Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1865-12-04

Robert Y. Conrad Representatives in Congress from
Virginia, are in the city.
CONGRESS.
The hotels are again vocal with the familiar voices
Of prominent Congressman and lobbyists. Tonight
the excitement centres upon candidates who are TO
win or be slaughtered at tomorrow nights caucus.
The feeling gains tonight that the old officers Of
the House will be reelected with possibly single
change. Messrs. COlfaX and Mcpherson do not
seem to have competitors The contest for the
other positions will be spirited, but promises TO end
tremendously. The Republican caucus will be held
in the Representatives hail. while sort of informal
meeting Of the Democracy is to convene in one OF
the committee rooms, but 1t IS not expected that II
will attain the significance Of nominating caucus
Ohio members have a preliminary meeting tonight
They are expected to combine on a State candidate
for House Postmaster. Mr.. COliaX has been thus
early mpOrtuned with reference to the formation OF
his committees. The two most prominently advanced
are General Banks and Henry j. Raymond but the
expectant Speaker with the same wise statesman
ship" exercised at the opening of the last Congress
keeps his own counsel.
A caucus of the Republican members of the House
from New York State will be held tomorrow ut
o'clock. It is understood that they will be unani-
nous on the election of Mr. GOOdenOw for door
keeper.
The Clerk Of the House asserts that he could not
enter the names Of Southern claimants to Congress
sOnal seats if he so desired, with two exceptions
owing to the legal infOmalities of their credentials
The Presidents Message was printed At the Urea
Sury Printing Office, and comprises sixteen quarto
pages Ii will not be given out to the press in adj
vance Of its delivery as will the Secretaries reports
but the Associated Press will commence telegraph
ing il as soon as its reading begins.
The few consistent Southern Union men who are
elected to Congress- periodically prefer 10 be ruled
out rather than 10 be admitted with the dslOyal
horde sent hither Senators Morgan, B. Graft
Brown aud Nesmith have arrived.
Special Dispatch to the New York News
There is reason to believe that the English Govern
ment has made formal demand upon Mr.. Seward
for the suppression of all public Fenian demonstra
tions, and that the failure TO do so will be regarded
as a hostile act. This demand is based upon dis
closures recently made in England relative to the
strength and object Of the Fenian movement, and
the matter was considered in the Cabinet meeting
to-day. The Radicals are getting somewhat I'M
easy.
II is reported that the President has communicated
70 Senator DOotte enough of his plans TO encourage
the Conservatives in the belief that some Of the
Southern members may be admitted during the Ses-
sion. The movement in favor OF Mr.. Raymond for
Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. in
place OF Mr. Stevens promises to succeed, but IS not
certain yet.
The recent reported evacuation of chihuahua and
SinOoa by the French is not believed by those best
informed on Mexican affairs. The French are known
TO be in strong force at Monterey and Durango, aud
the reported evacuation was probably strategic
movement.
The report was not credited by the Cabinet. There
is a quorum Of members now here, and both houses
will be organized on Monday, ready TO receive the
Presidents message. Mr.. COliaxs reelection is re-
garded as sertan that he receives numerous re-
quests for fayors Of various kinds in the gift OF the
Speaker,
There is a New York candidate for Clerk, but no
one doubts Mr.. McPhersOn's reelection.
THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT RATIFIED By
NORTH CARoLINA.
The President last night received the following
despatch:
President Of the United States-Sir: The Legs
lature has ratified, with but six dissenting voices,
the Congressional amendment abolshing slavery
Five Judges have been eected-all good selections.
Three of my provisional appointments have been
'0HH''i''' W. W. HOLDEN,
Provisional Governor.
Tue PEACE ESTABLISHMENT.
/ General Grants views in regard TO an increase of
/ the regular army will be communicated 10 the mill
tsry committees of Congress at the proper time. No
one is at liberty to fOreshadow his views in rega rd
70 that matter He is in favor Of reducing the army
TO the lowest point compatible with the public ILL.,
;erest.
DEsrTUTIoN IN ALABAMA
Official information received here represents that
there will be great suffering in Alabama during the
present winter owing TO the small corn and grain
crops the result Of the want of the necessary labor
/
the productive lands Of the state. 10 Is estimated
that there are no less than two hundred thousand
persons both black and white, who must be furnished
with food until they can raise It for themselves
The Freedmen's Bureau is, however, under instruc-
tons from the Secretary Of War taking the neces-
sary steps to relieve these people, far possible
at sn early day.
swINDLING.
Certain parties are travelling through the Northern
States, Is shown by communications received by
General Howard, appealing TO the benevolent Tor
contributions by representing that there arc twenty
thousand or more destitute freed people in this Dis
trct who are actually suffering for the neceSsareS of
life. These statements are false. The Freedmens
Bureau supports but three hundred freedmen.
TREASURY MATTERS.
II Is stated that the Treasury has now on hand in
coin Sal IT'S 600 and in currency $50 $4,000. There
IS at present outstanding S5,545,OO Of old certih-
Gates $50 360 900 Of new certificates and S5l OOOOOO
Of coin certificates In the War and Navy Depart
ments there is reduction in the expenditures of over
sll,OOOOOO in November, as compared with those OF
November, 1864.
Among the arrivals from the South is Judge War
mouth. who appears as delegate nom the Territory
of Louisiana He was elected by constituency Of
over nineteen thousand voters, most Of whom were
black.
WHITE HOUSE
The President was visited to-day by Senators and
Representatives, IN congress IN large uuinoerS IN
deed, the entire day was occupied in exchanging
pleasure situations between the President and Rep
resentatiyes Of the people, who so generally called
upon him.
FREEDSIES'S BUREAD.
General Howard of the Freedmen's Bureau, to-
day issued circular applicable to those of the
southern people whose property has been restored to
them in which he states that numerous cases have
been reported Of the summary expulsion Of freedmen
and refugees from their tenements on the planta-
lions thus restored and orders that hereafter all Off
Gers and agents Of the Bureau will prevent the re-
cuuenee Of such ejectments in future. In cases of
doubt the Assistant Commissioner OF the State Is d.
rected to forward his opinion TO the Commissioner
Of the Bureau before any order of restoration Is
/ issued.
/ LARGE REDUCTION OF ExPENDITUREs.-lt appears
by an Official statement from the United States Trea-
s1ry that the disbursements on account Of the war