Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-02-18

ated, and allowing HIM 10 tahe the usual con-
srtutonal oath. Ii is intended to include in
this arrangement all persons relieved by action
of Congress from political disabilities incurred
by participation in the rebellion. Mr.. Brooks,
OF New York, moved TO extend the same privi-
lege TO John Young Brown, of Kentucky, but
this was disagreed TO, only the two Democratic
members Of the committee voting for H. II was
agreed that the bill for removing polite disa-
bilities from ex-rebels whose names were re-
Gently before the committee, should not he re-
ported for the present. Mr.. Stevens was of
opinion that further Investigation should be
made into the circumstances under which these
men entered into and quilted the rebellion. He
said be did not want to make wholesale
pardon OF implacable rebels. Mr.. Stevens was
authorized to report the bill offered in the House
by him and referred to the Reconstruction
Committee, for dividing up the State of Texas
into four or more separate States. After re-
porting il he will ask that it be recommitted to
the committee for further consideration and
amendment. Consideration of the Joint reso-
luton offered in the House yesterday by Judge
Bin CHAM, relative to the admission of Alabama,
was informally discussed and finally postponed
until next meeting. During debate on this the
fact was developed that Mr.. Stevens and more
Radical members of the committee who act
with him are opposed to the bill relative to
Alabama, introduced bv Mr.. Sherman in the
Senate.
THE HoUsK JUDICIARY CoMMITTKR this
morning authorized MIR Lawrence to report a
bill organizing Law department of the Gov
ernment. 1t provides that law officers at
tached to each bureau Of the Government shall
be directly under control Of the Attorney Gem
eral, and not work independent of that officer
as at present, without beirg responsible to any
person. The bill also forbids thee mpioyment
of additional counsel by law officers Of vari-
Gus bureaus TO assist IN cases before the Su-
preme Court Of the United States, unless en-
ployed directly by orders Of the Attorney Cen
eral.
The Committee did not consider Judg. Fields
case, but members state that a false impression
prevails that the Committee do not intend to in
vesrgate any further. Such they state is not
the case, but the matter had not been followed
mp for the simple reason that it had been i'm
possible 10 get quorum of the committee to-
gether; at least To consider this case Those
who expect the case 10 be dropped will be dis
appointed.
TRIAL OF THE u. S. STEAMER WAMPANoAG-
The Greatest SPEED on Record.--The United States
steamer Wampanoag which has been on her
trial trip from New York, arrived at Hampton
temporary flagship to the North Atlantic
Squadron. The average speed made by
the Wampanosg was 16A knots per hour
or 1873 statute mills. Her greatest speed
was 17A knots, or 2O.i statute miles per
hour. During four consecutive hours she
made 4G1 4 knots, OF 1898 statute miles-ayer-
aging over 10 statute miles per hour. The run
from Sandy Hook light ship to abreast of
Charleston, S. c.. was made in 80 hours
The Wampanoag Is propeller of 3,a3l
tons, and this speed Is said, by those familiar
with snch matters, 10 be greater than the speed
of any screw vessel afioat for a similar length
Of time.
From THK SToSEvALL.-A private letter re-
ceiNed in this city from Commander George
Brown, OF the ram Stonewall, dated Callao.
January 9th. announces the arrival of that
vessel there on the 23d of January. Officers
and crew all well. She " as TO leave Callao on
the 3Uth for Honolulu
COLoEED SCBooLs.-General Howard, Com.
missioner of the Freedmens' Bureau, this morn
ing received lengthy report from Jno 81.
I.angston, General Inspector Of Freedmens,
Schools, who has been OF a tour Of inspection
through the States OF Louisiana and Alabama.
be says the schools are in a hourishing condi.
ton in most Of the counties in those States
though more buildings are needed.
GEAN1 WHEN BoY.-The New York Ledger
announces series Of sketches OF Gen. q rants
early life, written by his father, " appear in
that paper.
THR RETURN or bills TO CONGRESS
Edmunds, from the Committee on the Judi.
ciary, introduced a bill an the Senate yesterday
30 consfruIng the clause in the Consti alton
regulating the time in which the President is
TO return bills presented for his signature as
10 make IL ''ten days before the Jinol ADJOURN
ment OF Congress" instead of an al Jour rnment
IRON time IA time, rs heretofore.
GENERAL SHERMAN's LETrKR.-It is said
that General Sherman has written a letter 70
General Grant giving his reasons for declining
the breNet rank proffsred him by the President,
ahd also the reasons why he does not want 10
command the new department recently created.
He VIII transmit similar letter to the Pres
ident.
GENERALS GRANT AND HOWARD were upon
the floor OF the House this afternoon, where
they were armly greeted by many members.
GOLD IN THE TREAsuRY.-The amount of
gold IN the vaults OF the Treas ury al the Begin
ming of business this morning was S1O4, ,OO0HiU,
OF which sum there is payable i'll gold certIfi-
Gates S2e,'oe,OoU, leaving u balance Of S1J,OIO0J
in gold coin. belonging 10 the United States
1t is estimated that the receipts OF gold from
customs from this date To May 1st will be
S2e,too,W %; making an aggregate of SlU3,
out OF which there is payable on the lst OF
march next S3,5OO,OJD, interest due on the Ito
bonds, and on the lst of May about S2a 100000,
interest due on the 500 bonds. leaving "A balance
on hand In gold, after paying all liabilities OF
S7I,eUO,OyV.
Col. GRlPFIN, and John q. kener, Esq,
leading Republican politicians OF Alabama.
We're at the Capitol to-day in consultation with
Members OF Congress in reference Ia affairs in
that State.
The WHITE HOUsE.--The Regular meeting Of
the Cabinet was held to-day; all the memb.rs
present except Attorney General Stanbery, who
was engaged at ihs Supreme Court, and Secre-
tary Stanton. Previous TO the Cabinet meet
ing number OF Representatives had inter.
views with the Executive.
No EMPLOY the retrench.
ment order is being enforced in tn. War
Department and the various Bureaus thereof,
and persons are being discharged every day,
applications are daily received from discharged
soldiers and others for employment Many of
the applicants are strongly urged by prominent
persons, but i, Is utterly impossible to make
any appointments.
REsIGNKp.-Rey. Mr.. French, Supervisor of
missions and marriage relations OF the freed
men in South Caroiina, under General r. X.