The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-02-17


THE SITUATION.
Fro@ General Kelley's department we learn that
rumors Of movements Of rebel forces towards ROM
nsy were in circulation; but SO far they have not
beeo realized. Severe snow storms were pre-
valent in that vicinity. rebel mail carrier, who
is charged with conveying mails to and from Bal.
timore to the rebel lines, was arrested near Wood.
STOCK aud conveyed to Wheeling, where he was
held in custody. Union associations are said to
be progressing in Virginia. Orders for the arrest
OF some of the leading members Of these bodies
have beea .ssued by JEFF. Davis.
The news from North Carolina shows iha; Gen
Pcok Is very active, and meditates movement
which may prove of some importance The press
Of North Carolina is crying out against the redoc.
ton of Union troops, upon whom they relied for
the protection of the State. The Governor has
been requested to call an extra session OF the
Legislature.
The news from Chattanooga is not very i'm.
pcrtant. furious rain storm was raging there
on Saturday and Sunday The position of affairs
in East Tennessee was unchanged.
Dispatches from Fortress Monroe yesterday
state that twenty-six more Union officers arrived
there, having escaped from Libby prison in Rich
mond. We give the names in another column.
There is no movement to report from the Army
OF the Potomac.
C0NGREss
10 the Senate yesterday the bills granting lands in
AID Of the construction Of military roads in Oregon
were passed as was also the bill respecting the
statutes of limitation in cases where the ordinary
course OF political proceedings has been inter-
ruptcd by the rebellion. At the-instance of Mr..
Lane. of Kansas, the regular order Of business
was suspended while he made long speech on
the bin to give portion OF the lands Of Texas to
colored people. No further action was taken on
the subject The bill TO increase the pay of colorsd
troops was then taken up, and Mr.. Davis, of Ken
lucky, addressed the Senate in opposition to il.
committee for conference with the House on the
amendments to the Enrolment bill was then
dered. and the Senate adjourned.
In the House Of Representatives the case Of Mr..
j. NJ johnson who claims q seat as Representa-.
tive from the Third district of Arkansas, was
called up, the question being as to whether the
Centlcmau's credentials should be referred to the
Committee on Elections or laid on the table, as
proposed by Ms. II. Winter Davis, OF Maryland.
A long and animated discussion ensued which de-
veloped the fact that the republicans are greatly
divided as regards the status OF rebellious States
Mr.. Davis denounced the Presidents recon
struction schemes and stigmatized the ef-
fort now being made to rehabilitate Loui.
siaua az an outrage. The credentials were
finally referred TO the Committee on Elections.
The consideration Of the Internal Revenue bill
was then resumed. The House agreed TO the Sen.
ate amendment striking out the proposed tax on
all spirits now on hand, by vote Of scventy.sevcn
against seventy three, and also agreed TO the
amendment striking out the additional tax of
twenty cents per gallon on adulterated spirits sold
IA whiskey, brandy, &c. The Senate sliding scale
OF taxation on spirits was disagreed TO by vote
o. forty one against one hundred and five; but the
subject was not finally disposed Of. conference
committee on the amendments TO the Enrolment
bill was ordered, end the House adjourned.
THE LEGISLATURES.
In the Senate yesterday several bills previously
noticed were introduced. and q number OF local
and private ones were acted upon Among those
introduced was one amending the law legalizine
the bounty and riot bonds Of our Board Of Super
yisors II is designed TO correct an error in the
act recently passed. The bill for the incorpora
ton OF the Atlantic and Brazil navigation Com
many was debated for some time, and then lat
over. Bills were noticed 10 amend the act OF ls2
relative 10 Improvements in this city, and to pro
vide Cor the payment Of interest on certai'
canal drafts The Senate concurred ia thu
Assembly resolution for recess from w
10th to the Goth inst compromise ha
been effected between q committee of the
Senate and the Harlem Railroad Company, where
by the freight on milk on that road after the Isl
OF April next, will be only one cent per quart
The bill now before the Legislature to effect thi'
object will therefore, most likely, not be further
agltated for the present. The bill fixing the sala
rics OF the Brooklyn Police Justices was ordered
20 a third reading. The committee appointed a.
the recent Gramercy Park Hotel meeting TO OF
pose the projected Lexington Avenue Railroad
yesterday had hearing before the Senate Rail
toad Committee. As no person appeared to de
feDd or represent the proposed railroad, the com
inttce resolved to report adverse to the entertain
ment OF The measure by the Legislature.
IN the Assembly the bill appropriating sSVO,Vo'