Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-02-20
DOingS Ia the United States su
preme Court.
Rebel Movements In the South
west,
JOhnstOn'S Entire Forces al
DaltOD,
Etc., Etc. Etc.
FROM WASHINGTON.
Especial to the Cleveland Lesder.I !

WAsHIEGToN, Feb. 1s.
Gen. Meade is in town
New York Express Broods made an sbo-
lition speech in the House of Representa-
tives to day. He said he would give
the administration till next September to
finish up the war, and would give it all
needed war power to that end. The
destruction of slavery was as fully &C.
kuowledged in Richmond to day as in
Washington. Massachusetts has accom-
plished in three years Whist the Christian
religion failed to do in eighteen centuries.
The Democrats lately made modest re-
quest that the House print $4,000 extra
copies of the election serving document
by Gen. Mcclellan, fsOetiously called re-
port.
The Printing Committee having squelched
that, they begged to- day for 10000, on the
ground that they had not got the number
they we're entitled to before. Republicans
enough good nsturedly voted with them to
carry rheIr pOiat.
There is rumor, not sufficiently well
based, however, to attach much impor-
tanoe to it. that the President proposes to
issue another Proclamation on Slavery
the twenty second Of February. The ru
NOR even goes SO far as to say that it In
wolves the abolition of slavery in the Bor-
der State.
The Ways and Means Committee took
the House by surprise to-day by reporting
back the bill empowering the Secretary of
the Treasury to sell gold at discretion, with
the recommend that 1t do not pass. 1t
appears that Boutwelrs amendment, offer
ed late yesterday afternoon, which changes
the bill SO ss to authorize the Secretary to
use. the surplus gold in paying intere st and
vance of It's falling due, whenever he
wishes, so divided the Committee that they
could agree on nothing. They held three
sessions to day on it, and failing to agree
on any amendments satisfactory to ma
ority, finally decided to report sgsinst
the whole thing. This report by no means
settles the case, bu it renders the passing
Of the bill much more doubtful.
Secretary Chase to day sent letter to
the chairman of the Ways and Means
Committee, saying he regarded the bill as
one of decided advantage to the depart
ment.
The sensation Of the day is speech by
New York Express Brooks fOreshsdOwing
the expected change of the Democratic
base. He said slavery was dead, and he
saw no occasion for making further dis
pute over il. He accepted it as q fact, and
would have no more to do with struggles
for its preservation. He was for the war,
for its vigorous prosecution, and ss speedy
a peace by means Of vigorous war as pos.
sible. Voorhees, and others Of the other
wing are very angry at this unexpected
FIRE in the rear.
The Whisky Conference Committee are
engrossed in It's lsbors. Efforts were made
when the Committee first met, TO bring up
again the question Of stock on hand. A
majority Of the House branch Of the Com
mittee was in favor Of 1t, but the Senate
opposed it, and finally succeeded in keep.
ing that question as it has already been
settled. The Committee is unable yet to
agree on sliding scale of taxation, and
considerable excitement has attended their
deliberations. 1t is thought probable that
the tax after the first of July will be fixed
at 65 cents.
The Committee on Public Expenditures
got leave to-day to go to New York to pros
ecute their investigations Of Custom
House affsirs. Three members expect tC
go early next week.
The House Naval Committee is going
into the whole question of the present con.
dition and availability of our steam gun.
boats and men Of war. The engineer Of
tAe Pensacola was before them to-day
Their investigation promises to prove de
cidedly tedious.
The three Missouri contested election
cases are thought likely to be decided to
gether. That of Birch against King, il
now being heard before the Committee
and Price against McClury and Bruc
against Loan, have already been heard.
The Senate passed the report of the Con
ference Committee on the Consoriptiol
bill, as reported yesterday, after tediOu
debate which consumed nearly the Who'll