The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-27
Mason, Slidell, Breckenridge and
Wigfau Anxious to Return
Home.
The Alabama Claims Reported
Basis of Agreement
a. BloOdlc Ss DIR el Betyvccn
Army Officers.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 20, 1868.
The Case of tIc Georgia Senators.

which = Governor Bullock. The coored men has,
thef opposition, Il would seem, more upon persona
grounds OF Indignation against the democratic party
iW what they term It's base ngratitude than on tn,
ineisiDiy OF The candidates by reason OF any pro
visions IN the reconstruction laws The Senators
WHO are now seeking admission they contend, were
elected by the help OF colored votes in the Georgia
LEGISLATURE: but afterwards the party to which the,
belong iorretng the service thus rendered, turned
round aad expelled their faithful and too corhdine
allies. The influence at work In favor of Messrs.
I'M ana Miller is Of such important and respecta
Bile character that 1t is thought the Judiciary Com
inttee cannot with much show of reason report adj
yersely against them. Such men as Ex-Governor
Joseph Brown and General Meade back up the
claims OF tie applicants mentioned, while opposed
TO them are merely the partisans OF Governor Bul.
lock and the colored men that are simply seeking to
he advanced.
Trouble Among the Texas Republicans.
Reports reach here OF a serious difference in the
ranks OF the republican party in Texas the ques-
iion OF dividing that State into smaller constella-
tons. The native republicans, taking the same
ground rs the democrats, protest against the pro-
posed carving project. while the imported repubi-
cans demand that the proposition be submitted to
tine people along with the constitution. Ii treated
in this fashion the constitution 1t is expected, viii
DC uelcated by an overwhelming VOTE
Anxious Inquiries from Prominent Rebels.
rumor obtained circulation to-day that Mason,
Slidel Wigfail, Judah P. Benjamin and John G.
Breckenridge had sent dispatches here inquiring
anxiously the exact nature Of the protection which
the Presidents proclamation OF amnesty afforded.
IL these distinguished participants in the re-
beon at loss to know If the clemency ex-
tended by Andrew Johnson is OF such character as
Congress is bound TO respect. and whether in
trusting 10 its alluring terms, they are committing
blunder Or doing themselves benefit
The House Tariff Bill.
The Tarin bill now pending in the House will, it is
understood he recommitted to the Committee of
Ways and Means Immediately after the recess. 1t is
conceded that In its present shape IL stands no
chance OF passing the House, and the only means OF
saving IL is 10 recommit IL to the committee. There
1t will be considerably altered and amended, so as
10 include larger number OF interests than 1t does
at present. and thus the Of different
tionS OF the country. j. X. Moorhead who il
candidate for the Senatorshp from Pennsylvania,
has heretofore had the bill in charge, and he Is
anxious to have 1t passed before the election for
Senator takes place IN January. Should he
succeed he VIII urge that as among his claims
to the Senatorship. AS Moorhead's tactics are well
known to the other aspirants for the Pennsylvania
Senatorship in and out OF Congress 1t IL probable
that they will Ind It convenient to defeat the Tariff
bill, or at least TO postpone action IL until after
The Fennsy Wania Legislature SHAH have elected a
Senator.
The Ilirlesetn Senat srsllip.
The contest for the Senatorship In Minnesota ex-
cites GOOD deal OF interest on account Of the
peculiar relations OF the various candidates. The
chief aspnans of course all republicans but the
fight does not promise 10 he any the less desperate
because It Is all in the family. Wilkinson, who for.
merry represented the STATE in the senate. Is already
on the ground, and has been industriously at work
ever since the election OF the legislature Dom
nelly who was defeated for the House at the last
election by the washburn family started for Minnie
sofa immediately on the adjournment Of Con-
gress FOR the recess ana Is now there hard
at work for himself senator Ramsay leaves
here tomorrow night, and viii 10 straight through
to the scene OF action. the Legislature meets next
month, ana among its first business WIN be the cleo
ton Of United States Senator for SIX years from
the 4th OF next March, In place OF Ramsay. Each
candidate has his friends, and al OF them con-
dlent OF success Ramsay Is AZ old politician. and
IN this respect has the advantage Of both his COM
petitors. A similar attempt made 10 defeat him
when he ran before, but by good management he
succeeded IN breaking up the coalition and in
Ing for himself the support Of some OF its members.
An Affair of Honor-No Blood split.
II is so long since Washington enjoyed the scnsa-
ton OF duel that the occurrence OF one here last
evening has been the theme OF general conversation
TO-DAY. In the days OF the chvalry duels were as
common "a balls and parties and excited little at
ienon, but since the Yankees came into power ar
fairs OF honor have been extremely rare at the
capital. The chyalrous devotees or the
code OF honor last evening were two
ofirpr2 M tho rouIIar army. One of Thorn
was Captain Philip Forney, son of Colonel John W.
Forney, and the other an ocer OF the Twelfth lnfan
try. II appears that the dIfilcuty commenced In
front Of Wizards Hotel, and after some angry words
the parties. nc the suggestion OF their friends ad-
ourned to near Lincoln Barracks for the purpose OF
settling the matter In the usual way recognized by
heightened gentlemen. The weapons used we're pis-
tolls, and under The circumstances the thing was ne
cessariiy impromptu. seconds, however, were
chosen. and although no surreon was present, IT
was known that one could be found az the barracks
In the event Of any unpleasant results. few shots
were exchanged without much lnley to either
party, after which, twas lgresl that tne wounded
honor Of eich OF Tie Parties Was sufficiently yndi-
Gated. Captain Forney was appointed In the regular
army by President Lincoln at the instance OF Colonel
j. W. Forney. Owing TO some dialculty he left the
army some time ago aud - at present clerk in the
Agricultural Department.
], said ihs Officer who had the shooting match
wiIli foriley IT,, ami whose name Is concealed, was
slightly wounded. The cause OF the quarrel - rather
dlflcil TO get at. Young Forney was seen about
washington this morning, but has been non est
since
solicitor Binckrc,,. Reply to Congressman
Van Wyck.
Binckley has prepared scathng reply TO Van
Uycks atfacS contained in the lately published re-
mort OF the Committee on Retrcnchment. The docu.
ment viii be given 10 the pubic ON Monday. Mr..
Buckley calls van wycSs report "a bucket OF
vh,tcwasb., ana accuses the lively Congressman
from New YORK or being not only vulgar party,
but also one of the most efficient obstacles TO the
annihilation OF the revenue plunderers.
weekly Currency Report.
The fractional currency received at the Treasury
from the Printing DIVISION for the week ending today
Is si55,oOo shipments to the Assistant Treasurer
at New ORLEANS, sloo,ooo; Philadelphia, 100000;