The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1869-03-23
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.

pontments pending.
The first bill signed by our new President was the
one renewing the pledge OF the Government to the
world that debt should be honestly paid it
fairly contracted 1t is an suspicious beginning for
the new Administration. Long before Gen Grants
of office shall expire, we look to the Nation
al finances sound basis that will wonder |
ever have heen raised Meantime, let us remember
the cheering facGrant's first signature bill OF
Congress Is to the one to strenghenhe Public Credit.
The case OF Gen. LoDgstreet, nominated as Survey
or of the Port at New Orleans was under siiera
ton to-day by the Senate Commerce Committee 1t
is understood that majority of the Committee were
opposed to his confirmation, especially because
Gen. Longstreet was leading Rebel during the Re-
bellion, but on the ground that there abund
ance of men who were loyal to tie Government from
the breaking out of the Rebellion to the close, and
who ought to be provided for in preference TO the
class TO which Gen. Longstreet belongs. The Com
mite however, decided to report his to the
Senate without recommendation, and let that body
take such action as they may think proper.
The House Military Committee instructed Gen.
Logan to report bill abolishing the office of Chief of
Staff to the General of the Army. This is done in
accordance with the wishes-of Gen. Sherman who
office is new vacant, Gen. Rawlins having resigned.
The Committee also agreed to report bill to prohb-
it the assignment of those officers the retired list
to duty OF any kind For many years it has been the
pract ce, the moment officer retired, to
sign him to active duty on full pay. Gen. Sherman
na it is about time th to put stop to this this
which they generally assigned belongs to officers
In active service.
At q caucus of Republican Senators,
held on Monday last, an agreement was
arrived at which promises satisfactory
solution of the controversy touching the
Tenure Of Office law. The modifica
tons agreed upon were, that the act
shall not apply in any way to members
of the Cabinet, and that the President
shall not be required to make out case
| against persons removed; in other
words. that he may. during the session
of the Senate, propose removals and ap
pointments at pleasure, and leave the
Senate to make such examination as it
pleases, while during the vacation he
may suspend and appoint ut pleasure.
and submit his action to the Senate with
in twenty days after reassem bling.
If these proposed changes are made
in the law we presume it will be salts
factory to the President, and will graft
fly the pride of opinion which Restraints
some Senators from consenting to an
entire repeal. 1t will relieve the Prcsi-
dent and heads of Departments from the
embarrassment of the law as it is, and
give them full power to suspend incom
petent or unfaithful officers, without
making the President their accuser be-
fore the Senate. It will also create
sense of responsibility on the part of
office holders, that will not exist where
rem oval can not be made without be-
ing accompanied by distinct charges of
misconduct
We hope to see this compromise meas.
ure passed at an early day, for the reve
nue. officers who have connived at whisky
frauds, tobacco frauds, and custom
house frauds, are cheating Justice every
day they remain in offlce.-Jour.
Land grant bills are again pouring in
to the Senate. Already $4,000, 900 acres
have been called for by new schemes at
the present session of only two weeks
One road alone asks for forty sections
of land and $4,000 subsidy per mile
for 1880 miles
TERRIBLE DEATH BED SCENE-Men
ton has already been made of the terri
BILE death in Paterson, New Jersey, of
Mr. Eckerson. The Paterson Guardian
gives the following additional facti: A
neighbor who was engaged holding Mr..
Eckerson after the symptoms Of hydro
phobia began to manifest itself, gives
touching incipent of the last scenes Just
before his death, while temporarily re-
lieved from violent spasmodic struggles
Mr.. Eckerson desired to see his wife be
fore his death Requiring from four to
six men to hold him all the time, of
course it was not prudent, his wife be
ing i'll in the other room, and even if he
were able, it was thought his dreadful
condition, held by men all the while to
prevent instant injury from his sudden
fits or spasms, might make her worse.
He begged AMI continued to entreat
them to let him look upon his wife once
more before he died, and finally his
friends and neighbors could hold out no
longer, and consented to take him to
her, he expecting to die in the next
spasm, which he knew would not be
long delayed. He carefully wiped off
| the froth which was foaming all the
while from his mouth, lest any oc it
should get upon her; and closing his
lips tightly with desperate effort, was
borne to her bedside. Bending down
his lips he met those he had so often
kissed in joy. love and holy affection.
And then, with one long look upon "a
face he well knew he ought not to ask to
see az ain, he badc her last adieu. The
strong men who gazed upon the scene
wept like children as they saw the dy-
ing man. who, will, his lips compressed,
signified the necessity Of being removed