New-York tribune., 1868-02-19
WASHINGTON.

en-
@ OnA ~ ~, OF THE NECRo-wHo' 8 HALL
orN IrFFRIEs, MR.. BURLINGAME, AND }.
ROSS BROWNE.
~ yuLI0EAPa TRIBUNE
WASHINGTON. Tuesday, Feb. ls 1868
Iieut- Gen. sherman has sent word here that he
has wrltten letter TO the President respectfully
askinS TO be relieved from coming TO Washington to
tale command of the new Military Division This
letter is addressed to Gen. Grant and is to be sub
mittea TO the President by him. Senators have
written to Gen Sherman asking him not to think Of
resisning, should the President insist upon his
coming here TO assume the new command.
No business of Importance was transacted in the
Senate TODAY. The average number of petitions and
bills were presented and referred during the morn
sng hour. The announcement that vote was 10 DC
taken in the case of Senator elect Thomas OF Mary
land drew a very large multitude to the galleries.
but no vote was taken. Senators Trumbull and Rev
erdy johnson made Strong speeches in favor OF the
admission of Mr.. Thomas, and Senators Drake and
Stewart made brief remarks against it. No new
ONT were elected ON either side An agreement
,as nade Just before the adjournment to take vote
aS O'clock tomorrow. Senator Howard viii mean,
time reply to Senators Trumbull and johnson. No
executive session was held.
Senator Fessenden will introduce bill in the Sen
ate at an early day providing for the Reorganization
of the office of the Secretary of Senate, which VIII
cut down the number of employees in said Office
In the House. to-day the Pension bill for revOlu-
tiOnary soldiers and soldiers of the of 1872 was
passed after brief but sharp debate Mr.. Stark
weather of Connecticut introduced an important
resolution which was passed by large majority ap-
propriating $4,000 to aid American citizens abroad
whe have been imprisoned on account Of Fenianism
- H. ba of tha dqV
spent in considering the Legislative and Executive
Appropriation bill. The bill was finished in Com
mittee of the Whole, and vote inthe House is to be
had tomorrow. ''- ~
Mr.. Bingham's BILL providing for thE admission OF
Alabama, was considered to-day in the ReeYto1S1ru'
ton Committee Mr. Stevens was opposed to special
legislation for the admission of that or any of the
other Southern States and advised the Committee to
await the receipt of the official returns so that they
may exactly understand the condition of affairs. lie
gave notice that he viii oppose the bill before the
Committee if they introduce it, because he does not
believe that il is expedent to present any measure OF
the kind at this time Several Of the other members
joined in the debate and at length Mr.. Stevenss
views cOncuTred in and it was agreed to post
pOne il few days. The Committee authorized Mr.
Stevens to report the bill which he introduced some
time ago to divide Texas into two OF three States
dlbo uSCuSScu uutotiOu VI pdlAouihe many
persons who had been engaged in rebellion, but post
pOned the further consideration of the proposition
until the next meeting.
The House passed bin some time ago prohibiting
Government agents from depositing United States
funds in National banks in cities within so miles of
United States Sub-Treasuries The Senate Finance
Committee reported adversely on this measure to-
day. but the Senate win undoubtedly reverse this
action it is regarded tof very great importance
TO the country in the matter Of preventing losses to
the Government.
The House Military Committee have agreed to
report bill placing the Missouri State Guard more
than 10000 strong on the same footing in regard TO
pay and bounty the volunteer soldiers who served
during the war.
Gen. Bankss bill on the question of the rights of
American citizens travelling sojOurning in Euro
pean countries, which was recommitted TO the
Foreign Affairs Committee was considered to-day in
that body. The original bill has been entirely
changed so as to meet the views of the House, but
the Committee arrived at no conclusion to-day on
the subject 1t will be up again tomorrow at a
special meeting of the Committee.
The Senate Foreign Affairs Committee this morn
Ing considered but took no final action ON the Chi
nese mission. Mr. J. Ross Brownies friends urge the
Committee to consider that gentlemans nomination,
but the Committee have determined to await official
intelligence from Mr. Burlingame.
Several railroad Presidents were in consultation
with the Postmaster General to-day on matters re-
lating to carrying the mails their several roads
and the important changes which are soon to be
made among which the subject Of the midnight mail
from New-York was discussed The Companies be-
tween here and New-YOrk claim that the rate now
paid them by the Post-O Office Department does not
sufficiently remunerate them for the maintaining Of
the postal system and they want to discontinue
the unless they get additional compensation
Lately much complaint has been made here of the
daily detention Of the mails between New-YOrk and
Washington. Nearly every night for the last month
the mail has been from one to three hours behind
time. The Southern mails are also very irregular.
No Orleans papers have been received here until
tonight since February9 The project of air line
between here and New-York was argued before the
Committee to-day. but nothing definite was ar
rived at.
number of Alabamians are here for the purpose
of inducing Congress to admit that State into the
Union. They have brought with them a mass of
evidence to show that the negroes were in many
cases iD6nidated by the whites and thus prevented
from voting. case in point is that of ex United
States Senator Fitzpatrick, who, the day before the
election began summoned his negro laborers, about
ffty in number and told them that every one who
dared vote for Constitution should be instantly dis
missed from his service
The War Department awarded to-day a contract
for carrying the Government supplies from the ter
minus of the Omaha Pacific Railroad, west and
south. to Messrs Smith, Colwell d Co. Of Denver,
Kansas, they being the lowest bidders. This con-
tract has amounted to abOnt 100000 and has been
heretofore held by Messrs. Wells Fargo & Co.. who
also bid for it again, but the figures of the other
Company were so much lower that their offer was
Al