Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-03-18
THE EVENING STAR
Washington News and Gossip.

Washington News and Gossip.
THERE WAS FULL MEETING of the House
Committee on Foreign Affairs this morning to
consider the bill approprIating money tor the
purchase OF Alaska. very spicy and anima-
ted debate ensued of nearly two hours dura-
ton. General Banks presented a report in fi-
vor of the appropriation, maintaining that as
the treaty had been solemnly made by the Ex-
eeutive Department, and in the same spirit rati-
u, d by the Senate, that it was the duty OF Con-
gress TO make the necessary appropriations
without hesitancy. General Washburn, OF
Wisconsin, presented another report, taking
an opposite view from that Of General Banks,
and asserting that the whole question was one
for Congress to decide, and that the purchase
could not prove beneficial to this country, aud
that the expenditure was unwise in the present
condition of affairs. Without coming to any
over until the first Tuesday in May next, when
it will be brought up for final action. The
meeting to-day demon strated the fact that there
was more opposition to the purchase than
has been expected, and it is understood that
when this subject comes up again a third re-
port will be presented in committee opposing
the purchase, but couched in mider language
than that used by General Washburn.
FINANCIAL CIRCLES in New York are great
Iy excited over a report that Secretary McCul-
loeh has been locking up greenbacks; and also
that he intends to buy up seyen-thirties. Sec
retary McCulloch says that the first statement
is without foundation and untrue, and that the
balances now on hand in the Treasury and As
sistant Treasures are considerably less than
they were at the beginning Of this month. AS
to buying seven-thirties, the Department had
come to no conclusion in the matter, and no
special instructions had been issued The As
slstant Treasurer at New York was acting
under general instructions, and he must use his
own judgment in the matter.
ANINPoRTANr COTTON CASE came up in the
United States Supreme Court to- day, in yoIving
955 bales Of cotton, libelled as prize OF war at
Springfield, Illinois, and brought mp TO the Su.
preme Court on appeal. The case is that OF
Withenbury Il Doyle, of Cincinnati, against the
United States. Judge X. NJ. Corwine, of Gin.
cinnati, opened the case in behalf of complain
ants.
Hon. MAT. CARPENTER, of Wisconsin, who,
it is supposed, will succeed Mr.. Doolittle In the
Senate, was in the chamber this morning taking
the measure of a Senatorial chair.
SECRETARY SEWARD is expected to return
to-day from his trip to Auburn, n. Y. New
York has had a rumor of his resignation, but
there is nothing in it beyond the fact that he
some months ago placed his tender of resigna-
ton at the disposal Of the President.
THE TENNESSEE TROUBLE.-A dispatch was
sent yesterday to Governor Brownlow, of Ten
nessee, asking whether, in his opinion, more
troops were needed there in anticipation of
trouble. Last night reply was received from
him stating that although the rebels were Sc.
cretly armlng with the intention to get posses
sion of the capital and State archives, that he
was fully prepared TO take care Of them with
the State militia, and it would not, in his opin-
ION, be necessary to call upon Gen. Thomas tor
troops. His dispatch intimated that if these
persons attempted to violate the law and cause
bloodshed, that he would make a severe exam.
pie of the ringleaders.
THE WHITE HoUsE.-The crowd of visitors
at the Executive Mansion to-day was quite
large, but few Were admitted to the Executive
office until the afternoon, the President being
closeted most Of the day with Mr.. Stanbery
Judge Curtis, and Judge Black, of his counsel,
who We're engaged IN arranging the defense for
the approaching trial. This morning, Senator
Pomeroy, Senator Hendricks, and several
Representatives. had interviews with the Pres-
dent.
NOT THE CITY OF THE "PLAIN"-Ina Wash
ington letter, the author Of " Lifith Lank"
says: Though Washington may be likened to
Sodom and Gomorrah in other wickedness, it
certainly cannot be called city of the Plain
so far as women are concerned Pretty ones
are the rule
The SECRETARY OF WAR in communica-
I...l ~
swer TO a resolution of inquiry, says that the
military reservation at Fort Ridgeley, Mnne-
sofa, being no longer needed for military pur-
poses may be relinquished
Mr.. STEVENS is anxious to say something
upon the bill under discussion in the House
to-day 10 guarantee to the several States a re-
publican form of government, and he was
brought to the House hall to-day, looking ex.
tremeiy feeble He VIII probably speak few
minutes from the clerks desk, where he is Sit
ung.
NOMINATIoNs.-The President sent to the
Senate to-day the following nominations u.
b. Hubble, collector of internal revenue for
Montana Territory; A. Huggon, United States
attorney for the district of Idaho; Samuel f.
Douglass, justice of the peace for the District
of Columbia.
Mr.. BROWNING, acting as Attorney General,
this morning sent a communication 10 the
Senate, demonstrating against the proposed re-
ductlon of the appropriation for clerical ex-
penses in the Attorney Generals Office. Mr..
Browning says the professional labors of the
Office Is al present beyond the means at COM
mand.
PAYMENT OF MONEY TO CoLORED SOLDIERS.
General Howard, Commissioner OF the Freed
mems Bureau. has just issued a circular pre-
scribing regulations In reference to payment of
moneys to colored soldiers, DC. Under Joint
resolution of March 10Th, 1867, the scale of fees
prescribed in the resolution is:-.sFor the prep.
aTation and prosecution Of claims for and the
collection and remittance of, all sums not ex-
ceeding fifty dollars, the sum of five dollars;
for all sums exceeding fifty, and less than one
hundred dollars, the sum of seven dollars and
fifty cents; and for all sums exceeding one
hundred dollars, the sum of ten dollars The
expense Of notarial fees will be borne by the
claimant" The expenses of stationery postage
drawing up affidayits, &c, will not be allo wed
Commune cations containing checks or certifi-
Gates, or relating to them. should be addressed
10 the Commissioner, Bureau Refugees, Freed.
men, and Abandoned Lands, Washington, d. C.
Each check or certificate must be accompanied
by the agents OF attorneys BILL made out in
duplicate against the claimant, and receipted
Certificates payable to the order Of the Commits
sioner of the Bureau shoul Id not be signed by the
claimant, nor should the assignment upon the
back be executed. No assignments of certifi.
Gates or powers of attorney to collect them. can