The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-02-12
LATEST FROM WASHINGTON,

LATEST FROM WASHINGTON. !
/ Special kilograms to the Dispatch. !
WAsH1seroN, February IL, 1870. |
Mississippi. 4 rrg
1t is expected that the discussion upon
the Mississippi bill will not be prolonged
further, as nearly all who desire to be
heard upon it have spoken. An hour and
half was consumed to-day in speech by
Senator Vickers, who read from q large
pile of manuscript. His speech had. but
| little in it directly bearing upon the sub
| ject matter of debate; but the Maryland
senator reproduced the old, WORKOUT argu-
| ments of past-upon issues long since dead
and buried. Senators Davis, Hamilton,
and Bayard, were the only listeners upon
the floor, ell others being engaged in chat
ting or writing.
Senator Drake undertook the defence Of
Mr.. Sumner, and proclaimed himself to be
| Radical of the most radical kind, and he
| wanted no utilization with conservatism,
whether found in Republicans or Democrats.
He was for pulling them up by the roots,
and did not believe in trimming the limbs.
He belabored. the Republican conserya-
tives-meaning Trumbull, Conkling, and
others-for billing and cooling with the De-
mocrats of the Senate. He was for war
upon the conservative element, and was
ready now to meet the mortal struggle.
Senator Thurman made short speech to
show that State might have republican
form of government without having in its
constitution any of the fundamental condi-
tons proposed to be attached to this bill.
| His speech was listened to with much inte-
rest by Republicans as we'll as Democrats,
and in this particular it was in strong con-
trast with the speech of Mr.. Vickers.
\ vote will doubtless be taken when the
subject comes up again, and the Mississippi
senators will be admitted, probably, with
out much delay, though Senator Norton, of
Minnesota, gives notice that he will have
something to say against admitting General
Ames to his scat, on account of charges con-
tanned in letter he has received from Mis-
sisSippi, and also on account of affidavits on
| file i'll the War Department. In this letter
and these affidavits it is alleged that Gen.
eral Ames used his military power to coerce
his own election to the Senate, and other
allegations of like character are set forth.
As to Revels (colored), there may be
some delay in discussion upon the legal
questions as to eligibility, heretofore men,
toned in these dispatches, but there is nc
doubt that both he and Ames will get their
seats, as the case now stands.
Mr.. Segar's Case Postponed.
| The House Committee on Elections this
morning postponed the case of Segar, repre-
sentative at large from Virginia, until next
week, in order to give him Oh opportunity
to make an oral argument at their mex
meeting.
Cabinet Meeting.
At the Cabinet meeting to-day it is un
derstood the outrage Mt Havana and The
raising of the Chinese and Japan missionI
to irst-class were subjects Of discussion.
1t has leaked out that there is some divi
sion of opinion in the Cabinet on the va
rious provisions of the census act, and tina
an hour was spent to-day by the Presiden
and his Ministers in discussing its adapta
ton to the present condition of affairs il
our country.
Railroad Schemes.
The House Pacific Railroad Committe,
heard an argument by Mr.. Hayes, of Bos
ton, to-day in favor of extending the time
for the completion of the Atlantic and Pa
ci6c railroad. No conclusion was reached
by the committee on the subject. There
are several other schemes before the com
mittee asking for grants of land to con
struct railroads in Oregon, California, anc
in several of the territories.
The committee intend to scrutinize these
schemes very closely before they give their
assent to them. Most of them are gigantic
Jobs for obtaining subsidies in lands, and
some also seek to obtain money from the
Government. The temper of the public is
not such as to tolerate these subsidies, and
members Of. Congress are therefore moi
giving much encouragement to the plans
for plunder. Nevertheless, the managers
of these jobs are hopeful, and expect, bJ
seemingly plausible propositions, to gel
their hands into Uncle Sans pockets be-
fore the session ends.
The Western Union Company and the
Postal telegraph.
The Western Union Telegraph Company
is here represented by one of its principal
officers, complaining that the company has
not been fairly dealt with in Congress
The claim is that the company should be
heard, and permitted to show the alleged
impracticability of the postal telegraph
system.
When this subject was up once before
some three years ago, the Western Union
Company crushed it in committee by ca
parte testimony. Such result cannot be
expected now, for members are better IN,
formed upon the subject, and it is probable
that the impracticable measures for postal
telegraph, such as purchase of wires by
Government, etc., will all be abandoned,
and if any bill pass it will be one looking
|