The Sweetwater enterprise. (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1869-187?, 1870-03-17
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WAsmSGroN, d. March IA, 1870.

80 NAAAN6 NAN AARN NkGN NhNN &c ANIAAAl
becoming epidemic. The telegraph from
the Capitol anxiously feels the pulse of
the New York Cola Room and as each
little huctuation is made public, the COM
motion it produces shows how deeply the
people feel on the question of a return to
specie payments,
Every little straw is seized upon and
twisted in every way to affect the precious
metal. Should Gen. Grant look unusual
ly t%aciturn over his morning cigar, up goes
the markets a fraction. Ii Secretary
Boutwell, ventures in a little light hearted
popularity, the Bears pulls down the mar
ket another fraction. Tue Hou. member
from Bmcombe gets through Il three hours
Grafton on the funding bill, when one of
his prosy remarks sent by telegraph, causes
the sensitive coin to shrink still smaller.
Geo. Francis Train stands on his head to
restore the equilibrium of his too power
full brain aud to view the world a. it is,
and the announcement of the fact causes
another lively sensation, which extends
from the Capitol to Gotham. Thus it is
from morning till night, a constant game
of sce-saw and the yellow metal seethes
in the chaldron as active as a flea in hot
skillet. The price however, is falling
steadily, and Ike some victim in a quick
sand, the struggling Bulls only sink the
faster in their desperate efforts to prevent
the downward tendency.
On Friday last the President signed 4
proclamation declaring the fifteenth a.
mendment ratified by the number Of States
required by law.
Great activity prevails among politicians
and diplomats over the Cuban question.
/ Gen. Queseda with his staff arrived here
IS agent Of Cespodes, and was fayorably
received by the President, who assured
him of his full sympathy with the cause of
the revolutionists. At the Ebbit House,
where General Quescda has established
his headquarters, frequent meetings are
held Of the friends of the Uubans, promi-
uout among whom are several members of
Congress and Senators who express them
selves strongly in favor of Cuban indopen-
doncc.
Senator Morton reported an important
bill lately which was adopted by the
Committee on Foreign Relations, Except
Summer and whish provides, that vessels
fitted out here for an European Prince
or State against an American colony,
claiming its independence, are to be ON
iscated and the persons punished as GRIM
inals. Herein lie two important points,
first the Monroe doctrine, according to
which the independence Of America from
European powers is to be feared and main
tanned, is acknowledged. Second Spain
has hitherto been allowed to fit out YES
sells against Cuba, because Cuba had not
been acknowledged as helligerant. This
belligerancy question is dropped in this
bill and the outfit of vessels prohibited
against any American colony claiming in
dependence, even if such colony is not de-
clarcd belligerent.
As the sickouing details of the Oneida
disaster received at the State Department
fully confirm the first reports of the gross
inhumanity Of the Captain on the Bombay,
we may expect this week a stirring resolu-
ton in the House calling upon Secretary
Fish to demand from the British Govern
mont that full inquiry be made into the
affair, and if the alleged culpability Of
Capt. Eyre be sustained, that he be pun
ished to the full extent of the law. The
statement upon oath of Lieut.. Clement
that Capt. Eyre boastingly said 81 have
tonight cut the whole quarter off the id
Yankee frigate and | served her bloody
we'll right" fixes a stain and crime upon
the Commander of the Bombay that nc
admiralty white-wash can cover or red tape
diplomacy easily condone.
With the return of Gen. Stevens from New
Hampshire, the House Committee on Naval At
fairs will resume the consideration of the ques'
ton of Naval rank and will positively push i
to n conclusion, giving to the Staff Officers a pos
tive rank, similar to that which is accorded t.
the StafIin the army.
1t is thought that the bill to make Alaska
County attached to Washington Territory, viii
cut down the expense Of oar new purchase to sil
or eight thousand dollars per annum.
The Senate, after a protracted discussion o
nine hours and the defeat OF numerous amend
ments, on Friday last passed the bill to fun
the debt.
From all parts of the country petitions ar,
pouring tn, hostile to the re-cnactment of TIN
Income Tax Law which has expired by limita
ton. It'll understood that Secretary Boutwell,
is strongly in favor Of this mole of adding to til,
revenue, but Congressman say they cannot dis
regard the protests of the people through tn,
county press, and several have admitted tina
they fear more the honest rebukes of their coun
ty papers than the scverest criticism through
the Metropolitan dailies. This unwilling con
fession is a most glowing tribute to the growing
:. power of our freside weeklies throughout tn
land, and every farmer, every mechanic, yes ev
cry citizen should be forward in sustaing tn
; home journal that is thus regarded as the rea
exponent of the wishes of the people.
ARLINGTON.
An UnassailahIe Position.