New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-01-22
WASHINGTON.

PASSAGE OF THE RECONSTRUCTION BILL-RlGflS
OF AMERICAN CITIZENS ABRoAD-A NEW
PHASE OF THE TENURE-oF-OFFICE BILL
SECRETARY SEWARD on THE ALABAMA
CLAIMs-THE AUSTRIAN MIssION-THE MID
NIGHT MAIL TRAIN BETWEEN NETWORK
AND PHILADELPHIA.
1T TIL aRIrH TO TRIBuSE.
WASHINGTON, Tuesday, Jan. 81, 1868.
The Reconstruction bill, as reported by Mr. Bing-
ham, was passed finally to-day. Mr.. Butler got o5
votes on his amendment. There was no scene, ana
matters passed off very quietly. A bill cutting OH
Post-Offce advertising from Washington papers was
passed. This puts large sum of money into the
Government Treasury, and keeps equal amount
out of pockets Of private individuals.
Mr.. CONFESS of California introduced resolution
requesting the President to demand the release OF
American citizens arrested abroad for acts committed
or words spoken in this country
The question has arisen in several Of the depart
ments whether officers whose commissions have ex-
PRED are under the Tenure-of Office BILL entitled to
continue in Office until their successors are appointed
and duly qualified or whether their authority ex-
pires on the date specified their commissions Inc
point has been referred to the Att0rneyGenera Tor
decision and il is understood that he is of the opn-
ion that such persons entitled to act until their
successors are confirmed. The first case which has
w
! Customs at Portland, Ne, whose commission ex-
PRED some time ago. The President has sent in
| the name of another gentleman for the POSITION
but Washburne will hold theoilce until the noml-
nation is confirmed
Then will come tables showing the numberof ships
built by the British shipbuders the hstoreso their
equipments cruises and achievements, and losses sus
tanned by United States citizens Part second will pre-
sent the startlngarray Of figures representngproper
ty DESTROYED The whole will conclude with strong
demand for payment in full. 1t is also given out
that the Secretary will alude to the question OF
naturalization. and demand that England recede
from her position of perpetual allegiance, and ac-
knowledge the American doctrine on that subject
The Postmaster-Generel to-day sent, in answer to
resolution by Mr. O'Neill of Pennsylvania. ASKING
what reasons if any existed for the discontnuance
| of tho Transmission of the midnight mail from the
City of NewYork to the City of Philadelphia where
| by correspondence with tho latter city from New
York and localities east and north of said city is de-
| layed many hours and whether in view of the
| absolute necessity of the frequent mail service
| between commercial cities the transmission of the
said mail contract again be ordered 80 MS iminedi-
atcly to prevent further inconvenience to business
| and other interests. Says the mail in question was
not discontinued by any orders of the Department,
nor was it originally ordered by the Department, or
paid for by it. Early in the Rebellion
| the railroad companies composing the
line between New-York aud Washington established
train between these cities and addition to the then
existing trains leaving New-York at - o'clock at
night and arriving at Washington before II o'clock
| A. M The Department had no agency in originating
| this train, and it was understood to have been
established for tho purpose of relieving the regu-
lar trains then overburdened by large
passenger traffic, and the conveyance of troops, mu
ntions of war, etc. The Company consented to take
mails by this train to Philadelphia Baltimore, and
| Washington and they were dispatched by the New
York Office but without promise of compensation by
| the Department, and without pledge on
| the part Of the companies that the ar
engagements should continue longer than
the train was needed for business purposes.
accordingly the Philadelphia and Baltimore compa-
ny gave notice that the train between Philadelphia
and Baltimore would be withdrawn April eth, 1867,
stating that it caused loss to the company larger
than the whole annual payment for mail service,
which is 1880
The Camden and Amboy Railroad Company gave a
similar notice and the train ceased 10 and the
mail to be carried December Is last. The Depart
ment has not the power to restore this service even
were it deemed essential to the public interest,
without previous legislation by Congress-
and special appropriation for the expense.
As the railroad companies receiving for the mail
| service now rendered the maximum compensation
allowed by law and the train. If restored, would
be run for mail purposes only, large addition to the
present pay would no doubt BIO demanded.
| The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs had a
long discussion to-day on the nomination of the Hon.
s. S. Cox for the Austrian Mission but came TO
conclusion on that point The subject will be
resumed at the next meeting of the COM
mittee. The treaty with the Sandwich Islands was
also talked but definite action taken in refer
ence to it. Senator Sherman's funding bill and other
measures were considered to-day in the Senate FL
nance Committee but the committee adjourned
without passing definitely upon them, and with the
understanding to resume their consideration to-mor-
row. The impression seems to be very general how
ever not only in the committee but also in the Senate
that no measure will be adopted which will meet the
views of the majority of that body. Senator Hen
derson's bill was reported to-day, but there are no
new features to be added to the synopsis already
given. The Ordnance Committee will not present
their report for time i'll order that Gen. Dyer
may be allowed the privilege of seeing and replying
to that portion of the evidence relating to his
and the charges specified against him. The General
and his clerks busily engaged to-day in reading
the evidence preparatory to a reply.
The news from the South is encouraging. Recent
adviees received from Alabama by the Congressional
Committee all point with certainty to the success
of ratification in the pending campaign on the new
Constitution. The election III the State will be- held
on the 9th of next month
Major Gen. Sherman presented this evening,
at the house of Representative Grswoh of New
York, with watch which belonged to Roger Sher-
man. brilliant party assembled TO do honor to the
aIa
Senator Ferry of Connecticut.
Ex-Senator Harris of New-York will deliver