New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-01-11
WASHINGTON.

the PARDON OF DIR. MUDD.
WASHINGTON, January lOi ls6S
The late movement in Virginia for universal SUI
frage and universal amnesty was undertaken Sy
prominent citizens, the Conservative organization
falling TO act way the other. Inc conference
being hastily convened, included only a portion OF
those favorable to the movement but the Committee
now here includes several of the most conspicuous
citizens, and they are all representative men. WITH
one exception the Committee are at the National
Hotel where they have had several conferences
With other leading Virginia politicians
among whom are MesSrs. De Jarnette, McMullen,
Turner and various representatives Oh the
Virginia press. All are united on the general
basis of settlement already indicated and in oppos-
ton 10 the Underwood Constitution, but there are
various counter plans suggested. One 49, that Con-
gress should be asked to make notifications TO the
Underwood Constitution. Another is to take the
Alexandria Constitution or that of 1860 or some
Northern State Constitution as basis inserting the
proper suffrage clause such other clauses as Con-
gress may demand. third plan is to ask fer a new
Convention, with removal of disabilities to make
anew Constitution. Itwas considered best TO con-
fer freely with Republican members and submit
these various plans for their consideration. So far
neither among the Committee nor among the mem
beers consulted is there fixed opinion as to the best
mode of proceeding but all the indications point to
some result which will be mutually satisfactory.
Leading Republican Senators insist on Universal
Suffrage and some eschOol provision as necessary
features in the new instrument, and this the Nir-
gnans freely concede. On other points all the Sena-
tors and Members who have been conferred with ex-
press readiness TO act in the most liberal manner
The Committee greatly pleased with the
courteous reception they have met from leading Re-
publicans and speak in highaterms of the readiness
:. N hpir rpn
sensations Senators Stewart, Wilson, Howard,
Sherman Ross, Cole, COnkling, and Others, are dis
posed to unite in this movement and the Committee
are encouraged by all the indications to expect sue
cess Mr.. Washburne is also believed to be favorable
to the proposition. Gen. Grant has expressed his
qualification at the prospect of settlement and will
lend the weight Of his name to whatever plan
may be agreed upon between leading Republicans and
this delegation Gen. Schofeld has always been
opposed to the Underwood Constitution, and says
that with its proscriptvekf features proper State
Government cannot be secured. He would prefer
any fair plan which includes impartial suffrage.
The leaders of the former Republican organization
in Virginia are divided in reference to the Under
wood Constitution, Judge Rives. Mr.. Franklin
Steams, Gen. Wickham, and others opposing it as
unfortunate The movement of the delegation
now here is bitterly assailed by The Rich
mOnd Enquirer, and other newspapers of
Virginia, and there is an attempt TO break
it down. This division is already bitter as to
fOreshadow breaking up of former political organi-
cations Gov. Wise, r. T. Daniel Gov. Smith, Rob-
ert Ould and Others are very hostile to conceding
impartial suffrage. In their action. however, the
members of the committee are sustained by Geo. W.
Boiling Hon. Jas. A. Seldom, ThOs S. FlourDOy,
Frank c. Ruffn, Judge Meredith, the Hon. ID. c. De
Jarnette. the Hon. Allan T. CapertOn, Judge w.
Robertson and many other influential persons. The
position Of Messrs. BocOck, j. Il. Tucker, aryie and
JAS Barbour is not yet known, and will depend
probably upon the nature Of the settlement arrived
at Gen. Robert E. Lee and the Hon. r. VI. T. Hun
ter who by far the most influential men in Vir-
GINA, were known some time ago TO be willing to
settle on the basis Of impartial suffrage, with some
intelligence or a property qualification At all events
the friends of the movement expect to be sustained
by the public sentiment, and to carry with them
large number of the coored people, and thus control
the politics of the State. They in earnest, and
to proceed regardless of past party associations
looking only 10 the future of their State
A good deal Of feeling is expressed among our
friends here at the absence of Mr.. Dawes, Mr.
Dckey. and Mr. Blair from the Committee Of InveS-
tigation into the frauds in NewYork. 1t is one of
tie most important committees ever appointed by
Congress, and the absence of these three gentlemen
virtually paralyzes the investigation and throws it
into the hands of the two Democratic members.
It is expected that a resolution will be introduced
in the House tomorrow, calling for investigation
into the conduct of the Sheriff of NewYork in arrest
ing witnesses summoned before the Congress Com
mittee, in session in that city to testify regarding
the charges of fraud at the November election
The Postmaster-Ge General, Immediately after notify
ing Mr. WaShbune, Chairman of the Appropriation
Committee of the House, that he had determined to
make his order suspending all payments to Wells
Fargo & Co.. issued the necessary orders for the pay
of $2S0OO being the amount due for the quar-
ter ending on the 3lst of December. The Sixth
Auditors Office, through which Bureau the drafts
have 10 be passed, declined TO pass them, on the
ground that the matter undergoing investiga-
ton in the House, and notified the Agent of Wells
Fargo & Co. that in case Congress did not pass the
resolution raising a special committee on Monday
they would pass them the drafts. The resolution
viii be adopted tomorrow without opposition
The House Judiciary Committee held a special
session on Saturday for the purpose of considering
the bill introduced early in the session By Gen But
lel for the repeal of the Civil Tenure act It is nm
derstood that Mr.. Wilson the Chairman and other
Republican members of the Committee always re-
gardcd the measure as merely temporary. to restrain
the present incumbent OF tie White House from
removing good and efficient men on merely
partisan grounds during recess Of Congress. The
measure having accomplished all that It's authors de-
sired, the Committee instructed their Chairman TO
report in favor Of ITS repeal IL is very doubtful if
The Committee viii be called this session. and this
fact being known TO many members il Il an.
tcipatod that resolution TO repeal or modify the
law VIII be introduced tomorrow. and an attempt
made 10 pass it under suspension OF the rules and
without reference TO the Committee