New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-01-12
WASHINGTON.

COLLECTOR sMYTHE AND THE AUSTRIAN MISSION
-CONGREsS-THE SUE MURPHY CLAIM AND
THE SOUTHERN sENATORs-THE VIRGINIA
SUFFRAGE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. roll
Inns - THE ALLEGED ALASKA PURCHASE
CORRUPTION.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Monday, Jan. IL, 1869.
The Senate spent an hour and a half IN executive
session to-day ON the nomination OF Mr.. Smytbe as
Minister to Russia. The debate on Smythe's merits
and dement's was long and spicy Smythe's friends
went in confident and determined Edmunds opened
the debate in strong speech against Smythe charg-
ing that he had fully and satisfactorily cleared
himself of the report made against him two years
ago by Mr.. Hurlburd's investigation committee
There was also much scandal going the rounds OF the
press about Smytho in his official capacity, and un-
less he could clear himself of these oenses he would
oppose his confirmation. Smythe's friends rallied to
his defense but the opposition being SO strong they
consented to an adjournment rather than accept
defeat. Smythe's case occupied the whole time OF
the session. and no other nominations were touched
In the Senate to-day n large number OF memorials
were presented including one from the Pacific
coast. asking the appointment of rowing commis-
sion TO visit the mining schools of Europe. Inc
Christian Brothers," through Mr. Harlan, ask that
preamble be attached to the Constitution recog-
nzing the existence of Supreme Being. Inc ere
dentials of DIR. Miller claiming to be Senator from
Georgia were presented and referred to the Judiciary
Committee without comment. A bill was introduced
proposing TO retire full pay at their own request
all Judges of the United States Courts on attaining
tho age of 20 years and where they do
not solicit to be retired providing for
appointment of associate judges younger in years and
able to do the work. This bill goes further than Mr.
Wilson's, which only contemplates applying the re-
firing person to the Supreme Court, and VIII proOa-
bly, be adopted by the Judiciary Committee.
In the House. to-day, small number of bills and
resolutions were introduced and referred To Commit
tees. from which they will never see light again
during this Congress a resolution to repeal the
Civil Tenure of- Office was sprung on the
House, and passed under suspeh-
sion Of the rules Mr.. Wilson, Chairman OF the
Judiciary Committee Just before the vote was taken
stated that the Committee at a meeting had agreed
to report bin repeating the act This gave force TO
the measure and it went through by vote Of ll9 TO
A.. All the Democrats voted in the Affirmative.
Among the prominent Republicans who voted
in the negative were Messrs. Schenck,
James NJ Ashley. Delano, Churchill,
Ella. Farnsworth, Garfield Jenekes, Kel-
sey Ketcham, Latin. Maynard, Mccarthy, Poland,
Morrill, Shellabargcr and Ward. The assertions
that Gen. Grant desired the repeal Of the
law were made without authority. II such
was his opiuion lie never made it known
publicly Congress acted independently IN the
matter. Messrs. Ella and Washburne made another
attempt to have investigation of The charge
against Wells, Fargo * Co.. in the overland mail
tract matter. aud 20 step the payment of nearly
| $4,000 to said firm until the investigation
be completed. The friends Of Wells, Fargo
a. Co. met them boldly and fought it
from the start. That they had canyassed the House
was evident from the bold front they assumed in
| pressing vote. The motion TO sus-
pend the rules. and the vote stood 50 Yeas
| to % Nays. Tuu-thiTds not voting in tho
affirmative the resolution lost. The opposition
was led by Farnsworth and Pomeroy, and, strange
TO say the latter carried most Of the Newfor dele
CATION with him. They held that they were not OPP
posed to the investigation, but to the Withholding
of the money. The debate this mat
ter produced an i'll feeling among many Of the
Members, which had the effect of preventing
Gen Butler from getting the floor for the purpose OF
delivering his long taked-Of speech on the finances.
lie asked for an hour and halls time but was re-
fused. The Naval Appropriation bill was taken mp
and debated until the adjournment. Gen. Butler
will make another cattempt Ito obtain the floor to-
morrow
The Suc Murphy claim occupied its usual share Of
time. Although not evolving any new legal points in
was characterized by sufficient lspice TO wake up the
sleepy galleries. The Southern Senators have shown
no little degree Of initabity at the probability Of
the failure of this claim, as they have nuIner-
Gus others ready to be launched If this
one goes through. Mr.. Fowler indicated the extent
Of this feeling by boldly threatening that if the
claims of Southern loyasts were disallowcd they
would vote to repudate the bondholders debt rs no
styled it, lie asserted that the total amount of these
claims would not exceedsS3O 0OOOO which falls very
far short of tho estimate given by other wcln-
formed parties. The House bill repeating the Tenure
ofOice act did not reach the Senate this afternoon
before tho adjournment
The members Of the Virginia delegation have had
pleasant and satisfactory interview with Judge
Trumbull, Mr.. Fessendcn, and other leading Repub-
Leans. There is general desire TO reach some ar
rangement and it is agreed by all that the Under
wood Constitution is not fit to be accepted tho
organic law but there is no agreement yet as 10 the
details Of the counter plan There is authority for
the statement that Mr. Washburne, Judge Irumbull,
Gen. Butler, and many other influential gentlemen,
are in favor Of settlement upon the basis of Impair
tial Suffrage and Universal Amnesty. The Committee
arc therefore hopeful of good results, and arc much
g.atfed at the friendly notices of Republican jour
nails. THE TRIBUNE especially 1t is noteworthy
that some of tho Western Democrats, and
those il. Congress from tho border States,
look OH tho Virginia movement with despair,
aud regard it as a mistake affirming that the West is
opposed TO negro suffrage These objections are re-
GREETED by the Yrgnans but will not be allowed to
weigh against the advantages Of speedy settle
ment The Virgnans say this movement
looks simply to the restoration Of order
and an honest State Government which
shall avoid prescriptions. and not Cypress the people
by Jurdens0mc TAXATION and that these vital inter
csts of their people will be preferred to all Other al
liancos. IL thoy can secure % plan on the basis