The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-12-12
Ex-Governor Wells FaVOring Her RestO-
ration and a General Amnesty.
THE INITIATION BILL IN THE HOUSE
Consideration of the New
Census Bill.

appointed subcommittee to superntend the print.
ing Of the statement or Ex-Governor Wells repuDli-
can given below, In which he expresses himself In
favor OF immediate admission and the abolition OF
all test oaths and acknowledgements; also the print
ing or the speech or Governor Walker, recently made
before the committee showing the loyalty and good
faith OF the people to carry out their professions,
and earnestly argumentative for admission; and the
report of the Legislative Committee OF Virginia and
that Of the minority, and General Canby's report to
the War Department. giving the result OF the State
elections. The Reconstruction Committee also
directed to be made an abstract Of fifty afidavits
charging fraud In the elections, but this Is not 20 be
printed. The members OF the committee attach
little II any importance TO the charges, being
generally satisfied Of fair election. The CON-
mittee will meet again on Tuesday morning.
There seems to be no doubt that the
bill next week will be passed for the admission OF
Virginia and soon thereafter the United States Sena
tors and Representatives will be sworn In with the
exception OF Booker and Mckenzie, whose seats
contested. 1t is probable that the admission OF
Virginia will be coupled with the condition prece-
dent that the State constitution shall not be
amended by the present Legislature. Gentlemen
who have seen Ex-Governor Wells statement say
that he recommends the passage OF the amnesty
bill.
The Letter from Governor Wells.
The following letter from Ex-Governor Wells OF
Virginia, was laid before the Reconstruction Com
mittee to-day
RICHMOND, Va, Dec. 10, 1869.
Colonel r. A. HUGHEs-
MY DEAR SIR had hoped there would be at the
opening OF Congress no division Of sentiment in
Washington on the subject OF the immediate restora-
ton OF Virginia, and am surprised at what occurred
before the Reconstruction Committee on yesterday.
We have arrived. it seems to me at a stage IN the
work OF reconstruction where 1t Is utterly idle to at
tempt the correction OF any evil which may exist
the State. No conservative, nor democrat, will be
made q republican, no bitterness assuaged, nor
any spirit OF amnesty be encouraged, or obi
Won for the past be secured. by either an
exclusion OF State or individuals from many Of the
citizens Whether such desirable results were ever
likely TO be secured bv test oaths and disranchise-
ton from this time forward. II we are ever to
secure prosperity In our national interests, harmony
IN our social relations or justice ana equality in p0
tcal rights and privileges 1t must be done by such
q universal act OF notable amnesty as deprves
every man OF the vestage OF an excuse for nflctng
injustice upon Others III retaliation for wrongs
political disabilities 1n1lced upon himself One may
doubt the issue, believe that such measure
of liability viii fail Of any happy results. Stiil it is
the only refuge now lefl and wise men ought not to
hesitate about making the trial. 1t should be done,
tSe ii nS spirit 1S So u es Win
or cavil at the means or way by which we been
brought to this condition. 1t Is entirely mmaterla
how The republican party were defeated, nor shall
we be likely to contemplate its overthrow more
gracously by longer INDUCING in luminosity, bitter
gnia may be restored before the week ends without
a single. dissenting vote; that before the CHRIST
as OF csen acc Of Of hs muGs s
monwealth may be removed The policy OF
selecting here ana there individuals for RELIEF
not because OF their superior claims, but rather on
account OF the friends they nave at court or the dill
igence with which they move their suit IS plainly
unwlse and manifestly unjust. 1t tends largely to
aggravate the irritation already existing. The 200
men whose disabilities are IN this way removed are
not thereby rendered any more the friends OF the
government than they were before while all the
others dnreeved find In this last act Of unjust Con-
gressiona discrimination new cause OF more sub
stantiai complaint dislike and bitterness 1t Is use
less longer TO rely on half measures Sever the
knot by one blow. Unite all hands by one word.
II this policy does not succeed then no other can
afford any reasonable hope OF better result. hope
that you will do all 10 your power to secure the sue
cess and early adoption OF this policy. l remain,
my dear Sir yours truly II. H. WELLS.
The Doubtful Circuit Judges.
1t appears that there was strong opposition in the
Senate to the confirmation OF the United States Cir
cult Judges appointed this week, namey:-Messrs.
Yeaman, OF Kentucky; Pearce, Of Maryland and
McKennan, OF Pennsylvania. A prominent Senator,
who canvassed the Senate, says he did not find more
than two republicans who were in favor of Yea
mans confirmation. The radicals say that in the
circuit IN which Kentucky is included,
or indeed any Of the Southern States it is
important that there should be Judge
whose status during the war and upon all questions
u
Yeaman does not come up to this standard, and
even II he did, he does possess the ability for the
position to which he has been nominated. In view
Of these facts, which 1t Is understood have been
brought to the attention OF the President is prob
able that the name OF Mr. Yeaman will be with
drawn IL Is stated that charges haveibeen preferred
against Mr.. Pearce OF grave nature which Will likely
insure his rejection If his name is not Withdrawn.
With regard to Mr.. Mckennan 1t Is held that he has
neither the ability nor experience for the place. aud
many Senators say they win vote against him on
this account. All the other nominations for judges
will be confirmed 1t Is proper to state that many
gentlemen here who know Mr.. McKennan speak OF
him man oil large ability aud close acquaintance
with the law. McKennan Is SAID never to have
practiced In the Supreme Court OF the United States
and this is brought up against him. 1t Is fact
nevertheless, that many OF the best lawyers in the
country have practice confined to State courts
ana this is Mr. McKennan's case precisely.
Justice Gricr's Proposed Resignation.
The statement that Associate Justice Grer, of tho
Supreme Court, had sent letter to the President
rendering his resignation Ia incorrect. member
OF Judge Grier's family stated to-day that he pro-
posed to resign ana take the benefit Of the act passed
by Congress for retiring Judges OF the supreme
Court on full pay but he had not written his letter
of resignation nor had he decided when he would
sign Judge Grers health Is better now than IL has
been for two years, and were 1t not for the fact
that intimations mad been thrown out Of probable
repeal OF the law BY Congress- In case those for
whose benefit 1t passed did not take advantage
OF It, ne would not resign at all He Is in consulta
ton with his friends to the proper time for having
his resignation take effect.
The Census Bill.
The House made considerable progress in Com
mlttee OF the Whole on the Census bin to-day, but
did not finish It, 1t Is now considered doubtful IL
the bill can pass the Senate ana becomes law before
the LIST OF January. Should 1t fail to do this the en-
tire labors OF the committee will DO in vain for the
law under which the last census was taken provides
that unless Congress should pass new law before
the LIST Of January, 1870 then the next census Is to
be taken under tho provisions OF the old law. This