Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-01-22
VariOus Personal aud Political A fairs
Special to the Union and American.

VariOus Personal and Political fairs.
Special to the Union and American.
WAsHTEaT0E, Dec. 2l.-There is no
truth in the statement telegraphed from
here that the Senate Committee on For
eign Relations had under consideration a
resolution censuring Secretary Seward for
his agency in the st. Thomas affair
Nothing of the sort has been before the
committee.
The committee on the Inauguration
ball has been placed in a very embarrass-
ing position by the refusal Of the Senate
to allow the use Of the capitol building.
Some parties expect them TO erect
a temporary wigwam, but there is not
time enough left to do it. 3
Gen. Grant last night relieved the
committee of all difficulty by addressing
them a letter, stating thst il the choice
were left with him he would be pleased
TO have the ball dispensed with. This
settles the matter decisiVely. So the
ball will not take place.
The publication Of the statement that
Gen. Banks was to relieve Gen. Grant at
Vicksburg some time before its capture,
produced profound sensation here, and
its truth is substantiated on the best
authority. Its effect will be to put an
extinguisher On Stanton's aspirations for
office under Grant, who was made ac-
quainted with this circumstance two or
three weeks ago. 1t is rumored that no
such order can be found upon the records
of the War Department. Notwithstand-
ing this, the existence of the order can
bs proved by several parties.
Senator Sherman is confident that if a
vote can be obtained his railroad bill
which breaks up existing monOpelies will
be passed. The only danger is the fear
that Senators who opposed it will mani
fest disposition to prOlOng the debate
until the Senate is compelled to lay it
aside for more important Legislation.
The House passed a bill permitting
Congressman from Southern States to
appoint cadets to the Naval Academy be-
fore the 81 Of March.
Speaker Colfax announced a committee
TO inquire what legislation is necessary to
make the ninth census Of the United
States in 1870, with Gen. Garfield chair
man, and Gen. Banks second on the CONS
mittee.
Gen. Grant lslt for Baltimore this
afternoon.
10 the Senate Senator MOrtOn's bill to
prevent railroad companies from paying
capitatiOn tax on passengers to the States
where located, is still under discussion.
At two O'Clock Morton was making a very
able argument in its support.
The Committee on Elections to-day
had before them Menard and 5Ones, cons
testants in the Louisiana election case.
Menard, who claims the seat, is negro.
The House this afternoon, after con-
siderable debate, passed bill admitting
midshipmen to Naval Academy from
Southern States.
In the Missouri contested election case
the House declared Anderson entitled to
the seat.
The Senate took up Morton's bill to
punish the collection of illegal taxes on
railroad passengers. Maryland assessed
one-fiith of the entire receipts from
through passengers and freight from Bal
timore TO Washington. Massachusetts,
had similar law. Such taxes are un.
constitutional and must he abolished.
Mr. Williams wants the fifteenth
amendment to the constitution so changed
as to give Congress the power to annul
restrictions imposed by any State on the
right of any citizen to vote or hold Office.
Mr.. Conkling proposes to forbid secret
sales of bonds, securities or gold on gov
eminent account.
There is a diversity Of opinion among
Senators concerning the Tenure-o office
bill. Many of them think that its repeal
Just at this time would be bad policy.
Others advise delaying action until Ger
tain that the distribution of patronage by
Grant proves satisfactory.
The Cabinet is daily remOdeled by
Cabinet makers. Every prominent Re
publican in the country receives compli~
mentsry nominations from those who are
well ND In matters.