Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1866-01-25
FROM WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON. January %.
TIE SUPREME COURT-TRIAL OF JEFF DAVIS AND
THE TEST oATH-THE SOUTHERN STATES

TIE SUPREME cOURT-TRIAL OF JEFF DAVIS AND
THE TEST oATH-THE SOUTHERN STATES.
1t is known that the Justices of the Supreme Court
have been comforting in relation TO the trlal OF JEFF
fersOn Davis for some time, and there is not much
doubt that they. or portion of them, inspired the
bill of Mr.. Clarke in the Senate. The indications
are very strong that the court has decided adverse
~ to the test oath of 1862, but the reasons why
PRONUNCIATION to that effect Is not now made are OBJ
viOus.
The members elect to Congress from the South
west on the point of returning home. 1t Is due
to truth to state that they have had little hope from
the start.
The era of constrained good feelings between rad
cal and conservative politicians is near ITS end, I'M
less the former lower their crest As things are
il is thought that even Tennessee members cannot he
admitted though Mr.. CoiaX has said that he should
take the O1r To advocate their right to seats. The
food OF experimental legislation Of mere partisan
nature that the radical leaders are seeking to en-
graft upon the fundamental law, not less than their
new irrational idea of general negro suffrage, Is
alarming to moderate minded men even in Congress
They are raising their incOngruOuS fabric 81 nigh
that before long 1t Will tumble INTO undistingulsed
ram.
MARRIAGE OF MRS. DOUGLAS
Last evening TUESDAY, 3d. Mrs. Adele C. Doug
las was united III matiimOny with Breyet Brgadler
General Robert Williams, u. 5. A.
Ghe marriage took place ut tue residence OF the
bride, ON New Jersey avenue, Douglas Place. The
Lynch assisted by Reverend Father Mcclure, OF
Georgetown College.
Among the invited guests were Hon. f. NJ. Stan.
ton and lady, Lieutenant General Grant and lady,
Senator Foster and lady, General Townsend and
lady. Generals ingalls, and kenton, Colonel Burton,
Miss Jennie Cameron of Pennsylvania, Hon. Tho+.
A. Scott and lady, OF Philadelphia and several rela-
tiycS of the bride.
The dress of the bride was made of white corded
silk thigh in the ueck.) aud Il rich tullc veil
lpifla IN m milf
The rooms were elegantly decorated with flowers,
and the display of diamonds pearls. and splendid
dresses of the ladies presented sight at once charm
ing and interesting 10 the spectator.
THE TRIAL OF sEMMEs.
There is a sudden hitch in the arrangements for
the trial OF SemmeS and doubt is now expressed
whether he Will he summoned to appear before a
court martial Judge Hughes, his leading counsel,
has demonstrated against this mode OF trial. as un-
lust and wrong in view of the circumstances attend
ing the parole of his client, and the expression Of
the President, not long since that he should oppose
all such trials in the future. II / am correctly III
formed, the Judge, who Is a personal friend of the
President has appealed to him directly with reference
to the case, and report says tie postponement just
announced is the result OF said appeal.
THE TEST OATH IN THE SUPREME COURT.
hear it stated, in quarter usually well informed,
that a maiorty of the Judges OF the Supreme Court
have united in declaring the test oath of Congress
to be unconstitutional. We had rumOr last week
that the Court was tie but the source of that
Information was not so reliable in the present ill.,
stance.
THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
The Constitutional Amendment reported by the
Joint Committee on reconstruction was adopted in
committee with but one dissenting voice. There
will he an important, and perhaps warm debate up
the propositions but the belief is that it will pass
when, rumOr says, report will be made from the
committee in favor of the admission of the restored
States soon as they (he States have likewise
adopted the amendment The West favors the
amendment, and will give it heavy majority.
COLORED DELEGATION.
The delegates from the colored conventions of the
several States 90 represent the interests of the col
Ored people OF the country before the Government
had an interview with General Howard, at his re-
quest to-day. The delegation is follows John
r. Cook, District of Columbia; William H. Mat
thcwS and Lewis H. Douglass, Maryland; \. j.
Ranser, South Carolina; \. ". Ross, Mississippi;
James d. Gates, Florida; John Jones, Illinois; and
George I. Downing, OF the New England StLtes.-
Frederick Douglass New York W. Whipper, Penn
sylvania; John NJ. Brown, Virginia, and other dele.
gates are expected to arrive IN the city ina few
days.
COMBINATIONS.
The Senate yesterday, confirmed the following
appointments OF the President:
George Harrington. of Georgia, to he Minister Re-
SiucnL O Inc Jh!tcu STATES III brtnc. JNdsOn MI
patrick, OF y. j.. to be Minister Plenipocntiary 10
Chill. George IL. leaman, of n.y., 10 DC Minister
To Denmark. Joseph \. Wright, OF Ind to he Min
ister at Berlin. Jom Hay, Of ILL.,, to be Secretary
OF Legation ut Paris. II. T.. Peck, of Ohio, to be
Consul General to lIayti. John c. Wright, of Ind,
to he Secretary OF Legation ut Berlin. George i.
POmerOy, of \. y, To be Assistant Secretary OF Lc
cation at Paris. G.. ". Brooks, to be United States
District Judge of the District of North Cardinal
James L. Wychc. of Miss, to he Associate Justice
Of Washington Territory. &. c. Hewitt, of W. T.,
To he Chief Justice of Washington Territory. John
Eishin OF Ca, To be Judge Of the District of Gcur
gia y. II. Starbuck, oil \. g., to be District At
torncy tor the District Of North Carolina. j. l..
Williams, of Tenn, To be District Attorney for the
Western District oil Tennessee. ALVIN i. lluvey, of
Ind, to be Minister at Peru John Digelow, OF y.
V, to he Minister TO France.
IMPORTANT DECISION OF THE QUAITEIMASTEE-
GENERAL.
The QualtermaStrr General refuses 10 pay for pro-
perry used during the war for military purposes in
The Southern States. The following decision has
lust been made IA IA case where vouchers had been
given, by order OF a commanding general, for the
use of a blacksm.th-shup and tools belonging To a
loyal citizen OF Winchester Virginia:
Winchester was hostile town, captured from
AN enemy who did not surrender on terms, but were
driven out by force of arms; everything in il was
prize of war: rs at Atlanta and Charleston build
ngs were occupied for shelter OF troops and for SICK
and wounded soldiers. IT does not appear that tile
Military Department should order payment of any
rents under such circumstances.
We understand that this decision will apply to all
similar eases arising in the Southern States even
where the claimants produce evidence of loyalty.