Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-02-26
WASHINGTON, Feb. II, 1869.

WASHINGTON, FeD. Ii, 1869.
The copper tariff bill is yet in the hands
of the President, with no authoritative as
surance that it will be vetoed, though
there is O general impression that Mr..
Johnson must return the bill with reasons
for refusing to approve. This opinion is
not based upon anything said by the Pres
ident since the bill was placed in his hands,
but it is argued that Mr. johnson, to be
consistent with his well understood senti-
ments as to free trade, must veto this COP
per bill. There is great anxiety manifest
ed on the subject, alike by the friends and
opponents OF the measure, and the latter
affirm that if the bill comes back to Con-
gress it cannot be passed over the veto.
The President has appointed Thomas
Murphy and Hampton B. Denman COM
missioners to negotiate treaty with Mi
ami Indians of Kansas and Indiana, now
| temporarily in this city.
Another scene of confusion amounting to
| an almost inextricable parliamentary mud
die. took place in the Senate this after
| noon in discussion upon the proper mode
of disposing of the suffrage constitutional
amendment, which had come back from
| the House on the refusal of that body to
concur In the Senate amendments.
| Over three hours were spent in deter
mining the effect of the Senate recedinR
| from its amendment, nearly one-half of
| the Senators. arguing that such action
would have the effect of passing the Joint
! resolution as it came from the House orr
ginally; the other half holding that the
passage of motion to recede left the suf-
| frage amendment open for amendment, or
| adoption, or rejection.
| It became evident that the Republican
| Senators were about equally divided upon
| the House proposition, which was constru-
ed to prohibit, by implication at least, col
ored citizens from holding office. On this
ground the southern Senators appeared to
be unit in opposition TO the resolution,
they demanding that the measure should
be SO worded as to give negroes the same
rights and privileges as are accorded to
them in South Carolina, Louisiana, etc.
On this subject quite heated converse
ton was indulged in between Senator
Stewart and the Southern Senators in one
corner of the Senate chamber whilst the
various votes were being taken. Mr.. Stew
art had undertaken to engineer the suffrage
resolution through in a iiffy, to-day, and
had counted upon the cooperation of the
southe IN Senators.
The Senate having subsequently receded
from it's amendments and refused to adopt
the House resolution, left tho whole sub
ject again open, to begin de moro. This
was lust what Senators Sumner and Will
sen desired, and theroupon they simulta-
neously, with dozen other Senators,
jumped to the floor, clamorous for recog-
milton from the Chair. Mr.. Stewart rush
ed down close to the Presidents chair and
succeeded i'll getting III a motion to take up
he suffrage resolution adopted by the Sen
ate judiciary committee, which gives the
colored citizen the right to hold office.
1,1fIN tnl IN n fhn
support Of tho southern Senators, and that
therefore ii would pass instantaneously
but to the CONSERVATION of the excited
Stewart, up sprang Senator Howard, one
Of the most radical of radicals, and an
nounced his determination to OPP SO and
discuss the resolution. Senator Nye also
said he would oppose the measure.
It was now six o'clock, and the senator's
very generally took advantage of the op-
portunity whilst Senator Howard vac
making his speech to get luncheon. In
their private conference the friends of the
pending resolution expressed great fear
that after all the suffrage amendment
would fail to getsafely through both houses
at this session. There are some who
would insist upon a provision that the
amendment be submitted to State Legisla-
lures hereafter to be elected, but this pro-
suming time, defeat the whole measure.
The United States commissioners of the
Sioux City and the Pacific railroad have
been instructed by the Secretary of the
Interior to inspect and report on the last
section of that road, 32f miles In length.
| This road is now completed from Sioux
| City, Iowa, to Fremont, Nebraska, where
| it connects with the Union Pacific rail
road.
Lieutenant General Sherman is expected
| to arrive here from New Orleans about the
latter part of this week. He will occupy
the same room with General Grant at army
headquarters. where a desk has been pre-
pared for his use. General Sherman comes
to Washington fortnight before the resig-
nation of his superior officer, in order to
acquaint himself with the routine of bupi-
ness at the office of the General-in- Chief.
He will bring but one or two members of
his staff with him.
A Heartless Mother.