumed his
speech in favor of tlio Fite John Porter
hill, contending that tho trial upon
which General Porter had been con
victed had not been a fair trial. Pope had
been seeking a man upon whom to put tho
blame for being whipped, and _ had selected
Porter. Ho (Wolfork) blamed 'Generals Lee,
Longstrcet, Jackson and all tho confederate
soldiers, hut I’opo had blamed tho union gen
eral, who had dono his duty nobly.
Mr. Noglcy,oCPcnnsylvania,at\dMr. Fuller,
of Iowa, opposed tho hill as au insult to every
soldier who had perilled Iris life to save his
country!
Mr. Wheeler, of Alabama, speaking in sup
port ol the measure, said that when tho last
congress adjourned, it seemed that tho mem
bers were thoroughly informed regarding tho
eventful campaign of August, 1SG2. Not they
alone, hut tho reading public bad become vory
familiar with these historical events. Siuco
that time, much official correspondence, or
ders. reports, etc., relating to tlio campaign,
had been published liy tiio government, and
every new fact developed added strength to
the now almost universal conclusion that tho
sentence of tho court martial by which Major-
General Fitz John Porter was dismissed from
the army, was ono of those atro
cities which, at lonfff intervals,
disgrace the records of ovcu the most honora
ble and chivalric nations. Ho quoted
from tho order of Popo of August
th, directing l’orlcr to push for
ward into action at onco on tho enemy’s flank.
As this alleged failure to comply with
this order constituted the very core, soul and
life, of all the charges against Porter, it was
evident that his complete vindication must
follow the establishment of tlio fact that such
compliance was simply impossible, and that it
was issued by Pope in ignorance of the actual
situation in which hi# jinny was placed. Any
commanding officer must have realized at onco
that the order jnst delivered to him had boon
issued under a total misapprehension of the
actual state of affairs upon the federal left.
The duty oi‘ a corps commander was tho
same as tlic duty of au army commander, and
tho duty of each was to his country and to his
men. And as his men constituted tho instru
ment which alone enabled him to discharge
the duty to his country, it was sure that ho
had no right to decline the responsibility of
exercising Ills discretion tvhen forced to cliooso
whether he would sacrifice success and jeopar
dize his country, or fail to comply literally
with an order evidently tesued in ignoranco or
misapprehension of his situation.
Mr. Kclloy, ofPcnnsylvania,opposed tlio bill,
characterizing Porter as a groat soldier, who,
forgetting liis country and patriotism, had
sunk himself in infamy hy regarding office
and military duty as a mere personal trust for
himself and his cliquo or coterie.
Mr. Oates, of Alabama, made a speech in sup
port of tho bill, and ho was listened to with
great attention, as he. based his argument on
his personal knowledge oft lie incidont'of tho
29th of August. In a quiet deliberate manner
he described the assaults made upon that day.
There had been good deal of fighting, but there
had been nogcneral engagement on tho sonso
in which that term was usually employed.
It was insisted that Porter had been
fault for not making
attack on that day. The opportunity of vic
tory had been lost when, early on the morning
of the29tli, Generals McDowell aud Porter,
with their united forces did not iutorposo in
tho front of Longsrcct at Gainesville. They
had together n greater number of men than
Longstrcet, and by interposing they would
have delayed his union with Jackson. But he
did not think that oven that interposition
woula’havo given tho victory to I’opo, for
Jackson had a strong position, from which ho
could not have been driven. Porter was uofc
to lilamc for failing to interpose, for Mellow
ell ranked him, and if any ono was to blame,
it was McCowcS. Ho off milted in the strict
rense of military discipline, Porter had diso
beyed orders, but punishment had been too
severe.
Mr. Phelps, of New Jersey, sriil lie had be
lieved for twenty years that Porter was a trait
or and deserved to bo hanged. That was tho
popular opiuiou of tho loyal north and his
heart had been with it. He had changed Ills
opinion and believed Portor was an honest
man aud a loyal soldier, when as his repre
sentative ho bad bcon obliged to examine tho
evidence and learn the facts
“It is an old story; it is a wearisome ono to
ns; but to him it is a story of n life. Lot ns
today os courageous friends of jnotice deter
mine that we will make what reparation wt
can and that wo will end, now and forever, so
far as this house is concerned, tho strangest
and saddest story in Amorican history.”
Mr. Curtin, of Pennsylvania, earnestly sup
ported the bill. General Porter had been de
nounced asa traitor. If Porter was a traitor,
ho (Curtin) was a traitor, and if any ono wan
ted to tell him that he was a traitor let him
tell it in a corner.
Mr. Bragg, of Wisconsin, closed tho debate.
He stoed here, lie said, representing the fifth
army corps, wearing on his breast the badge of
the old army of the Potomac that loved Mc
Clellan and' Porter welhtbat fought tho battles
of their country, despite* •ongres-iionil interfer
ence. They sometimes had good officers; some
times officers nf medium capacity; anil some*
times bad officers; hut they fought steadily and
well against the flowor of tho confederate
army, led by its ablest captains. Their dan
ger had been lucre from the rear than tho
front, for congressional committees
were prowling through tho camp
looking for presidential favorites
and interfering with orders. That condition
of things had exited up to tho time the coun
try cried out agninst it and power was given
to Gencrni Grant to command all the army.
With him at its head,tho army of the Potomac
had gone forth to victory, closed the war and
saved the union. So had tho friends of Fitz-.
John Porter presson forward year after year,
asking that justice be done him. Partisan zeal
and malicious personal motives had prevented
a fair and impartial hearing, and had made
men fearful to voio in accordance with their
judgment lest a long black mark might go
down across their names and the curse of the
g. o. p. be issued against, them.
Mr. Bragg, of Wisconsin, who had demand
ed the previous question, withdrew the do
maud and again took tho floor in support of
tho hill. Ho sharply criticized the personnel
of the court which convicted Porter and its
one-sided course in tho trial, aud accused Mc
Dowell of falsification iu representing Uio re
port of Stonewall Jackson of the battle of
August 30 to apply to Porter’s movements
of tho 29th. Mr. Bragg said the
gentleman from Michigan (Cutehcon) had
taken the report of tho second battle
of Bull Run and read tiio number
of killed and wounded on tho 29th of August
for tho purpose of showing that there had boon
a general battle. If tho gontlomau had been
disposed to bo ingenious ho would have stated
that the heading of these reports was “Casu
alties between August IGtli and September
2nd,"’
Mr. Cntcheon declared that ho had so stated
in his speech,
Mr. Bragg—You took tho table of figures
frcir. the heading that covered almost a mouth
and yon have published it in your speech as
evidence of the losses ou August 29th, and
your republican constituents, who do not read
anything but yonrsneeeh in nrepubiioinnews
paper, will think that a historical evidence of
the war.
Mr. Bragg (advancing to tiro bar of t’ao
home!—I stale what you said. I stato what
figures are.
“Now,” exphumed Mr. Gtitclreon. ,al?o ad
vancing into tho space in front of t ho speaker’s
desk, “you arc trying to ram falseh-md down
the throat of this house.” I [Applause on the
republican side:]
“I draw my own info ranees as to your pur
pose,” cried Bragg, “and [defiant!*] I wi'l rn-
cat them if you desire.” _ [Applause on the
democratic side.]
At this time there was a good deal of con
fusion and excitement in the house, and it was
with difficulty that the voice of either gentle
man could be’licard; but as tho speaker rapped
the house to order, aud stated to Mr. Gutchaon
that he must not interrupt Mr. Bragg without
permission, the former indignantly exclaimed:
Then the gentleman must not falsify facte.”
“Ah!” was Mr. Bragg retort, “I am glad I
have driven that radical from under Stanton’s
petticoats, eo that he has come to the front.”
The vote Was finally leached and the.bill
passed.
J. M. IIHitf,
The Itogulnlor and Controller of t.u,r Prices.
Wiil moil samples of all daises of Dry Goods, miff
pay expresage ou all orders above 510.03. You
w will eavc ninety and get better variety to select
“I cannot speak positively for tlio other ] jrom by writing ns about what you warn aud get-
members,” said he, “but my own opinion is I ting our samples. The largest stock in Atlanta aud
that we have heard all that is necessary in the I the acknowledged lowest juices. IS and 48 White-
matter, aud that it is no use to delay action hy 1 hall street, -Atlanta, Ga. Mention this paper.
Ttie Telephone Scandals.
Mr. Handback, of Kansas, introduced the
following preamble and resolution:
Whereas, Grave charges have been made and are
constantly being made by the leading press of the
country, reflecting on the integrity and official
at lion or certain officers of the government of the
United States:
Resolved, That a special committee, consisting
of eleven members of this house, tie appointed,
mid when so appointed said committee is hereliy
(Urectcd, at as early a day as possible, to make in-
■lUiry into any expenditure on part of government
incuircdlrclativc to the rights of the flc-11 anil Pan?
Electric telephone companies to the priority of
patents; raid Inquiry to include nil organizations
or companies that' have sprung out of the Pan-
Eicctric telephone company, or for «J>y other pur
pose; and also to make a full ib.,uir> - Into the issu
ance of sleek, known as Pan-Electric telephone
stock, or any stock of any other company, compa
nies or organization springing out of the Pan
electric telephone company, to any i>en-r.norpcr-
M i:: colli.ci ted vvl-li either the log:-’ . c.v or ex
ecutive or judicial departments or the government
of the United Stairs: to whom, when, where mid In
What amount end for what consideration in money
or influence said stock wns delivered; nl-> ns in
v. lia: opinions, decisions and orders have been
made by any officers connected with the govern
ment, and by whom, and nil cirstumstaneez con
nected therewith and arising therefrom; and also
what suit or suits. If any, have been brought in the
name of the United Stares iotest the validity of the
patents issued or any other right in controversy
between the Bell and Pan-Etectric telephone com
pany; what contract- have been made, wiiat mon
ey's paid, or to l.c paid to any person or person.--,
aa assistant Connell to the attorney general Or so
licitor general of the United States; the reason or
authority for constituting the United Stales
n i>arty to said suit or suits,
and to the end that the pcor-M of the Untte.1 States
may lie folly advised, the committee be granted the
right to tend fur persons and papers, to sit during
the session? of the house, to employ stenoprapht-rs
and to Incur any rea-onnhle expenditures that may
be deemed necessary for the purposes of such iu
Investigation.
Referred to the committee on rules.
Mr. Pulitzer, of New York, offered the fol
lowing resolution, which was similarly re
ferred :
Resolved, That the resolution creating a select
cemmittee propo-od in the resolution submitted by
Mr. Hanhack, of Kansas, here amended as to au
thorize said committee to inquire whether
any ot tlic- telephone company have
In any- way influenced or attempted to Influence
officials or official action through newspapers act
ing from interested or improper motives,and also
whether any- corporations, or their managers or
xepresentatives, have contributed large sum? of
money for political campaign purposes, upon the
agreement that a eertainper-on acceptable to the
should he appointed judge of one of the courts of
tlic United States which may have to decide the
litigation concerning the telephone patents.
Washington, February 15.—Attornoy-Gcn
oral Garland today said that lie hail nothing
new to say concerning tho manner in which
he bccamo interested in the Pan-Electric com
pany, or the circumstances under which tho
suit at Memphis against the Bell company was
instituted hy direction of the solicitor-general
last autumn. “For,” he added, “my pub
lished statement to tho president last
October said everything I knew about those
matters, and iny attitude in regard to them
1ms not changed in the least since then.
Besides this, it now appears thatan investi
gation covering the whole qnestion is to bo
liad by tbe house of representatives, and I am
glad of it, and hope it will lie thorough and
complete, and that all there is of it will
he revested and made public;
In advance of . this investigation
which 1 heartily welcome. I feci disinclined
to go into the subject in detail, but I Will say
this, however: It is asserted hy some per
sons that S3 a member of tho rival com
pany to'file B*U company, nr.d the govern-
mentis now prosecuting a suit against the Bell
patent, this suit may result to my benefit or
advantage, and that; ton, white 1 am at the
head of the department of justice, through
the solicitor-general of which the suit is to he
carried on, and that therefore something
should be done liy me to relieve my solf and the
administration from tho apparently dclicato
situation indicated. I have considered this
suggestion in alt its bearings, as far as I am
able, and I recognize tlio fact that there
is much in it worthy of thought. I have dis
cussed in my miml most thoroughly what X
could and ought to do in viow alono of this
stato of the case, ami 1 have determined to
take steps to meet this in*a way that will, I
think, receive the approbation of all pcoplo
who really desire to bo satisfied. This would
ho at once communicated, hut tho investiga
tion hy the house is now to proceed, I do not
think it right for mo to do anything or ex
plain what X intend to do. until the investiga
tion is concluded, as my motives, iu view of
this investigation, might lie misconstrued.
But whatever the result of tho
investigation may be, I will carry
out and execute the determination I have
reached and of which I have already spoken,
and more than this, I hope you do not expect
mo to say or indicate.”
Question—But. Mr. Attorney General, will
you allowme to inquire whether this foreshad
ows your resignation from the cabinet?
Answer—No, it does not.
Tiro Silver l-’ight in-Committcc.
Washington, February 15.—-The silver
fight was renewed in the house committco of
coinage, weights and measures today. For
two hours tho whole question was discussed,
tut without conclusion. There was hut ouo
proposition voted on, and that was a bill en
titled “An act to maintain tho parity of silver
and gold.”
Sir. James moved to report adversely tlic bill
introduced by Mr. Bland this morning,entitled
a-'bill for the free coinage of silver and other
purposes.” Tlic bill was as follows:
fectiou 1. That from anil alter the passage of this
act,nit holders of silver bullion'of the value of Staor
more standard fineness, shall be entitled to have
the same coined into standard silver dollars of
grata 8 Ttey of standard stiver t*» the dollar,
upon like terms and conditions as gold is uoiv
coined for private holders; that the standard silver
dollris heretofore coined and herein provided for
shall he the unit of account ntid standard of
value in like manner as now provide,! for
the gold dollar, and shall be legal tender for alt
debts, public am! private, except when otherwise
stipulated.
Section 'J. That to much of tho provisions of the
act cf February US, 1S7H, entttltlcd "an act to au
thorize tiio coinage of standard silver dollars and
restore its legal tendercliaractor." as provides for
issuing certificates on the deposit of silver
dollars shall he applicable to coin herein named,
aud so much of said act of February 21. Is78, as
provides for the purchase of silver bullion to be
coined montlilv Into standard silver dollars, be
and ihosame is hereby repented.
sections. That the secretary of the treasury Is
hereby authorised to adopt such rules amt regula
tions its may be necessary to enforce theprortdons
of this aet.’ r „ .
Washington, February 20.—Chairman
Eland,of the house committee on coinage, weights
mid measures, lias prepared a minority report oil
the bill to provide for tho free coinage of silver,
which w as reported adversely from his committee
and which is uow ou the house calendar. Tlio
report, which issigned by Messrs. Bland, Ranham
and Fynum, starts oETwiili tho declaration that
the volume of metallic money is not subject to the
control of tlic legislator, but Is regulated liy
nature. Recognizing tho principle that nature
should supply tho volume ol money, tho only duly
tlint devolve? upon the legislator is to
establish bv law tlio ratio of value for the coinage
of two metals, and to provide for au unlimited or
flee coinage of both at tlic ratio established. This
was the system from 1?J2 until 1S7U, when, under
pretext of amending the mint act, stiver was do-
monetized. This demonetization, the report says,
was clearly an infraction of the true theory of bi
metallism and in conflict with tlio constitu
tion. If, under tiio constitution, congress
has power to prohibit or limit tho evinnge of
silver, so it ha? that of gold. Ouo of mo«t
Important questions connected with tho restora
tion ofsilver towheroit Was before this change is
the question of public debt. A? compared to gold,
silver is now depreciated. It is therefore plain that
it yv111 not t.cin good faith to onr public creditors
in pay them in silver dollars. Without going into
fscis end figures It is generiillyjadmitted that tho
bullion roiitaiucd iu the silver dollar will pur-
chioc as many of the necessaries of life at this time
and more than it could have done when dropped
from coinage; and more than In 1S35 or ISO.) or
1S70: couse fluently as compared to commodities, it
has not dcnrcciAtcd, but owing to tho change In
oeimany trom a single silver standard to a gold
standard in 1870, and the suspension of silver
coinage by France and other states In the Latin
union, the demand for gold has been very great,
| nr.d consequently compared to silver its votes .ap
preciated. Again, as is well known, the refundtd*
acts of 18,0 and 1871 provided for the rufondingof
the whole public debt Into a coin debt, ami that tbe
Principal and interest of bonds authoriz e should
be paid in eoin or the standard value of 1870. At
that time the silver dollar (4I2'<[ grains) was tbe
standard of value, and coin railedfor in the bond
Wats that dollar or the gold dolIar(2f>V* 9raius)at liM)
option of the government. Atl iuterest hearing,
coin obligation of the government uow ontstandlB*
were issued by virtue of the act of 1870, except the
per cent bonds issued under the act of 188L or
since silver coinaw was resumed, aud are pay
able in either gold or silver coin. Theremre.
to restore the silver dollar and compel its payment
in redemption of these obligations would tie no
violation of the contract or of good faith on the
part of the government towards its creditors.
As a conclusion, drawn from the consideration
of this question, tlic minority says the restora
tion of silver here will necesranlv give a de
mand for it that has not existed since 1873, and
will have a tendency to restore it to a parity with
gold, and it is believed will so resore it, but
whether it be so or not, it ia
insisted that we owe no debt that *
is not legally aad morally payable In silver and
even should we go to a single silver standard no
harm would come of it The report goes on to
oss the possibility of the silver supply being
discovered by which 8T»00,000,000 of silver would
he dumped down n]*m the United States and our
£000.COO,OUO of gold displaced and dumped down in
the Knropoan countries, and concludes that such
n oc< m ieace would be a great relief to l>oth hem-
. pheres. The result, ilsays, would be an increase
in ine monetary supply iu European countries of
gold that would set the machines of industry in
motion. The national debt ought to go, and with
it. if necessary, bank notes. Let silver aud silver
ertiticates lake the place of national bonds and
banknotes. We will thus substitute good money
for bad, and rid ourselves of an interest bearing
debt—a debt over which all this controversy arises
a debt, tbe manipulation of which l»as cost us :
half billion of dollars, liisat the bottom of all
our financial troubles and monetary legcrdenaiu;
constant source of conupt legislation and down-
light swindling. With this debt and the banks on
top ot it out of the way, the money of the constitu
tion will return to bless us. The most import
ant function of money in modern trade and
commerce is its legal tender power. If gold
only is a legal tender then debtors must, depend
upon this one metal to pay debts. All silver
and other products of Christendom except gold
would not pay a dollar of debt unless they could bo
exchanged for gold. Should the world come
to a gold unit as the sole legal tender
that metal might become so valuable as compared
with other commodities, and so scarce in propor
tion to the enormous demands made upon ir, that
many barons of this and other countries controlling
a few hundred millions of gold might control the
destinies ami nations and absolutely dominate the
welfare of mankind. Believing that silver is the
logical solution of the silver question and since
gold and silver seem to have been constitutional
money intended for tli« use of the states in adjust
ing their legal-tender laws, and for other reasons
herein stated and yet others that might l»e urged
for restoring silver to where it was before it was
demonetized by net of 187:t, we recom
mend the passage of house bill No. 5090, which
ainn at that result.
Chance of Turning the Senate*
Washington, Fehrnary 20.—[Special.]—
The terms of sixteen republican and u:no
democratic senators expire on the third ol*
March, 1887. The senators are: Miller, of
California; Hawley, of Connecticut; Harrison,
of Indiana;Hale, of Maine; Dawes, of Massa
chusetts; Conger, of Michigan: McMillan, of
Minnesota; VanWyck, of Nebraska; Howell,
of New Jersey; Miller, of .New York; Sher
man, of Ohio: Mitchell, of Pennsylvania: Al
drich, of Rhode Island; Edmunds, of Ver
mont; Mahono, of Virginia; and Sawyer, of
Wisconsin, republicans. Grey, of Delaware;
Jov.es, of Florida; Gorman, of Maryland;
George, of Mississippi; Cockrell, of Missouri;
Fair, of Nevada: Jackson, of Tennessee;
Maxcy, of Texas; and Camden, of West Vir
gin ia, democrats.
Doth tlic democrats and republicans in con
gress are looking forward with much interest
to tho election ot nests fall with regard to
their effect on the senate as well as the house
of representatives. The democrats think
they have a much better clianco of overcom
ing the six majority of tho republicans in tho
senate than the republicans have of overcom
ing the forty-three majority of the democrats
in the house of representatives. They claim
as certain to retain democratic senators from
Delaware, Florida, Missoura,Tennessee,Texas,
West Virginia, Nevada. They concede
that Maine, Mass calm setts, "Minnesota,
Ntf/rfiska, Pennsylvania, Uiiude Is
land and Vermont will return
republican senators. They think that the
democrats arc almost certain to control the In
diana legislature. California, Connecticut,
Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Wisconsin
tloy consider doubtful. Counting Indiana as
certain to return a democratic senator, tho
democrats, in order to secure a majority, must
elect a senator from each of three of these doubt
ful states. In California, New Jersey and New
York the democrats have the advantage of
controlling the state administration, aud will
probably make a stronger fight than elsewhere.
In Michigan the friends of Dan. M. Dickinson,
r.nd in Wisconsin the friends of Postmaster-
General Vilas arc already hard at work to
elect a legislative which will send them to
the se nate.
Peddling Out Pnrdon*,
Mr. Edmunds, from tlic committee on indi
cia Ty, reported favorably bills to remove tho
political disabilities of Alexander P. Stewart,
of Mississippi : Thomas L. Rosser, of Virginia;
and Edward G. W. Butler, of Missouri.
Tbe bills were at once passed. Mr. Edmunds
remarking that ono of the parties was an aged
gentleman, and desired before leaving this
world to be at peace with the United States.
Mr, Beck said he did not know of any
smaller business for the judiciary committee
than to be peddling out removals of disabili
ties in this way.
Ah*. Edmunds replied that all that the
United States asked of any person, before
relieving him of tbe penalty imposed on him
by the constitution for violating his
oath and deserting the constitution
that he had sworn to support#
and making war against the United States,
was that lie should present a respectful peti
tion showing that he was ready to give tip
fighting the United States, and to pay the
debts he owed for money received in his offi
cial character. If the senator from Kentucky
thought that to be "‘peddling out’’ removals
referred to be was entitled to his opinion.
Mr. Beck replied that twelve years ago tin
house of representatives had passed a bill re
moving all disabilities, anl before that time
the senate had done so. It did not happen
that both houses had done it at the same ses
sion. Ho insisted upon characterising the
pretent mode as ^peddling out,” and supposed
that in the present condition of the senate
nothing better could be expected.
The Silver Dollar" Debate.
In the coinage committee today, Mr. James,
of New York, attempted to avert certain de
feat of gold bullion by his resolution providing
for the suspension of silver in the event that
no treaty could be negotiated for the free
coinage of silver by foreign powers. This able
proposition was squelched by a vote of nine to
four. The leading gold champions are in con
ference tonight, trying to devise some means
of staying the tide of feeling in favor of silver,
which grows stronger in congress every day.
Washington Gossip.
Washington, February 18. — Senator
Edmunds today reported tho following resolu
tion from the senate committee on judiciary,
accompanied by a long report :
Resolved, That the foregoing report of the com
mute on judiciary l-e agreed to and adopted.
Resolved, That tho senate hereby expresses it-*
condemnation of the refusal of the attorney-gen
eral, under whatever Influence, to scud to the sen
ate copiosof the papers called for by it^ resolution
of the 25th of January aud set forth in the reports
of the committee on judiciary, as iu violation of
his official duty aud subversive of the fundament•
si principles of the government and of tho good
administration thereof.
Resolved, That it is under these circumstances,
the duty of the Fen ate to refuse its advice ami con
sent to the proposed removals of officers, tho doc
uments ana papers in reference to the supposed
official or personal misconduct of whom are with
held by the executive or auy head of tho depart
ment when deemed necessary by the senate and
called for in considering the matter.
Resolved, That the provision of section 17M of
the revised statutes declaring that persons honor
ably discharged from the military ov naval service
by reason of disability resulting from wound ; or
sickness incurred In Hue of duty, shall be preferred
for appointment to civil offices, provided they are
found to possess the business capacity necessary for
the proper discharge of the dunes of such office,
ought to be faithfully and fully put in execution,
and that to remove, or to
propose to remove, any such sol
dier whorefciithfniness, competency and character
arc nbove reproach, and to give place to another
who lias not rendered such service, is a violation
of the spirit of the law and of the practical grati
tude of the people ami government of the United
States owe to the defenders of constitutional lib-
i <;cminued on third column, eighth page. 1