The Portland daily press., 1869-01-01

WAsHNaToN, Dec 70, 1s
TO the Editor Of the Press:
THE WORK BEFORE CONGRESS-.


looked for during the remainder of the present
Congress
Probably the most direct result of the unex-
pected talking out in meeting" in which Gen.
Grant has INDUCED during the past week has
been to convince every one that the 41st Con-
gress will meet and organize on the Atm OF
March, and remain in session for some time
thereafter No one pretends to discuss the pro
and con of that tonic now. 1t is considered
settled.
PROPOSED REPEAL OF THO TENURE OF OFFICE
ACT.
Another thing which will be seen is seri-
Gus attempt to procure the repeal of the ten
ure of office act. General Grant has express
ed, in moderate way, his belief that it will be
better to do so. That hint is sufficient to sew
eral persons in the House, who from various
motives are eager to cater to his wishes.
Since Congress assembled on the 7th inst, I
have carefully canvassed every means of maxi
ing up an intelligent Judgment upon the ques-
ton of repeal of this law, and some time since
arrived at the conclusion that it would not be
removed from the statute books I cannot
find half dozen active Republicans who are
favorably disposed toward such action. In the
Senate the opposition to the abandonment of
the principle involved is, I think, quite
marked.
1t must be borne in mind that the right of
the Senate to the same coordinate power in
the case of removal that it has in the matter of
appointment, is no new question, but has been
! discussed since the Pickering case in the Pres
idency of Mr.. Adams. Mr.. Webster, it is well
known, entertained a decided opinion in favor
of the Senate's power. 1t will be remembered
that no one of the Republican Senators who
voted to acquit Mr.. johnson, did so ON the
| ground that the tenure of office act was un
constitutional or even inexpedient, but that
the case of Mr.. Stanton was not included
| therein. Mr.. Fessenden was explicit in his
support of the principle OF the tenure of office
act, and it is declared that in the secret session
at which Mr.. Stanton's removal was discussed,
he made remarkable speech in support of the
| consttutonalty of the act in question. Judge
| Trumbull has, during the present winter, re-
| expressed his adhesion to the act in question.
| Henderson, of Missouri, is the only one who is
| reported as desiring the repeal His opinion,
| is, however, not wor tn much. He is on the
"down grade" with no brakes attached. 'Fa-
ellis descensus auerni"
| My conviction is then, that, though the act
may be.modif.d and probably will its repeal
cannot pass either body and certainly will be
resisted successfully by the Senate.
PROBABLE FATE OF THE TARIFF AMENDMENT
The Tariff Bill, as Gov. Moorhead's queer
compound is called, does not seem likely to be
successful. 1t is generally supposed that it
will be recommitted to the Committee of Ways
and Means, by them be recast, other interests
added, and reported back to the House, if
there is time the present session. But there
soiu not be.
The sbipbuilding interest will get tardy
recognition of justice, by the insertion in the
Moorhead bill, of a provision allowing full
duty drawbacks OH all materials imported for
that purpose The feeling is strong ON this
subject, and grows so rapidly that it is reason.
able TO expect that should the Tariff be laid
aside for the present, the drawback will
be secured by n special act. Mr.. Lynch's in
terest has been uLtiring, and his exertious
have been directed to the end suggested.
WHAT MUST BE DoSE-sUFFRAGE
These things out of the way, there remains
work for Congress to do in the shape of pass
ing the appropriations; amending the revenue
system; arranging for final settlement of re-
construction, and the adoption of constitu-
t;onal amendment, or passing law regulating
suffrage on the basis Of uniform and impair
| tial citizenship. think the form of the
amendment or law, will be that adopted in
Senator Pomeroy's orosition-citizenship as
| the franchise rule-not male or female. but
| 90 L.
to determine whether woman was or was not,
a citizen, in the political sense.
| RECONSTRUCTION
The Georgia question is sure to prove trou.
blesome. The House is radical and thorough
on the subject. I believe majority of the
| Senate is of its views also, though it is diff
cult to tell. Gen. Buffers bill, slightly amend
eI, which declares Georgia to be as State
sat ia a Provi-iouaI eenaisien,, will he reported
BY the Reconstruction Committee immediate
| ly after the House reassembles.
Before the issuing by the President of his
last sweeping attempt at amnesty, the Senate
was growing favorably inclined to the views
expressed by Mr.. Ferry. But as there is doub-
| less an attempt to be made to prove that this
even RENTS political disqualifcations, there
is strong feeling growing in favor of the
adoption of Senator Stewards bill, which
| affixes severe penalties to violations of the Sd
section of the 14th article.
This will have its effect in determining the
admission of the Georgia Senators. Mr.. JOSH
ia Hill, one of the expectants, and gentle
man held in hi sh personal esteem as a loyal
citizen and able public man, is hard at work
urging every possible point in favor of bis own
admission. 1t is well understood that Judge
Trumbull, chairman of the Judiciary Commit
tee to whom credentials have been referred,
strongly favors the admission. He is in fact
acting as counsel for the "non-interference"
party in Georgia. as that clique is called which
favors the acceptance of the usurpation of the
Legislature in expelling the oloied members
on the plea of other action being sure to dis
rupture the party. do not believe, however
that even with Judge Trumbulps support
the iniquity perpetrated in Georgia can
be made an accomplished fact by the admis-
sion of the Georgia Senators. In the end
the application of the "test oath" by order of
Congress will do the Legislative purging nee
essary to the reseating of the colored members;
or the constitutional convention will be recon-
vsned, as Senator Pomeroy proposed and
compelled to make the constitution so plain as
regards the Office holding and jury rights of
the colored citizens, that the least intelligent
"field hand" of them all shall not be made on
that subject, the victim of misplaced conf
dence" any more.
The Virginia Election Bill as it passed the
House will pass the Senate.
What may be done with Mississippi is not
so plain. But it would seem more than likely
that this Congress will not reach it; another
reason for the 41st Congress converting imme-
diately at its close. Texas is any how likely to
be left under a decent military government
till next winter. If, as is now more likely that
government be directed by Sheridan, and this
is the best that can happen to her.
SPECTATOR.