The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-12-05
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.

The Republican representatives in
Congress, met in caucus on Saturday
night, and ominated Schuyler Colfax.
for Speaker, and Mr.. Mcpherson. for
Clerk, by reclamation. All the other
incumbents were re-nOminated, except
ing the Postmaster. NoSouthern mem
bers We're admitted TO the caucus. A
resolution was unanimously adopted, to
be offered in both Houses. for the ap-
polntment of committee of fifteen to
consider the condition of the SPECIALIZED
Confederate States, aud report whether
any of them are entitled to representa-
ton. No member will be admitted until
such report be made and acted upon by
Congress. The Washington correspon-
dent of the Richmond Enquirer, writes
Oh Sunday, to this effect: fb y
The resolution adopted by the Rtpub-
lican caucus last night i'm regard to the
admission of members of Congress from
the southern states has been the sub
ject or much comment to-day. The fact
that this movement was made at the
instance of Thad. Stevens, the foremost
of the Radicals in the House, and the
unanimity with which it was adopted
by the caucus, is regarded as full of sig
nificance. In some quarters it is argued
that ii is the Initiation of the war upon
Mr.. JOhnsOn's reconstruction policy,
and is indicative Of the adoption of IN
extremely radical course on the part of
the Radicals and means adopted to
bring them more nearly in accord with
the known views of the Administration
The latter view seems to prevail, and
the Democratic members are to-day
hopeful that the. Republican majority
will be magnanimous, and arrange for
the admission of all the members from
the South who are able to take the pres
cribed oath. The condition of Congress
is such that too great strain on the
part of the Radicals may leave them in
a minority, and place them in the posi-
ton of the only opponents Of the Adj
do anything like justice, their ma
can claim to be the administration party;
but If reasonable concessions should be
refused, there will be u coalition of
the Democrats and conservative Repub-
leans In support of the administration
measures that will alter entirely the for
nation OF parties i'm the National Legis-
ature. 1t is very generally conceded
that Virginia having been uniformly
recognized both by the Executive and
Congress as always in the. Union, all of
her representatives who can take the
Congressional oath must be admitted,
and that the proclamation of President
johnson declaring the state of Tennes-5
See nOlOnger in insurrection, relieves the
representatives from all disabilities eX-
cept the test oath and the infOrmalities
in the elections. But it is asserted by
even very conservative Republicans that
no representative can be admitted from
any other of the southern states until
there shall have been issued Presiden-
tial proclamation, declaring each of
them relieved from the disabilities i'm
posed by the former proclamation, de-
claring shem to be in state of insurrec-
ton.
The organization Of the House will be
affected very promptly tomorrow, and
the message and accompanying dOcu-
ments will be presented on Tuesday. 1t
is expected that the committee suggest
ed by the caucus last night, will be ready
torepOrt on "Wednesday. 1t will probably
elicit considerable debate, and it inform
ally agreed to dispose of the whole ques-
ton before proceeding to any other bust
ness. One great difficulty in the way of
the admission fsouthern representatives
is the silly divisions among southern
men now here. In the eases of Louis
lana and Arkansas, for instance, there
are parties here clamoring for the set
ting aside of the existing State Govern
ments, and the substitution of PrOvis-
ional Governments. ltflttf.
1t is quite evident that these parties
have been disappointed in obtaining
the political control in the present State
Governments, and are manouvering for
a new deal to afford them another
chance.
The Philadelphia Press of Sunday |
eulOgises Mr.. ColfaX's course i'm Con-
gress, and says che will return with |
larger appreciation and truer knowledge |
of the greatness of our country, gained |
during his recent tour across the CONT |
nent." On the other hand, some prom
inent Pennsylvania politicians, who ap-
pear to be i'm the confidence of the Pres-
dent, assert equally positive with For.
ney) that the President does not endorse |
the action of Mcpherson, nor desire the |
reelection of Colfax. They say that the
President wishes all southern members, |
with proper credentials, admitted to
their seats.