The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-12-26
WAsHIN GToN ITEMS.

yisional Governor of that Srate, relieving him OF
that trust and rendering him the cooperation
of the Government of the United States when.
ever it is found necessary to the prosperity OF
the State of Georgia.
General Winfield Scott arrived at New Or
leans on the twelfth instant, on his way to the
Rio Grande. The report that General Grant
was about to visit the Rio Grande is premature.
lie will not leave Washington until some deci-
sive Congressional action is taken on the mat
ter, unless unforeseen contingencies should arise,
demanding his immediate presence on the Rio
Grande.
In consequence of the refusal by the Legsla-
ture of Tennessee to allow the negroes to testi-
fy in court the War Department has issued or
ders to General Fiske, the Superintendent of
he Freedman's Bureau in that State, to take
all cases in which the rights Of negroes are in
volved before the military courts for adjudica-
ton.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1S.-Notwithstanding
the unnecessary and silly speculations about Mr.
Harris, of Maryland, and the test oath, he took
it to-day in the House of Representatives as be
did two years ago. He was. always strong
friend of the South, but did nothing against
this Government.
Ex-Governor Thomas Corwin died this af-
-ternoon.
A prominent Western Republican Congress-
man will this week introduce a series Of resou-
tions In favor Of admitting all the Southern
representatives who can take the test OATH aud
whose States have abolished slavery and repu-
dated the rebel war debt; also declaring that
the right of suffrage should be regulated by the
States themselves.
Fourteen out of seventeen of the Ohio repub-
lican Congressional delegation and seven out of
eleven Of the Indiana congressman will vote for
repeal of the Washington city charter, in pre-
ference to favoring negro suffrage.
In the debate in the Senate, on the 18th, MIR
Salisbury said, in reply to Mr. Trumbull, "that
he did not see how gentlemen, holding that the
Southern States are not 10 the Union, can re-
gard the Constitutional Amendment as adopted.
1t required three fourths to adopt the amend
ment, and fiat number could not be obtained
without counting the Southern States"
The cutting off of debate, by the majority in
the House, has thus far rendered the proceed
ngs less interesting than usual, and the galleries,
especially the ladies' seats, have been but poorly
filed. The only speech of any length yet made,
was adroitly put in the other dry by MIR Chanler,
of N. Y, in opposition to Mr. Farnsworth's reso-
luton the right Of colored soldiers to full
citizenship.
Legislation having in view the obstacles to
speedy trial of JEFF. Davis, has already been in
auguratec: Twa,@Vils have been introduced
into the Senate I'd one into the House, pro-
yidiDg that in certain cases of trial for treason,
no mao shall be deemed to be an incompetent
j JUROR because of having formed or expressed
opinion based upon newspaper reports, or the
current history Of the day, provided that he
shall take oath that he still render an
impartial verdict upon the evidence before him
This over-turns the principle held in all courts
Of justice heretofore, but as it affects no crime
but treason, and as any man who has not formed
an opinion m the case Of Davis, is nanfesty
unft to sit as a juror, it cannot be deemed to
work to the detriment of impartial justice.
1t is given out semi officially at the State De-
partment that there is danger of rupture
With France. The President sustains the Sew
ard diplomacy.
The Presidents Message, enclosing the re-
ports of General Grant, Gene raj Howard, &c !,
on the condition of the South, has been read 10
the Senate, and is very conservative MIR Sum
ner pronounced it white washing message, only
paralleled by that of Pierce on Kansas.
Some surprise has been expressed at the long
adjournment Of Congress from December II to
January 8. 1t is reported that the recess has
been taken to enable Senators and Representa-
tives of the Radical stripe to manipulate the
Northern State Legislators, nearly all of whom
will be in Session after January l,so to Sc
cure an expression of opiQion against President
) ohnsons plan of reconstruction we'll as
decided endorsement Of the Stevens Sumner
Congress will vote an extra hundred million
additional National Bank issue-thus swelling
the total to four hundred millions. There will
be breathing spell when this sum is reached.
l hear that the Senators aud Representatives
from the South yet remaining here have held a
meeting, and resolved upon leaving for their
homes. With scarcely dissenting voice, the
conclusion was arrived at that there was no hope
for their admission within the next three months,
if at all during the session.
The proclamation announcing the adoption of
the Constitutional Amendment, 10 which the
President recognizes all the Southern States and
the Military Governor from Ala
bama, is the principal theme in both Houses of
Congress, 1t is in direct antagonism with the
views Of Congress.
Secretary Stanton has written to intimate per-
sonal friends in New York, that he will resign
his place in the Cabinet Immediately after the
first of January. His health, he says, needs re-
pose, and his private business affairs require
attention.
AN EPISODE IN CoURT.-About l O'Clock
to-day, Mir j. Ii: Bradley, Sen, was arguing
the case Of Wiley rs. Brown in the Circuit
Court, he appearing for the defense, personal
difficulty occurred between the counsel and the
Judge
Judge Olin asserting that statement Mr.
Bradley had made was untrue, and that he (Mr
B J knew it to be SO, Mr. Bradley replied, 'If