Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-05-02
WASHINGTON coRREsPoNOE nee.
WAsHINaToN, D. @. !
March "a, 1862. !


The Confiscation Bill is now under con-
sheraton by Congress-, and bids fair TO
consume as much time in discussion as the
Tax Bill did. There isl good deal OF differ
ence among the Republican members, not
50 much as to the absolute Righteousness OF
confiscating the property of the rebels, but
as to hoso it shall be done, and, Of course,
a great futtering on the part of some over
anxious aspirants lest some scheme not orig
mated by themselves shall be adopted.
1t is q foe card for notoriety, and may
lead to fame, to have ones name contested
distinctly with popular measure. Besides
this difference of opinion on our side OF the
House, there is direct opposition to the meas
ure itself from noisy Democrats and Border
State hybrids. Crittenden is grave and
prophetical over the matter; Sam. Cox jim
giles his cap and bells; and Vallandigham is
clamorous. 1t is, perhaps, unreasonable to
expect entire unanimity on SO good thing,
but despite these differences and hinderan-
ces. this act, at once the doom Of slavery,
and the deliverance of our Union, scsH be
contaminated. .v
Last Monday the Hon. Mr.. Diven, Of N. Y,
chose to make himself conspicuous IN the
House by assalling General Fremont. linen
ton this fact for the purpose OF protesting
against Mr.. Diven being placed in false po-
sition by the distant reader of that debate.
Mr.. d. is a very clever, simple MD
die aged gentleman, fond of talking, and aims
to he considered very conservative, but IS no
moro capable of comprehending Gen. FIRE.
mont's case than British admiral is Of COM
pretending the Monitor. Mr.. Owen thought
be was making great hit, instead OF which
he simply elected the disgust OF the cntire
House by the unseasonableness OF lis re-
marks. The resolution offered by him died
still-born, after serving Thad. Stevens with
an opportunity to compliment the Van Wyck
Investigating Committee as scandal hunt
ing" affair.
We expect hourly to hear Of the arrival Of
the Galena at Hampton Roads, when another
naval battle cannot long be delayed When
ever such q contest is had we look for new
laurels for tie Monitor. Ilearn from friend
WAC to-day returned from Fortress Monroe
that the Monitor is regarded by her com'
mander as perfectly invulnerable. In the
late battle she received, when only seren tee'
distant from the snuzs'e Of the Mesrimdc's
guns. l6O-pound rife shot, without injury
The ball left only its indentation. The rebels
have a plan for rendering the Monitor helpless
in the next fight, by boarding her, and wltt
| wedges and mallets "chocking" the turre1
and stopping rotary motion, and so leave
her completely at the mercy of the Merrimac
| predict that the Monitor will be the Jump
ing off place" to every man that Jumps or
her with mallet and wedge.
THERE'S some prospect that our representa-
tive from the End District, Mr.. Vandever, viii
lose his seat in the House, it being in ques
ton whether member may accept commits
sion in the service and at the same time re
tain his seat as member. The report Of thu
committee is understood to be unanimously
| against him, and what is matter of surprise
the committee are about equally divided al
to the admission of Legrand Byingtcn, WHIT
claims Mr.. VS. seat The cases have no rea
connection however, and if, as is highly prob
| able, Mr.. Vandever is declared ineligible, Mr.
Byington's chances are not any better there
by.
We had horribly barbarous incident a
the military prison on Capitol Hill. The at
fair is simply this: One of our corporals
clothed in little brief authority, issued to
sentry the atrocious order to shoot an unrul!
| secession pTlSOucT loF tuC miSuCihoouOA
breaking the prison rules by thrustirg hi
head out of the windo and doing some uu
necessary swearing The order was obeyed
and the prisoner died from his wound in
few hours-a victim to unmitigated brutality
The army authorities have the matter unde
investigation.
To day the Post Office Department ha
been thronged with mail contractors, for tn
great mail lettings for the West, Northwes
and the Pacific coast. Since the 1st of tn
month $4,000 bids have been opened. and tc
day the decision of the Department was an
nounced to the bidders. who had thronge
the corridors of the building by hundreds
"Where the carcass is there will the eagle
(vultures( be gathered together.
When last wrote you the weather wa
warm and thought We had definitely parte
with winter, or the understanding that b
was not to return until November next, but
was mistaken. Since my letter left the weathe
has been cold, blustery and rainy. As if t
compensate US for this we are permitte'
the luxuries of asparagus and green peas o.
our tables. 10. W.