The New York herald., 1862-02-04
e;EWS FROM WASHINGTON.
Important Debate in Congress on the
Financial Measures Of the
Government.
>-1-~-O>><~,~~->~~~~<oo~
Semi 0flicial Exposition Of the Views
Of Secretary Chase.
The Tone of Recent Official
Advices from Abroad.
Pacific Disposition Of England
and France.
Reported withdrawal Of Rebel
Troops from Manassas,
&C., &C., &c.

9IOOP3 IIOm SNk kS08S60S,
&C., &C., &c.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 3, 1862.
TRE DEBATE IN THE HOUSE ON THE TREASURY MOTH
BILL.
An interesting debate upon the Treasury Note bill took
place the Committee Of the Whole in the House. Mr.
valiandgham, Of Ohio drew terrible picture Of the re-
suits Of the financial scheme presented in the BILL but his
speech attracted little attention. Mr.. Hooper of Massa
chusetis, followed, aud Immediately large circle of
members gathered around him and listened closely to his
argument in favor of the bill Mr.. Hooper has studied
finance all his life, and has written some able pamphlets
upon the subject His familiarity with the themo, and
his position able exponent Of the financial policy Of
the Committee Of Ways and Means attracted the atten
Sion Of tho thinking men Of the House.
Mr. Hoopers speech is considered clear exposition Of
she views OF tho Treasury Department the financial
question The Secretary, n letter to the Committee of
Ways and Means says the general provisions Of the bill
seem well adapted to the end proposed; that tho pro
vision making the notes legal tender was, doubtless,
wel considered by the committee, and their reflections
had conducted him to the conclusions He felt
great fears to making anything but gold and silver
legal tender owing TO large expenditures tho
bank suspensions, the provision il indispensable.
The Secretary has suggested amendments providing
against counterfeitng directing the in which
The notes are 10 executed.
Tho Secretary addressed note to Mr. Spsuding to-
day, in which he says-sImmedate action is Of great
impcrtance. The Treasury is nearly empty. I have
been obliged to draw for the last nstament Of the No
vember loan So soon it is paid fear the banks
generally will refuse TO receive the United States Treasu
ry notes. You will the necessity Of urging the bill
through without delay"
The Chairman Of the Ways and Means Committee, Mr..
Stevens viii en.ieavor bring the House to vote on
the Treasury bin on Thursday.
THE PROPOSED TAX ON TELEGRAPHiC DISPATCHES.
The result Of the examination recently by the tele
graph nterca; shows that the number Of messages
mitted over all the lines during the past ycar was
$500 600 yielding total or 81 522 900. Should
Congress in the bill impose three cents each
message, little Ss4, 600 only would be realized
from that sossce five and half per cent on the ag
gregstc amount Of business
The representatives Of teegraphc interests here
have suggested TO the Committee of Ways aud Means
their readiness to pay their messages, thas
contribute to the support Of the government.
DILAToRINEss OF CONGRESS AND THE COMMIT
TEE OF WAYS AND MEANS.
CONSERVATION prevails in the depar mente and among
those who anxious that the should be carried
with vgor and that financial confidence should remain
unimpared, at the shameful apathy Of Congress
ton to the wants OF the country Day after day passes
without the passage of currency bill, although the
truth Of the declaration Of Mayor Opdyke in his
admirable letter to Secretary Chase, is everywhere
knowedged that "uncss the heavy floating debt of the
government shall be paid with reasonable promptite,
and its rapidly accrung liabilities provided for, it vii
soon lie found difficult to obtain supplies for the army
any price, The maintenance Of the credit and
the government ut stake; the most ordinary debs
are left unprov for, and distress prevails which
single day OF energetic action at the capital would
move yet nothing is done. While the President the
different branches Of government land the Commander
in-Chief are s,raning every nerve to do their
duty while the army is in the highest
degree OF efficiency, and almost superhuman efrts
being made to push troops forward in spite # the
terrible OF the weather tie majority the repre-
sentaves Of the people seem utterly mindless Of their
duty and bent upon opposing every obstruction in their
power 10 the patriotic OF the administration. II
fcsrcey admits of doubt that the radical faction under
pretext Of investigating minor abuses bent upon
hamrering the government, to create discourage
mcnt and discomfort among the people, and frusrae tho
great work of restoring the integrity of tbo Union.
The Committee of Ways and Means have delegated
their labor ie tax bill TO a subcommittee, composed
OF Messrs Morrill, Hooper and others, who
have reached single practical point in their abors IL
is understood that they will not report to the whole
mittee for time yet, and bill will scarcely be
printed before the 1st of March 1t will then have to
be discussed section by seclion aud is not probable
that any will be passed before Of April
even later Meanwhile every days delay is at
tended with grave danger TO the public credit and
these gentlemen fully OF the From every
part Of the North and West liberal taxation is called for
and the people willing TO be brened the of
two bundrcd millions per annum. Tie establishment Of
national banks the plan proposed by Secretary Chase
Ia his report is also called for but bill the subject
IS yet ready TO be reported. IN fact everything is
stan 81 and tha is vlo and
cherries.
ARRIVAL or FLAG .of TRUCE WITH DISPATCHES
FROM REBELS.
Yesterday afternoon nsg Of truce from Gen. John.
reached tho outrosts Cen McDowcll's division
Tic dispatches brcuah, by Col Harrison of the
Second Virginia cavalry. lie was permitted to proceed
nc further. Tne sealed communication was brought to
Headquarters here by capt. Doallard The contents
have not yet transpircd
TIE REBEL NAVAL OPERATIONS AT xortoIK.
All sorts Of reports aie circulation in regard TO the
crrimac tho iron clad steamer the hands of the
Icbcs Whatever the rebels may undertake to accom-.
fiish with the Merrmac, own naal authorities are
Che qpi cir au6 will be taken pppi epared cthcr
ay The Merrnac or any other steamer yhc guns on hs
lsrarcis Classmates snt battery Fortress Non.
re arc confanty kept Va readiness for any emergency
A.! The guqboasand igatcs tls larbor ase a, their
gre constantly double shoiicd.
COAST nNFlNCls.
whatever may ho the result OF the nmbarfassnonis
between uts country and European Powers, but ono
sl inbn held here y tc President, his wsest advisers
az DO tonln'udcr IN Chief, with rcspec to tho duty of
sc rcopo on our eacoas They ough, organ ize rcg
mons, as rapidly as possible, for defence aud be
n cpcry trained 80 tic Of artillery and IN ordnance
,sn ce Government VIII supply the mcans and yolun.
,ses a 10 laid a emergencies arise and they NAV be
sellI.n 10 perform active duty nuannng forec
o. o.h.sA 81 rcpc'iing invasion.
GnE. s1oNEs aOvEslErs.
C,o sioc v. ro'rrr tct.s cen mana 90 utf-,v