The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-02-06
Correspondence OF tho Pheni..

Lie STeaI QueSClOn OF Jne nOur II
the Presidents conversation with 6
Senator, reported in the morning
papers. The conversation has faller
like q bomb-shell in the Republican
camp. In this conversation, the Pre-
sident states his opposition to furthe,
amendments of the Constitution and
the negro suffrage bill for the District
of Columbia. The Republicans are
furious; but they shudder at rup
ture with the President, because they
hate to give up their hold on the
spo;ls. It would seem that the Pre-
sident and the Republican party must
come to blows. But both opponents
are playing President for the
advantage of the issue, and the Re
publicans to save the patronage. The
President cannot count securely Oh
one-third of either House. The
Republicans cannot agree on the pro
posed amendment to the Constitu.
ton, changing the basis OF represen-
tation. It is intended to refer it back
to the committee. Some of the Re
publicans object to the amendment
because it is too favorable to the
South. They say the South will
gladly give up eighteen or twenty
votes IN the House to prevent negro
suffrage, especially as the South would
lose nothing in the Senate; and by
dividing Texas into four States, with
very little aid from the Northern
States, could control the Senate.
Hence this amendment does not so
far enough to suit some of the radi-
Gals, who are bent on making GER
tainty of negro suffrage.
The negro suffrage bill for this Dis
trict fingers in the Senate. 1t is to
be hoped that it will pass, SO that
the President may get chance to
veto it.
The Presidents position is very pc
culiar. He cannot rely upon his Ca
binet foractive sympathy in his policy.
McCulloch is mere fnancier; of the
balance, Mr.. Seward is the only con-
servative in the Cabinet. Harlan's
speech, made few nights ago, in
which he says he prefers to trust
negroes that are ignorant, but loyal,
with the right of suffrage, than to
trust wise rebels, shows how radical
he is; and Harlan is a specimen brick
of the Cabinet.
A letter from Mr. Barringer, OF
North Carolina, is very prominently
paraded by the Republicans, as justi-
flying their action in reference to re-
construction. Barringer advises de-
lay, and says the Southern people
have not made sufficient proof OF
their loyalty. Governor Brownlow
is also out in letter in the same
strain. only n little more so.
Ihave just seen an intelligent gen
tleman from the new State of West
Virginia. He says the la VS. there are
extremely oppressive on former Con
federates. Almost the only privilege
Confederate has there, is the priv.
lege of being sued; and yet the Go.
vernon of that State is calling for more
repressive laws. No Importance is
attached to the rumor that the present
Virginia State Government is to be
set aside, and Provisional Governor
appointed. This rumor is set on foot
to scare the Legislature, which does
not entirely agree with Governor
Pierpont in the distribution of the
State patronage. The Governor wants
to take care of his particular friends,
md the Legislature, too, has its
friends to be taken care of.
Mr. Wilson has introduced a bill
increasing the number of cadets al
West Point, and confines the appoint
ment of them to States represented in
Congress. The object is doubtless to
fill up the cadet appointments before
the Southern States are re-admitted.
1t is to be feared that Trumbull's
bill, which gives the island lands in
South Carolina to the negroes, will
pass the House. It is thought tina.
the President may veto it. Gen. Sher.
man says he never intended to give
the lands to the negroes, by his order,
beyond the period of the war. Sher.
man is very conservative now.
OBSERVER.