The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-02-20
FROM WASHINGTON his AFTERNOON.
ESPECIAL DISPATCHES 20 EVENING TELEGRAPH !
WASHINGTON, February 20.

1t understood that ex Governor Thomas II.
Ford and Colonel p. A. Hincliley have been
tanned as counsel in the case of John H. Surratt,
on the charge of murder
disappearance is unusually neat and cleanly,
and his face is intelligent enough tohave made
him the active and confidential companion of
Booth.
The prisoner had heretofore repeatedly denied
that he was Surratt, but yesterday, when he
was about to be delivered into the hands Of the
United States Marshal, the following cOlloquy
occurred
Marshal--Is your name John H. Surratt?
p.isoner-It Is, sir.
Marshal-Then, sir, Tarrest you by virtue of a
bench warrant, issued to me by the Criminal
Court of the District of Columbia.
Surratt on arriving at Jail appeared b cheer m
wished to give him as little trouble as possible
He inquired particularly for his sister, saying
he thought she was dead.
When asked There was anything he wanted,
he said he would like the privilege of smoking,
The crew of the Swatara was this morning
transferred to the steamer Marblehead to be
sent to the steamer New Hampshire atNorfolk.
Presidential ApprOvaIs.
The President has approved of the bill autho-
rizing the Secretary OF the Treasury to grant
permits to curators of incorporated or char
tered institutions to withdraw alcohol in
specified quantities from bond without the pay
ment of the internal revenue tax on the same,
or on the spirits from which the alcohol has
been distilled, for the sole and exclusive pur-
pose of preserving specimens of the anatomy
and physiology OF natural history belonging TO
Also, a bill authorizing the Postmaster Gene
Francisco, in California, and Portland, in
OREGON, not less than three times per month,
in continuation of the service from New York
via Panama to san Francisco: Provided, that
the cost of the said service shall not exceed
$4,000 per annum, the SI5 contract to be given to
Also a bill authorizing and directing the
Secretary OF War TO purchase for the Govern
Long island Sound, at the sum of S3S,59O, in
accordance with the terms and conditions of
the lease of simeon Island, dated March 30
1863 by which the island was leased to the United
States, and is now occupied by the same.
The Committee to Investigate the
Charges of COllusiOn.
The Special Committee. of which Mr.. Went
worth, OF Illinois, is Chairman, to inquire into
the truth Of the alleged bargaining between the
President and certain Republican members of
the House, had its first meeting to-day. Nothing
was done beyond summoning several witnesses
Financial Prospects.
The Loan Certificate bill is locked up in the
Banking Committee. -Four prominent mem
bers of the Ways and Means Committee are
absent: There is no prospect of any further
financial action by this Congress.
Mr.. Greeley and the POstmaSteF-Gene-
r0lshIp.
It is denied that Horace Greeley has been
offered the Postmaster Generalship, but IL is
certain that Mr.. Randall has offered TO resign:
Indian Treaties.
A treaty was entered into yesterday with the
Sisseton and Morpeton bands of Sioux Indians,
from the northeastern portion of Dacotah Ter
ritory, providing Tor settling them on reserya-
tions in the eastern portion of the territory.
A
FoXs of Minnesota, providing for their removal
from that State to the western part OF Dacotah.
Also, with the Stockbridge tribe of Wisconsin,
providing for the sale of lands now occupied by
them, and removing them TO reservations in
another part of the State.
Scenes In Congress-.
There is great confusion in the House to-day
over the various amendments proposed to the
Senate substitute for the Military Government
bill. The ball was opened by the motion OF Mr..
Blaine to concur in the Senate amendment
with the amendment offered last night by Mr..
Wilson, of Iowa, declaring certain persons In
ellglbe TO seats In State Constitutional ConVen-
lions and TO vote for members of such conVen-
lions. The demand for the previous question
was negatiVed by only four majority, and this
increased the excitement.
An amendment, offered by Mr.. Shellabarger,
declaring that until the people of said rebelious
states shall, In due form of law, be admitted
into Congress, the civil Government which may
exist there shall be deemed to be provisional
only ana subject TO the authority Of the United
states, and all elections of officers for such
Governments shall be conducted only by per-
sons named in the fifth section of this act was
The vote on Mr. Wilson's ameudment as
amended, is now being taken, and il is evident
that IL VIII be carried by large majority The
understanding is that the Senate amendment
as thus amended will be Immediately passed
by the House, and that the Senate will concur
1D the House amendment
The Senate amendment as amended by the