Bloomsburg democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1867-1869, 1867-02-27
FROM WASHINGTON.
Washington, Feb. 10Th 1867.
BILL APPROVED.

The President has approved Of the bill
authorizing the Secretary Of the Navy to ac-
cept League Island, in the Delaware River,
for naval purposes, and to dispense with,
and dispose OF, the site of the existing Navy
yard at Philadelphia.
THE PRISONER sURRATT.
The Swatara lies off the Nayy.yard with
Surratt on board. No communication from
the shore is allowed with the vessel, except
by parties having authority through the
Navy Department. 1t is understood the
Cabinet will consider, to-day, the question
as to the proper plan for the satekeeping of
the prisoner, and other subjects in that con-
nection.
TENURE OF OFFICE.
Mr.. Schenck, from the committee Of con-
ference on the bill to regulate the tenure of
office, made report-the same that was ac-
ted on yesterday in the Senate, making the
provisi ms Of the bill apply to Cabinet Off
GERS, who cannot be removed from Office dur.
ing the term of the President who appoints
them, except with the consent Of the Sen
ate.
The vote was taken by yeas and nays on
agreeing to the report, and it was agreed to
yeas ll3, nays 40, u strictly party vote.
Fslrua'y20M.
wENTwoRrHs COMMITTEE.
Wentworth's special committee, appoint
cd to inquire into the particulars of the al
legged bargain between the President and
certain Radical members of Congress, met
this morning, but transacted no business be-
yond ordering the Sergeant-at-Arms to sum
mon few witnesses.
THE BANKRUPT BILL.
1t is reported to-day that prominent
merchant millionaire Of New York, now in
this city, is laboring hard to prevent the pas
sage of the bankrupt bill, which has been
prospect of its final adoption is considered
rather untavorable.
TRIAL OF suRRATT.
1t is not definitely known when the trial
of Surratt will take place. The District
Criminal Court is now in session, and anoth-
er term will be held next month. 1t said
that the indictment already found against
the accused is very imperiect in that il
charges him with having been the principal
in the murder of Mr.. Lincoln. A new in
dictment will probably be framed before the
case goes to trial.
TAXATION OF NATIONAL BANKS.
A communication from the Comptrollcro Of
the Currency in reply to resolution Of the
House, says that since the decision of the
Supreme Court Of the United States that the
States can tax the shares Of national banks,
they generally seem disposed to acquiesce in
the decision and have paid the tax, although
it may not be levied in sAict conformity with
the requirements Of the acts Of Congress
February 81.
LOSS OF A PHILADELPHIA VESSEL.
The United States Consul at Trinidad dt
Cuba notifies the Department of the Trea
sury Of the total loss of the schooner Edge
water, of Philadelphia. She was bound tt
Ciemugos, laden with cooperage and mcr
chandisc, and wasSwrecked on the reefs O
Key Breton, on the night of January 49,
The master and crew (nine mem had reach
ed Cicnfugos in safety The Consul hat
sent lighters to Key Breton, with the hope
Of being able to save portion of the cargo
THE CONVERSION OF UNITED STATES bonds
1t is said that Secretary McCulloch vii
shortly issue circular notifying the public
that the Department is now read y to reeeiv,
and convert into. five-twenty bonds tn,
seven-thirty bonds issued under the act o
August, 1864, and due next August, an,
also pay the interest due thereon. This i
done in order that the bonds may be receiv
ed and converted daily, and not all be pre-
sented at the same time when due.
February %.
BUSINESS BEFORE CONGRESS.
1t is understood that both Houses vii
hold late night sessions next week, in orde
to dispose Of the tax and appropriation bills
There is some talk of making compromis
on the tariff, by referring the matter to
conference committee, and agreeing to abid
their report; but this cannot be done unit
there is disagreeing vote between the tw
Houses, which cannot possibly occur unit
the House has acted upon the bill. Their
is strong and constantly increasing press
ure on that body in favor Of speedy action
but for my own part cannot see how it cal
be enacted this session, of which there ar
but seven days remaining.
wIIsKEY FRAUDS.
Representative Darling will make repor
early next week from the special invcstiga
ting committee on the whiskey frauds. I
will show that thousands of gallons of illci
tly distilled whiskey have been sold durin
the past year in New York alone, and thi
great fraud on the revenue is mainly attri
butable to the exorbitant rate of taxatio
imposed on the article by the unwise legis
lation of Congress.
sURRATT.
Tn consequence of current report tina
Surratt's counsel had advised him not
give any evidence before the Judiciary Com
mittce, or any member thereof the contem
plated examination of the accused by tn
aforesaid committee did not take place t
day, and it is doubtful whether they wi
undertake to extract any testimony fror
him, whatever He would not answer thei
inquiries, and they have no power to punis
him for contumacy, as he is now undergoin
imprisonment
February "a.
THE VETO.
The friends of the Sherman military 20,
ernment bill expect that the President wi
send in his veto message tomorrow, althoug
it is possible it may not come before Tuesda
or Wednesday, 1t is understood that tn
document will be brief, pointed and firm
and will take substantially the same groun
hitherto maintained by the President on tn