The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-12-04

Meeting OF COngresS-BiIls on the
Calendar-Sumner' Civil Rights
Bill to be Forced Through - No
Prospect ~; Amnesiy-Thanksg
ing Day-EarsOn Newman and His
Bells-DIstrict News.
WASHINGTON CRY, December 2.
Editors of the Register:
As Congress meets in this city next
Monday for its long session, public in
terest is natural v directed to the work
to be done and the work that will prob
ably be accomplished. The members
are rapidly assembling, large number
of both Senators and Representatives
being already here and others arriving
with nearly every train. 1t is probable
that even a larger number than usual
will be present at the calling Of the roll
on Monday, and that the work Of the
session will be very promptly begun.
The lobby is also here in force, meeting
the members at the Depots, calling on
them at their rooms, assuring them Of
their great importance and soliciting
their overwhelming influence in favor
of thousand and one little schemes
for the personal advantage OF their
dear friends in the lobby. There are
nearly eight hundred bills now on The
files of the Senate and House, over two
hundred and fifty of which relate to
private claims and about one hundred
to various corporation jobs. Thirty
millions of acres of land are to be
grabbed by these bills for the construc-
ton of about $1,000 miles Of unneces-
sary railway.
There are three or four new Constl-
tutioual amendments under discussion,
and there are three territories, Colorado,
New Mexico and Utah clamorous for
admission as States. Mr.. Summers
"civil rights bill' for the further benefit
of the negro, and designed to force bis
odorous majesty into churches, schools.
theatres, hotels, &c, &c, on terms OF
equality with white citizens, is to be in
troduced at the opening of the session,
and Sumner declares his intention Of
pressing it to a passage. 1t now seems
scarcely probable that anything Will be
done in favor of general amnesty or the
removal of political disabilities from
those under the ban Of the l4th Amend
ment. 1t is understood that the Presl-
dent has refused to recommend such
policy in his message which is now
COMPLETED and ready for transmission,
and there is very little hope OF securing
such a majority in either House In
favor Of liberal measures as can over
come Presidential opposition. In fact,
such is the probability of President
Grants securing his own denomination,
that Republican members will be even
more obsequious than heretofore, and
.zealously cultivate the Royal favor. 1t
ia therefore useless to predict any sub
stantial reform or permanent good at
the hands of the present Congress,
unless indeed the vaultng ambition OF
General Grant overleaps itself, and the
people are startled into an effort to
escape the tolls that are being crafty
woven about them.
Thanksgiving Day was generally OBJ
served here. the Public Departments
being closed and very little business
transacted The occasion was seized
upon by Parson Newman, the Court
Chaplain, for making splurge over the
dedication of chime of bells recently
nlaced in the Metropolitan Church,
large portion of the funds for the same
having been obtained after persistent
BEGGING from various members OF the
Grant family. The names OF the
Grants and the Dents are inscribed
upon the bells together with such "hifa'
lntin". as has given to Newman his
cheap notoriety, and the chime was
dedicated with original ceremony o,y
the Parson last Thursday. The whole
affair would be unworthy of mention
outside of this city and would occasion
no unusual remark, but for the ar OF
.Cioyernment" that attends it and that
Parson Newman seems to studiousiy
cultivate and display. The Metropoli'
tan is the government" Church; the
President and Cabinet and office-seekers
90 there; and Newman does not scruple
to solicit patronage for those who have
influence in "our Church" 1t Is un-
derstood that Newman wants to De a
Bishop.
would be interesting to your readers
except that it is whispered tina. a mi move re-
ment will be made in Congress for an
investigation into the jobbery and cor % .
.nn,;on that has characterized the
aga;rs Of the District ever since the pas
sage of the territorial act. give the he
a u that this Congress will
;ntsstiaste anything of the kind.
Yours, &c, Quill