The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-04-30

Monday. The bin Of ezpens~ of two COM
mittecs which had rowing commission to witt
New York were laid before the Assembly. They
amounted 10 about 5000 in all Tho items Of
the account Of the committee on privileges and
elections have been published The frss b for
"public parlos, s265O." Almost the whole Of
the other two thousand dollars Is divided be-
tween charges farwhiskey, theatre tickets, ci-
gars, livery. port wine and brnndy. With a few
odd charges for "mcdical attendance" showing
the consequences Of the fast life the members Of
the committee led. The chairman Of the CON-
mittec certified to the correctness Of the bill and
the Assembly ordered ii paid. The New York
papers make much stir over this triAing AFFAIR,
which one would suppose might pass unnoticed
among the more gigantic frauds pcrpetrated In
the same quarter. E r t.r ~
The President has, in self defense, cstablished
certain hours Of business. He win be engaged
from nine to ten o'clock each day in opening
his mail and giving directions for its disposition.
From ten to twelve O'Clock he will receive callers
without regard to race, sex, color or station.
From twelve to three o'clock he win be engaged
with executive business and members Of the
cabinet, and at three o'clock the door viii be
pcremptorily closed to everybody. rr. o.
It has been discovered that the invasion Of
Mexico by the French was helped along by our
government, Secretary Seward having directed
Gen. Butler to furnish the invaders with oil the
mules they wanted. .-
The English and French ministers at WASH
ington are reported to approve everything that
Secretary Fish has yet done in the Cuban busi-
ness. The latter has been assured by the Span
ish ambassador that the persons on board the
Lizzie Major have been released, and that full
reparatiOn will be made to the United States by
the Spanish government for all wrongs done
American citizens. ..,..s E.....t .H... .r...
The Tribunc's special says Mr.. Fish told
member Of the Foreign Relations committee on
Friday that Mr.. Motley would be authorized to
treat ON the basis Of Mr.. Summers speech, and
he, the Secretary of State, did not disguise his
expectations that such an offer would be de-
clined. In this event Mr.. Motley was just to
wait and not revive the matter unless instructed
to do so hereafter; and 50 the question was like
ly to remain an open one, position which Mr..
Fish said he did not think would be disadvanta-
gcous to this government.
Reports Of speedy changes in the Cabinet Of
Gen. Grant are again being put in circulation,
this time with such energy and positveness,
that conviction will be forced upon the minds
Of many Of the best-inf1rned citizens. These
reports have several objects-frst. to create q
sensation; second, to influence the public mind
and provoke criticism unfyorable to the in
cumbents Of Cabinet positions; and third, to
create rivalry and discussions, thus weakening
public confidence in the Administration. The
last sensation is to the effect that Secretaries
Fish and Borie, and Attorney-Gen. Hoar are to
retire within short time. The gentlemen ~
ferrcd to have no idea of retiring from the Cab
met, and the President has received no inti-
nation Of any such intention on the part Of any
Of his advisers, nor does he desire any chan
gcs. .I '......''t
Gen. Sherman announces that by direction Of
the War Department, the recruiting service is to
be resumed. Regimental recruiting will be con-
ductcd as heretofore.
A Washington special says that the leading
Democrats in Congress, who, a month ago, felt
so confident OF quarrel between the radical
Republican members and the President, that
they were offering to support the new admins
trnton. have abandoned that dodge, and next
winter win make open war ON President Grant,
"There was time when to be q member OF
Congress was to aspire at least to the position
and bearing Of q statesman. OF late years 1t
has been rather TO become claim agent and
solicitor OF offices for constituents whose services
must be rewarded or purchased" says tho New
York Tribune. ..... .4..
The Richmond Wing says it is decided that
there will be no Conservative ticket in the field
at the next Virginia election, and that the only
question is, what majority shall be rolled up
for the Walker (moderatc Republican, ticket.
A Washington special says that when Scna-
tor Sprague, in his last speech, spoke Of 'the
hackers and owners" of his colleague, there
was much indignation in the Senate. Such Ian
guagc is never used in the Senate by gentlemen,
and he deserved its censure, and il would have
been moved, but for the feeling that the best
way was to pay no attention to the Senator's
spcccbS .rU .a.r r..a lu....a gr
John L. Stevens of Maine declines the Con-
sulship at Birmingham. and Iii understood
that il will be given to Mr.. Gould Of Bangor,
recently appointed Consul at Cork. 4.
Reycrdy johnson wants the government, as
an act Of courtesy, to let him stay in England
till August, 50 as to complete his year Of ser
vice. But there is too much q, stake to war
rant such proceeding.
Letters from Richmond, received in Washing |
ton, give cheering account of the effect OF the
new reconstruction bill. They say that 1t seems
as il a load of depression had been lifted from
the spirits of the people, and that the satisfac-
ton with the action of Congress is we'll nigh
unanimous, the only exceptions being some few |
sullen rcactOnists, who still harbor the ghost Of
the rebellion and spit at the flag.
A reporter who has recently visited General
Sherman says The name Of Gen. Howard was
mentioned, and Of him Sherman spoke in the
highest terms. lie said that he ''was distin-
guishcd for his great goodness of heart and his
generous devotion to the poor, and thought the
time was coming when he would be appreciated
better than he is at present. He loved the
cause of the oppressed with an enthusiasm, he
said. which only death could quench."