Year: 1869




WAsHrNeroN, Feb. Is.
IL Is said that during the impeaoh ment trial
when every body supposed that Ben Wade
would be President OF the United States, Gene
raj Grant requested him to appoint Admiral
Porter as Secretary OF the Navy in his Cabinet,
alleging that there was rottenness In that de-
par no ent, and that Porter knew all about how
TO man.g ge the department, and was the man
for the place. Some persons who are aware OF
this fact argue from It that Grant Will certainly
appoint Porter Secretary of the Navy.


Blaine and Free Trade.


/ notice that one of your contemporaries
denies my statement that one OF the candidates
for Speaker of the Forty first Congress. James
q. Blaine Is a free trader. The only foundation
/ had for the statement is the fact that Blaine's
vote is recorded with the free-traders against
taking mp the Tariff bill. or considering it in
any way. Several attempts have been made o
get IL mp this session by Hon. j. X. Moorhead
and Blsine's mama is recorded among tn ose
who defeated the object.


A Session of Congress After the Fourth


of March.


There Is now no question but that there will
be q session of Congress of from four to six
weeks after the 4th of March. The essential
public business is very much behind in both
houses. and the time that remains will not be
more than sufficient to pass the appropriation





The Effect of Buffers Defeat.


The defeat OF Buffers resolution of censure
upon old Ben Wade has had the effect ofdamag.
ing his chances for the leadership of the House.
General Schen OK, who assisted Butler, has also
injured his prospects for the leadership, posi-
tion which, as chairman of the Ways and
Means Committee, he should occupy.


TIE Canvass for Omcers of the House.
AS the 4th Of March approaches. the various
candidates for officers of the House of Repre-
sentatives in the next Congress are doubling
their efforts to obtain success. the friends OF
Mr.. Blaine are very confident that he will beat
Dawes for Speaker. Blaine himself Is earnestly
at work day and night he Is scarcely ever In
his own seat, but goes around continually
among the members from one desk to another
trying to get votes. The statement made by one
of your morning contemporaries that the Penn
sylvania delegation is for Blaine Is. I am au-
thOrized to say, incorrect


Dawes friends are at work for him, but he
does not seem to take any part in the canvass
himself During the sessions of the House he
is scarcely ever out OF his seat, and when the
House is not In session his time is almost
wholly occupied with the Dom mtttee on Elso.
tions. I heard a prominent IN ember of the
House say, the other day, that he did not know
of single man whom Dawes had asked to vote
for him.



between Mcpherson and Eckley.


The Internal Revenue Bill. '
Although the House, spurred by the Ways
and Means Committee, is tinkering away night
after night at the Internal Revenue bill, there
is not the remotest prospect Of any concurrent
legislation on the subject at this session. Even
II 1t went through the House, 1t would take the
Senate at least month to consider and pass IL
But there is little hope Of Its passing the
House Its consideration In Committee :ot
the Whole has been during the night
sessions, at which very small number OF
members attend-never enough to make O
quorum. When the committee finishes It,
and IL is reported to the House. 1t is expected
that many amendments agreed to In COMMITTEES
OF the Whole will be debated at some length
| andlprobably stricken out Among other things
| strong effort will be made In the House to get
the income tax modified so as TO exempt all
incomes Of two thousand dollars and under
from the tax.