The national Republican., 1862-04-08
NEWS AND GOSSIP AT THE CAPITAL

By SFECTATOR.
Coz. Berry, Of New Hampshire, and most Of
the congressonA aely ystion Of hat State, went
down the Potonsc ysterdsy morning on 40
excursion, TO prsssnts flag to tbs New Hanp
shire Second volnntssrs. Mr.. Hale remalned
behind, end wss In hs seat, yesterday, u he
Senate.
Assistant Secretary Fox, Of the Navy Depart
msnt, Senator Grimes. of the Senate Naval
Committee, and Mr.. Scdgwick, Of the House
Naval Committee, are .on q trip TO Fortress
Monroe. When they left, they expected to
witness a conflict between the Merrimac and
the Monitor, but in this they were disappointed
Gen. sickles ia in town, having come up from
his command In Gen. Hooker's division. II is
understood here that he has steadily opposed
rendering any aid TO negro owners or ca'chers
within his lines.
Mr.. French, the able Commissioner Of Public
Buildings, upon The order Of the House Of Rep
reeentativee, recently made report Of the
cost Of the restaurants Of the Capitol TO the
Government. He summed up the consumption
Of coal ard gas BY the restaurants at s525 per
month. The fact that this report has been
called tor and been published, calls forth the
indignation Of correspondent Of the Sunday
Chronicle. He says:
al ace that some reformers object TO the con
sumption Of a little gas and Coal by the keepers
| of the Capitol restaurants. These are the skin
| fints who lubch on \ roll purloined from their
| breakfast table, and whose only luxury Is snuf
| hpx Had ~ he ntth a vpa anaa
Good cheer. II these economists did but know
II, accelerstes legislation and promotes friendly
feeling"
Ten TO ono that this correspondent eats hi
dinners free at the aforesaid restaurants. Tc
many persons, thieving is far more respectable
than honest economy.
Gen. Mcdowell and Secretary Stanton wer,
at the Capitol. yesterday afternoon, in attend
ance upon some Of the congressional commit
tees.
nr. Stanton has cent in au important commu
uication to the House Judiciary Committee. Il
relation TO the McKinstry matter in St. Louis
Il will be read 10 the committee this morning.
There Ia . flying rumor on the streets tha
the War Department 10 considering the proprl
Iey VI ofBdii'Hihk lew COuuuDduu Teg
ments, to occupy Southern forls In the sickl.
season. The Baltimore Sun speaks Of IL yeste,
dsy-aud this throws suspicion on the story.
We hear from Gen. Fremont that b, is quietl
at work at Wheeling. lie will be beard Of BY
and by, If be is granted the means that an
. general must have to succeed.
Passes have been refnsed by the War Depar
lnent to all persons desirous Of going to Mort
Carolina, whether natives or persons who wiz
to 60 there for business purposes.
The Hon. Mr.. Mcpherson, Of Pennsylvani
will present the President with a rare cane tb
morning. 1t was manufactured by John Hank
Of Scranton, Pa, out Of cedar stick. It
very curiously carved, the top into an Amer
can eagle. Upon its throat is the nation'
shield with the words Union Forever ~ il
scribed thereon. The eagle grasps JEFF. Dav
by the seat Of his bresches Below hin on or
side is q cannon--on the other q lion iu iu
spring with a rattlesnaks near by. A numb,
, Of other figures follow. Altogether, the car
" is remarkable piece Of woikman'hip. N
Pherson is just the man TO present it, and v
y may be sure that Mr.. Lincoln will have som
thing good to say in reply.