The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-09-21
WASHINGTON.
THE sURRATT BUSINESS.

NEW YORK, Sept. 18.-The Herald's Wash.
lngton dispatch says Government seems to
have great deal of trouble to get rid of that
notorious prisoner, John H. Surratt 1t is now
stated that in a day or two Surratt will be dis
charged altogether, though it may turn out that
the distinguished gentleman will not suffer
himself to be discharged without the luxury OF
another trial, and Government may Vet have
to pay him good round sum to CO. The diff
Guilty is, the District Attorney wishes to aban-
don the first indictment, charging murder, and
to try Surratt on the second Indictment, charg
ing conspiracy. The counsel for Surratt in
sists on the murder charge being tried and
they ridicule the idea OF trying him on the
charge of conspiracy.
THE APPLICATION FOR TROOPS IN FLORIDA.
In the case of the application OF the Govern
or OF Florida for United States troops to aid
civil officers in enforcing the laws, tits under
stood that the President has disposed of it by
simply referring it to Maj. Gen. Meade, COM
manding the military department of the South,
as a matter coming entirely within the recen5
instructions to Gen. Buchanan and Gen Meade
in relation to the employment of government
troops to assist the civil authorities. Accord
ing to these instructions Gen. Meade is requir-
ed to use his own discretion in regard to the
necessity of the call.
THE TRIAL OF JEFF. DAVIS.
The Suns Washington dispatch says, cow
that Mr.. Evarts has returned to his duty it is
expected that preparations will be made for
the trial of JEFF. Davis, which is fixed for No
vember. 1t is thought he will be tried this
time or the case dismissed. '-- i.a-A
MR.. STEPHENS AT WASHINGTON
The Tribune's Washington dispatch says Mr.
Stephens arrived tonight from the North. He
appears in excellent spirits and health In
course OF long conversation he expressed
nothing particularly new in references to the
South. He reiterated his profession that he
had retired from public life, and wished to take
no part in the political discussions of to-day.
He is in a certain measure satisfied with the
condition of affairs in his own State, and ex-
presses bitter sbhorence of secret organizations
He visits Washington merely to examine some
OF the archives of the late Confederacy to aid
him in the completion of the history of the re-
bellion.
SOLDIERS CONVENTION.
WASHINGTON, Sept. Heterogeneous have
been made with the several railroads for the
passage OF soldiers and sailors and their wives
and families to the National Convention in
Philad slphia, on the 1st and Cd OF October, at
greatly reduced rates, and in some cases free of
charge. |
THE SPEECH OF MR.. HOLDEN.
Joseph w. Holden, son OF, Governor Holden. |
telegraphs from Raleigh, N c., that the de-
spatch relative to his speech at mass meeting |
there is false, that he gave none of the ncen- |
diary advice attribnted.to him, nor did airy one
else. ag ~ 81 .sa5f
7Hi THE EXTRA SESSION OF CONGRESS-.
Messrs. Wade and Colfax both doubt wheth-
er there will be quorum present at NOON
Monday, but Mr.. Colfax says in conversation
that either House can take a recess from time
to time until quorum arrives, thus extending
the legislative day of Monday indefinitely. 1t |
is stated as the result of conference at which
Messrs. Wade, Colfax, Schenck aud others
Were present, that another recess will be taken
to the 18th of October. Mr.. Wade will be the |
guest OF Mr.. COfax during the session.
ARRIVAL OF MEMBERS OF CONGRESS- !
Members of Congress continue to ARRIVE by |
every train. About eighteen Senators and I
fifty members OF the House are in the CITY, |
The indications are that by tomorrow noon |
there will be quorum in both branches of |
Congress. The members now here include
some Representatives from the most distant |
Western, Southern and Eastern States. |
1fg APPOINTMENT. /
Collector Chas. Abel, of the first Pennsylva- |
mia Revenue District, has been appointed by |
the Secretary of the Treasury, Collector in |
charge of exports for the port OF Philadelphia.
This is the first appointment of Collector of
Exports under the new Internal Revenue act. |
7i-,- & SUIT FOR IMPRISONMENT.
4 A suit has been entered by A. HI. Morebead |
against DIR. Cornelius Boyle, formerly of this |
city, charging the latter with imprisoning Mrs |
Morehead three years, thus preventing her re-
turn to the care and society of her husband |
Damages are laid at $4,000. Boyle AYERS that |
as Provost Marshal in Virginia, in the Confed- |
crate service he, by order of Gen. Beauregarl, |
prevented Mrs. Morehead from crossing and |
Ic-cIoSSiuS tuc lines. Wow
THE TRIAL OF sURRATT.
1t is said about the Court House day that
NO attempt will be made to try Surratt on the
first murder Indictment, and that the trial on
the rebellion indictment will certainly COM
mence on Monday morning. As yet none of |
the foreign witnesses have arrived, but wit
nesses residing in this city and vicinity have
all been summoned. Some seem to think.i it
PEqeeale that the trial will be VERY short one.
York will again appear for the prosecution
2 WASHINGTON, Sept 20-The trial of John |
III. Surratt, on second Indictment charging
him with conspiracy to capture President |
Lincoln, &c, will commence tomorrow The
District Attorney will enter mol pros. on the
first indictment, which charges him with mpr-
der This contemplated action on the part of
the District Attorney is owing partly to the
difference of opinion existing among mem
bers of the Bar on the subject of constructive
presence, which is an essential particular of
trial under the first indictment. There is no
indication OF circumstances which will further
delay second trial of the prisoner.
HEAVY DEFALcATioN.
20 Information which has come to the knowl- |
edge of the Post Office Department since YES
terday noon leads to the suspicion that heavy
z defacation has been committed by Col. c. b. |
Olmstesd, disbursing clerk and Superintendent
of the building. Olmstead left the city yes
terday, and the manner of his departure and
his actions just before leaving, caused suspicion,
His financial affails will be examined into to-
morrow. Efforts have been made to arrest
nlD, bnt thus far without success. 1t is un-
derstood he has been specializing heavily.
eAEAf g NEW YORK. ~ |
ARCTIC DIsoovERIEs-sR JOHN FRANKL1N's
PARTY HEARD FROM.