The Portland daily press., 1866-12-10
Letter from, the National Capi,nI.
WASHINGTON. d. C.. Dec 5,h -sce

eA~ sAiAN Noy VI ITO ITuD~
ABLY any shrewd observer could tell the tenn
per OIL The two bodies. AT any rate am in
neu 70 think myself able to give some clear
| p''onS Oh the opinions prevalent here.
| THE TEMPER OF CONGRESS.
/ 'ai as the majority Of the House is con-
0u' 'he Dough" is much less in amount
tnan IL was at the last session. Tbaddops
stevens, however, still declares there Is cuito
tool much OF the article named, for his use. II
Is however quite certain that members rsturr
with firmness and determination rorolv Wit.
messed among so large a body of men Tl,;a
| is especially true Of the Western men. Neo,-
| ~ all of them are ready for any measures that
may be deemed necessary TO preserve the na-
ton from any more demonstrations of usurpa-
ton and anarchy. The Pennsylvania men,
bers are equally radical. SO in the main
are the Ohio men. The New Englanders
seem more cautious Like true reformers they
stand waiting to criticize all measures where
with it is proposed to build the consummation.
Gov. Boutwellis on matters of political import
the duant gdrde Of New England's delegations
Mr. Morrill, is of course the leader, not only of
New England, but of the House. on matters
of revenue, tariff, &c.
That wonderful 'old man eloquent'-Thad-
deus Stevens-seems to have renewed his IN
tellectual youth. Like the tabled ANTIQUE he
ro, who when he fell in combat upon the
earth-his mother-was healed of his wounds
and went again to fight with fresh life, Mr..
Stevens goes back TO the people to find him
renewed in intellect, purpose and WILL from
out their exhaustless store To-day he is as a
man, simply such, possessed of more power
and more honor than any other in the nation
In the House he controls more than ever before
Time, which makes all things even, proves him
selfnearestthe true method ofsolving the recon-
struction problem. Mr.. Stevens is understood
to sustain:-
LIST. The continuance of the Joint Commit
tee of Fifteen on Reconstruction.
I'd. The raising of committee to prepare
articles of Impeachment, or at least to investi-
gate the grounds assigned for the action. Gov.
Boutwell, has already distinctly announced his
intention of calling for such an investigation.
All that is necessary is for member to state
that common rumor" affirms such and such
charges to be true of the official sought to
be impeached, and the House can order the
requisite committee.
Sd. The passage of Mr. Williams (Pa.) bill
providing for the manner in which removals
from office can be made and restricting the
holding of position by persons rejected of the
Senate. This bill is a sweeping measure, pref
ty effectually curbing the present corrupt
use of patronage.
4th. He is of course favorable to the passage
of a measure looking to the reorganization of
the unrepresented States. Also Of q modified
confiscation act. The passage of a bill provid-
ing for the recognition ofthe represented States
Us the only ones competent to pass upon
amendments to the Constitution, meets, of
course, with his approval.
These are the main questions which will be
discussed at the caucus. Indications are not
wanting that the Senate will not as heartily
respond to them as the House. Already the
dignity of the smaller body is aroused because
the Representatives have taken the initiative in
offering measures calculated to curb Executive
corruption and prevent the destruction of the
Senate'5 prerogatives as. the confirming body
in tho appointing power The caucus will be
very animated and earnest but in it the radi-
Gals are sure to carry the day.
BARRIERS AGAINST my roLIcY'
The House repealed on the first day the thir-
teenth section of a law passed in go, under
which it Is considered by some tho President
derives the right he is now exercising OF par
doning rebels and restoring property before
conviction. 1t Is claimed that this section con-
fers this power, though others affirm it is in
the Constitution. The Senate however do not
seemed disposed to press the measure as
the House. Mr.. Chandler Of Michigan
,nI 20 apnipaar In, fba ,,f
spirited discussion to-day he declared that 1t
was n matter of public notoriety, as well known
and verified as the records of court that par
dons were offered for sale by women of aban-
doned character. This called up Mr.. Dixon,
who in the most approved Pecksnifian style
proceeded to declare, that though he knew
nothing of the fact, yet he knew sufficient to
| declare Mr. Chandler's statement wholly in
| correct. The bill was referred to the judiciary
| Committee.
There is prevalent belief existing that Mr..
| johnson is about to issue another proclama-
| ton of general amnesty and restoration. This
| is one reason for the haste of the House in re-
| pealing the section alluded to. Judging from
Mr.. Trumbull's remarks the bill will be report
ed to the Senate tomorrow. 1t will undoubted-
1
oppose. The Border State men and the
Democrats will not be likely to oppose it very
| strenously.
ADMINISTRATIONS FOREIGN POLICY.
There is general fear among members that
Mr.. Seward is endeavoring to embroil us with
France on Mexican matters, while there is
strong suspicion that there may be secret
understanding existing between ex-rebel lead
ers and the French Emperor, by which the
former are to aid such a diversion as a war
would be for "My policy" by another out
break. The tone is decidedly in oppo ltion to
| any foreign difficulty. Should such arise, ow-
| ing to any unauthorized action Of the Execu-
/ tive there will be little doubt that Congress
will cut off the supplies and so stop the at
tempt.
PERSONAL ITEMS.
| notice your members are in their seats
Mr.. Blaine, whom we missed toward the close
| of last session, is on hand, while his quondam
antagonist, Mr.. Conkling, has not yet graced
| the House with his handsome pulchritude.-
Mr.. Lynch is, as ever, constant in his scat, busy
and attentive to all business. Few districts
have as careful and attentive representatives
! To-day it was noticed and commented upon
that Mr.. Fessenden and Mr.. Seward had a
long conference in the Senate cloak room. II
was certainly worthy of note that when the
Secretary of State entered the Chamber where
SO long he was an honored member, not one
Senator rose to greet or notice him, except
Doohttle, who is in his place as arrogant look
| ing as ever. Mr.. Seward looks remarkably
well, considering all he has passed through.
| though the lines and expression OF his face arc
harder and more mysterious than ever
Mr.. Walters, of the London Times, met
nearly all of the leading Republican states
| men. politicians and journalists last night, at
reception banquet given s.srlSa BY Col; Forney in
noint th1t the only reception given him here
shouid be by the radical leader of the press
Mr. Walter is q pleasant looking gentleman of
middle age and stature, wearing the unmis-
taxable air of travelled English club man,
! tempered from its biGse expression by the ac-