Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1868-01-17
TELECRAPRiC.

WASHINGTON, Jan. l2.--Mr. Stevens bill,
making Grant dictator, TO be offered to-mor-
row, is discussed freely in political circles
1t creates q profound sensation, and occasions
great anxiety even among Radicals, in con-
junction with other measures of like charac-
ter and all of which are designed to cen
tralze in Congress all power of the Govern
ment. They must he accepted rs the final
acts of faction which intends to rule or
ruin, Mr.. Stevens bill will pass the House,
md there is only flint hope that it may be
arrested, or at least materially modified, in
the Senate.
Prominent Democrats held an informal
meeting tonight to deliberate on their course
Of action.
It is said that Stanberry's speech ut the
banqlet has deep political significance ;
that he indicated the Presidents views that
it means the abandonment of the policy of
the Philadelphia convention, pitching over
board Seward, McCulloch, and other fossils
of the Cabinet or, in other words, it means
a complete surrender to the Democracy as the
only hope TO save the country.
You were advised some weeks since that
Gen. Grant had dismissed one Gen. Barry,
who obtained his hrevet by forged letters,
and was also guilty of swindling, attempt at
rape. &c. Barry is said TO be member of
the Mississippi Convention.
Grants enemies are developing some of his
alleged shortcomings, One of these is the
restoration to the army of Major Lynde, a
relation of his father-in-law, Gen. Dent
Lynde was cashiercd and dismissed from the
army for the surrender of Fort Fillmore to
an inferior force Of Confederates in 1861.
They also animadvert on his habits, and
declare that recently his indulgence In oys-
| tiers has had some effect on him. as in TODD
/ les; but some Radicals, who most bitterly
denounced and malgned the President for
this very thing, nre blind to the Generals
faults. Curses, like young chickens, come
home TO roost.
There are severa! aspirants taE the pace
Of Assistant Secretary of the Treasury since
Col. Cooper was rejected.
WASHINGTON, Jan. l3-The House was in
a state Of excitement during the day, and
even n ter nightflil, over the revolutionary
| bill Introduced by III body. Bingham, OF
| Ohio, moved TO suspend the rules to enable
| him to offer new reconstruction bill, max
| ing Grant dictator over ten Southern States
with fair prospect to extend his power over
| the others. This motion was so ingeuously
worded that all dlatory motions are cut off
and when debate closes ii will be passed un-
der the gag rule.
! Mr.. Bingham will contend the leading fea-
| ture Of his bill is contained in the first sec.
ton, which says, "Said States shall not be
recognized as legal State governments by
! Executive or Judicial authority Of the United
States" lie argues If the Supreme Court
can decide that Alabama or Mississippi are
States within the Union, then it can decide
thai Ohio and Kentucky are no. within the
Union. Bingham does nat defend the prop,
osition giving Grant absolute power, but
leaves that to his Radical friends.
To-day, in reply to an inquiry why Thad
Stevens opposed the bill 10 Committee and
pronounced it a miserable political trick to
secure Grants elevation 20 the Presidency
Mr. Bingham said, "Mr. Stevens assentcd 10
each section Of the bill a few days since; but
poor old man, his memory was so shattered
he forgot the provisions and when a vote
was taken on the hill itself he voted against
it, To this it may be added, when some OF
the Radicals in the committee were talking
about the Constitution Stevens said, ~ know
this whole proceeding is outside Of the Con
stitution, and you know it too. am sick OF
yonr talk about the Constitution
The bill reported from the Judiciary Com
mittee requiring two-thirds of the Supreme
Court 10 agree In order TO decide any act OF
Congress unconstitutional led to an animated
debate, which run into tho night. The
amendment requiring theunanmous concur
renee Of the court on acts of Congress wa.
voted down by the Radicals. They only
want two-thirds at present, ms that is enough
10 prevent decision which would upset all
this abominabe legislation
The Senate has occupied all day with the
Stanton case. Some Radicals regret espous-
ing his cause, and feel that his restoration
will be a dead weight on their party. They
admit they have no respect for him, bu
they intend to humiliate the President, fore
ing upon him this political leper 1t is set
tied that Grant will turn over the Depart
ment 10 the ex-Secretary Immediately on be
ing advised of its action.
! What may now be Johnson's course /;
problema,ical If he follows the advice OF
his friends, he will remove Stanton outright
, but he has not indicated what no win do
One remarkable feature Of this transaction
is that Stanton was allowed IN the Senate
during the executive session, where he made
any statement lac chose, however false and
scandalous, the President not being permitted
, to see much less reply 10 such statements
NASHVILLE Jan. l3.-The Legislature re.
assembled to-day hut did not transact any
business there being no quorum present.