Washington telegraph., 1864-03-09

RON h NOXNlLLE AND CHATTANOOGA
Cincinnati, Feb. 16.--Gen. Foster passed
TIN ough here yesterday.
Gems. Schofcld and Stoneman arrived
at Knoxville on tile 9th. The situation
at Knoxville is unchanged. Union clti-
zens report Longstreet has tho railroad
in running order to Strawberry Plains.
The Gazette's Chattanooga dispatch
of the 18th says it has rained furiously
for the past "a hours The situation Of
Johnston's army remains unchanged.
Sherman's progress excites great con-
sternation among the rebels. Eighty
four deserters came in Saturday. Trains
are running regularly OH all the rail-
roads.
Cairo, Feb. 16.-A skirmiSh occurred
yesterday at Charleston, Missouri, be-
tween the 25th Missouri State Militia
and guerillas. Two Federals were killed
and six wounded. Loss to guerillas
unknown.
Washington, Feb. 16-A very inter-
esting debate occurred in the House to-
day on the question Of reference Of the
credentials oe ono Johnston, claiming to
be Congressman from Arkansas, the
speeches taking Q wide range During
the debate, Henry Winter Davis said, if
the Presidents amnesty proclamation
was anything more than a mere piece of
waste paper, it was a very grave inva-
sion Of the legislative functions Of tire
Government, the legality Of which he
was seriously disposed to impcach.
Mr. Boutwell,, of Mass, too, strong
grounds in favor Of the State suicide
policy, and boldly declared that Arkan-
sas had no legal or constitutional exist
ence in the Union that, as State. it
had. in fact, ceased to exist.
The bill to guaranty to certain States
whose governments have bgcn over
thrown, republican form Of government,
reported from select committee OH re-
bcllious States, is a radical document.
1t provides for the appointment OF Pro
vlsIonal Governors, who shall have en-
rolled all male white citizens Of said
States, designating those who d.. and
do not, take the oath of allegiance, aud
If those taking the oath shall be one
tenth Of those enrolled, said Governor
can call convention, charged tD declare
the will of the people in forming new
State government, of which convention
said Governor shall be president.
No one shall be eligible tD 4 seat who
has ever voluntarily borne arms against
this Government, or held civil Or militia
ry office under any usurping power The
convention shall adopt i'll their State
constitution the following proposition
prescribed by the United States ia guar
anteeing to said State a republican form
of government.
lst. No person who mas hell Or exer-
cised any Office, civil or military. State
OF Confederate, under usnrpin- power.
shall vote for or be member uf Lcgis
laturc or Governor.
"a. Involuntary scrvitule Is forever
prohibited, and freedom Uf all pc.suns
il guaranteed in said State.
Sd No debt, State Dr. Confederate
created by or under sanction Of usurp-
ing power shall be recognized or paid
by State.
Provision il made for submitting this
new constitution 70 tic people. and. If
adopted, the President by proclamation.
and Congress by legislation, can de-
clare said State in tie Union.
1t is further provided that every Der
son who shall hereafter hold or exercise
any civil OF military authority in the
rebel service, State Or Confederate. il
declared not to be q citizen Of The United
States.