The New York herald., 1864-12-08
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON
Mr. Stevens Gold Bill Extin-
guished.
Proposed Ad Valorem Tax on Sales
Of Merchandise,
wAsausoros, psc. Z, 1854.


M. srEvNs' GOLD BILL KILLED OFF.
The House to day ensetualy sxspguished Mr. Stevens
tho gold bill days reflection and the rapid advance In
gold premium, the principal reason for which was be-
evsd 70 bs the action Of the House yesterday, giving
quasi endorsement to tho absurd provisions of the bA
convinced the majority Of the danger Of further tamper
Ing With the matter. After the emphatic action Of the
House 10 day unlikely that any similar attempt will
meet with partial success during the present sss
sion.
PROPOSED TAX ON sALHs or MERCHANDISE.
Mr.. odels resolution, instructing tho Committee on
ways and Means 10 Inquire into the sxpsdeucy Of laying
"a od ualors all sses Of merchandise 10 regarded
- the Initiation Of an important amendment
10 the revenue Law, and tho Idea meets with
favor q ops calculated produce with moderate rate
Of TAXATION very large increase Of revenue, and In
mode which viii bs least fsit and will distribute the
burthea more equally than any other method.
THE LOUISIANA eKHArogs.
rhs credentials q r. X. Cutler and Charles Smith,
elected 10 during the unexprsd term Of BENJAMIN
ana sde In shs senate, presented today BY Mr..
Morgan. The protest presented Mr. Wade quite vo
luminous and 10 sigusd by thirty prominent citizens Of
Louisiana forth that the State severed from
the Union BY the legally constituted authorities, and
thas the present state being the creation Of
military rule, civil representatives be recognized
BY The federal government also petitions that the act
Of Congress guaranteeing republican form Of govern
70 States 10 rebellion may ~ onoc become law.
VISIT % TEE surRsns cousr JUDGES TO rRE
PRESIDENT.
This afternoon six Of the Associate Justices Of the
United States supreme Court a present In the city,
but representing quorum Of toe cours) made the
uua formal call upon the President The interview vas
brief and Of . very social and agreeable character.
Chief Chase. rot yet having taken the oath Of
ONCE and entered upon hs duties, was mot present.
TIE SENATE STANDING ooxMIrrsss.
Aer session Of the Senate for ten minutes the Senate
rspubcau caucua met again to-day 10 arrange the com
mittees 10 conceded that Mr. Wilson ID 70 30 chair
msn OF The War Committee, and Mr. Sherman q the
head theFinancs Committss The brogiio about the
Naval Committee 10 not yet settled. Ar Grimes 10 ~.
sardsd ths champIoo of the Navy Department, and
faction insists hs should BE- chairman ths other
contends that Mr. Hale should b retainsdn that POSI-
tiou His rssnd iusiss be sha have opporsunity
70 decline M which shey promise in - naas that hs
vii % rss isuds q che Navy Dsparsmsas svsrss,
however, 70 HI being aeais tssdersd ~ possles Tor
fear that he may rspadats bs pledges q hs friends asd
continue annoy and smbarrass The department, - hs
d last ssssios 10 The injury Of tbs public service
probable that 10 viii b laid on tAs shelf persmp
sortly, aad senator Grimes apposssed h hh place.
rHx wAYs AND MsANs COMMITTEE.
No sassnpt 70 nI the vacaacy N Ne Committee Of
ways and Means caused By the rssgsatoa q Mr.. see
bias has yes bees nada h 10 DOT known - ~ whom
the Speaker viii appoint Mr.. lttisshs, q New Yesk ,
prominently msusnasd, sther she oi Mr.
ssbbns Mr. reusoa. wsess rsssssslos takes sses
ths 2oth iast.
MosBy's evHRILLA OPERATIONS.
Many Of tho loyal ahsbitasn Of gasrfaE and LsuAos
counties moving wshn tines hosby having Civ.
notice that be would burn the bulldogs Of su Union
within his rrach In resaaiios for sbs dssocsien Of
rsbei property IN The valley aloos the Manassas Gap
Railroad
PREVENTION OF snUd0LiHo.
Mr.. Nathan Sargent, Commissioner Of Customs, who
recently made tour Of the uorthsrn borders 70.
turned 70 Washington. HIS object Was 10 give effect
the law to prevent smuggling the lines 90 far
rs possible 10 apply corrective 20 existing abuses.
FLOUR CONTRACTS.
Sealed proposals opened to-day st the subsist
encs Department for -four. The bids ranged between
S1 70 and s2 so barrel for cash. from twenty TO
twenty nve cents additional payable 10 certificates.
FALL OF A BRIDGE AT HARPEs's FsRRy.
The new common road bridge across The Potomac,
above the railroad bridge a. Bsrpers Ferry, fell this
afternoon while three government teams crossing
H. Tho pier In the centre OF the bridge gave way,
precipang the bridge and teams into ths river. Two
OF the drivers were badly hurt.