Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1861-04-04
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.
STATE OF THE NATION
Politicians in a Row at the White
House.
MIR. LINCOLN REBUKES. THEM.
POST OFFICE. CONTRACTS.
OF CLERKs
Affairs at Charleston.

Affairs aC CnarleSLOn.
WAsHINGTsN, March 80. y
The Cabinet did not hold meeting to-
day,
There has been some talk about difficult
ty which occurred at the White House be-
tween rival applicants for Federal posts in
Califol ala.
High words.p passed between the belligerent
Californisns, and they were SO boisterous as
to force the President to interfere.
Mr.. Lincoln requested the troublesome
politicians to calmly staie'th business and
then withdraw.
A conference between the department of
State and the Spanish legation has been
held, and it is stated that the officials dis
credit the statement that the island of ST.
Domingo has been or will be attacked by
Spain.
A large number of Department clerks were
paid off and dismissed, to-day, to give place
to Republicans.
The Post Oaice Department at noon, to-day
closed the time for letting mail contracts in
New York and New England. A large force
has been detailed to open and examine the
bids. Tne announcement of the successful
contractors will be made on the Oath of
April.
Mr.. Lamon says, in his report about Fort
Sumter, that Major Anderson considered the
South Carolina batteries very effective
They had been entirely remodeled under the
direction of General Beauregard, and heavy
DahlgIen guns had been mounted.
The rumors about an assault to be made
on Senator Tru umbull, are believed to- be with
out foundation.
Charles Alegood, of Philadelphia, has
been appointed Military storekeeper.
Mr.. Benson, of Pennsylvania, has been ap-
pointed Paymaster in the Army.
The Administration has had the question
of the collection of the revenues ae'the South
most fully under consideration, and does not
anticipate any immediate diminution or the
revenues. Orders have been sent South and
West to seizeupon all goods brought into the
loyal States through the end to smuggling
free goods into the free States. for the risk of
confscation Of goods is too great risk tor
the importer to take.
1T is reported that Hentry Winter Davis,
of Maryland. will be appointed Minister to
China. i
1t is believed by some there will be near
ly, if not quite, cAean abandonment of
Southern fotrs, not excepting Fort Monroe
and McHenry. Some OF the Firginians ask
this as an efectual breakwater against South
ern secession.
Capitalists are here demanding, before
presenting their bids for the $S, 600 900 loan.
to know what is tho policy of tbs Admins
tration.
An inquiry has been put to Mr.. Chase, in
regard to the loan, whethur the bids received
will be taken with regard to former forfeit
ures of deposits, or whether with or without
reference to the amount deposited at the time
of making the bid.
Ths court martial for the trial of Commo-
dore Armstrong is progressing very slowly
They have been waiting for several days for
Lieutenant Gilman, stationed at Fort Pick
ems. He is very essential witness. as the
government will be able to show by him
that Commodore Armstrong failed ITO CO.
operate with the army for theaaprotection of
the government property.
Erastus Poulson. whose appointment to
| the important post If Pension Agent of
Pennsylvania was predicted in this CORE
spondence. to day gave fifty thousand dollars
bonds to faithfully execute the duties.
The U. S steamer Powhatan, now at New
York, aud recently at Vera Cruz. has, by
order of the Secretary of the Navy. been put
of commission, her officers detached. and her
crew transferred to the receiving ship. The
vessel will require extensive repairs before
she can be sent to sea again.