Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1867-03-13
THE RAFTsmAn,s JOURNAL,
Washington City Gossip.

washington Olty uoSSip.
The House was in session only couple of hours
on the 5th-the time being principally devoted to
the drawing of seats by the members This was
a very novel and funny sight All the members
were compelled to get outside of the range of
seats, and stand until seats were assigned them
Each members name was written upon slip OF
paper and these slips placed in box on the Clerks
desk A page blindfolded. and drew forth
the names. When a members name was drawn,
the Clerk called out, an0 the member took his
choice of seat. Stevens, Gov. Thomas of Mary
land. and Elihu B. Washburne were, by unani-
nous consent of the House, allowed to retain
their old seats. The scene was very funny, re-
minding of the first day at the beginning of
a new term at school. when scholars are assigned
seats. The first name called was that of Fernan-
do c.. Beaman. His good fortune of having the
choice of seats created much merriment Judge
SpaIdng maine was the fourth called, and, hav-
ing had seat on the Democratic side of the
House in the last Congress- there was great laugh
ter when the venerable Judge took up his trap
pings, aud selected seat on the Republican side
Kelly was the next called, and he took Morrilfs
old seat, behind Stevens Butler was next, and
he took seat next Kelly. Strangely enough.
number of the most prominent Radical Members
got seats together Stevens, Butler, Shelabarger,
Kelley. Allison, Wilson of Iowa, Schenck, Viii
liams, Pa, Garfield, Ashley. Woodbridge, and
Sidney Clarke, all together in a triangle.
When the call had proceeded for nearly so min
utes, those whose name had not been called COM
menced to get restless, and despair of getting
good seats. This was especially SO with the X e.
publican Members. who, seeing all the. seats on
the Republican side occupied. felt chagrined at
having to take seats with the Democrats. Among
these unfortunate Radicals who had to seat them
selves in the Democratic camp with Jim. Brooks.
Fernando Wood, John Morrissey, Eldlidge, Nib
lack, and the others. were Gen. Logan, Ben Loan
Gen. Psinc. Gen. Farnsworth. Bingham, Poland,
Ames Walker, Eggleson, Ward, Griswold, Bald
win, Price, and most of the Missouri Members
The new Members that to come rather
meanly served, and, having no choice, will be
compelled tc take back seats Before the House
adjourned the Speaker announced he would not
appoint any of the Committees excepting those
on Elections, Rules, and Mileage, until the other
States In the Union are represented. This indi
Gates early adjournment,
The Postmaster 6 ener al states that not less than
$4,000 .000 are now in the hands of clerks of Post
offices destitute of PostmaSters.
| The imp eachment question precipitated
upon the House the 7th, by Mr.. Ashley. of
| Ohio who offered resolution for the appoint
| ment of the Judiciary Committee to continue the
investigation into the charges against the Pres-
| dent which he made in last Congress He fol-
| low ID it with half an hours speech, charging
| the President with corruption, usurpation and
crime, and intima mating that he ga ined the Execu
tive chair tn rough completely with the assassina
tion plot. At this point Speaker Coifax called
him to order, the ground that he going
| beyond the limits of debate. Some of the DEM
oerats Mt this point inquired IL there was not an
u Insane ASYLUM in which a shey could be placed
| speeshes were also made by Spaulding and But
Ter in favor of the resolution, and by Brooks
+ Wood and Pruyn against it, after which the res
4 Olution was adopted.
I. Mr.. Wilson'S bill. prohibiting liquor to lie
| brought into the Capitol buildings was referred
to the Committee on Public buildings and grounds
by vote of % to 81 after short debate, during
| Itch Mr. W. said that the Comm ittee Rooms of
the Senate often little better than grog shops
1t is stated that "a majority of the radicals in
the Senate are opposed to the impeachm mt project
4 they denouncing it as folly and m dness
The President has again sent the name of Cow
an to the Senate. Minister to Austria-he not
being formally rejected, heretofore. but simply
confirmed now
| Henry B. Taylor. formerly Major in the Marine
Corps, and who during the served in the
Confederate army. has comm enced q suit against
J.D Defrees for possession of half lot in Wash
4 ington City. The property libelled by the
Court during the war, and und sr the Confscation
the life interest OF the plaintiff sold to the
defendant This is the first suit of the kind yet
| instituted.
Late accounts from Alabama and Georgia rep
the destitution in hos States greater tn an
heretofore reported: Deaths are reported from
starvation in Georgia. while leading paper es-
Inmates the number starving there at so 900. The
Judiciary Committee of the Senate presented n
bill apprcpriating one million of dollars for the
relief of the suffering South people, hich was
passed without a division.
Some of the members of the House propose to
take recess until May, but the Senate seems
averse TO this PROPOSE ton-that body being in fas
vOr of remaining in session until all the appoint
ments are made and confirmed, and then adjourn
ing to October or November
The ARREST OF SURRATT. Some DAYS
since committee was appointed by Con
gress, to inquire what effort had been made
by the Government authorities to arrest
John II. Surratt The committee expert
Lenced no difficulty in reaching the conclu-
sion that but little effort had been made in
that direction. They say the Executive
fhnr do j a.