The Daily empire. (Dayton, Ohio) 1865-1867, 1867-02-28
BY TELEGRAPH.
Washington News and Gossip.

WASHINGTON, February 29.-Mr. Defrees,
the newly-elected Superintendent of Public
Printing, will enter upon the discharge of
his official duties on Friday the lst of
March.
The President at late hour tonight,
was engaged In the preparation of his mes-
sage upon the Military Government Re-
construction Bill, and will be sent to Con-
gress beyond doubt tomorrow. The
message will be quite lengthy, and princi-
pally devoted to legal features of the bill.
The tone of the message is firm and respect
full. 1t Is also probable that the veto of the
Tenure of Office Bill will be sent to Con-
gress tomorrow. In this case besides OBJ
| iecting to the House amendment including
members of the Cabinet in the category of
other Federal officers, the President objects
to the bill because 1t makes the tenure of
other officers during good behavior Ut for
life.
The provision In the Army Bill which
provides that the headquarters of the Cen
eral shall not be removed from Washing
ton, that all orders shall emanate from the
General &c, is regarded as unconstltu-
| tional, and there Is no doubt that the bill
will be vetoed on these grounds.
The House judiciary Committee have in
timated that they will make partial report
on the impeachment investigation this
week, and suggest conclusion of the re-
!
expected on Saturday next.
MISCELLANEOUS APPROPRIATION BILL.
The Miscellaneous Appropriation Bill
was taken up at o'clock. number OF
amendments 10 the House bill were recon-
mended by the Finance Committee. Among
the rest was one striking out the section
abolishing the office of Commissioner of
Public Buildings, and providing for the
election by the Senate of superintendent
of Public Buildings. This led TO sharp
debate, in the course of which Mr.. Wade
alluded TO what he called the threats of the
| friends of the President to drive Congress
out of the Capitol, and he urged this as a
reason why the Capitol buildings should
be under the eontroln of a una friendly to
Congress.
Judge Lawrence, of Ohio member of the
House Judiciary Committee, returned to-
night from Canada, where he has been TO
take evidence on the impeachment ques-
ton. Being blatherskite of the weakest
and muddiest water, it Is supposed that his
report will possess immense interest.
The judiciary Committee of the House
have made up their report on impeachment,
and will present it on Friday or Saturday
next. IL will not submit any of the evil
dence which has been taken, but will sim
ply recommend that the investigation be
continued at the next Congress, as there Is
not time to complete il during this one.
A rumor floated around the Capitol all
day that the President would sign the bill,
and General Grant was given as authority
for the statement. It did not find very gen
eral credence, and arose probably from the
fact that General Grant had two hours
interview with the President last night
special Dispatch TO the Cincinnati Gazette
THE MISSISSIPPI RAPIDs.
wAsHINGToN, February 25.-The Senate
spent most of the afternoon in debate rel
alive to the improvement of the Rock Is
land and Desmoines rapids, and finally
agreed upon an appropriation OF S2OO,OOO
for the Rock Island and $5OOOOO for the
Desmoines rapids. The former is the sum
In the House bill, the latter Is but one-half
the amount in the House bill, Another
amendment provides for continuing the
Illinois river by making a general survey
from Lasalle TO Chicago, as recommended
by Gen. Wilson six weeks ago, In accord
ance with the suggestions of Congressman
Cook.
RECONSTRUCTION.
The fate of the Reconstruction bill at the
hands of the President Is not yet certain.
The prevalent opinion Is that 10 will be
sent in tomorrow, or the day after al
furthest.
GENERAL GRANT HOPES TIRE PRESIDENT WILL
SIGN THE BILL,
General Grant does not hesitate 10 say,
very frankly and pointedly, that Il would
be advisable for the President to give IL his
! signature. At an Interview with Secretary