Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-03-11
WASHINGTON NEWS.

Specie payment has been resumed in Wash
ington to a considerable extent, many bust
ness houses giving silver for change on all
purchases
Gov. Bullock and his friends are hard at
work endcavoring to persuade Senators to
strike the Bingham amendment from the
Georgia bill in the Senate.
4 petition, signed by POO liquor dealers
against the passage of prohibitory law, was
presented to the Senate. Senator Hamlln
told the Committee which brought it that If his
vote would secure law restricting the sale OF
liquor it would be given quickly.
The effect of the Bingham amendment to
the Georgia bill is to make new election for
State officers and the Legislature next fall,
and to dispose of Foster Blodgett, by decid-
ns that the present Legislature has not the
right to elect United States Senators for the
term beginning in 1871.
Speaker Blaine has had several interviews
at the Internal Revenue office of late to pro-
test against the threatened tax on coasting
vessels, as express carriers. of three per cent
on gross receipts. AT one time II was thought
that there was danger of the tax being assess
ed, but Mr. Blaine has received satisfactory
assurance that no such construction will be
given.
A petition has been presented to Congress
by FORTY three corporations. companies and
individuals, mostly in Rhode Island, asking a
reduction of the duties on fine wool.
Gen Quesdas interview with leading Con-
gressmen, was very satisfactory. The Gen
eral does not speak English, but his remarks
were interpreted by two of his staff officers,
and through them he answered numerous
questions. He asserts that the insurgents
hold over one half of the Island, which is free,
and that the Volunteers are identified with
slavery He says that the insurgents want
nothing but arms and munitions OF war, and
that they are now determined to succeed.
The Texas question will soon make its APP
pearancc in Congress. The judiciary com
mittee of the Senate will take it up on Mr.. Nor
tons bill for the admission of the State and
the reconstruction committee on General Rey-
nolds letter covering the election returns and
a copy of the constitution laid before the
House. The State has ratified the 18th, 18th
and 18th amendments, and one or both of the
senators elect are on their way to Washing
ton. 1t is not known that there will be any
serious opposition to the acceptance of what
h,s been done there. Two or three of the
representatives are in Washington.
The Senate appropriation committee has
about finished the general appropriation bill
passed by the House two weeks ago The
committee goes with Dawes and the House
committee in cutting down expenses, and it is
probable they will even reduce the aggregate
of the bill below the amount fixed in the
House The manner in which Mr.. Dawes
was sustained by the country has convinced
bureau officers that they must economic, and
some of them are coming forward with smaller
estimates.
President Grant visited the Capitol Wednes-
day and passed two hours in the president
room" adjoining the Senate Chamber, in con-
ference with members of the judiciary Com
mittee of the Senate and other prominent re-
publican Senators about the passage of the
Georgia bill The President regards it as
important that the work of reconstruction
should be finished at the earliest possible day.
The Tennessee question does not attract
much attention yet, because few persons be-
leve that the reconstruction committee will
really recommend the return of the State to
military rule. The Tennessee representatives
argue that the reconstruction acts have been
violated, that the State constitution has been
revolutonized, that the legislature has fol-
lowed in the path of the old Georgia legisla-
ture, that a reign of terror prevails in some
portions of the State, that the lives of many
who supported Stokes for Governor are I'M
safe, and that the method of treatment adopt
ed in the case of Georgia is now demanded for
Tennessee. A bill to meet the alleged neces-
sites of the time is before the committee.
A