The Portland daily press., 1867-03-14
Letter from the National Capital.
WASHINGTON, March IL, 1867.

day. The Senate decided not to concur. and
were again IN caucus to-day, and decided not
to take action on the subject. Daily attempts
are being made TO bring in bill on general
legislative matters. The Speaker withholds
the House from acting on the appointment Of
committees. The probabilities now are that
an adjournment will be had in about ten days
or two weeks, and that when it does come it
win be for recess until October.
Several motives are acting in bringing about
this result: the principal of these being the
well understood, though of course not publicly
expressed, opposition of the Senators from the
manufacturing and commercial States, against
impeachment. In the several caucuses on
Thursday, it is reported that every New Eng
land Senator except MIR. Sumner, declared his
opposition to further action unless the Presi-
dent should commit some further acts which
increase the necessity | -
The National Banking interest as represent
ed by Mr.. Sherman, who, it is whispered,
shapes his policy by the views Of Jay Cooke,
was in strong opposition. OF course New
York went the same way. A majority of the
new Senators are in favor Of pressing the mat
ter; Cole of California, Drake of Missouri and
Thayer and Upton of Nebraska, being espe-
cially decided. The Kansas Senators are un-
certain; Pomeroy being inclined to follow
New England lead, while the new Senator.
Ross, is thought to be largely under the influ-
ence of his old commander, now a prominent
lawyer and conservative politician here. The
fear is of course a arrangement of business
interests by the commissions which it is believ-
ed will result from the attempt. @ 1i
There is another reason, also. in some minds
1t is by no means worthy, yet no careful locker
on here can fail to see that it is an operative
cause in bringing about results. What al
lude to are certain Presidential aspirations en-
tertained or sustained by prominent public
men. Senator Wade's election to preside over
the Senate, and the contingency of his
temporary occupation of the White House
should impeachment be pressed, interfere with
the states already arranged by certain Western
politicians, as well as with those of the
friends of military candidates. There are high
judicial and Legislative officers who woul Id much
rather let 'the impeachment slide" in the pres
ent position than not. s
Though it is doubtless true that the public
mind will be likely to reach the conclusion that
ment, yet it is not certain that this is a cor
rect view. The Judiciary Committee, who are
charged, and are conversant with the investi-
CATION, do not hesitate TO deny any such idea
1t is not their intention to sit all through the
summer Ashley, Butler, Coyode, Logan and
others, will urge earlier action, but they do
not believe the Investigation a failure. ~.
There are many very curious rumors afloat
as to the discoveries made by different COM
mittees, all of which evidence, in SO far as it
bears upon the actions of the Executive will
be transferred to the Judiciary Committee =
Unless something occurs not now dreamed of,
the 10th Congress win take a recess until Oc-
tober next. That is the earliest probable date
OF reassembling, and in all probability it will
be later. H TO" 4 AA - - - 'i % t-'>
FAITHFUL PUBLIC SERVANT CORDIALLY REC
80 -lfi iI ioGNIzED. ir D. '''a y ~ ~
There is no public man out of Congress,
more generally admired, nor more early en-
quired for than the one-armed soldier that
Maine gave to the Union.-Oliver o. Howard
is not great man, unless he is great in his
goodness and quiet, simple honesty of purpose
and conviction. Not preudiced in his favor,
when leaving the army and the Freedmen's
Bureau service, L came to Washington some
sixteen months since 1 have watched his pub
lie course and daily life with increasing inter-
est and admiration. 1 repeat that General
Howard is not man of large brain; it is rath-
er an intense and fine one. He has done the
country and the cause an immense service, not
only by the opportunities his position gave
him, but by the admirable tact with which its
duties have been discharged and the thorough
honesty of the growth which has been visible
to all. 1t was told of the General last winter
that he said to delegation of the leading col
ored men of the land that he was in the posi-
ton of general who found his outer lines
seized by treachery in camp and turned
against him, and that in consequence he was
fighting battle of interior lines, falling Slow
ly back after disputipg each to his last posi-
ton. He mas outfanked king Andrew" and
that too without sacrifice of honorable conyic-
tions. t--.5 u "a y
A proof of the appreciation in which his
services are held was given in the debate on
Saturday. upon the joint resolution to appro-
pirate one million dollars for the relief of the
destitute and starving poor of the South
General Howard, in letter to Mr.. Wade,
writes: s.....-7.. .t.f...t
From official sources, and confirmed by gem
tiemen from different sections of the South.
my estimate is thirty-two thousand six hundred
ana slxty,two whites, and twenty four thou
pie making in all fifty-sx thousand nine Inn
dfed VINO VIII need food from some source he. |
lore the next crop can relieve them. The nm |
Der OF rations for all per month. one million |
s nepon nu t ana seven thousand. For five
months, the probable time required. EIGHT mil |
lion five hundred and thirty-fiye tRonsand ra-
Cons, at twenty-five cents per ration tba est; |
mated cost, will be S2,13375O. OF this SIM an |
appropriation has already been made for the |
hVe months to the amount of $625OOO leaving |
an additional sum required of a mo IN IN
sum deem sufficient to meet the extrema
want occasioned by failure of the cron and
ooier causes referred to in the resolution of in
q ,uay Inc present appropriation is ample,
PROVIDED the issues be confined to the classes
named In the Freedmen's Bureau act; but the
adaitonal sum named will be required should
She issue be extended contemplated in the
foregoing estimate ~
In the debate, nearly every Senator spoke
and most in favor of the appropriation All of
them expressed the utmost confidence in Cen
Howard Reverdy johnson said
81 am sure speak the sentiment of tba a.,
tire country, North and South, when T SOW tbat
there was not during the war an of}iceyy s W.
more jealousy and calamity performed his
duty upon the field, or who has since d;sch.ra RIO
ed with greater skin and fidelity the trust cog-
fided to him by Congress; and he tells ms what
we must have known before, that no matter
how large the appropriation, not a dollar of T.
will be expended unless he finds it absolnteiY
necessary in order to save American citizenss
from death by starvation"
Mr.. Frelinghuysen of New Jersey made this
fine comparison, which deserves place here
"All that has been said in reference to tba
Commission is true. The Old World had its
Howard who braved the contagious of dun
geons, who met all the perils that philanthro-
py could invite him to, and we have got one
a shii soldier so brave and so prudent and so
nnarnd that he does honor even to the
nonoreo name he bears"
senator Stewart of Nevada said. '
Ian, iaany ofiieer of the Government r,o, ,,1,on,
dincuit task has been innnI = upon whom
ca ms d9ty faithfully and ,,i.s
Senator Sprague in urging an ,
to raise the amount to the sum sugsestna 7n.
first, said: 'eo at
II do not know of any man who would A..
tribute these charities better than Genons1
Howard, and L do not think there will be anu