Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1867-02-15
Washington Correspondence
WASHINGTON y. c. Feb. 9th 1867.

pocon s,r,,ctjou before the House IPhdt trH DC
: dopep NJ. Peabody in Washington
The Renoratjo ofMe White House-1he
LrriF and the bankrupt 1Hls.-1he Presf-
| dent on amnesty and suffrage.
| Nix. EpIroR.-The all expressing topic
here in and out of Congress Is. the question
of Reconstruction. Various plaEs have
/ been proposed, but we seem farther from 4
definite policy to day, than ever. Mr.. Ste
VEINS bill though it had reference in its APP
plication only to North Carolina, yet, it
is regarded as an initial step in the direc-
ton of final adjustment. This bill is dead
having been referred to the Committee Oh
Reconstruction who will let it sleep the
sleep that knows no waking. The next
proposition for settlement comes in the
shape of very straight military measure
for the government of the South. 1t in eff.
feet puts all chat region under military or
martial rule. twas presented some days
ago by Mr.. Stevens, the chairman of the
Reconstruction committee on the part of
the House. The gentlemen on presenting
the report. gave notice that he would move
the question at one o'clock on Friday. a
very earnest debate ut once sprung UP up
on tie measure, and it was soon discovered
that several leading Republicans would op.
pose its adoption, among them such men
as Bingham, and Banks; good many
speeches have been made upon the subject
/ Il lat 1nx-. Far
some against the bill. all the copperheads
as 4 matter of course opposing it; one
o'clock on Friday arrived and further time
was allowed for debate, and when at about
1 O'Clock i. NJ. Mr.. Stevens moved the pre-
vious question the House was not ready
and accordingly refused the call for the
previous question by some thirty majority.
The bill is still before the House, and is
now Saturday under debate. Mr.. Banks
has Just delivered great speech against
the bill. and has presented plan of his
own which the clerk is now reading. 1t
will be printed, when the country will
know its contents.
! In the meantime we are afloat and cop
perheads and traitors are jubilant at this
division in the Republican, Ranks. 1t does
seem as though their were men and states
men who should agree, and that the great
Union and patriotic party that carried the
country through the war. and has thus Sur
since governed it, should be able now to
perfect its fundamental law 50 that in the
future. all our people North and South,
may dwell in peace and security.
OF one thing think these Congressman
may be assured, and that is, the people
expect them to PROFOUND 4 policy for the
adjustment OF our Nationa difficulties;
and it does not matter SO much what that
policy may be. provided it secures the lib
crty and civil rights of all the citizens of
this broad land. and Furnishes treason and
traitors; only. it must be 4 policy fixed
and stable Is the hills. The people arc
not content to see tl:eir government DRIFT
ing about upon the seas of uncertainty
while they have placed able pilots at the
helm to guide the ship of state into Il safe
! Port.
Mr. George Peabody, the great London Bank.
er is now here. lie has Just doneatcd something
over S2.oo0.oW 10 the purpose of education in
the south. Hon. Il. c. Winthrop. Bishop Me-
lkainc, and other distinguished gentlemen
''"~.. H. i- ~rt ~:..tsd o: this fund
are also here making the preliminary arrange
incnts to carry into effect the object, ofthe gem
erous donor. The President called on Mr..
Peabody to-day at his rooms. ami the interview
was very pleasant ono.
The White House has recently undergone a
very thorough renovation. 1t needed il sadly.
II remained all through Mr.. Lincoln's admins
tration i'll a very dilapidated state. The contras,
between the appearance Of the east Room. the
green Room, the red Room the biir Room and
the state dining Room then and now i. very
marked. All these rooms are furnished in a
very elegant and yet substantial STYLE, and much
credit i, due the Presidents daughter under
whose good taste and equally good judgement
the carpets and the upholstery fixtarcs we're
selected.
HE Tariff bill as 1t came from the Senate In
the hands of the Committee Of WAYS and means
1t is said that they will not report tor some
days yet. f,;T the Hill will stand but IA poor
chahcc Of passing before the fourth of March
lhcre does not appear to be either, much chance
for the Bankrupt bill. There was tie vote
upon II IN the senate. and if it passes with tn.
Senate amendment it must go back TO thu,
House and ut this late day it may be doubtful if
it can be reached
BY the way, it is said here that the President
VIII soon i'll some formal way recommend
universal amnesty. and universal suffrage: or
nat he WIN propose Mr.. Grecly's plan. More
over, it is declared that the course pursued by
Messrs bingham, Banks, and Raymond. in the
House. Is a sort of backfre designed 10 aid the
President in Ranking Hon. Thad Stevens.
The wish to depose him from the leadership in
the fortieth Congress ! give this for what IL
Is worth. remarking, that it is the rumor and
gossip Of the hour.
The Coming week il may b. hoped win de-
relope something tangible with respect 10 Re-
construction. The frc>het ami the breaking IN
OF the lee on the Potomac i, doing con, lerabie
damage.
Yours,
PIiARoS.