Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-04-12
Letter from Washington.
WASHINGTON, April 2. lS7

and was stationed in Texas at the time OF
the election. He was charged with cruel
ty to soldiers, and further, that he had ad
mitted in his public speeches in the can
vass that he had been guilty Of suborna-
ton of perjury. Dawes, Banks, and Others
stated that the House had nothing to do
with the private character Of any member
elect, that the question to be considered
was whether he had the requisite constitu-
tional qualifications The vote was taken,
and he was admitted with the other mem
bers of the delegation.
In the Supreme Court yesterday, Attor-
ney General Hoar delivered brief argu-
ment in favor of reopening the legal tender
decision, taking the ground that that de-
cision was made when there was two va
cancies on the bench, and that the decision
was reached by one majority. Mr.. Carlisle
replied, maintaining that they had moth
ing to do with majorities making up de-
cisions. and that much trouble would arise
should former decisions be reopened and
reviewed.
The investigation in the case Of Mr..
Clapp, the public printer, is still progress
ing, and from present appearances an ugly
case will be made out against him. The
witnesses, who have been examined, have
all been connected with the Office in some
capacity, and unite pretty generally in their
statement that the Office is not carried on
with economy, that many incompetent per-
sons are employed in it, and that compe-
tent compositors and pressmen have been
removed on account Of personal pique 10
the detriment Of the public work This
investigation Will likely continue some
days.
The Commissioner Of Patents is endeav-
oring to have the appeal from his decision
to one of the Judges Of the District Court
abolished. Although q number of patent
attorneys are making opposition to this
measure, still it IS altogether probable that
it will be carried through successfully
Judge Fisher of the District Court, who
has been hearing the appeal patent cases,
has made some most erroneous decisions,
and unless they are corrected disastrous
result, will be worked in the patent -ys-
TEN. It Is expected that the Chief JUS
tice will correct the decisions referred to,
and if the appeal is abolished there will
be no opportunity for a repetition Of them.
The special message Of the President to
Congress on Wednesday, announcing the
PRONUNCIATION Of the ratification Of the ff-
teenth amendment by the Secretary Of
State is a subject of much comment among
all classes Of people here. In the House,
many Of the democrats became furious with
madness, while Metropolitan. had a grand
jollihcation over the message Wood Of
New York, Nib!ack Of Indiana, declared
that their States had not ratified the am
endment but to no purpose. The majority
of the House thought differently.
The receipt Of the telegram announcing
the unexpected death Of General George
II. Thomas, on Monday night, cause, much
sorrow here, especially among the ex-army
officers and soldiers. Of whom Washington.
more than anv other place. pos,es,e, d
large number. Among the number now
in this city who served under Gen. Thorn
as are Secretary Cox, SeuatorSchurz. War
ner. Spencer. Rice; Representatives Gar
field. Slocum. Negley, Beatty. Couburn.
Stoughtoa. Pros,er. Wa,hburn. Ketcham
Generals W. 7. Sherman, O. @. Howard,
Porter, Schoepf lLichler, BaIioeh, Capron,
Este, Muzzey, Williams, Poe, Swayne,
Boynton, McCOok Hunter, La-ellc; Colo
nels Giyens, Brown.ow, Martin, and many
others
/ The numerous complaints from tax pay
ers from different parts Of the country. o.
inciylity Of revenue assessors, has had the
effect to cause Commissioner Delauo, to is
sue q circular in-tructing a--cssor- and
their assistants to be more patient AND
considerable in their dealings with ali per
sons with whom their Office brings them il
contact.
Since my last writing, nothing Of grcage.
Importance has trau-pired than the mcs
sage otthe President to the Senate, notify
ing that honorable body that an extension
, of thirty days from the 29th inst. had bceI
obtained in which the treaty for san Do
mingo could he ratified. The extension
was obtained for the expires, purpose. o
, course, Of giving more time tordcliberat.ol
r in the matter, but the opponents to tn
! measure will make most desperate efor
to dispose Of the bill at one; for they ar
assured that the necessary two-thirds vot
cannot be obtained to ratify it. Senate
, Schurz in opposition to the treaty, con
, tended that the peopla Of the tropic, ar
. incapacitated for a constitutional govern
o ment and would eventually lead Us int
] trouble. 1t is understood 20 be the desir
of the President that the treaty be recon
9 mitted. and that commission be immed.
. ately sent to san DOMINGO that more IN
o formation be gained in the matter.
V 1t Is confidently expected That the "a
Domingo treaty. will be rejected, 80 Sens
r tors are known to be for rejection, % az
ainst 10 uncertain and two absent If
= % positive the uncertain and the abser
,,.or, al 70 combine i would ,,,ot-o q q
.,I' -
:, Vole' ouV inns Is OF course IhlPoSSIole'
n The decline OF American Commerce Is
e matter which has, and is still engaging Il
4 attention of Congress. but it is feared TIL
t,1o will ba done +o rorira i # has u
/ Tue VIII 0e uoH0 20 revive IT, - mas .
n come hXed 1act that wooden steam We
Is sells are now out Of date-their day h.
" gone by. Yet on account of the protec
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