Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1868-02-19
Washington City Gossip.


The President has sent the following nom
inatious to the Senate Lieutenant General
w. L. Sherman, to be General by brevet
United States army. This nomination OF
Lieut. General Sherman to be brevet gen
eral astonishcd no one more than it did the
General and his friends, as it was unexpec
ted and unasked, for the President III max
ing this nomination douUties hattered HIM
self that he would thereby curry favor with
the ex-soldiers Of Sherman army and IN
suit General Grant. In view of this ap
pointme Mt johnson created a new military
department (of the Atlantic, with head
quarters at Washington, no doubt, with the
intention of issuing his orders through that
department instead OF through Gen. Grant.
Gen. Sherman however, has sent dispach
to his brother Senator Sherman, positively
refusing to accept the proposed brevet rank
in the armv, even should the President
recommendation be indorsed By the Senate
that he would obey the orders if assigned
to the commando the department OF the
Atlantic, but that he preferred to resign his
commission in the army rather than contln-
ue in Washington al its head. 1t is likely
Congress will define what shall constitute
military district, and thus prevent this cir
cumvention OF Gen. Grant
The President has called on General How
ard for detailed list Of the persons now act
ing as assistant commissioners OF the Freed
men Bureau, with the orders under which
they are now acting, and clerical force at
their disposal. 1t is evident from this that
he is preparing another Steedman- Fullerton
raid on the bureau.
The annual deficiency bill became law
on the 18th, without the Presiden't sigma
ture. 1t contains provision limiting the
amount Of stationery aud newspapers OF
members Of Congress to SIPS worth per ses-
sion also, an appropriation OF $500, ,00o tor
reconstruction purposes.
The President has approved and signed
the bill providing that the words place
where the bank is located, and not else
where" in section Al OF the national curren-
cy act, sha be construed and held to mean
the State within which the bank is located;
and the Legislature of each State may de-
termine and direct the manner and place OF
taxing all the shares Of national banks loca-
ted within such State, subject to the restric-
tion that the taxation shall be at no greater
rate than is assessed upon other moneyed
capital in the hands Of individual citizens of
such State; and provided, always, that the
shares of any national banks, owned by non
residents OF any State, shall be taxed IN the
city or town where said bank is located, and
not elsewhere.
The army appropriation bill as reported
appropriates $33 0S2, 600, the original esti-
mates being So, ,572, 600. The bill contains
a provision that the expenditures of the a
mount appropriated shall be lmitedand con-
troiled by the following named conditions
Until the military force is reduced to twen-
ty- ive regiments of infantry, seven regi-
ments Of cavalry, and tive~egiments OF ar
tllery. no new commissions shall be issued
except to graduates of West Point as second
lieutenants. The Secretary Of War is re-
quested to consolidate regiments as rapidly
as the requirements of the public service
and the reduction in the number Of officers
will permit, until the before named mini
mum is reached; but this provision shall
not be construed to deprive any officer in
command Of whatever promotion may be
opened to him by the occurrence Of vacan-
cies among his snperiors ia rank, such pro-
motion, however, 10 be always made so as
70 facilitate and not obstruct the consollda-
ton Of the regiments.
A letter received at Washington, from an
American citizen at Beyrout, Syria, dated
January ,, says John G. Breckenridge was
there on January |, making inquiries with
regard to travelling through Syria. He de-
MED all claims to the privileges of citizen
of the United States, and appeared much
affected while conyersng upon the affairs of
America When asked it he intended to
return to the United States, he said he had
no desire to become martyr, and should
not return until he could do so with person
al safety; and that no other country could
be his home. He also said, with reference
to affairs here, that as the war was over, and
the appeal to the sword had been decided
against those with whom he had been asso-
ciated, he was now willing to shoulder his
gun, like any other man, in defence of his
country. He, however, spoke of matters
here in the tone of foreigner. The same
letter states that Jacob Thompson and 9TH
ter leading rebels were wandering about
Turkey. Such is the reward of treason.
Mrs General Robert Anderson having
petitioned Congress for reimbursement of
damages done to the plantations of her
father, Gen. Clinch, in Florida, thirty years
ago, by the Seminole Indians. The Com
mittee on claims have made report in her
favor They say that it is difficult to say
what should be paid, but for the purpose of
liquidating the claim, and in consideration
of General Andersons eminent services to
the country, they recommend an appropria-
ton of SIS, 900
The Democratic papers demand the abo-
lition of the Freedmen's Bureau as an, un-
necessary expense, concealing the fact that
- L G. eI..