Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-01-15
Latest from Washington.

| Speclhl 10 INC 1OuibNnio SouiicI.J
WASHINGTON, January l3.-The House
was in a state of excitement during the
day, and even after nightfall, over the
revolutionary bill introduced by that
body. Bingham, of Ohio, moved to sus-
pend the rules to enable him to offer a
new reconstruction bill, making Grant
dictator over ten Southern States, with
fair prospect to extend his powers over
the others. This motion was so inge-
niously worded that all dilatory motions
are cut off, and when debate closes it
will be passed under the gag rule.
Mr.. Bingham will contend the leading
feature of his bill is contained in the first
section, which says, Said States shall
not be recognized as legal State govern
ments by Executive or Judicial authority
of the United States" He argues if the
Supreme Court can decide that Alabama
or Mississippi are States within the Union
then it can decide that Ohio and Ken
lucky are not within the Union. Bing-
ham does not defend the propositions
giving Grant absolute power, but leaves
that to his Radical friends.
To-day, in reply to an inquiry why
Thad. Stevens opposed the bill in COM
mittee and pronounced it miserable
political trick to secure Grants elevation
to the Presidency, Mr.. Bingham said,
Mr.. Stevens assented to each section
of the bill few days since; but, poor
old man, his memory was so shattered he
forgot the provisions and when a vote
was taken on the bill itself he voted
against it." To this it may be added,
when some of the Radicals in the COM
mittee were talking about the Constitu-
ton, Stevens said, ~ know this whole
proceeding is outside of the Constitution,
and you know it too. l am sick of your
talk about Constitution"
The bill reported from the Judiciary
Committee, requiring two-thirds of the
Supreme Court to agree in order to decide
any act of Congress unconstitutional, led
to an animated debate, which run into
the night. The amendment requiring
the unanimous concurrence of the court
on acts of Congress was voted down by
the Radicals. They only want two-thirds
at present, as that is enough TO prevent
a decision which would upset all this
abominable legislation.
The Senate has occupied all day with
the Stanton case. Some Radicals regret
espousing his cause, and feel that his
restoration will be dead weight on their
party They admit they have no respect
for him, but they intend to humiliate the
President, forcing upon him this pollti-
cal leper. 1t is settled that Grant will
turn over the Department to the ex-
Secretary Immediately on being advised
of its action.
What may now be Johnson course is
mathematical. If he follows the advice
Of his friends, he will remove Stanton
outright, but he has not indicated what
he will do. One remarkable feature of
this transaction is that Stanton was
allowed in the Senate during the execu-
tive session, where he made any state
ment he chose, however false and scan
dalous, the President not being permit
ted to see, much less reply to such
statements.
The Fifth Auditor is investigating the
accounts of Savage, late Vice Consul at
Havana, to ascertain the amounts of
frauds perpetrated in that consulate.
The House Committee on Foreign
Affairs have postponed for the present
the consideration of the Russian treaty,
and it will not be up for some time.
1t is understood that Grant will sus-
tain Meade in his removals Of Georgia
officials.
The House Judiciary Committee has
agreed on bill giving the Supreme
Court Of this district thes power of ap-
pointing the Marshal, which appointment
has hitherto been made by the President
Mr.. Trimble, of Kentucky, introduced
bill to-day for building railroad bridge
across the Ohio river at Paducah.
1t is said that Stanbery's speech at
the banquet has deep political signifi-
canoe; that he indicated the President s
views that it means the abandonment OF
the policy of the Philadelphia cenven'
ton, pitching overheard Seward, McCul,
loch, and other fossils of the Cabinet; or,
in other words, it means complete sur
render to the Democracy as the only
hope to save the country.
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