The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-22
Proposed Retirement Of Judges Of
the Supreme Court.
Destruction Of the Howard Hos
pital Building.
Arrival Of the Danish Minister
of War.
WASHINGTON, Dec. q, 1865.
A Short Session In the House.

LOT ABOUT twenty minutes, the length or the session.
or course there was quorum present, and the I'M
Outstanding had on last Thursday was that there
should be no business transacted to-day except to
ceive Van Wyck's report on the whiskey frauds.
Spading. OF Ohio, and Mckee, of Kentucky, did not
seem to see matters in that light at least they
protested not to be aware of the understanding,
which Washburne said existed; accordingly when
Cullom, OF Illinois, attempted to introduce bill,
and Speaker Washburne said he could not receive IT,
Spading and Mckee showed disposition TO contest
the matter. The ''Father OF the House, who was
also its Speaker on this OCCASION was in no
humor to parley with the querulous spadng,
and so, when Van Wyck had presented
his report he adjourned the House after the fashion In
which Old Ben Wade adjourns the Senate. 81 wish
somebody would move to adjourn" said Washburne,
soto roce; whereupon Getz, OF Pennsylvania, who
sitting in front, and probably heard the request
relieved Speaker Washburne from further trouble
with such fellows as Spalding by moving an ad-
journment.
demonstrating the Supreme Court.
The bill introduced to-day by Mr. Wilson, allowing
Judges OF the Supreme Court to retire on their full
salaries after they attain the age OF seventy years.
another ingenious and by far the most engaging
pan>that has yet been preached by radical genius in
the Senate to overcome that bugbear OF conserva-
tive majority in the Supreme Court. The two con-
sentative Judges Nelson and Grer, have passed the
limit OF this ripe old age, and feeling, no doubt,
little weary, and mayhap yearning for rest, Will
snatch at this gttering offer and vacate the high
place they have so long and worthily filed. Then
the chance presents itself for republican Executive
to appoint two republican Judges, and then will the
party OF progress and great moral ideas return to a
happier frame Of mind as oil that has been or may
be done WILL 1t Is presumed be legalized by the
highest authority in the land.
Arrival Of the Danish Minister Of War.
Major General Raaslofr at present Danish Minister
Of War, has just reached this capital where he so
long resided as Envoy and Minister Plenipotentiary
Of Denmark General Raaslof who rendered him
self SO acceptable and popular with our people, viii
be welcomed with cordial warmth which his merits
inspire and with the respect due his high Official
character.
Charges Against tho United States Consul at
Aspinwall.
The charges made some time since against +. w.
Rice, United States Consul at Aspinwall by Tracy
Robinson, Panama Railroad clerk and which were
disproved to the entire satisfaction OF the govern
ment. were recently renewed by one A. r. Con-
zaez The latter, in his letter to the State Depart
ment, designated by name several respectable par
ties residing the Isthmus witnesses who
wonld support the charges.
Inc department. mas now TeCelVeu lTOIu ASpinWdI
in reply to the Gonzalez complaint, letter signed
by all the parties whom he had cited witnesses
denouncing Gonzalezs use OF their names and con-
| cluding:-
From long acquaintance with Mr.. Rice we know
the charges against him 10 be entirely estitute OF
truth.
Mr. Rice, whose record at the department is unex-
ceptionable incurred Robinson's hostility some
months ago by declining to appoint him Vice Consul
tsc ynrl n
friend OF Robinson Is now understood TO be solicit
| ing affdavits for the purpose OF renewing the
effort to procure Mr.. Rce's removal; but it is not
the custom OF the government to act in such cases
| until the party accused has had opportunity TO
answer the charges made.
The Georgia Reconstruction Committee.
The Reconstruction Committee held another me ct
ing to-day and had before them delegation OF car
| pet-baggers from Georgia They laid before the
| committee large amount OF documents, which
| they put In as testimony to show that the present
State government il in the interest OF the rebels
and that the Isocalled loyal men are kept in per-
petual dread OF either losing their lives or being
| compelled 10 leave the State. Since the committee
commenced to investigate the condition OF affairs In
Georgia. under the resolution OF the House. test-
mony statements have been heard from the Other
size. All the evidence before the committee is
a
to the House 1t Is expected that delegation will be
| here TO represent the interests OF those who are
termed 'rebes,- and who are freely accused OF
| having usurped the state government, though they
| are in q minority.
The Pacific Railroad Committee.
The Pacific Railroad Committee appears to be tho
most attractive OF any other 10 the members vi the
Senate, Judging by the anxiety expressed by some
OF them 10 be placed upon II for the countrys good
and glory. Since the assembling Of Congress the
Southern Senators have been ciamorng for an add
ton OF two OF their number TO this, the prize com
mittee OF Congress. To-day Mr.. Rice called uT
his resolution for this purpose, and thereupor
q Senator from The Pacific slope made request that
his section OF the national domain be given share
OF the representation. This was strenuousy object
ed to by one OF the Eastern Senators, who was
unable 10 that the West had right TO entirely
| monopolize the management OF railroad schemes
for uniting the Pacific with the Atlantic. He thought
the people living east or the Alleghanies had some
little interest in these railway projects as wen ~
those living at the other side. Wherefore all TIM
| eagerness TO get on the Pacific Railroad Committed
and so very little to get on any others ls u rcf
and profitable placerg
Important 10 Hayden Traders.
The following letter. which bears upon question
OF much interest at the present time, has been OBJ
tanned from the department OF State =
DEPARTMENT or STATE, |
| WASHINGTON, ID. c., Dec. IL, 1868.
CESrLEMEs-Your Geographic note OF Yesterday
is received. You submit the following inquiry
wn the United States government protect American yes
ses bound To perts in Hay held by the rebels there iron
seizure or detention by the Hayden government
II Is my duty to inform you that the United States
are at peace with the republic OF Hayf The govern
ment OF the United states will protect no Uniet
states vessel which shall attempt to carry on trad
In Hayten ports In violation OF any existing block
| ade, or or any lawful decree OF the government o
| the Haytien republic which has been duly recog
| nized by the United states All persons trading II
insurrectionary ports in Hayti Will be liable to b.
dealt with according To the processes and principles
| OF international law.
am, gentlemen, your obedient servant
| WILLIAM H. SEWARD.
Messrs. WILLIAM s. BROWN 4 Co., No. coentiei
| slip New York.
| Ku kIux Photographed.
member OF Congress to-day received froni a
! military officer In the South photograph OF two
members OF the Ku Klux Klan. lie explains thsg
the band from which they were taken was one nun.
dr. ID and fifty strong and is the same that seized
taU