The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-04-09
WASHINGTON.
Special Dispatches to. The Evening Tslesr9pA.

. WAsHNGr0N, April 9.
The Question Of q General Amncsty.W
has been seriously discussed in Cabinet on seve-
raj occasions of late. The President has been
strongly urged by many influential Radical Re
publicans to take this step. 1t is known that at
least three members of the Cabinet are strongly
in favor oft. It is not improbable that the Pre-
sident may be induced to take this step at an
early day. ..
The Fighting Generals versus the
Writing Generals.
leading newspaper here says:-"Not long
ago board of officers, consisting of Generals
Sherman, Thomas, Meade, and Sheridan, was
convened at st. Louis for the purpose of" ex-
amining the military record of services of each
and every regular officer recommended for or
applying to be made general officer by brevet.
In establishing standard by which to judge Of
the merits of each case, the board decided that
gallant conduct on the field In face of the enemy
should be the standard of honorable reward. BY
this measurement list was made out aud sent
to Washington tor the approval of General Grant
and the President, who confers the appoint
ments. When Secretary Stanton found that the
board had ignored the claim of his easy chair
general breveted by himself for faithful clerical
duty in Washington during the entire war, he
quietly sent their names to the Senate, aud,
taking advantage of the second veto excitement
rushed them through the Military Committee
and had them confirmed. This trick has ex-
cited great deal of indignation among those
regular officers who fought in the field all
through the war, and whose claims for reward
were endorsed by the renowned warriors who
composed the board OF examiners. Many of
these meritorious officers are uow lin the city,
and propose to secure from the Senate, if pos
sible, reconsideration of these brevet conirma-
tions."
Release of semmes.
The pirate Semmes was released by order of
the President, and went directly to Baltimore
where he has many friends and relatives. 1t is
known that he was originally arrested with the
advice of Generals Grant and Sherman, and ap-
proved in Cabinet meeting. Attorney General
Speed has decided that his arrest was legal, and
recommended his trial, but as was announced
a month ago, it had been determined to release
him. Colonel zeilin, Commandant of the Ma
rne Corps, received an order from the Secretary
of the Navy, as follows:- ....
SR:-In pursuance of the instructions of the Presi.
dent you WILL upon the reception of this order,
forth with discharge Raphael Semmes from custody,
-#. Very respectfully, GIDEON WELLEs.
Reports from General Baaks.
As General Banks has never submitted a re-
port of the battle of Cedar Mountain Virginia,
and the siege Of Port Hudson, the Secretary of
War has called upon hun for said reports, which
the General is at present engaged in preparing.
Smuggling from Canada. u....I
Reports were received by the Commissioner of
Customs from revenue officer stationed
between Ogdensburg and Rouse's Point, detail
ing the capture of several cargoes of smuggled
goods, consisting mostly of liquors. and amount
ing in value to several thousand dollars.
Alexander HI. Stephens D..
continues to receive many calls from those who
have been admirers of his course for the last
five years, and those holding high positions who
are now disposed to make hero of him; he has
l..
admission into the Senate, and says he shall 60
back on Wednesday; he has not the slightest
doubt but that he Will yet have a seat given him
in the Senate; he estimates the coming cot.
ton crop of the South at 100000 bales; he is
somewhat astonshed at the united front and
determined Will Of Congress, and says the
people have been led to believe that they would
succumb to the President, and that their old
allies the Democratic party, will see that they
are reinstated to their former political privi-
leges; the late elections have, however, some.
what shaken his faith. r. ..H.n. ... n
Reimbursing Pennsylvania. '
Senator Wilson will to-day report to the Sen
ate Mr.. Myers bill for the reimbursement of
money which the State of Pennsylvania advanced
to pay her militia.
-..gr. Personal. ~.
Governor Morton, of Indiana, and Governor
Curtin, of Pennsylvania, are now here. II is
said the latter has been rendered foreign mis-
sion. Hot t.i
Tho President at Gen. Grants Reception.
The Presidents attending General Grants
levee, on Friday, has caused no little comment.
His treatment, however, of all whom he met
there was very cordial, and he first extended his
hand to Thaddeus Stevens, who chatted with
him for several minutes, and was by the Presi-
dent introduced to Mrs. General Grant. Senator
Sumner was not there, having gone out to dine.
This is the first time that President has at
tended levee of any of his subordinates.
'.'" Jeh. Davis and Clay.
1t is generally expected that the President
will inca few days release JEFF. Davis and
Clement @. Clay on parole. There is no proba-
blity of their ever being tried for their partci-
patton in the conspiracy by which the President
was murdered. 1t is not unlikely that Congress
will again call for the testimony that has SO far
been kept secret, and It's existence known to but
few persons. Judge Holt has expressed his
opinion, in writing, that 1t was enough to con-
vfct them, and no one is more surprised at their
not being tried than Judge-Advocate Holt. n iay
fr-.. .. -------s.-------. ~. Jl-43ul.
-s.-s- "a Election, at Louisville. ,oI-LU &
LOUISVILLE, April S.-James IS. Lithgow was