The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-05-15
AFFAIRS IN WASHINGTON.
Correspondence of the Richmond Times.
W.eufNcTor Nav 8 1S6f

WAsHfNeToN, May s, 1866.
A lively debate took place 10 the Senate this
afternoon on the proposition OF the Radicals to
restrict the power of the President in the re-
movaI and appointment of Government officers.
The quarrel Is now nearly all between the Re-
publican Senators. Some few Of the moderate
Radicals, together with the Conservatives and
Democrats, oppose the attempt to interfere with
the President, whilst the extreme Radicals favor
it. The measure will undoubtedly tail In the
present fern of aa amendment to the Postoffee
Appropriation BILL but a separate bill, contain
ing the same proposition, is threatened The
fate of such a BILL if it be reported, is easily de-
termined from what has already transpired in
the Senate 1t will be defeated.
In the House the report OF the directory"
came up as the special order, and Thad. Stevens
having the floor, Immediately moved that the
report be re-committed TO the committee. This
was little piece of strategy on the part of Ste
vens to cut off the introduction of the threaten
ed amendments and substitutes, aud con6ne, for
the present, the discussion exclusively to the
plan as reported by the Committee OF Fifteen.
The plan which seems to meet with general ia
yor is to strike out the section DISTINGUISHING the
Southern people ill 1870, admit Tennessee and
Arkausas Represen tatives Immediately, and sub
init at once to the other Southern States re.
spectively, propositions, yet to be matured,
which being adopted by any one of the South
ern States shall admit its Representatives imme
diately to seats in Congress. The plan submit
ted by the mmittee will not receive over thirty
or forty votes in the House, as matters now
look.
| have already Informed you that the House
has passed bill authorizing the holding OF
United States Circuit Courts at Richmond in
stead OF Norfolk. The bill is now in the hands
of the printer, and will be passed by the Senate
Tomorrow or next day. Chief Justice Chase
says he will not preside in the Court, however,
until the President shall give some definite d.
rections to the military, issue order declar-
ing martial law abrogated in Virginia, 10 all
matters 10 which civil courts have jurisdiction.
Such an order will probably be issued by the
President 10 few days, though both Mr. John
son and Chief Justice Chase construe the peace
proclamation as in effect plainly declaring these
facts. Mr. Chase does not deem it proper for
Judge Of the Supreme Court of the. United
States to preside In district where he Is likely
to be menaced by bayonets, as was the case IN
New Orleans recently, when Judge Duvrel, OF
the United States Crcait Court, Was interfered
with in a certain cotton case, by General Candy.
An appeal to the President in such cases al
ways results in an order declaring the civil law
supreme, but nevertheless, military commanders
seem, most obtusely, it would appear, to miscon-
strue the peace proclamation, and therefore,
probably, the order that [ have mentioned will
soon be issued.
1t is supposed by many that SO soon as the
Chief Justice shall take his seat in Richmond,
that Jefferson Davis will be put upon trial for
treason Such is not the fact, though hereafter
it may be determined to have the trial take place
in Richmond. AS yet however, the Government
bas not absolutely determined what shall be
done in the matter, and will not, probably, un
til the House judiciary Committee, which is
expected to report on the subject of the trial of
Davis shall make statement. In the mean
time, however, the Grand Jury III the United
States Circuit Court, Judge Underwood presid-
ing, will no doubt report en- indictment against
the late President of the Southern Coniederacy.
Secretary McCuoch, who made flying visit
to Fortress Monroe and back, leaving here on
Saturday last, says that he had, while in the
Fortress, brief conversation with jeff Davis
general subjects There was nothing impor-
tant in the interview. Davis was not in very
good health.
met gentleman, prominent citizen, who
few days ago saw Davis within the fort. The
latter was witness of the trial of some large
guns. He was apparently in very good health,
ahd was LOOKING as Well as ne had appeared 10
ten years past. Davis was attended by mill
tary officer, who walked at his side, and by two
soldiers, with muskets upor their shoulders,
who followed few feet behind.
MIR Davis, when out in the air. seldom remains
quiet long. He generally walks four or five
miles during the day.
The Government has finally determined to
hold the gold claimed by the Richmond Banks
as their private properly The Secretary of the
Treasury considers that The proof clearly estab-
fishes that the gold belonged to the Southern
Confederacy, and was deposit to it's credit in
the banks, and subject to its drafts.
Gov. HOLDEN OPPOSED TO THE BUREAU