The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-01-21
THE CREsOENT's DISPATCHES,
FROM WASHINGTON.

Proceedings of Cengre.-CoadIlion OF Ar
fairs In the South - Executive Appoint-
mepts-Cotton Claims = Delay of the Me-
Cardle Case = Starvation In TupIs Tn :
surratt Trial.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 0-Sendte.-Among the
memorials presented is one from the City Council
and Chamber OF Commerce OF New Orleans rela.
tive 10 lands granted TO the New Orleans, Ope-
lousas and Great Western Railroad.
The secretary Of the treasury was called on for
List OF vessels purchased during the war, with
| their cost.
Considerable time was devoted to consular
affairs.
The Senate refused to recede from its position
on the cotton tax; also from the amendment to
the anti-contraction bill. Committees of con
ferences appointed. Consideration of the case of
Senator Thomas, of Maryland, resumed. Went
into executive session and adjourned without
action.
HoVse-Among the bills introduced was one 10
compel steamboats, to carry a newly invented fire
extinguisher. One to amend the bankrupt law
One to pay officers, musicians and soldiers for
horses lost during service, and several regarding
lmmunities OF Amei ican citizens abroad.
Consideration OF the reconstruction bill re-
sumed. Buffers amendment, vacating State
Offices and allowing conventions to fill them, failed,
and without reaching vote the House adjourned.
General Grant has gone to Richmond.
General Sewan, who travelled from Holly Springs
to New Orleans, thence TO Vicksburg via Baton
Rouge, reports to the bureau the unsettled state
Of affairs existing. He says there is no telling
what the result may be. Great destituton exists
but no starvation. Planters are without means,
and comparatively few plantations will be worked
this year with comparatively more attention to
cereals. But few contracts have as yet been made
with freedmen, ard no organized plan agreed up
on on the part Of the planters regarding freed
mems wages. limited amount of ratiOns will
be required in the river country in louisiana Mis-
sissippi and Arkansas, though there is but little
cause for apprehension in the interior. SewaI
m ~ "a IA nth
less, and suggests care in their appointment.
Alfred Kent is appointed postmaster at Con-
Eales, Texas.
VIM. Hefner, postmaster at Shreveport, La,
and Albert q. Gridley, nominated general ap-
praiser of merchandise for the South.
The secretary of the treasury sent a communi-
cation TO the Senate regarding cotton claims. 1t
appears that the Court of Claims denied the ap-
peal 10 the Supreme Court, aud that the secretary
after ascertaining as nearly as possible, the net
amount due on judgments OF the Courto Of Claims,
paid them.
The chief justice was not on the bench to-day
on account Of sickness, causing much disappoint.
ment delaying the NcCarde decision.
Consul Heap reports TO the State department
under date Of December 20, 1867, that general
starvation exists in and around Tunis. few days
before 100 persons had died in Tunis in one day.
The greatest number Of deaths in one day was
l42 The Christians numbering 10000 are very
Coo. SSE' una ''' AiO'u OS 'n' ''"'"n0 NUMBER w.
AuC VI ID eeh lOT tn6 Z4ln OF EeO-
ruary.
The House conference committee on the cot.
ton tax consists of Logan, Maynard and Brooks.
Carey, from Cincinnati to-day, during the dis
cussioD. propounded the following questions to
his colleagues:
First-1f Gen. Grant shall refuse or neglect to
execute the provisions of this law, or if in the
execution he shall act in an oppressive or cruel
manner, to what tribunal would he be smenabe
for his malfeasance?
SecOnd-As by the terms of the bill the pres
dent cannot interfere, the general be tried by
court martial, and if so, who can order and who
can institute the court!
Thvd-NOt being a civil officer, can he be i'm
peached? and if SO, by whom and before what
ribunall
FO1Tt7i-f he cannot be tried by any earthly
tribunal is he not made an absolute despOt!
A meeting of the reconstruction committee is
called tonight at Stevens's house. A member Of
The committee refuses TO go there and writes
Stevens, that he will move that the House refuse
consideration of business proposed BY the COM
mittee except in stated meetings at proper
places.