Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-12-18
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE.

II. H. 20.
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE.
Removal OF Disa bititier-'' Boys i'm Blue -
! Presidents Message in tongress-Thad.
Stevens Old shoes-Grant's Keeper
WssAburn VS.. s.henck-The VirEin1a
EIeclIon-s' OUR Senators nd Repressn-
tat1ves-The Personnel OF the Hease-The
Negro Member &c ullins OF Tennessee
&C., sc
WASHINGTON, Dec. 9th. 1868.
Dear Journal There has been much
speculation in regard to be probable course
of Congress in regard to the removal Of
j disabilities imposed on the people of the
South. It was thought by many that, the
elections being over, a liberal and magnan-
imous course would be pursued, and that
ALL or nearly all, would be restored to3citi-
zenship. The action of the Senate this
afternoon seems to settle the question for
this Congress, at least An act removing
Carolina, being under consideration, an
amendment was offered by Senator Davis
o. Kentucky, to include all citizens of
South Carolina in its provisions, which was
voted down--the Republicans voting in
solid phaIanx against it. This indicates
that there is to be 10 " Wholesale " relief,
though the number OF individual cases
already before the House show that the
q" retail business will be continued at the
old stand.
In the election of Mr.. Buxton as Door
keeper Of the House, over Dr. w. T. Col
Inns. on Monday last, the House made its
usual display of affection for the 60 boys in
blue" Collins is the Assistant Adiutant
General Of the G. A r. During the war
he was one of Berdan's sharp shooters of
the army of the Potomac, and lost a leg in
the service. It was understood by his
friends that Schenck, and Garfield, and
Logan, and all the ex-Colonels and Gener-
ais in the House-and their name is legion |
would spread themselves in his behalf
but Logan was-sick, and the most of the
others went back on him, and he didn't
poll a corporal's guard
The Senate adjourned to-day before the |
reading of the Presidents message was
concluded, thus maintaining their resem-
blance to a set of unruly school boys. The
House gave it respectful hearing, though |
Bingham and some others grew FESTIVE.
and Butler turned MS back and yawned. |
At it's conclusion dozen Or more sprang
to their feet, with resolutions in their
hands, each anxious to be first in the as
eaalt but E. B. Washburn was the one
recognized by the Speaker, and a scene
ensued that would be difficult to describe,
though all familiar with the House have
seen many such.
Ever since the death of Thad Stevens
there has been q struggle going on for the
leadership of the House, notably, between
Washburn and Schenck. Thus far the adj
vantage has been with the former. Butler
looks on at the fight very complacently,
knowing that 50 soon as they have used
each other up the sceptre will drop into
his lap. Apropos of this rivalry you have
doubtless seen the statement of CORES
pondent that Washburn has lost his hold
on Grant-tha5 the General has jumped
from his pocket into the keeping Of
Schenck. Knowing the source of this in
formation am disposed to believe it, and
the rivalry between them is intensified by
it, They both denounced the message
Schenck being the most bitter and demon
strative. While the message was being
read from the Clerks desk, each member
held "yaller-kivered copy of it in his
hand, as if anxious to compare it with the
manuscript
While Ringham's bill providing for an
election in Virginia was under discussion,
the Georgia Radicals came in for their
share of abuse from their friends, along with
the poor "rebels." The bill was amended
SO as to postpone the election until the 4th
Thursday in May, and the meeting of the
Legislature to September, all after Grant
shall have been inaugurated. The bill
originally provided for an election IN jan
uary, but they expressed the fear that
johnson might do something to prevent a
fair election (?) and hence the amend
ment.
I have not seen either of your Senators
in their seats yet. All the members of the
House from North Carolina were present
to-day except Hon. o. 81. Dockery. Hea-
ton the cadaverous, was in his seat, look
ing as well as usual, Notwithstanding his
reported illness.
The personnel of the House is but little
changed since last session-some new mea-
bers have been admitted, though the negro
from Louisiana is not one of them-indeed
be was not in the House to-day, or at least
[ did not see him. Mullins, of Tenness 20,
was promptly in his seat on Monday, and
yesterday and to-day but was reminded
of the melancholy fact that the place that
now knows him will soon know him no
more for ever. In exchanging greetings
with one Of the members he was addressed