The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-08-20
Interest In the Test-0ath Question i'm
Washington.

Data" in the Baltimore san, gives the
following statement concerning the test
oath question, which in all important par
ticulars we conjecture to be correct:
WASHINGTON, August lS.-Thcrc lie
extraordinary interest manifested in the
probable action of the Administration in
rcrord to the tcst-oath as applied to the
members elect Of the Virginia Legislature,
and this soicitudc has given rise to such
various surIniSCE, rum0rs, Spcculatlons, and
reports Of facts, that il would he difficult to
arrive 1T any definite conclusion on the sub
icct. As the final action of those having
power to determine the matter will send to
the Senate Of the United States two sena-
tors. either Radical or Conservative, as the
case may be, it is important to the whole
country to know what transpircs tending to
show what is to be the final decision.
Already it has been stated, on the one
hand, that General Candy will require the
members of the Legislature to take the test
cath. which, if carried out, will result in
sending TO the Senate two Wells Radicals.
ION the other hand, it is stated upon
good authority that Grant, TO he consistent
with himself in his communications to Gene
raj Meade in somewhat identical case,
indicated to General Candy, who called on
the President recently, in company with
General Meade, that the tcst-oath could
not properly be demanded of the Virginia
members elect but that the subject might
remain under advisement until Attorney
General floar shall give his legal opinion,
which is expected upon the latter's return
on the lst of September.
"Thcrc is no reason for doubling the cor
rcctness of this latter statement and 1t Is
admitted by liberal Republicans that in
contemplation Of the law, even as enacted
by Radical Congress, the members elect
Of the Legislature of Virginia derive their
authority and power from the new consti-
tuition, and are therefore created by the act
of Congress which controls and which sub
United the constitution to the voters OF Nlr-
ginia for adoption or rejection, and that
this being the case, the test-oath is not APP
plicablc. Whether Acknowledgement HOar
will give in this instance an unbiased legal
orinion, and thus sustain the foregoing
proposition, or yield to the behests Of party,
as in the Texas case, and sink the Jurlst
into the partisan politician, remains to be
seen. On IIoar's opinion hinges the ques-
ton, undoubtedly. Strictly, according to
the reconstruction act, General Sherman
has supervisory control of General Candy
but neither of these officers will take action
contrary to the Presidents desire. II the
application of the test-oath shall prove to
he the purpose of the Administration, 1t is
alleged that its decision will not be made
known to the public until after the day OF
the elections in Pennsylvania and ONO,
for the Republican party cannot afford TO
20 to the people Of those States upon the
proposition"
Touching the last statement made by
Data" if it be true, the Administration
makes great blunder. The elections IN
this State have produced the finest effect,
and established in Pennsylvania and ONO
such good feeling towards the Old Dominion
that delay of the Virginia question will IN
Jurc the Republicans in those States, while
prompt action by General GRANT, resulting
IN the early organization Of the State Go
yernncnt without the oath, would secure
Tor his party many thousand votes that
otherwise it cannot get. PromptneSs ana
IHH'HCrH-lilat JustHcs5 NIllCu NOuiu Solisui
with the spontaneous sense and generosity
81 the public heart-wOuld place General
GRANT in an imprcgnabie position.
SECRETARY RAwLISs.--The Washington
Chronicle Of Thursday says:
" As We intimatcd yesterday, the western
story in regard to the expected resignation
Of Secretary Rawlins turns out a canard.
We are now happy to be able to announce
that the country will not lose the valuable
services OF Secretary Rawlins, whose health
II greatly improved, and who will continue
70 discharge the duties OF his honorable
Office as heretoiore--with credit to himself
and honor to the nation"
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The first examinations of women under
me ncw regulation admitting them to Gam
bridge (England) University have resulted
IN triumph for the sex. Thirty-six can
aldates presented themselves and twenty
hye were accepted, and several of these re-
celEed special marks Of distinction in va
f!ouS branches, such as arithmetic, re!l-