Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-07-25
From Washington.

Special Dispatch to the Republican,
WASHINGTON, July 23.-There was an
important meeting of prominent poll
ticians here to-day, at which Messrs.
Doolttle, Raymond, Tburlow Weed,
Niblack and others were present One
of the subjects discussed was the impro-
priety of allowing Fernando Wood TO
have seat in the Philadelphia Conven-
ton, but it was contended that he could
not be excluded under the call which
covered everybody who approved of it.
The House Committee on Foreign AZ
fairs have decided to report in favor OF
repeal of so much OF the neutrality
laws as prohibits the transportation OF
arms from one foreign country to anoth-
er. In this connection it may be added
that the House passed resolution to-
day requesting the release ofthe Fenians
held in Canada and the withdrawal OF
the prosecution of them in the United
States Courts
In the Senate to-day the Bankrupt bill
was killed for the psesent session, by a
vote of II to IA, on motion of Mr.. Sher-
man TO lay it on the table, and motion
to take it up. Had there been full
Senate the result might have been differ
ent, though it had become apparent that
if passed at all it would be in an amended
form
An amendment to the Civil Appropri-
alton bill orders the Secretary of War to
pay to the owners of enlisted slaves in
Kentucky a sum not to exceed three
hundred dollars for each slave enlisted
Every claimant must prove his loyalty
beyond question before receiving any
money, and no money is to be paid until
the final report of the Commissioner ap-
pointed to take the testimony on the sub
ject is made. This report ought to have
been made over year ago.
The work OF retrenchment in the Gov
eminent expenses has commenced in the
Senate, by a bill proposing to increase
the salary of every officer of the Senate,
and bill to increase the pay of Con-
gressmen is talked Of
In executive session of the Senate to-
day, Mr.. Sherman withdrew his objection
TO Samuel F. Cary, and Mr. Wade with
drew his objection to Mr.. Hams, and the
two were confirmed as Collectors of Rev
enue in Cincinnati.
Secretary Seward, Thurlow Weed,
Henry J. Raymond and Montgomery
Blair had a joint interview with the
President to day.
The President has received the follow
ing, dated Nashville yesterday, from re-
spoasible sources
There was no quorum presentin the
House when the resolution adopting the
amendment to the Constitution of the
United States was passed, and therefore
il failed. There were 81 who voted on
the proposed amendment and Sc were
required to constitute a quorum-two
less therefore than the constitutional re-
quirements The presiding officer of the
House peremptorily refuses TO certify
that such a resolution was passed by the
Legislature, there being no quorum pres
emit
Gen. Sprague, Assistant Commission
err of Freedmen's Affairs in Missouri, Ar
kansas and the Indian Territory, in a
report TO the Bureau, says that in many
parts of Arkansas the testimony offreed-
men against whites is still excluded from
courts of justice, and county clerks and
recorders refuse to receive and record
marriage certificates Of cOlored people, as
has been the law and custom for whites.
In other portions Of the State testimony
is heard in courts Of justice with
out regard TO the color Of the
witnesses. The report states that great
destitution and suffering still continues
in many parts Of Arkansas among the
refugees Most Of them have made
strenuous efforts to III; themselves from
the condition of want into which the war
has brought them, but most Of the Wild
ows and orphans are helpless, and their
condition appeals TO the charitable for
help. This class has had 70 be furnished
with food, or left to perish, and 10 them
mainly have the Government rations
been issued.