The Portland daily press., 1867-02-08

L..
work somewhere. If not worthy. either he |
will not dare present the scrip, OF. if be does
he will be taken in custody by an officer, and
punished for his fraud U.b
Letter from the National Capital.
a [coRREspoNpENcE OF THE pREssl
.lsf WASHINGTON, Feb. 4, 1867
IMPORTANT CURRENCY RESOLUTION.
The House has been engaged in an exciting
series OF votes in relation to resolution of
instruction to the Committee of WAYS and
Means in relation to the contraction of the
currency. Mr.. Rice of Iowa commenced the
fight by resolution instructng the Commit
tee to bring in bill restricting the contrac-
ton to the amount hitherto authorized, -four
millions per month. This was voted down by
aconsiderable majority Mr.. Grinnel of the
same State introduced another resolution pre-
pared by Mr. Lawrence of Ohio, which in
structs the committee to bring in bill for
bidding the reduction during the present year
OF the U. S. notes commonly known as "green-
backs" This resolution was finally adopted
by some twelve or fifteen majority The e.-
feet OF this is easily seen. Whatever reduc-
ton of the currency is now made will have to
bein compound interest notes, and not in |
those bearing no interest. Of The former it
is charged that Mr.. McCulloch has redeemed |
comparatively few. They are nearly all in the
hands ofbankers and this may account for
the action Of the Secretary. The effect of this
vote, in defining the policy OF Congress will be
considerable. ..,L --.l-t.. 4 ruF "
Your representative, Mr. Lynch introduced
two important measures on the same subject,
which were properly referred. One of the
bills provides that after the 1st of July,
all Treasury notes received at the Treasury
shall be destroyed, new notes being issued,
bearing no interest, and payable in coin on de-
mand after one year. The new notes thus is
sued are not to exceed the amount of
those now in circulation. They are to be legal
tender, except for payment of interest on the
public debt The Treasury is also authorized
toissue similar notes in payment of such por-
tiOns of the national debt as may fall due
and become payable before certain day in
1868. The Secretary is authorized to pur-
chase coin to redeem these notes when their
payment is demanded.
NOT APPOINTED.
/ learn that Col James Mann, reported to
have been appointed Special Treasury Agent,
has not yet been so appointed. Information
has been given to the Secretary which shows
him to be an improper person for the appoint
ment. 1t has been "hung up' fol- further con-
sideration. ah Ha+s h
A BOOK ON THE SECRET sERvIcE-How IT
WAS SUPPRESSED.
The Judiciary Committee have had sum-
moned here, as witnesses on the charge pre-
sentel by Representative Ashley against the
President, Gen. Lafayette C. Baker, and the
Rev. Mr.. Headley, well known as a book
maker and author. Baker was Chief cf the
Secret Service during the war; He has been
residing at Lansing, Michigan, but for some
time past has been travelling, as is believed,
to keep out of the way OF such process.
The public reputation of Baker is too well
known to be more than alluded to. 1t is
supposed that he is in possession of informa-
ton of a damaging character against Mr..
Johnson. Time will develope this. Mr..
Headley is sent for to testify with relation to
work on the secret service which he has
been editing for Gen. Baker. 1 t9 ..
"Thereby hangs tale" which I propose to
narrate as told to me. Some time last Sum-
mer it was reported that Baker was about to
| publish his memoirs, and had made arrange
ments with New York publisher to that
| end. few days afterwards another para
| graph started on its rounds, limiting that said
book had been in some way suppressed. OF
course there was nothing known as to the
truth Of this. 1t now appears that the Rev.
Mr.. Headley prepared for Baker volume OF
the foregoing character. The matter pro-
ceeded far enough for the work to get into
/ type. THs rl
By some unexplained means the proof
sheets OF the book were placed in the hands
of VIM. H. Seward. They were of course
read, and with what interest may be judged
| by the fact ESQ stated that the Secretary
| struck out 176 pages, and sent the remainder
back. What means were brought to bear is
not known, but Immediately after the type
was distributed, and the publishers refused to
/ go further with the work. raiis s1a
Mr.. Headey is directed to bring with him
all papers and data furnished him by Baker.
The publishers are also to be summoned.
1t will be remembered that Mr.. Scovil of
New Jersey was charged, at the time of an
election for Senator in place of Stockton,
with having made a bargain with the Presi-
dent to prevent an election, he, Scovil, then
holding the balancing vote in the State Sem
ate. Mr. ScOvil is to be summoned to give
his testimony on this subject. 1t Is believed
he will do so willingly. The object will be to
prove that Mr.. johnson sought to make cor
rupt bargain, by use of the executive patron
age in New Jersey. h. 5000 Ia NM. ~
As soon as the Colorado Veto is disposed
OF, the Senators elect will be summoned be.
fore the judiciary Committee, to testify to
the propositions reported as made by the
President to them, at the time of the first ve-
to Of the bill admitting Colorado as State.
| The propositions were to the effect that Il the
delegation elect would sustain the policy of
| the Executive, he would sign the bill Of adj
mission. lH
The Cabinet are reported to be unit in
opposition to impeachment, Mr.. Stanton be-
ing claimed as especially antagonistic and
frank in the expression of his feeling ~
l THE NAVAL ACADEMY. Er-
Maryland curses at loyalty are like
chickens coming home to roost This morn.
ing Gen. Schenck introduced a resolution di-
recting the Naval Committee to report as TO
the expedieney of removing the Naval Acad-
emy from Annapolis to some locality where
loyalty ruled, and the social influences about
the cadets would not be likely to warp them |
from right sentiments The resolution pass
ed by very decided majority, after having
elected several strong expressions in relation
70 the course OF affairs in Maryland.
The rebel reactionaries there seem to have
awakened at last to realization of the abyss
to which they are driving so rapidly. On
Saturday the Senate had motion before n
to reconsider the vote by which the bill was
passed ordering special election tor munici.
pal authorities in Baltimore at an early dav
The motion for reconsideration was made by
Mr.. Earle, the reactionary leader. This indi- |
Gates retroceding from the Illegal position |
now assumed. l am assured that if an at |
tempt be made to hold such election it will be