The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-01-16
New York Specials from Washints
TEN
Especial to the Times.

The Bank Presidents this morning
abandoned the question OF finance TO joint
Committee Of the Boards Of trade of Bos-
ton and Philadelphia, who spent two
hours this morning with the Committee
of Ways and Means of the House. The
formation of n practical scheme advanced
rapidly, and may now be considered set
tied.
The President to-day nominated Thos.
f. Meagher and JAS. Shields to be Brig
adler Generals.
The Judiciary Committee of the House
resolved unanimously to-day to report a
bill repeating the law that exempts man
from criminal prosecution for offences in
regard to which he may have been exam
ined before Congressional Committee
1t was under this law that Floyd escaped
punishment.
Especial to the Tribune
The Senate will probably pass the
House bill for the abolition Of the frank
ing privilege without delay.
The House Judiciary Committee stand,
in the absence of Mr.. Hickman, its Chair
man, four to four on the bill for the con-
6scation of the property Of rebels and the
emancipation of their slaves. The bill
will not stand thus long.
Neither the President nor Secretary Of
War up to to-day has received any intell.
igence respecting the resignation Of Gen.
Sigel
TWorld Specials.
The city is filled with rumors respect
ing the probable retirement of at least two
other members of the Cabinet. Hon. c.
B. Smith, Secretary of the Interior, and
Hon. Nj. Blair, Post Master General, are
the gentlemen indicated by the gossip of
the Hotels. Mr.. Smith, who enjoys in
a high degree the confidence of Mr.. Lin
coin, will, it is said. assume one of the
vacant seats in the Supreme Court, while
Mr.. Blair will decline any other appoint
ment at the hands of the President
People who profess to know, say an un-
guarded letter to Gen Fremont, in which
Gen. Scott and other high officials are crit
icixed, is at the bottom of this matter
Mr.. Holt may fill Mr.. Smiths place, and
Mr.. Colfax, of Ind, Mr.. Blair's, but no
body knows anything about it.
The President has every confidence in
Mr. Welles, and he is not to b, disturbed
1t is said the appointment of MIR. Stanton
has Mr.. Hollis hearty approval. He was
urgent that his friend should be confirmed
in the Office.
Especial to Herald.
Notwithstanding the absence of any
cause of serious apprehensions Of foreign
war, it is the desire of the Government
and of the Commanding General that the
militia OF all the loyal States shall be fully
and efficiently organized, and in this con-
nection Gen. Mcclellan strongly urges the
organization and practical preparation Of
artillery corps in all the sea port aud lake
towns, with view to have in readiness
for any emergency an effective body of
well drilled artillerists for the defence of
our scaports and coasts. Ii is designed
that these corps shall be provided by the /
Government with guns and equipments,
and to be paid by the United States when
ever called into actual service
Among the rumors in circulation it has
been whispered that the Secretary of the
Treasury intends to withdraw, to resume
a seat in the t. S. Senate This is all
conjecture.
The rebel batteries on the Lower Poto-
mac continue to exhaust large quantities of
ammunition without cffecting anything.
The Reliance was fred at thirty eight
times on Monday night, while running
down the river. from Cockpit Point and
the batteries lower down, but she was not
touched The batteries at Shipping Point
and Cockpit Point kept up constant fire
Of shells toward the Maryland shore this
afternoon, all of which burst high in the
air, and did no damage to any one.
Col. Charles kearney, Typographical
Engineer, u. s. A. recently placed on the
retired list, died on Friday last, aged 10
years.
The Committee appointed to enquire
into the matter of fortifying the WcsteIp
lakes and rivers, have got to work at last
So far, they have decided on recommend
ing fertilization at the Straits of Mac
kinaw, leaving it to Commissioner to Sc
lect the precise locality.
Gsv. Toa's Inaugural.
Cleveland, o, Jan. H.
Gov. Tod was inauguratcd at Golum-