Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-12-28
Letter from Washington.
WASHINGTON, d. c., Dec. -, 1869

WASHINGTON, d. c., Dec. %, 1869.
lL'. Editor Il am aware that the eyes
of the whole nation are centered upon US
here, and that the readers of your very
welcome sheet expect of you a report of
the acts and deeds of public interests done
in this national centre, and as your cores
pendent, l am expected to do my share.
Well without long preliminary, dwell
ing upon my shortcomings, &c, will say
that the capital remains here still, notwth-
standing the pressure of few St. Louisans
to the contrary, and that both houses of
congress are in full blast but will blow out
today for a recess over holidays. Never
since | knew anything about Washington
and our national legislature have | known
so much activity-real work of such i'm
portance to the nation being done so early
in the session by our representatives as
now. The census bill as reported by the
committee which has received eight days
scrutinizing by the house, with amend
ments heaped upon amendments, has clio
tied great interest from our western mem
bers favoring an immediate increased rep
resentation. The patronage to the men,
bers that the passage of this bill will make
is enormous, and consequently the way and
by whom the census shall be taken, has
been exceedingly pertinent in its discuss
| ions.
The admission of Virginia still hangs
fire. Although perhaps nine-tenths of the
people in her State are anxious and pray
| ing for her admission, the small clique,
once headed by Gov. Wells, but now aband-
oned by him, are here opposing it with
their might and through their influence
and the presidency of Georgia reconstruc-
ton, it is thought quite probable that hol-
! idays will pass before she is allowed to eel
citrate her final restoration to full fellow
ship with her sister States in Uncle Sans
dominion.
The discussion in the Georgia case be-
came very exciting on Friday and contin-
ued until 80 Saturday morning, when the
bill was passed with the amendment of Mr.
Morton, requiring the legislature to ratify
the fifteenth amendment before her mem
beers are admitted to seats in congress.
No one here doubts for moment but
that the requisite number of States, twenty
eight, will ratify the fifteenth amendment
making it part of the constitution of the
United States. But how the case might
have been had not Senator Morton las
spring insisted on congress making thu
adoption of the fifteenth amendment by
the States of Virginia, Mississippi ant
Texas qualification for their admission
into the Union, no one can surmise. WheI
this amendment becomes part of the con
stitution, senator Morton should receiv,
the nations gratitude 1t was bold stel
for him to take. He looked ahead, he fore
} saw the necessity, and congress was to ad
J iourn on the next day. Senator Trumbull
l recollect, opposed it. But Morton wa
, determined to leave no stone unturned ,ant
he triumphed as he did in the Georgia bill
on Friday.
Senator Brownlow, the cold Parson,
: and late governor of Tennessee, took occa
sion Wednesday, to have read what h
called an explanation relative to the affair
5 in Tennessee, but it was in reality pape
! to vindicate himself in the part he took i
z the last election in his State, in favor q
r Senter. and to assault the Chronicle" c
t this city and the New York Times for thei
t personalities reflective upon him in oppo:
: ing Stokes for governor. The vindictiv
!. spirit in which he treated the subject, heap
K ing vituperations upon his anniversaries, sho'
n that, though the old man is feeble physit
d ally and looks more like ghost from th
IS spirit world, his intellectual faculties al
e in healthy state, and that he has not los
any vim that was so characteristic in hin
II during the rebellion.
d In reference to the bill of senator Mo
IS rill of Vermont, to amend the eight hot
Ie law, of which 1 anticipated one week ae
lie would be favorable to the eight hour NOV