The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1869-02-25

WAsHINeEoN, Feb. 20, 1869.

commotion. 1t seems that the crowd of
anxious expectants of some legislation ia
yerable to this scheme or that have only
just ''waked up" to a realization of the fact,
that the present Congress is on the eve of
dissolution Like the drowning man
clutching at straw for support, or crying
out for the helping hand of some humane
friend to save him from watery grave, he
| who has had committed to his protecting
care some (to him) valuable bill before
Congress, is trembling for its fate, while
imploring for its immediate consideration.
| 1t is not improbable that, in nine cases out
of ten, his loss would prove to be the peo-
pies gain. m
1t is to be regretted that so many very
important public measures have been left
in an unfinished stage, to this late day of
the session. All who are familiar with
legislation know, that what are technic-
ally styled ''snakes" wind themselves into,
and coil themselves up under the exterior
of bills brought forward in the hurry rbatr!y
haste which invariably marks the proceed
ings at the closing of the term of our Ma
tional or State legislatures The appro-
priation bills must be passed, that the
wheels of government be kept in lnotion.
There are, however, others of urgent neces-
sity, which can not possibly be reached
between this and the 4th proximo. It is
also to be borne in mind, that all bills pas
sed within the last ten days of the session,
if not approved by the Executive, can be
"pocketed" by him, and thereby prevented
from being passed into laws by a two
| thirds vote, Notwithstanding his objections.
The Internal Revenue tax-bill, making
some essential changes in the law as itnow
stands, is in the possession of the Senate.
| 1t is possible, if not probable, that it will
not be reached, although its friends express
some hopes that it may be finally aacted
upon before adjournment. 81. f,sg
On Thursday, the House passed o bill
which provides for a redistribution Of the
National Bank currency, by which a por-
tion of the circulation will be taken from
the eastern and the middle States, tand
given to the western and southern States.
Members and lockers on appear to attach
much importance to this bill, and probably
the States having more than a pro-rata
share Of the circulation will be injuriously
affected by it. AS banking and tia intri-
cacies of fiscal operations are out of the
line of your impecunious correspondent, he
being more deeply interested in the inquiry
as to 'what he shall eat and wherewith be
shall be clothed" he will not undertake to
enlighten your readers on a subject con.
cerning which he knows SO little. r.,-.
The Army Appropriation bill gave rise,
during its discussion in the House, to
spirited debate. Mr.. Butler, of Massachu
sets, made strenuous efforts to have" the
army Immediately reduced in the nambeI
of officers and men, without regard 10 the
.lpresent or prospective exigencies of the
service. Tlfe sense of the House was op
posed to this sudden reduction, in aieW o.
the difficulties still existing In the unre
: constructed States, and the necessity Of
keeping in the field, for time at least; 8
large force in the Indian country. The
amendment of Mr.. Butler was voted down
and the following, offered by Mr.. Blaine
Of Maine, adopted in its stead ::
# And be it further enacted, That, until thu
military force is reduced TO twenty regiments
of infantry, five regiments of cavalry, anC
l FIVE regiments of artillery, no new commits
+ sions shall be issued in any regiment; and th'
Secretary of War is hereby directed to con
solidate regiments as rapidly as the require
ments of the public service and the reduction
of the number of officers Will permit,q unit
the afore named minimum is reached.
And be 1T further enacted, That, until other
wise directed by law, there ST all be no ney
appointments and nopromotions in the Ad
r jutant Generals Department, in the Inspecto
Generals Department, in the Pay Department
IN the Quartermaster's Department, in tn
CommissaIy Department. in the Ordnance De
partment, or in the Medical Department.
The bill, as amended, passed the House
e by very large majority.
: tits generally understood that the treat
made with the English Government, b
Minister Reverdy johnson, for the settle
a, ment of the Alabama claims will be reject
a ed by the Senate, while that made by Gen
Cushing, with the Government of Colum
bia, for the rig hit of way to construct shi
canal ACROSS the Isthmus of Darien Wi
be ratified. 1t is instructive to ponde
: upon the contrast which characterized tn
diplomacy that resulted in effecting thes
II treaties. Hob-nobbing, beefeating, wire
4 guzzling, windy speaking, knee-bendins
). and humiliating sycophancy marked eac
r step of our Minister to the Court of s.
James, in the negotiations which lende
e in this abortion called treaty. How di
If ferent was the course of Gen. Cushing
% The first intimation the public has had
:, the object of his mission, is the annoHnc,
II ment of his success in making treat,
t, which will be attended by immeasurabl
IS greater benefits to this country, than an
e that could be hoped for from the treat
If with England.
The Senate has under consideration th
% House bill for the repeal of the tenure-o
le Office act. There seems to be some diffe
re ence of opinion among Republican Sen;
t. tors, as to the propriety of the entire r.
,, peal of the law. Some advocate its mod
fcation instead of its repeal. In Il