New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-01-13

THOMAS MURPHY IN WASHINGTON GEN.
POPE VISITS THE PRESIDENT.
M rEIEGRAFH TO TRIBUNE.
WASHINGTON, Jan. u, 1868.
In Executive session on Saturday the considera-
ton of the Report of the Military Committee on the
suspension of Mr. Stanton was resumed. Before the
debate commenced motion was made that short
hand reporter be admitted, so that, if deemed adj
ysable the proceedings might be published. The
proposition. however, voted down. on the ground
that it would form bad precedent In other cases.
Senator DOOlitte spoke for nearly an hour and
half, defending the action Of the President, and
severely anmadverting upon the majority report
He touched on the points of law, and MAIN
tanned that inasmuch as no (Alr. Johnson
had not appointed his Cabinet officers, it was
his indisputable right, under the Constitution to
remove them, if he saw fit to do so notwith-
standing the Tenure-of Office BILL Speeches were also
made by Judge Trumbull and Senator Fessenden,who
are understood to be partially in favor of the report
although both these gentlemen seemed to have some
doubts of the ConstitutOnality of the measure when
it passed. number of Senators participated IN the
debate when the Senate adjourned in order to give
Senator Dixon, who was not well, time to finish his
argument on the subject Should there be an Execu-
tive session tomorrow, the matter will be resumed
and an effort will be made to get vote as soon as
possible.
four hours yesterday and had under consideration
the Reconstruction BILL which will be reported to-
morrow There was an animated debate on the
several points of the measure, and it is understood
that Mr. Stevens opposed it, as a whole, on the
ground that it did not meet the question fairly and
satisfactorily He maintained that the civil gov
ernments in the Southern States ought to be deposed
and that the Conventions should be intrusted with
the power of constructing new governments in
41,or s..rft ~,ft lal nNal
people of the different States Amaority of the Com
mittee however, including Mr.. Boutwell,, Mr. Bingham,
and others thought that wisest and best course
under the present circumstances, was to place the
power in the hands Of the Generain Chief until the
new governments formed. 1t is the general
theme of conversation in political circles, and the
Republicans in both Houses said to look upon
the entire scheme with much favor, and to be of the
opinion that it will accomplish all that Congress de-
sires and very much facilitate reconstruction Many
of the Republicans opposed to the bestowal of so
much authority on Gen. Grant. Others entertain
some doubts of the legality of the measure, the
President having, under the Constitution, the COM
mand of the army and navy of the United States.
They believe that should the bill become law, it
Will lead to conflict of authority as both the Presi-
dent and Gen. Grant would each claim the exercise
of the right of removal of the troops and officers.
The Democrats rather indicate desire that the bill
should be passed. it will in their opinion, entirely
destroy Gen. Grant If he should attempt to carry out
its provisions The following is the bill agreed upon:
BE Resolred. de-, That Virginia. North Carolina South
Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana,
Texas, Florida and Arkansas, the civil State Govern;
States respectively shall not be recognized
valid legal Governments either by the executive or
judicial power Of authority Of the United States
SEC BE further enacted, That for the speedy en-
forcement Of the act entitled An act 10 prolde Ior
more efficient government Of the Rebel stal e. passed
March 1861 and the several acts supplementary there
TO- the General OF tho Army OF the United states is
hereby authorized and required TO enon by special or
ders upon all officers IN command within the several u;
the acts authorized by said laws above rected
aud by his order from command any or al OF
said commanders, and detail other officers OF Sald army,
NOT below the rank Of colonel to perform all the duties
and exercise all the powers authorized by said several
acts to the end that the people Of said several states
may speedily reorganze civil governments republican in
form In said States and be restored to political
power IN the Union.
src g. BE it further enacted That the General Of the
army authorized TO any or all civil officers now
acting under theIseveral Provisional governments %
said dsorganized States and appoint others to discharge
the duties pertaining TO their oce ana may
toned authorized TO DC done by the several Command
ers OF Military Departments within said states ana so
much Of said acts or of act that authorizes me Pre
dent TO detail Military Commanders 10 said Metary De-
partments, to remove any officers when may De de-
tailed as herein provided, is hereby repealed
SEC T. Be further enacted, That IL shall be unlawful
If the Army or Navy of the United States to assert by
force arms the authority OF either OF said Provisional
obstrnct the authority Of the United States provided
in this act and the acts to which tins
with intent to prevent by the execution
OF the orders Of the General of the Army made Ia p1s
be high misceIneanor, and the party guilty Thereon
shall upon conviction DO fined not exceeding soVVV anu
Imprisonment not exceeding two years. q, -.
sEc. g. BE Il sler enacted That so much OF all acts
and parts Of acts conflict or are inconsistent WIN 'ne
provisions Of this act are hereby repealed.
The vote in the Committee on the bill was
Yeas-Messrs. Boutwell,, Bingham, Farnsworth' Hub
bard, Beaman and PANE
Navs-Messrs. Stevens of Pennsylvania, Brooks aud
Beck.
As another point bearing on reconstruction, II may
be mentioned here that Mr.. Wilson OF Iowa, OF the
judiciary Committee, will report his bill tomorrow
recurring that two-thirds majority of the Supreme
Court Judges shall be necessary to declare any law
unconstitutional
Counsel has not yet been engaged to appear IN the
cases involving the legality Of the reconstruction
laws TO come before and TO be decided by the Court
in a few days. The Acting Secretary OF War has
been asked retain proper counsel but no selection
has yet been made.
The debate on the Anti Contraction bill will be
sumed tomorrow in the Senate, and effort will be
made to press it to vote.
Yesterday was devoted to speechmakng in the
House. and among the noteworthy efforts were the
arguments of the Hons. Demas Barnes, Hamilton
Ward, and NJ. C.. Kerr. Mr. Barnes spoke on the
National Finances, celebrating three points in par
ticular-Erst, the amount of currency required !;
Second, the relation of National banks to specie
payment; and, Third, the best means to overcome
existing obstacles to that end. Mr.. Ward spoke
against the legal position taken by the minority of
the judiciary Committee in reference to the law Of
impeaebmcnt Mr.. Kerr devoted himself Ito the
unestion of American citizenship After which the
House adjourned.
,I.r ~ tho friends of Mayor Hoffman N Nevc