Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-09-21
FROM WASHN 3TON.
The President ON the si.uatto

The President on the Situation.
New YORK. Sept. 2O.-The Times special
says: AS an Indication of the Presidents
latest temper on the situation of recon-
struction affiirs, witness the following alb
Stract of his views, as recently expressed
in conversations with certain politicians
who called upon him tor the purpose OF
urging him to reopen registration i'll the
South. He informed them that he could
not do so without iDcurring certain risk OF
impeachment, and admitted that the re-
construction laws confer on the district
military commanders sole control over reg
istratiOn. His only power OF interference
was the removal of commanders when
they failed to execute the laws in accord
ance with his views of their legal construc-
ton. -..
He admitted that the district command
ers are acting under the direct authority
of Congress, in the performance of civil
duty, and that if he should attempt to as
| sumo power as commander-in-c chief to con-
troll the time of registration and holding
elections they would have the right to re-
| fuse to obey his orders, and would not be
amenable to punishment for military in
subOrdination if they did so.
He stated that the recent PRONUNCIATION
of the amnesty proclamation threw upon
Congress the onus of depTiving legally
qualified voters from registry and voting,
I
would appreciate iG in that light. If any
of the pardoned masses, he continued, at
tempt to register aud are refused, the
courts were open to them. and they cas-
compel the military to allow them to reg
| lister through the courts. Ii they do not
do so, he concluded the fault of their dis
| franchisement is with Congress, as he
| claimed that he had done all that he could
| do to restore them o-their rights. 49,
Democratic Mass Meeting.
A Great Conservative Democratic Mass
Meeting for Washington and the surround
| ing country in Maryland is called, to be
held at Bladens burg, Saturday next. Rev.
| erdy Johnson,Jerry Il. Black, Montgomery
| Blair and others are announced to speak.
The War office.
1t has transpired that President John
son, Immediately subsequent to the removal
of Secretary Stanton. rendered the war Of
flee to Gen. Mcclellan, and that the offer
was promptly refused by that gentleman.
| In this connection it will be interesting to
know that the efforts to obtain the appoint
ment for Gen. Steadman have not yet been
abandoned although the premature publi-
cation of Mr.. Grteley's letter. recommends
ing him for the Office, has blocked the game
n little, as it was inter ded to be Used only
| for the purpose of influencing the Senate
| when the nomination was sent to it for
| cODHrmatlon.
Grant Enforcing Economy.
| Gen. Grant enforces economy in the ex-
penditures of his department. with an un
sparing hand. He has recently ordered
| the members of his staff TO turn in all the
public property around headquarters,
horses, wagons, ETC., and the staff gentle
men, who have always been very circum-
specL and modest in affairs Of military dis
| play, are now cut off from government
transportation as effectually as any private
gentleman.
GEN. Grant and ReGistrattOn.
| The Tribune's special says Gen. Grant
| disclaims any intention to extend the time
| for registration in the South.
| St. Thomas
The attempt to purchase the Island of
| st. Thomas has failed.
| EX-SuItan Slckles.
| WASHINGTON, Sept. 20.-Major General
Sickles this morning had an Interview with
General CIR MT.
| General I1sncOck.
General Hancock will leave Washington
in few days for St. Louis, but will not
| for some weeks proceed to New Orleans.
I'm MenOriam.
| The flags on all the public buildings are
at half mast as a token of respect to the
memory of Sir Frederick Bruce.