Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1867-12-04
Washington City Gossip.

Washington O1ty tosslp.
The financial situation grows clearer. The
discussion whether the payment of the bonds
shall be gold or greenbacks has ceased to be
practical, and men are devoting themselves
to the great desideratum of stopping the
contraction of the currency, reducing taxes,
and cutting down expenditures. Every
body repudiates reputation. Nobody
doubts the two great facts that we are get
ting richer every day, and that in as many
more years as the rebellion lasted we shall
laugh at our present fears. One of the I'M
mediate necessities is more greenba cks.
This is the cry from the whole West and
| South; and not the least curious sign is to
see the hard money Democrats of these
quarters taking the lead. The discussion
will be animated, but sf.s indications are
that the result will be satisfactory. Let us
have fixed system--one that will stand
without constant changes-and the great
machine of government will soon settle into
the old grooves in the North and into the
new ones in the South.
Many of the Southern politicians in
Washington admit the impropriety of re-
sisting reconstruction, and you may look
out for some distinguished aeeessions to the
Radical column. .,---.
1t is said that only two members of the
House committee on Banking and currency
are opposed to the National Banking sys-
| tenn.
The amount of fractional currency prin-
ted during the week was s455,0O0; ship
ped 5000, 0,775; destroyed $4,000. -9
The impeachment testimony is much
commented upon, especially that in regard
to the Southern railroads, that of Secretary
Stanton, and that of Commissioner Rollins
The fact that Mr.. Stanton steadily favored
the plan of dismembering the old rebel gov
ernment, and that hundreds of millions
have been lost to the Government by the
surrender of valuable property to the rebels,
and by the persistent appointment of dis
honest collectors and assessors, make up on
ly part of very black record --.s~.
Much is being said of Judge Churchill 3
sudden change in favor of impeachment.
The change was not sudden. The 6rst full
meeting of the Judiciary Committee was not
held until Wednesday, Nov. 9th, when a
vote was taken, and Judge Churchill voted
for impeachment. ts 5r
| After the return of Colonel William p.
Wood with the electrotype plates for prin-
ting the face, back, and tints of the spuri-
GUS 81 900 Seven-thirty notes, it was ques-
| toned whether these spurious issues had
been printed from these electrotype plates
or from steel plates. This doubt has been
dispelled. After careful comparison and
examination by experts, no doubt remains
that the spurious noteswere printed from the
| identical plates now in the. possession of the
Secret Service Division of the Treasury De-
partment. a &. -4.J. ~
The Ways and Means Committee intend
to take up at an early day the question of
contraction, and report in accordance with
| the resolution referred to them. They will
also take up the question of the repeal of
the cotton tax. The wool intere-t is said to
be strongly opposed to the repeal of this
tax, as it will materially interfere with the
production of wool 90
4 bill to retain Sickles and Howard in
the service as Generals Of the army, was
presented in the Senate % 30. .rs
Mr.. kelso introduced a bill authorizing
the suspicion of the President from Office,
during trial on impeachment. 1t was re-
ferrcd to the Judiciary COMMITTEES.
The nomination of Horace Greely as Min
lister to Austria, was confirmed by the Sen
ate, on tho Goth of November. Mr.. Greeley,
however, says he will not leave the country
until after the Presidential election
II is stated that Mr. Stanton has intima-
ted to his friends that if he is reinstated ty
a vote of the Senate he'should immediately
resign, as he had no deiire to again enter
upon the duties of the war Office "' go
In his report, the Secretary of the Treas
ury says, he has sufficient gold on hand to
pay all the demands on the Government and
to keep the market IN check; and gives a, u
reason. for not selling more gold, that it
would be bought up by spectators who
could then control the market.
JEFF. Davis is on his way to Canada a.
gain. 1t is said he will stop several days
in Baltimore adss '.s t.
{. INDIAN RELICS. In preparing street