The Portland daily press., 1870-01-31

ing to turn soldiers from their duty is matter
that tends to cause the disobedience OF The
laws, and all lbelS are to be severely punished,
and especially the latter, with heavy lines. He
also enioins the observance of great vigilance
in the matter of political meetings.
Cen. Sherman desires to buy or lease of the
government the fur ana seal Islands Of st.
George and ST. Paul. Alaska. He proposes to
the Secretary of the Treasury to pay quarter
If q million dollars in coin yearly for the ex-
clrsiva lease of these islands for term of %
wears. provided the islands are continued as
military reservations; and will enter appronri
a re bonds with acceptable sureties in San Fran
cisco, for the faithful performance of the same
A partial canvass of the Senate shows that
there will be more opposition to the bill abol-
ishing the ranking privilege than has been
generally supposed. In fact the bill is likely
to be discussed very fully before any vote is
reached, and it is nowise certain of going
through the Senate without some amendment.
An effort will be made to pass an amendment
to exempt from its operations all newspapers
circulated in the county where they are print
ed and the free list of exchanges.
A proposition to appropriate $4,000 for the
relief of the poor of the District of Columbia,
afforded an opportunity to the old champions
of slavery to lament over the present condition
of the freedmen as compared with their for
mer condition as slaves. Mr.. Hamlin showed
the injustice of Government which has
property worth hundred millions, yet pays
no taxes, and Mr.. Nye gave those who sought
to cover charity with politics one of his char
acteristic dressings down.
Last week an association for the general dis.
semination Of news was formed ia New York
| 1t is known as the American Press Associa-
ton. The Association is of course composed
of non-Associated Press Editors, Of whom
some thirty were present They adopted a
constitution, and after some discussion elected
the following officers: President, John Russell
Young, formerly managing editor of the Tri.
bune; R. G. Durham of the Boston Times,
Vice President; John Hasson, General Agent
Major Bundy of the Mail, Treasurer.
The Tennessee Constitutional Convention
has adopted an amendment to the constitution
comforting the right of suffrage on all male
citizens of the United Sta+ns o. srnn-s ~s ~se.
who shall have been residents of Tennessee
twelve months, and of the county in which the
vote is offered, six months previous to an cleo
ton. 1t also requires each voter, before exer-
cising the right of suffrage at any election, to
show he has paid the poll tax. Both branches
of the Legislature have adopted resolutions
thanking the convention for accepting the
amendment.
Sunday, the 10th, was fearful day on the
plains of the northwest. The thermometer
stood at 45 below zero at Fort Abercrombe
Corporal Bake, of Co X, Goth infantry, private
Wheeler and another man unknown, started
from Fort Totten to go to Fort Abercrombie
| 30 miles distant. One of the soldiers was fro.
zen to death, and the other two were rescued
Another man started from Fort Ransom and
the Cheyenne river for Fort Abercrombie the
same day, with a dog train, and was frozen to
death. Edward Powers, discharged soldier
started from Twin Lake for Fort Abercrombie
and was frozen to DEATH
One Of the most interesting scenes at the
Prince Arthur Ball, on Thursday, says Wash
ington correspondent, was the encounter be-
| tween Madame Garcia and the President "Tc
see this South American, restless, animated
| brilliant as one of the metallic blue butterfle.
| OF Brazil, talking in her amusing rapid fash
ion, tossing her diamond head-set, upturnine
her arch dark face with restless miapderies in
the presence of the stern-featured President
who watched her. half-amused, in his quiet
grave, scarce smiling way, yet thoroughly in.
terested, was like watching the coquetries of a
paroquet with a live oak