New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-01-28
WASHINGTON.

CONTINUATION OF THE RECONSTRUCTION DE-
W. mr. IN THE sENATE-BILL PASSED TO RE
MOVE THE POLITICAL DISABILITIES OF Gov
p,TToN-PAYMENT STOPPED on CLAIMS FOR
PROPERTY DESTROYED DURING TIE REBEL
HOUSEKEEPING RETRENCHMENI pLlEh-
MINED ON-BILL FOR INCREASING LtGAL
TENDERS AND CANCELING BONps-fOIlll-
CAL MOVEMENTS.
~ TELEGHAPH The TRIBUNE
wAsnINGToS. Monday. Jan. o., 1888.
The Reconstruction debate opened by Nh Doolittie
IN the Senate on Thursday continued to-day
Mr.. Wilson opened in an effective speech. III which
he reviewed DooIittc's effort with considerable BIT
terncss characterziug it as the most unpaIHouc
speech he had ever listened to IN the Senate lie
spoke encouragingy of the progress OF rec0nS'rnc
ton in the South and predicted that before the 4h
Of Jnly every Southern State would be fully repre-
scented in Congress under the operations Oh
the present policy His speech commanded the at
tention of the floor and galleries. He was followed
by Reverdy Johnson, who devoted couple of hours
to replyine to Morton's speech of Friday when ne
compinented as one of the ablest and most states
Inanliie addresses he had ever listened 10 IN the
Senate. JohnsOn's Speech was strong one ana
drew forth warm concentrations from both sides OF
the Chamber. The debate viii be continued to-inor-
row by Erclinghuysen. Hendricks and others res
sender and Sumner will participate before the close
of the week
The bill 10 remove the IOllllCdl ulSnoilit'o i"'
Gov. Patton of Alabama was passed after some dis
cussion. prov oked 10y the opposition of llendnckS'
Buckalew, and Davis. The latter said Patton was
double traitor and deserved halter for betraylng
his country first and then the Rebels. AS he said
this Nye walked across the chamber and cordially
congratulated him ON his conversion to the doctrine
of punishment for treason. Stewart OF Nevada, who
ID charge of the bi said he guessed it was the last
treason and not the first that constituted the crime
according 10 the Kentucky Senator. The bill was
passed by 20 to 3. The negatives were Buckalew,
Davis. Drake Fowler, and Hendricks Patterson OF
Tennessee and Reverdy Johnson voted IN the affirm
alive.
In the House today the first hour of the session
was consumed in hearing read bills and resolutions
introduced for reference TO committees only. All
those so introduced were ummportant. The next
two hours were spent ON Mr.. +. b. Washbmnes reso-
luton to stop the further payment by Government OF
claims loss destruction of property in the Rebel
States during the war; a tough fight. lasting Tor
over hours had on this resolution before II
was adopted. The opposition came from the Dem
ocrats and the Border State men. Several motions
10 amend and lay on the table were voted on and
it looked at first if the resolution
would fail and. in fact, il was beaten on vote to
reconsider; but Washburne fought the thing with
such tenacity on the score of rerenohment that in
a
Of the House to-day augurs well for sweeping re-
trenchment all around The Committee on Appro-
priations will report the Executive and Legislative
Appropriation bill IN a few days This Committee
cut down the Secretary of the Nays estimates $50,
0O000O and the estimates of Secretaries Seward, Nc
'CullOch. and Browning Acknowledgement StanbeTy,
and Postmaster General Randall will be decreased
in the same proportion. The Committee
have been making a thorough examination
=. o,,1 ill ,o,,.1
large reduction of the clerical force employed in
the departments and the adjustment of number
of officers which they deem useless and only an
expense These the Committee will abolish 10y max
ing no appropriation to continue them. number of
those now holding fat offices under the Government
win be surprised when this bill is reported to find 10
provision made TO pay their salaries.
The bill offered by Mr.. Ingersol to-day providing
FOR the Issue of $i5OOOOOO of legal tender notes
TO supply the place of those retired, and directing
the Secretary of the Treasury to purchase gold
bearing bonds TO the same amount at the rate of
100000 per month"; and for the cancellation Of the
purchased bonds caused considerable excitement in
the House, and the gentlemen who bad the floor
refused to yield in order that the sense of that
body might be taken il. Mr.. Ingersoll,
however is determined to call il mp at an early
day, witl'the view Of getting direct vote on the
subject. Those opposed to it determined TO throw
every obstacle in the way of lis passage; but lis
friends are equally deermnedsto secure, if possible,
n majority in its favor. similar proposition was re-
ferred TO the Ways and Means Committee during the
first week of the present session, but it has never
been acted and there is probability that 1t viii
be even considered by that Committee until they
shall have disposed of the Internal Revenue bill,
which occupies all their time The Secretary Of the
Treasury is entirely opposed to the as he
10 the action of Congress in the matter of contraction
The Tobacco Tax is still under consideration
in the Ways and Means Committee, and, in con
sequence Of the many conflicting interests the
members find great difficulty in arriving at any con
cluson. A large number are in favor of taxing the
material and again others want the taxes to lall
solely the manufactured article. There are
diverse opinions on the question Of the duty on
imported tobacco. Some consider that the present
rate is too HIGH and that il affords too much protec
tion TO the domestic manufactures The Committee,
however viii not act in this matter until they have
obtained the views of the various interests and heard
the suggestions Of inspectors and collectors They
will also consult with the Secretary of the Treasury
on the matter.
Spaldine's resolution in the House to-day instruct
ing the Reconstruction Committee to make an inves-
tigaton and report persons who are OF have been
impeding reconstruction il looked upon as very i'm
Iostant The Committee is empowered TO send for
persons and papers, which power, it is said, will
enable them 70 pake soWe important and interesting
disclosures concerning the part taken by President
johnson in impeding reconstruction
The Senate Military Committee disposed of a large
number Of brcvet and regular nominations to-day,
Withholding some of them for future action on
Al