The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1865-12-12
SECOND DISPATCH
From Washington.

Supreme Court now has before it the follow
ing case: The United States plaintiff, in
error, Us. Leroy N. Wiley.
1t involves this question "Does the Presi-
dents pardon remit the sentence of forfeiture
of rebel property, and reinstate the rebel in
all his rights thereto"
1t is understood that the constitutionality of
the Act of Congress prescribing the test oath
is now before the Supreme Court on the APP
plication of A. H. Garland of Arkansas
The whole question will be presented on Fri
day next.
Washington correspondent of the New
York News, writes that new feature is ex-
hibited at this session of Congress.
"This is the appearance in the galleries of
both houses of large numbers of negroes and
negresses, and the airs they put on is eau
ton. They push themselves into the ladies'
galleries and thrust themselves into the front
seats, and there they sit for hours No
decent people will sit on the seats behind
them or near them, and thus there is always
a wide vacant space between them and the
white people.
The negroes clap their hands, and grin and
chatter like monkeys, whenever any of their
friends on the floor make any ausion to the
American citizens of African descent have
seen dozens of ladies come to the doors of tho
gallery, look in, astonished at the sight that
meet their gaze, and then turn away and
leave the Capitol sooner than be contaminated
by sitting in the same gallery with the ne
groes, and behind them, too. Negro equality
here is advancing with rapid strides.
THE HOUSE COMMITTEES.
The House standing committees will be
named on Monday Thaddeus Stevens is
Chairman of the Ways and Means. Mr.. Nor
rill, of Vermont Chairman of the Committee
on Appropriations, and General Butler, Chair
man of the Committee on Foreign Relations
There is sgreat and just indignation over
Stevens appointment, and a pressure may
change it.
THE CORK IN THE BOTTLE
1t is said that General Butler is preparing
his reply to the censure of General Grant, and
that it will soon be published.
NEGRO SUFFRAGE.
The New York Epening Posts Washington
correspondent says:
"The Chronicle is also urging-and it speaks
for the Summers now against President john
son-universal negro suffrage for the District
of Columbia. If this is pushed and passed,
without reference to the people of the District,
/ venture to say President johnson will veto
the act"
| SNOW STORM.
Philadelphia, Dec 9th, 4P. MA heavy
snow storm prevailing here
THE EIGHT HOUR SYSTEM.
A few days ago the worklngmen of Indiana
held large convention at Indianapolis, and
passed resolutions to memorabilia the Legis-
lature to adopt the eight hour system in that
State.
| NEGRO SUFFRAGE.
Washington, Dec. 9th.--General Banks and
Speaker Cofax have promised to lecture before
the Negro Suffrage Association. 1t is under
stood they take strong grounds in favor of ne
gro suffrage. Mrs. Swisshelm's new paper to
be started here will advocate negro suffrage
DREADFUL ACCIDENT ON THE SOUTH SIDE
RAILROAD.
The Lynchburg Twginian of Saturday
states that Immediately after the surrender of
General Lee, the long bridge of the South
Side Railroad Company across James river at
at Robertsons mill, six miles below town, was
destroyed by order of Gen. Lomax the Con-
federate officer then in command here, togeth-
err with the bridge leading over to the island
from the north side of the river Notwith-
standing the period that has elapsed since
that occurrence these bridges have not been
rebuilt. For some time past, however, hands
have engaged in constructing new bridge at
Robertson's mill, and had made considerable
progress with the work, when, by terrible
accident, much of it was undone, and dis res
sing injuries and loss of life inflicted on those
employed upon it. Early in the evening of
Thursday it will be remembered that the
wind was very high and between one and
two o'clock two spans of the bridge, which
had been put up but had not been braced,
were blown down by severe gust of wind,
while the hands were at work uron them
The crash of falling timbers, with men cling
ing to them or leaping into the water far be-
low, presented an appalling scene. The bridge
we suppose, must be some forty or fifty feet
above the water. Weare panied to announce
the immed late death, by ..the catastrophe
of two persons and the wounding of eighteen
others. The killed were Mr. Garrison, of Pc
tersburg, the constructor of the work, and a
Mr.. Barry. Mr.. Garrison, it seems, en-
deayored to leap to the bank, distance of
forty feet, and was killed by the conclusion.
He was very estimable gentleman, and re-
sided in this city while the Virginia and Ten
nessee railroad was in course of construc-
ton, upon which work he was contractor
or engineer He was an honest, upright and |
christian gentleman.
Among the wounded was Capt. Hannah, of
Appomattox, whe received fracture. Oft
the wounded, we learn that most of their nju-
ries are slight, and will not, probably, result
seriously in any case 1t is almost miracu-
lous that any one of them escaped DEATH
Doctors Walker, Blackford and Christian, were
summoned to the scene of the. disaster,
whittier they repaired with all possible ex-
petition, and rendered all the professional as