The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-12-23
NEWS AND GOSSIP BY MA4E.
A Hopeless Lobby Scheme-The Mem-
phis and Ell Paso Railroad-Fre-
mont and Party on their Beam
ends.

A Washington letter to the Baltimore Ca
zcttc says:
The Fremont party are not making much pro-
press here In their lobby schemes in behalf OF the
Memphis and Ell Paso Railroad. Their past his.
tory Is against them They have VIGOROUSLY lailetl
to Keep former pledges, and there ls no reason 10
believe that they will keep those made now. Ii Is
not believed that they have either the means or the
ability to carry out the undertaking successfully.
There are however, others who can and Will COM
pete the road and give the South great high
way to the Pacific. II Is said they will come for
ward in good time They Will first apply to the
Texas Legislature for a charter, that granted to
Fremont and Company having expired, and there
being no probability OF Its renewal Those In the
interest or the Fremont party have taken great
pains to spread abroad the Impression that there
Is no lobby scheme, and that only simple right
OF way Is demanded from Congress. Why, then,
does the calendar for the present session contain,
among other jobs, Senate joint resolution, No.
Q, proposed by Senator Norton" which provides
for granting the right OF way to the Memphis, Ell
Paso and Pacific Railroad, giving the company
10000 acres OF the public landsY This Is, how
ever, mere opening wedge. II the right OF way
and these 10000 acres OF the public domain are
granted, there will be fresh demands; and no
railway during the present century.
The Franking Nuisance.
The Senate Postal Committee are in quandary
concerning what sha.' be done about the abolish
ment of the franklng privilege.
They cannot bear to yield up this very impor
tant franchise so useful during campaign times,
and yet the recommendations Of the Postmaster
General are not to- be despsed, especially In view
OF the lusty row Of figures presented In his annu-
al report for deficiency. 1t has been proposed In
the committee to substitute an apportionment OF
postage e.amns to each senator and member in
place q; The Ink now allowed by law. But this
measure does not seem TO meet the case, as 1t
would only be dodge under which the expenses
OF the government on this account would he per-
petuated in another form. Some recomuenda.
lions must needs be made, IL only for the sake OF
appearances, and the chances are aoout even that
the old game will continue. But the Postmaster
General seems determined to carry his point, and
has given orders that all free mail matter going
through the postofflce during the next six months
shall be weighed, in order that the country may
know how much It. pays annually 10 Destow this
luxury on its legislators.
A Speck of War.
The President has come into collision with the
Senate. In executive session resolution was
passed demanding of Mr.. Grant all the letters, in
dorsements, and other papers upon which he
based his nominations for Circuit Court Judges.
1t is strongly suspected that his Excellency has
made several OF the weaker appointments on ms
own responsibility, and without any outside
recommendation. i committee waited on the
President with the request and met win point
blank refusal, and an intlmation tnat the Sehate
now that the august body will take vengeance by
rejecting the obnoxious appointments.
Stanton's Appointment to the Supreme
Bench.
A Washington letter Of Saturday says:
The President, accompanied by Vice-President
ColfaX this afternoon called upon Hon. Edwin
NJ. stanton, and stated to him that at some time
prior to the date ut which Judge Grler q resl8na-
ton takes effect, he should nominate MIN 10 the
Senate for the position OF Associate Justice thus
made vacant. So far as Mr.. Stanton Is concerned,
this tender was unsolicited, us | believe he had
not permitted any one to understand that he was
q candidate for the position. The President thus
not only gratdes his own desire to make SO nt
an appointment, but he recognizes strong feel
ing among the abest men OF the Republican
party, who have expressed hope TO see Mr..
Stanton placed on the bench. AS one gentleman
has forcibly said, at is equal to constitutional
amendment" Every Republican senator save
three, on Friday joined in an unsolicited request
for this appointment and yesterday large num-
Der of the members OF the House made similar
request in a similar manner. 1t is understood
that Mr.. Stanton siSnihed to the rresluent Ills
acceptance OF the appointment.