The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-11-29
WASHINGToN GOSSIP.
The Impeaehmsnt QusstIon.

WAsHINaToN, Nov. 28.--This has been a busy
day among the impeachers. Alarmed at the
report has been received by the people and the
press Of all parties. they seem to realize the inn
portance of personal effort among the members
with a view TO secure a majority in the House
Since early this morning q number of the lead
ing spirits have been at work, going from one
members room TO another, ascertaining
whether they were for or against impeachment
Those who hesitated were expostulated with,
while those who gave an Affirmative answer
were exhorted 10 steadfastness and perseye-
rance. Such as declared themselves positively
opposed TO the adoption of the majority report
were ooaxed and even threatened. 1t is said
that not less than half q dozen hael1s have been
around the city while making their cells upon
their fellow-mem bers. ''E|'-,l
The residence OF Thaddeus Stevens, on Capitol
Hlll, was thronged during the greater part of
the day, and the old Commoner Is said to have
discoursed eloquently to his visitors upon what
report, and to have denounced In strong Ian
guage what he calls the "nonsense" put forth
by Mr.. Wilson in the minority report. What
ever may have been the expectations OF these
men when they commenced their days work
1t is certain its close brought them little COM
fort, and less hope. strict "count OF noses"
shows that, under the most favorable cIrcum-
stances not more than forty votes out of one
hundred and ninety can be relied upon in the
House in favor of impeachment Ofthls num-
Der several are said to be doubtful, and should
the tone of the forthcoming Message OF the pre-
sident be decently moderate, many.who are now
inclined to listen TO arguments urging impeach-
ment VIII throw their votes and their personal
influence against 1t.
John Minor Belts at Work ON Recon-
ntructiOn.
John Minor Bolts, of Virginia. is here endea-
voring TO assist In the work OF reconstruction
in his State. He is trying to prevail upon Com
gress to pass declaratory act defining the
construction acts as to Include members of the
present Constitutional Convention in the list
OF State officers, the object being to require the
thirty-hye conservative members of the Con-
therefore be disqualified for acting as dele
gates. He deems it necessary that these con-
Convention, as he claims that it is their design
to do all in their power TO make the new con-
its defeat when submitted TO them for ratifioa-
tion. Mr.. Bolts Is urging Congress to do this
because General Schoheld, when the question
was brought before him, decided that members
of the Convention were not State officers within
the meaning OF the Reconstruction law. He
believes that the future success of the Republi-
can party can only be insured by the admission
of the Southern States under the control OF the
loyal clement Ia
The Pardon of West Virginia Degertera
by the President.
In the closing testimony taken before the Ju-
dietary Committee. the history of the letter in
ninety West Virginia deserters fully appears.
During the latter part of last year letter, writ
candidate for Congress from West Wirein1a'
was addressed to the President The letter read
His Excellency, Andrew Johnson President of the
United states -sir:-1he accompanying list en-
% . T0 Change Of who % e S
majority OF these reside In my Congressional dis
trct. 1t w0uld be doing me great service 20 have
the charge removed. and thus enable them to vote
out doubt be very close one and feel assured the
restoration of these will result In my election,
provided 1t can be done Immediately.
In May last young Andrews, before the Com
mittee, admitted the authorship of the letter.
Another son, living at Marietta, Ohio, obtained
possession of an acknowledgment of this letter,
written by Colonel Moore, private secretary to
the President. Some time after Colonel Moore
received an anonymous communication, offer
ing to sell him the letter. Colonel Moore laid
this letter before the Committee. A messenger
was sent to Marietta to examine into the exls-
tence and genuineness of the letter. Having
Obtained an interview with one Gilman, under
pledge that the contents Of the letter would
not be communicated, Gilman produced the
original, which was examined. Upon his return,
under the threats of the Committee, the
messenger was compelled to give the name
of the party through whom he had obtained
sight of the letter. and stated his opinion that
the writing was Colonel Moore's. To examine
the matter more minutely Gilman was sum-
moned, and after some hesitation, gave the
name of the party who had the letter in his
possession. Gilman also admitted the points
Of the letter which acknowledged the receipt OF
the request to pardon the alleged desert9rs, and
that the President had ordered their pardon
which would be sent Immediately. He also
stated that young Andrews offered to sell the
letter for $2500, of which Gilman was to have
$500 If the bargain was consummated. The
committee however, fully advised of the vail
dity and contents of the letter, did not find
IL necessary to make the purchRse.-N Y
Herald, .-.-