Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-02-25
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.

to sign the Bill--I Fifteenth and Sir
tcc'sth Amendments appreciation Of U.
s.. Bo,sds-Thc Funding Bili-Female
CLERKS The Departments as Hotels des
nCalides-IheC Congressional Globe not
Abolished--The Monarch-Liquor Sci
ling in The Capitol, &c.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 10, 1870.
On Thursday last the bill admitting
Mississippi was finally passed by the Sen
ate, and all that now remains to make it
law, is the signature of the President. The
delegation from that State called upon
the President yesterday to urge him not
to sign the bill, they Directing to the ad-
mission of the State upon the terms re-
quired by the bill, which are the same as
those in the Virginia bill. Only two States
now remain out. Georgia and Texas, and
it is hoped that they win speedily be ad-
mtted, as reconstruction has dragged
along to such a wearisome length that the
people North as well as South are getting
tired of it. and there can be no doubt that
a large majority Of the American people
have come to the conclusion that this ques-
ton has already been delayed too long in
its final settlement. The telegraph this
morning announced that Nebraska has
ratified the 18th amendment, which makes
the triumph of impartial suffrage sure. and
takes away the only remaining excuse for
delay in admitting the States yet outside
the Union. The success of this grand
idea of the 10Th century win secure the
republican party the State of Pennsylva-
mia. In the city of Philadelphia alone
there are 80, 900 colored people, and many
more scattered throughout the State. All
that now remains to perfect the idea of
universal liberty is for Congress to grant
suffrage to women. and that Is only
-. question of time. When the people of the
country become sufficiently enlightened
upon the subject by its free discussion
prejudice will wear away and will surely
succeed. Already the territories Of Wy
oming and Utah have adopted it.
The value of American securities is rap
idly advancing in Europe. The 5-20's
have already touched Sc in gold. and there
VHu HOW NC Out WY Aiet1C ooopp VA eAo
success of the new loan of 81 200, 000, 600
proposed by the funding bin lately report
ed by Senator Sherman. which, is the same
bill submitted to the Committee on Finance
by the Secretary Of the Treasury. except
that it makes change of time. The bill
reported proposes $500. 100000 at per
cent to run from ten to twenty years, and
like amounts at l2 per cent. fifteen to
thirty years to run. and at 5 per cent. TWEEN
ty to forty years, while the bill OF the Sec
rotary proposed twelve to eighteen. eigh-
teen to twenty-four. and swenty-fosr to
thirty years. The Secretary of the Treas
ury is constantly in receipt of offers from
the leading Bankers Of the United States
and Europe to assist in floating the new
loan, and he is confident Of his ability to
do so at par in currency, and is perfectly
willing to risk trial. The chances seem
now to be that the experiment will soon be
tried. The hill has been made the special
order Of Wednesday next. affH
The House has rejected all amendments
to the appropriation bill, increasing saia-
ries. Yesterday (Friday) the proposition
to pay the female clerks in the Departments
the same salaries as the male clerks when
| they perform the same amount and kind Of
labor, was rejected on the ground Of expe-
diency. The ladies in the Department un-
doubtedly perform more labor than the
men. but on the other hand the salaries
paid them by the Government are much
more liberal than they would obtain out
side. while the same is not true Of the male
clerks, who get on the average about the
same amount Of salary as is given for SIM
liar labor by private individuals. Those
who are in positions to decide. say that it
would be much more economical to the
Government, as well as much less trouble
some, to hire boys to do the counting OF
the currency and bonds, now done by Ia
dies. The employment of women clerks
| is a source of great scandal, and the an
noyance to the officers of the Government
can hardly be imagined. The fact Of it
is that the Departments, the Treasury es-
pecially, have come to be considered as
sort of Hotels des Inralides. Were they
conducted as private individual would
carry on his ownibusiness, the cost to the
Government would exceed two-thirds OF
what it does now. But the pressure from
Senators and members of Congress to put
in their ..poor relations" and friends in
distress is so great that the Department.
are filed with them.
A vigorous effort was made early this
week, to abolish the Congressional Globe.
but it failed to succeed. 1t is maintained
at a great cost, but it would seem very
niggardly thing to stop it and leave Con-
gress and the country to the mercy OF
newspaper reporters. Horace Greedy to
the contrary Notwithstanding. RI
The Monarch is at Annapolis. She is
of tho 1l1ororche II mot