Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1871-02-23
Letters from Washington.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 18, 1871.


EDITORS HERALD AND TRIBUNE.
PENSION OFFICE.
Since the trial and acquital of Hon. r.
r. Butler of Tennessee, for fraudulent
practices before this office, a strong move
ment has been on foot to secure the re-
moval of the head of the same through
some cause or other the Commissioner has
STAYED the question off up to the time of
writing. L learn to day that the pressure
has become SO strong that the commission
er has concluded to resign and that the
Secretary of the Interior Department feels
that his resignation would please all par
ties concerned there is one thing certain
that if he does not resign his case will be
brought up in Congress. 1t is asserted on
good authority hat when it is, some deeds
will be unearthed that will create quite a
sensation in Washington circles-although
knowing partially what the charges are l
am not at liberty to name them. The
Mississippi delegation in the House of
Representatives are working hard for the
removal of the Commissioner also the ho-
mopathic physicians of the country, but the
last named gentlemen assert that they are
excluded from the benefits of holding the
positions of examining surgeons for this
Office because they differ from the head of
the same. This latter movement is the
strongest against the Commissioner, and
will no doubt go far to aid in making a
vacancy in the office. The Butler move
ment is also a strong one. There is also
a strong movement against the Commits
sioner by the present House of Represen-
tatives who are in favor of the payment
of Pensions by Postmasters instead of the
present expensive mode. That movement
is headed by some of the most influential
men of the country. They assert that mo
ney would be saved by the government if
the pensions were paid as they wish.
WOMAN.
Some merriment was caused in the
House of Representatives a day or two
ago by the presentation of the following
memorial and resolution by MIR. Rodgers,
of Arkansas. Whereas a number o certain
women did some ten or fifteen days ago,
without authority from this House, or any
of its committees, enter and a posses
sion of one of the committee-rooms of this
House to wit the room assigned to the
committee on Education and Labor, and
have continued to occupy it ever since
and whereas the rooms of this House are
designed for the committees charged with
business connected with the legislation of
the government, and the officers and clerks
of the House and for no other purpose {:
Therefore BE it Resolved, That the Spea-
ker be, and he is hereby requested to take
such steps, under the rules of the House,
as he may deem necessary to immediate
ly remove these women from the room
aforesaid, and all other rooms under the
control of the House which may be occu-
pied by them.
After the resolution was read. the Speak
er ruled that it was not out of order, and
did not feel called upon under the rules
of the House, to exercise any authority,
that Mr.. Rodgers thought the chair had,
but would ch~eerfully delegate to him (Mr.
Rodgers,) all the authority required in the
premises. Mr.. Rodgers respectfully de-
clined at the same time feeling for what
little hair he had left upon the top of his
head.
THE SENATE
confirmed yesterday, the following nomi-
nations of the President:
+. j. Rodes to be Register of the Land
Office at Harrison, Arkansas.
Samuel Wilson, to be Receiver of Pub
lie Moneys, at Tallahassee, Florida.
Samuel Lyon, of Oregon, Consul at
Singapoe.
The same body, yesterday, increased the
salary of the Chief Justice of the Supreme
Court, to $500 per n The Asso-
ciate Justice of the same Court Sc 700 per
annum. The Chief Justice of the United
States Court of Claims to $4,000, and the
United States District Court Judges to
$1,000.
RETURNED.
The efficient First Assistant Secretary
of the Treasury Department, Judge VIM.
A. Richardson, has returned from Massa-
chusetts, and has resumed his duties at
the Department.
HON. c. c. BOWEN.
The trial of this gentleman for bigamy,
terminated in a day or two by the dis
charge of the jury. Eleven were for con-
%viction and one for acquittal. The impress
sion in this city is that Mr.. Bowen is not
guilty of all he is charged with, and that
it is a political persecution, and that when
his case comes up again, he will be acquit-
ted. He is now charged with committing
bigamy four times, and also as an accessa-
ry to murder. He gave bonds yesterday
for his appearance on the fourth charge
of bigamy, and remarked that he hoped
that this would be the last time the Off
GERS of the law would b, compelled to
come after him. b. +.