New-York tribune., 1868-01-21
NJ rE1EeKAPH TO TIE TRIBUNE.


TUCKY CONTESTED SEAT.
NJ rEIEeKlrH
WASHINGTON, Monday. Jan. 20, 1868
There are no new developments 40 record In the
ease of President johnson rerss Secretary Stanton
The latter goes to the War Department every day. re-
naming theIe and tTansactng business during the
ordinary Office hours. Large numbers OF his Hlehus'
members of Congress, and Loyalsts from distant
parts of the country visit him, and offer ther con-
cratulations on ibis reinstatement, Further than
this there is very little to note, unless IL
be TO give an unqualified CONTRADICTION
20 the reports emanatng from the White House ana
from there in the confidence of the President reia-
tive TO the advice said to be rendered to Mr. Stan
ton by Gems. Grant and Sherman and the opinions OF
these gentlemen said to be expressed TO the President
on the subject of the SecretaTys resignation. Ihave
high official authority for the statement, from the
Capitol end of the avenue however, that there may
be doubt of its truth that these reports are utterly
upfounded and untrue. Mr.. johnson and his men
tors leave nothing undone to damage the Sec
Tetary in the estimation OF the public,
and do not hesitate to drag IN without
any sanction whatever the names of Sherman and
Grant, and a dozen others, as agreeing with the
President on this subject. Gen. Grant has not sad
10 President johnson that Mr.. Stanton should
resign and Gen. Sherman has not uttered one word
any such course TO the Secretary and all reports to
the contrary are incorrect. Gen. Sherman has not
visited the Secretary for three days. and could have
no conversation with him. Rumors are being con-
stanty circulated to the effect that the Secretary
has his resignation written that it has been sent IN
or viii be sent In; but Mr.. Stanton does not intend
10 recognize Mr. johnson in an official capacity so
long as that high functonary persists in stating that
he will hold no official intercourse with him. Mt.
Stantons friends say that the President may as well
at once abandon the hope to which he clings so
fondy for so long the best interests of the cOun
try require il so long under this administration will
Mr.. Stanton hold the keys of the War Department.
In the Senate to-day a number of bills were intro
duced, among them one by Mr.. Wilson, to prevent
the payment of bounties TO deserers which was re-
ferred to the Military Committee. long discussion
then took place on a joint resolution 10 permit
the appointment of retired officers OF the
Navy and consular Offices After three hours
discussion as to whether ought 20 go to the Naval
Committee or TO the Committee on Commerce, 1t was
concluded TO send it TO neither but TO lay 1t on the
table. Reyerdy johnson theu called up the resou
ton for the admission of Philip f. Thomas Senator
elect from Maryland. Several speeches were made
bat no action was taken. majority of Senators
said TO be in favor of the admission of Thomas
The House Committee on Elections will submit re-
ports tomorrow, drawn up by Chairman Dawes,
upon the case Of John Young Brown of Kentucky,
accused of disoyal speeches. and also upon the case
of Samuel E. Smith, who claims Browns seat, upon
the ground that if one candidate is thrown out on
account of inelgibility his opponent is entitled to
the seat. The report is deemed very important
as setting forth the principle by which the Commit
tees will be guided in similar questions which will
be frequent during the progress of reconstruction
Upon refusing Brown his seat the Committee stand
Mol nnlg
Shellabarger who have forwarded written opinion;
and four in favor SchOfeld and Pollard, Republicans;
and Chandler and Kerr Democrats When the full
report is read in Committee tomorrow it is thought
that the Republicans may be unanimous In refusing
Smith the seat. The Committee is unanimous in es
tablishng the dislOyalty of Brown, and his giving
aid and cOuntenance to the enemies OF the Govern
Inent. The Committee rely wholly upon his own
version of speech he made in April 1861 and which
he admits he uttered frequently i'll public. both be-
fore and after that date. His words were as follows
"Not one man or one one dollar will be furnished Lin
coin TO aud him IN his unhoy war against the South II
this Northern army shall attepto our borders we
will resist il unto the DEATH ana one man shall be found
ought, and believe he will be shot down before he
leaves the State"
Mr.. Dawes completely riddles the explanation Of
Brown that this speech not in any sense counte-
nancing or aiding the Rebels, but only made in sup
Closed after quoting the language Brown admitted
be had frequently used as follows:
How much of the blood that subsequently flowed upon
the soil Of Kentucky is justly attributed TO these sent
was a pledge OF inpunty for murder. IL stn-
uated thirst for the blood Of Union soldiers and then
alone. but against humanity. The Committee IS
forced to believe that Brown in manner and form herein
that therein having voluntarily given and cognenanee
counsel and encouragement 10 persons engaged ID armed
hostility
the oath Of Office and TO be admitted 10 this House
Representative from Kentucky"
Then follows the case of Smith. Though Brown
had 6O0O majority over Smith, the latter claims the
seat upon the ground given above. To sustain this
he cites large numbers Of cases in England where
the House of Commons has given seats to defeated
candidates when the ones having the largest
number of votes declared ineligible.
The Committee, however, answer this by quoting
English authorities to show that in all cases it was
held necessary to prove that the ineligbty Of the
candidate must have been announced publicly and
generally during the canvass The Committee
concludes by submitting three resolu-
tens: 1st, Declaring Brown disqualified on
account of disloya acts and encouragement given 10
Rebels I'd, Declaring Smith not entitled to the
seat; 3d. That the Speaker of the House notify the
Governor of Kentucky that there is vacancy in the
Second Congressional District of that State. This
decision in Smiths is the first given in this
country by Congress- or by any State Legislature
the points involved.
The Senate Military Committee has under con-
sderation today large number of breyet promo
tons and passed upon nearly all of them. They will
be reported in Executive Session at an early date.
No action has yet been taken by the Committee on
the subject of reducing the number of brgader and
major generals, which was referred TO them