The Van Buren press., 1867-01-25
From Washington

of the Cabinet was unanimous against the
Territorial project The President, !,
was intimated, would sign the bill for
universal suffrage in the Territories.
Senators and members are in the daily
receipt of letters urging them to go
against the impeachment project on the
ground, principally, that it is injuring the
business of the country. The movement
does not appear to meet with great favor
in the Ser ate. . ...... ,.-....
The propriety OF holding Senatorial
caucus TO select new President, pro.
tenn, of the Senate. in place of Mr. Eos
ter, whose term expires March 4th, is be
ing considered. 1t is probable that one
will be held about the 4th of March.
. WASHINGTON, Jan. l2
1t has been determined to take up the
reconstruction question in the House
next week and dispose Of it, Thad, Stev-
ems returned to day and will urge early
action on it. uA
The House Committee on Territories
to- day agreed to report bill for new
Governments for the States of Alabama,
Georgia, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana,
Mississippi, North and South Carolina
and Texas. 1t first declares void all
laws made by the Governments in force
in those States and then proposes that
a male persons above the age of q, who
can take the oath of loyalty, shall be al
lowed to vote for delegates to the Con
vention, when the Convention meets If
it decides to accept the terms proposed
by Congress, it is authorized to select
what is called a Provisional Committee
Of five citizens, distinguished for their
loyalty to the Union. This committee
is to act as one ofpublic safety until the
Constitutional Convention is formed,
which they are authorized to inaugurate
The Convention thus called can then
elect provisional State officers, and form
the Constitution irrevocable without the
consent of Congress. Distinction, on &C
count of race or color in schools, rcpudi
alton of rebel debt, and dsfranchisement
of all who aided the rebellion, are to be
provided for in the State Constitution. -
If States shall at any future time attempt
to dissolve its relations with the Federal
Government its representation in Con
gress is to cease, and the latter is to do
anything not inconsistent with the rules
of civilized warfare to protect the loyal
people. If Congress adopts the new
Constitution the State is to be entitled to
representation. Congress will urge this
bill as a substitute for that of Stevens
measure heretofore published
The Judiciary Committee did not hold
any meeting to day on the impeachment
matter
A b-commlttee are arranging list
of witnesses, Forney is among the mum
ber and will probably testify on Monday
Thad. Stevens was back in his seat to-
day, and bears joking upon his defeat for
Senatorship quite philosophically. He
speaks kindly of Cameron but seems to
feel rather bitter towards Curtin, who it
seems failel to transfer his influence to
Stevens, after the promise had been civ.
Ell that he woud do so.
w ARLINGTON, Jan. IL.
The House select committee on the Pa.
cifc Railroad will soon report bill to
secure the speedy construction of the
Southern branch of the Union Pacific
Railroad. 1t provides that when the
Commissioners appointed by law shall
report the completion Of twenty miles OF
said road, the Secretary of the Treasury
shall prescribe the payment of the inter
est on the bonds of said company of one
thousand dollars at six per cent, payable
semi, annually, to he issued as follows
Sixteen of said bonds per mile for tha,
portion of said road which is embraced
between its Northern poin, of commence.
ment, whenever the same shall be located
at or near Fort Riley, to its Southern
termination, or near Fort Smith via the
valleys Of the Neosho, Grand and Arkan
sas rivers, not exceeding four hundred
miles. The company is required to pa,
in portion of its gross receipts each
year to meet the interest thus guaranteed
There is, good reason to believe that s
spicy correspondence is going on between
Secretary Seward and Lord Stanley or
the question of arbitration on the Ala
bama claims. .'
WASHINGTON, JAN IS.
The Honse to day took up Thad. Stev.
ems Enabling bill, and will consider il
from day to day until disposed of. The
bill in effect provides for the calling OF
State Conventions in the ten insurgent
States, to which delegates are to be elect
ed to form new State government on
the basis Of universal suffrage except to
rebels. The new State Constitutions are
to declare for general suffrage, and be &C.
ceptable to Congress.
Mr.. Bingham, of Ohio, spoke for an
hour and half against the bill, and de.
nounced it in severe terms He said it
was measure Of obstruction instead of
reconstruction, of disunion instead Of re.
union and contemplated patching up res
toration in 4 manner almost fatal TO the
Republic. The speech attracted great at
tention
Mr. Dawson of pppnSrlvov;o r,llo,,