Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-03-21

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MILITARY CoNF1R-
NATIONS. Last February, Gen. 0. B. Wilcox,
at present and then commanding this military
post and district, was nominated by the Presl-
dent for the position of Colonel in the u. S.
Regular Army Some doubts, it appears
arose, as to whether The Senate would confirm
his nomination, as Gen. Wilcox had taken
part in the Philadelphia Conservative Con
vcntion, and was supposed to be IN accord with
the reconstruction views OF the Presldent.-
| While Gen. Wilcox was on visit to v ashiug
ton he took occasion to address to Senator
Howard the following communication, which
We find in the Richmond Examiner OF ye<ter-
day Lnchbwy Republican,.
WAsHINoroN, D. g., Feb. %, 1867.
Hon. J. NJ. Howard, United States Senate
Senator: have the honor to explain that l.
have been brought up in the military service
over twenty out Of twenty four years, including
my cadetship, (tor which am indebted to your
favor.) That last summer, while IN clVll lite
and not expecting to re-entcr the service, IN
duced with soldiers feeling OF magnanimlty
towards conquered foes, | favored concllatory
measures, but that time and observation have
taught me my mistake, and that now military
measures are necessary in the South, until
those rebeIlious people completely acquiesce in
the terms imposed by Congress for restoration.
Nv present position is best defined by Major
General George H. Thomas letter recently
published, and in his views | most heartily
concur Very respectfully, your o. servant:
0. 3. WILCOX
He also opened negotiations which produced
the following endorsement:
WASHINGTON, Feb -, l3G71
DearSir: Gen. D. 3. Wilcox has called upon
lis and urged us very strong y to recommend
his confirmation as Colonel n the regular
army. He has assured us that he is satisfied
that he made great mistake in connecting
himself with the party inauguraed at Phlladel-
phia on the 9TH OF August last, and that he is
satisfied that Mr.. Johnson'a reconstruction
policy is wrong, and that he is now warm
supporter of the Congressional policy. He
also states that his principal object in resiEnng
his position as Assessor Of the First District
and taking position in the army, was to dis
continue his connection with the johnson
movement. He further states that IN his pro
fessonal character as an officer Of the army, he
shall cnlrayor in good faith to carry out the
Congressional policy of reconstruction Of the
Rebel States. Relying upon these statements
aud the earnest professions Of Gen. Wilcox,
We are OF opinion that bis nomination for 4
colonclcy, now pending 10 the Senate, had bel
ter be confirmed (Signed.)
T. G. Beaman. G.. Epson, } ohm W. Iongyrar,
r. f. Trowbridgc II. W. Ferry.
Hon. j. NJ. Howard, United State, Senator
The undersigned respectfully recommends
the confirmation Of General O. B. Wilcox as
colonel in the army. }. L. DRIGGs.
CONGRESS- The Senate yesterday, adopted
Z joint resolution prohibiting all persons in the
diplomatic service OF Tie United States from
wearing any uniform or official costume not
authorized by Congress. 4 favorable report
Was made on the bill 10 admit Colorado into
the Union.
The House passed Z bill to allow the impor-
tation, duty free, Of works Of art which are
gifts to the government The committee on
foreign affairs was directed tU investigate the
facts relative to the sentence OF Imprisonment
for life in Canada Of the Rev. John Mcmahon,
Of Indiana, for alleged completely in the Fenian
raid. The same committee was directed TO
inquire why the claims Of American citizens
against the British government are not paid
I Hon. q. ii. Chicolt was sworn in the sit
ting Delegate from Colorado until the election
committee report on the case, his seat being
contested by ". G. Hunt. 4 bill was
passed for the relief Of soldiers entitled to arti
fetal limbs. The Senate bill making all appro-
priation for the starving people OF the South
was then taken up, and long debate cnsued.
A motion was made to adjourn: and, as 4 test
of the sense OF the House on the bin, the yeas
and nays were demanded, and resulted yeas IS,
nays IS. The Speaker then voted nay, SO the
House refused to adjourn. The consideration
of the bill was then resumed III committee OF
the whole, and several amendments were pro
posed and speeches made. The House, how
ever, adj ourued by vote OF Gt to g. without
| any final action
GENERAL ASSEMBLY. In the Senate, OF
Tuesday, House bill to amend the 9Th section
of the act passed February H. 1866, requiring
the banks Of the State to 20 into liquidation,
was read the third time and passed. Ii
1t provides that when ninety per cent. Of the
notes issued by any independent bank have
been redeemed in accordance with the provi-
sions Of the act OF 1866, the treasurer be
authorized to deliver to the proper officer Of
such bank or banks the remaining ten per cent.
of State stocks deposited with the treasurer,
upon the execution OF bond IS provided for
| in this act.
In the House Of Delegates the bill to eZ-
empt the homestead Of families from forced
sales came up Oh its second reading. The
bill cgempts homestead not exceeding lG0
| acres Of land, and not exceeding in value 81
POO Mr. Dickinson moved ali amendment
modifying clause in the bill so that it should
read as follows. mo homestead shall be ex-
empted from any liens or membranes by
| judgement or decree, or from any bona fide
debt existing at the time Of the passage Of this
act Which amendment was agreed to--53
to l9. The bill was then ordered to its en-
grossment-56 to IL.
TIE House ordered to its engrossment bill
to pay four per Ct On the interest of the Viz
ginia debt. Four per ct. on the whole debt is
equivalent to sig per ct, on tWo-thirds Of the
debt, the part really owed by the present
State Of Virginia.