The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-05-23
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.
wAsmsoroS, May %. 1863.

WAsnsoroS May o. 1869.
TIE TAX BILL IN THE SENATE.
The Senate in COMMITTEES OF the Whole, have gone
through about one-half OF the tax bill No material
alterations have been made Tho debate to-day indi.
Gated determination to adhere twenty cents gallon
upon spirits, and, to the great dissatisfaction OF all
engaged 10 the trade disposition 70 tax tho stock on
hand
THE GOVERNMENT DEBT AND EXPENDITURES.
Numerous exaggerated statements have been publish
Cd In reference to the current expenses Of the govern
mehs. Iney were reiterated yesterday by Mr. Voor-
nces In nus violent speech against tho administration,
placing the present expenditures at three million Of dol
Jars per day. and the present debt at thousand ana
nve hundred millions, with twelve millions more to be
added for the emancipation OF slaves. This astounding
occasoned several calls upon the Secrsta
ry OF the Treasury for accurate Information the sub
jet.
An examination Of the Registers accounts shows that
our expenditures from the LIST Of April 1851 to April
1852, do not average than million Of dollars
por day. and that the total expenditures for the fiscal
year will not exceed the estimate made in the able re-
port OF the Secretary Of tho Treasury There s reason
TO believe that the actual figures will not vary ten mil.
lions from that estimate.
EXCITEMENT REGARDING THE EXECUTION OF TIE VU-
GITIvE SLAVE LAW.
Quite an excitement was raised near tho corner OF
Seventh street and the avenue. about ton O'Clock this
morning, In consequence Of two officers, Messrs Wise
and Hugely, backed by the owners Of the slaves, who
were following the Seventy sixth New York regmont
Ins slaves belonged to loyal owners OF Prince Georges
county, Maryland, who had obtained tho necessary
writs under the fugitive slave law and yesterday tho
officers went 70 the camp Of the regiment, Seventh
street, 10 tako them but Notwithstanding order had
been given by the Provost Marshal for their delivery
they were refused admission In the camp There being
no other alternative they this morning attempted TO
take the slaves while tho regiment was on tho march,
but were resisted by OF the soldiers, who declared
that thoy could not get them under any writ.
large crowd gathered around and soon the excite
ment became intense and matters for while wore
rather serious aspect the officers having taken hold Of
two OF the fugvss, whom they held with firm grasp,
and of the soldiers threatening to shoot into the
crowd, and ono or two persons being knocked down.
Some Of the officers, however, after serving tho writs
queed the excitement and two OF the fugitivos were
taken or by Messrs. King and Hugy and sent to jail
until the matter be investigated the regiment again
taking up their march for the steamboat wharf. some
seven eight Of the fugitives following them.
While this was going on word sent Major Doster,
Provost Marshal Of the fact and order immedi
aely sent the regiment to deliver up every fugitive
for whom writ was produced. A deputy marshal with
the necessary papers, to the steamboat this
Ing take tho remaining fugitives from among the
troops but refused admission the boat the officers
and soldiers the order Of the Provost
Marshal, telling him that they would see him In hell be-
rore they would deliver the negro to him any other
person.
This morning the Fugitive Slave Law Commissioners
decided that upon fair construction OF the Fugitive
slave law the proceeding for the recovery Of fugitive
no il0red n ho
Quoted in a summary manner. and a mere preliminary
inquiry TO satisfy the Commissioners whether the claim
ant has prn,a facis probable title the service
labor claimed that Of strict right the slave cannot par
t.cipato in the investigation, by cross-exami-
nation or counter proof, but that the CON-
missioners must be satisfied with the testimony,
and may exercise their discretion in crossoxaminng,
allow 1t to bs dono by another as anicss co or allow
counter proof that il is not competent TO the Commits
siones TO inquire the loyalty OF the claimant In the
particular case before them the Commissioners allowed
erosssxamination the questions Of ownership and
identity.
THE coNrRABANDs.
The scheme OF certain parties to make this city black
hole is working Immense mischief to industrial inte
rosts Many small plantations arc already abandoned;
and II the Hogira goes on the crops will BE- slim in all
this region. Meantime, the government must sup
port, at . heavy expense, women and children,
and old persons who do nothing, while
for the working hands oil Of schemes devised
TO keep them doing something upon wages This sort Of
work Is not much needed, but yet it Is OF kind that
thousands Of white mon in the North would like 10 do
II the privilege were accorded TO them.
THE ARMY SURGEONS AND THE cONrRABANDs.
The army surgeons, who required to administer To
tho sick Of the six hundred contrabands old
and young halt and blind, that are ammed together in
Duff Green row. complain Of this species OF duty
which nterferes with their obligations to the sick and
wounded Of tho army that congregated here this
time in great numbers. 1t would seem il civil
lisns acquainted with medical practice upon the Of
diseases peculiar to negroes in this latitude might well
DO employed by the government instead Of the army
surgeons whose time should be devoted exclusively
sick and wounded soldiers.
NEGROES NOT TO BE MAIL CARRIERS.
Tho bill to give negroes the right to be mail carriers
has fallen through the House. because Its advocates
shrink from legislative step that expressly puts tho
niger on level with the white touching public en-
ploymsnt II 10 thing that might DO agitatsd in the
fall Congress.
THE DEBATE IN THE HOUSE ON THE CON FIscATIoN
The debate the Con1scation bill still occupies The
House. AZ the time for the close Of the debate ap
proaches there is great struggle for the floor among
those who anxious to define their position before
their constituents. night session held this eve
ming to enable many as possible to get in theiI
speeches.
THE vARRHoUsINc BILL.
The passage Of Mr.. Odels Warehouse bill will BIZ
strongly urged. II is important to the commercial in
tersst Of New York that the warehouse system for i'm
ports shall be restored to three years. originally pro
vdsd instead Of three months This restoration s op.
posed by tho manufacturers but Is only just 70 tbs
mercantile interests that tho bill should be passed
Tho reduction from three years 70 three months is be
lisved TO have been made Internationally.
THE NEW YORK AND NEW ORLEANS NAILS.
sporord, Tsston Co. have offered their steamers tc
the Post 0ice Department mail steamers between
Now York and New Orleans. via Key West, at compsn
cation agreed upon and the Postmaster General has
osptod ithem for temporary horvice The mails vii
therefore DO despatched by these steamers with
regularity Xhsy will also be forwarded, as heretofore
narfe frnx vo-L