Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-12-22

appointment is proof that the President
did not share in the slanderous attacks on
that officer, snd that the Secretary Of Wars
eumity and the malignant persecution at
tempted by one or two of his subOrdin-
ates, had to give way, and il General
SChOheld is really appointed to Baltimore
it will be the finishing touch that proves
Mr. lincoln the author Of the whole ar
rsngement.
IHE ExcHAsGE OF PRIsoEERs-
General Butler has been formally as
signed to the duty of exchanging prison
er5, vice Meredith, relieved. This does
not interfere with the command of his De-
partment. Exchanges, it is now said win
bs resumed in few days. The first negro
was exchanged day or two ago.
ooHsoKPrToH BILL AMENDMENTS.
1t is pretty certain that the distinction
Of classes in the CONSUMPTION bill will be
abolished before Congress takes q recess
for the holidays, SO that the draft, which
comes early in January, may fall not only
upon men under thirty Eve, but upon the
whole able bodied adult male population
Of the country. General Sohenek to day
offered such bill in the House. 1t was
unanimously approved by the Military
Committee, and the Senate Committee is
also understood to favor it. The House
will resist any attempt to pass further
amendments to the Conscription Law till
after the recess, on the ground that the
bill is imperfect now and any hasty at
tcmpts to patch it are only likely to make
matters worse. Clergymen are pretty
certain to be exempted when the amend
ments are made, if the $500 clause is re-
pealed, otherwise not.
Statistics have been laid before the Com
mittees showing that one, sixth Of those ex-
empted under ths last draft got of for be-
ing the only son of q widow. Men worth
great fortunes, whose widowed mothers
happened to be living with them, we're
exempted under it. Tnis will be carefully
guarded in contemplated amendments.
A strong movement is likely to be made
this session to consolidate the regulars
and volunteers.
Representations to the Military Commit
tees in both Houses from all parts Of the
country seem about equally divided on
the subject of relaining or repeating the
$500 clause.
The statements that have orepl into pa
psrs that Senator Sumner fully endorses
and adopts sll the views in the Presidents
Message are unWsrrsnted. He has of
course, expressed no dissatisfaction, but
he could hardly be expected to give up SO
promptly views of his own either in con-
hict with Presidents or supposed to be So
McClurgs Bill for payment of the Mis-
sOuri Home Guards came up to-day from
the Ways and Means Committee. and Blow
succeeded against the opposition Of Party
Democrats, in getting it made a special
order for tomorrow. e.r-r.a
The Democrats continue to display state
of disOrganiZstiOn 50 remarkable, that the
New York World tonight made them
sharp editorial lecture about it.
The vote on Clay Smiths handsomely
conceived resolutions the other day, split
them fairly in two, and to-day an effort
was made to prevent the payment Of any
Of the twenty millions appropriated for
premiums to negroes. Prominent Demo-
Gratis voted against the attempt, and for
treating negroes like other soldiers.
TIE MOVEMENT AGAINST Mr.. BLAIR.
The movement attempted to be inaugu-
rated through the proposed action Of the
House Administration Caucus, against Mr..
Blair, seems likely to fail. The Chairman
Of the Caucus seems unwilling to call it
together, and the members seem to have a
prudent recollection of similar demon
stration once made against another Cabi
net officer in another wing of the Capitol.
Some Of the members still insist on meet
ing Of the Caucus, but it will probably be
smotheryd
NEW LINE or STEAMERS.
Informal negotiations for the establish
ment Of line OF steamers between Boston
Il