New-York tribune., 1868-02-18
WASHINGTON.

In the Senate, to-day, Mr. Yates presented petit
ton from citizens of Sitka in the new Territory of
Alaska, asking the right TO form municipal gov
eminent. Senator Sumner presented petition from
citizens Of Boston asking that the Office Of President
be abolished as it seems to be source of evil and
corruption likely to end in the overthrow Of the Re-
public. They ask the substitution of administra-
tive commission for the performance of the duties
now deyolving upon the Executive. Senator Trun
bull reported from the Judiciary Committee q bill
providing that majority of the votes cast shall
be sufficient to ratfy Constitution under the
Reconstruction acts. Also O bill denying the
right of the Courts to decide upon political ques
tions declaring the Reconstruction acts to be polit
cal in their character and Diminishing all cases now
pending In the Supreme Court under these bills.
The case Of Senator elect Thomas OF Maryland was
taken up at o'clock but at the request Of Reverdy
Johnson II was postponed until tomorrow, when
the Senate will take vote. The Senate was ready
TO vote to-day, and would have decided against Dit.
Thomas. The rest of the day was consumed in dis
cussin6 bill which has been pending some time,
regulating the disposition Of funds accruing In the
Treasury from the sale of captured and abandoned
property The Reconstruction debate seems to have
been closed for the present and may not be resumed
on the pending bill this session. Senator Shermans
funding bill will come up as the case OF Mr.
Thomas is disposed OF.
In the House to-day, during the morning hour, q
host of unimpOrtant bills and resolutions were no
duced and referred to the appropriate committees
The only bill ,among the number Of any public i'm
portance is one providing for the immediate admis-
sion of Alabama into the Union. on the ground that
amajority of the votes cast at the recent election
were i'm favor of Constitution. 1t seems TO be the
opinion of members that the House will act on TINS
bill at once Mr. Bankss bill on the rights OF Amer-
can citizens abroad is dead and he authorized
by the House TO report new bill at any time. The
last half Of the days session was consumed IN
considering the Consular and Diplomatic
Appropriation bill in COMMITTEE OF the
Whole. More than two hours were spent IN
wrangng over the various items OF this bill. All
the retrenchment reforms in bill of appropriations
were sssailed by the Democrats and Republicans
who are friends Of the State Department. Mr..
Williams tried TO have all the South American mis-
sons abolished. but could muster only small vote
in his favor Messrs. Brooks and Robinson made
splurge in favor of continuing the mission to Rome,
but were voted down by very large majority with
out making Q any particular fight. Mr. Banks defended
Secretary Stewards secret service fund.- but failed 10
have the amount reported by the Committee IN
creased This secret service fund business was
pretty thoroughly exposed by Messrs. Washburne,
Blaine Butler, Schenck, and Logan. The
members OF the Appropriation Committee express
their satisfactioniwith the progress that Is Dehg
made on the appropriation bills and hope to have
them through the House in good time so as to pro-
ceed with other business.
The question of conferring brevet rank of Cen
eral upon Lieut.. Gen Sherman was considered to-
day in the Senate Military Committee, and 1t was
resolved 10 report resolution TO the effect that the
Senate does not approve of breveting officers OF the
grade Of eutenantgen and general ms Is 10
be reported 10 the Senate in Executive Session. ana
then it will probably be adopted. The appointment
will then be returned TO the President with the in
dorsement Of the action of the Senate, which Will
entirely dispose Of the question.
A special meeting 6f the Finance Committee is to
bs held tomorrow for the purpose of considering the
nomination of Mr.. Wisewell. That gentlemans
friends have prepared columns of figures and covered
reams Of paper with evidence which they claim
will completely exonerate him from the charges
which have been preferred against him.
Mr. johnson says tonight that he has not received
any communication, either by mail telegraph,
from Cen Sherman relative to the Breyet rank. and
expresses surprise at this unaccountabe silence on
the part of the Lieutenant General. The President
says, however that If Lieut.. Gen Sherman does not
want the Brevet he will not force it upon him, and
that he is not particularly anxious that he should
take the command Of the proposed Division if he has
that when Gen. Sherman was here and they talked
about the appointment, Gen. Sherman made some
slight opposition only the ground that he did not
care for the society here and that he preferred St
Louis where his home and his property are.
The nominations which were sent in some time ago
for collectors and assessors in various districts in
New-York have not yet been disposed Of by the
Senate Finance Committee and they will probably
lie over for time to come. Calcots case is still
pending and it is probable will not be acted on for
few weeks longer The nominee for the Twenty
fourth District of New-York is not likely TO bo
frmed. as the Member Of Congress from that section
opposes the appointment.
Late dispatches received here by Gen. Dodge seem
To indicate that the Alabama State Constitution may
vet be carried as it is understood that Gen. Meade
has directed that the polls be reopened in those dis
trcts where they failed 10 get the information of the
polling until two days before the close of the election
Should this be the ID is probable that there will
be enough votes cast TO carry the Constitution,
which 30 far as Alabama is concerned will render
further legislation unnecessary.
The end of the gay season is nearly at hand, but
ten days more being left for receptions and private
parties before Lent commences, and nearly every
night meantime three TO five parties and soirees.
The Presidents reception tonight outshone all of its
predecessors and is pronounced of the most bril-
liant costy-costumed and distingue ever witnessedin
this country. The spacious East Room ndadoining
rooms and halls were crowded to excess. The
visitors included the entire Diplomatic Corps and a
number of congressman, among them about 20
Republican Senators and twice as many Represen-
tatives, Cabinet officers, Judges Supreme Court |
military and naval officers The Marine Band sup |
piled music The last of the receptions takes place
next Monday.
Several of the Camden and Amboy Railroad peo- |
pie are here 10 lobby against the air line railroads.
and in favor of more pay for continuing the postal
at~sfar