Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-12-08

HSeuccT says WI OuAtOu wac PoV III PooA'
ton near the Speakers table, and solemuly
affirmed that he had not made war upon the
Government. nor done any Of the other
naughty things which nowadays disqualily a
man for being dotorkeeper in the tents Of the
cody. "
Mr.. Stevens's old seat in the House of Rep
resentatives, has been regularly assigned to
Gen. Butler. The latter occupied it by suffer
ance all of last session, for Mr.. Stevens always
occupied seat near the Speakers desk; but it
is said that Mr. Stevens on his death bed re-
quesed that Mr.. Butler might retain the seat,
and his wishes have been respected. What q
pity the "Rev. DR.. Gray had not this incident
to incorporate into his eulogy on the late Mr..
Stevens.
Judge Underwood In his decision of the
Cesar Griffiu case, gives what he calls state
ment of the historical and legal circumstance
connected with the passage Of the "l4th arti
Gle of Amendment to the Constitution" and
declares that, under that amendment Judge
Shelley should not hold his Office as Judge, anC
that his acts have been and are, without legs
authority There is no attempt at display
Of legal learning, or legal argument.
1t is really asserted that bill will be
introduced into Congress relating to Telegraph
Companies and Telegraphing. (which provides,
among other things, penalties for tamperne
WITH or Improperly disclosing private MESA
ges.'' Is this intended as q rebuke to certain
recent proceedings on the part of certain mem
bers of Congress, and other public iunc'
tionaries2'
Tie National Intelligencer in commenting
upon the result In the Jefferson Davis case, in
the Circuit Court for Virginia, says that ae-
cording to the usual order of causes it would
take one or two years for this cause to re
reached in the Supreme Court OF the u. 5,
and it therefore assumes that the case will not
be hurried either in Washington or Richmond.
Senator Trumbull has been weak enough TO
let himself out through a Washington cores
pendent retailer Of private conversations. 1t
is now known that those public men who are
reported by tho Washington correspondents,
hold interviews with them, on purpose to be
reported some of the reporters being paid
to put the conversation" in readable shape
Probably no person in the whole country has
50 many excellent aclriSng friends, as has Gen.
Grant, Just at this time His proper course Of
policy, and his Cabinet are marked out and
presented to him by the newspapers, with all
the GOODNESS imaginable, and in each case, with
the apparent certainty that he must adopt the
suggestions offered.
The Richmond State Journal, speaking of
the Stay Law, now says:-"Gen 6tOneman as
we have it from him, will make such changes
as will work the least amount of hardship upon
all, and come the nearest tempering justice
with humanity 1t is difficult question to
solve and has to be treated with great deli
cacy."
The House of Representatives yesterday,
very quickly disposed of resolution to repeal
the tenure-of Office act by laying it on the table,
and made the same disposition of resolu-
ton offered by Mr.. Archer to reimburse Presi-
dent johnson for expenses incurred In defend
ing himself against impeachment.
The U. S. Supreme Court commenced its
annual term yesterday. There are more cases on
the docket now than there were at this time last
year, and others will be entered during the
week. One of the first cases to be argued will
involve the constitutionality of the law making
greenbacks legal tender.
Secretary McCulloch sreport takes gloomy
view OF tho public finances. He argues that
the public debt has increased during the past
year. He recommends the abolition of the
Legal Tender act, to take effect IN January,
1870, and the immediate passage of an act le-
CALLING gold contracts.
In the House of Representatives yesterday,
Mr.. Boutwell, offered resolution directing the
Committee on Reconstruction to examine into
the condition ofpublic affairs In Virginia, Mis-
sissippi, and Texas, and TO report what mea-
sures are necessary for the better protection OF
life, liberty and property. Adopted.
"Dr. Boynton' made one of his characteris-
TIC prayers at the opening OF Congress yes
terday. ''IIe thanked God that Congress as
sambled under such favorable auspices, and
thought it could now exercise It's highest duties
untrammelled, as it had been hitherto.