The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-03-20
Washington Matters,
AMNESTY AND CIVIL RIGHTS


There will be new movement in the Senate
soon, it is understood to secure the passage OF
the Amnesty bill. 1t is thought by several
Senators that tie Civil Rights bill should be
first passed, and it is believed that one can be
framed which shall avoid all the features in MIR.
Summers bill, to which the Republicans object
ed and which will be easily passed by the
House. When such bill as this has been pas
sed by the Senate, an Amnesty bill, only slight
" less liberal than that from the House, it is
believed will meet the views of the necessary
two-thirds in the Senate, and Will be accepted by
the House. There is no particular programme
of this kind agreed upon, though it has been
talked of. There seems to be M doubt that an
Amnesty bill will be passed before final sd-
journment
aIMMERING DOWN.
In Washington the general impression seems
to be that Great Britain is simmering down on
the Alabama claims, and a few interchanges
of diplomatic epistles in which language is used
to conceal thought will restore the harmony of
the negotiations The final result will be that
John Bull will pay for the damages caused by
the Alabama, and the Shenandoah, after she
was equipped at Melbourne. 30 say those who
should know.
MONDAYS BILLS.
Mr.. Peters of Maine introduced bill in the
House this morning to authorize writs of error
from Circuit and District Courts in certain
cases. Referred to the Committee on Judicial
ry.
General Butler introduced a bill amending
H. ~. A.
Asylums. The bill proposes that they shall be
called Homes" instead of Asylums, and it al
so provides for giving suit of clothes to all
old soldiers in the Homes from the stock now
on hand Referred to the Committee ON Mile
tary Affairs.
NAVY INVESTIGATION.
The committee to investigate Secretary Robe
sons official conduct will meet for business on
Thursday, the Secretary having been notified,
Mr.. Dana of the New York Sun consenting to
appear on that day. Among the subjects which
will be inquired into are the facts connected
with the remission of the greater portion Of the
sentence of Paymaster Richard Washington
for the embezzlenent of large amount of the
public money entrusted to his custody, and his
subsequent restoration to service.
SENATOR SUMMERS ATTITUDE.
Perley of the Journal gives the following re-
specting Senator Sumner which may, so to
speak, be considered semi-official:
The New York papers of this morning re-
ceived here tonight contain another batch of
misrepresentation of Senator Summers con-
versations with visitors. 1t is safe to say that
the public will not first learn Mr.. Summers
opinions ON important political questions
though improyised reports of private casual
conversations with anybody, whether Senators,
reporters or citizens. 1t is well known here
that he has said nothing to anybody by which
he is in any respect committed, and he is now,
as regards himself, master of the sitnation.-
When he thinks proper to break silence 1t will
be in some open and responsible way. Mean
while, all the various reports may be dismissed,
and what his ultimate course may be the flu
ture alone can determine. The people of Mas
sachusetts, who know Mr.. Summers patriotism
and his devotion to the Republican cause and
who appreciate the conscience which he brings
to bear ON his public duties, will not hastily
credit unauthorized statements many of them
unreasonable ON their face