Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1865-12-06

Nc.. &c.
From the Star of Monday EVENING"
THE OPENING sCENEs-INTERESTING PROCEEDINGS
The Capitol was densely crowded by visitors to-
day, for the purpose Of witnessing the opening
scenes Of Congress. Since last session considerable
improvement has been made to the INTERIOR and the
halls begin to assume their intended appearance.-
The Old railing and wall which Obstructed the pas
sage from the rotunda to the Congressional library
has been removed, and neat white marble ralllng
substituted In the rOtuuda, several new paintings
are displayed. but the ceiling is stu unfinished
platform, used by the artists engaged IN painting the
uuper portions OF the arch, Obstructng the view into
he apeN of the dome. The staircase leading TO the
t,p OF the dome is completed, and number of par
ties for the first time, climbed TO The LOFTY height TO
obtain n view OF the city and IT'S envir0ns. Inc
passage from the eastern p0rticO OF the south wing
10 the Hall of Representatives, Is also finished ad-
ding very much to the beauty of that portion OF the
building. The old Hall in its new dress presents
very fine appearance. The floor of marble tile is all
land down. aud several buSts OF distinguished men
ara mounted pedeStalS within the high bronze
railing which borders the narrow passage. \ new
carpet imported from France, has been put down on
the floor ol the House, and new furniture has been
added 10 mauy Of the adjacent apartments. With
the exception Of the increased number OF desks for
members the Hall presents, however the same ap-
pearance last winter, the carpet being light green
with small uringe-cOlOred stars No change is no.
tceable in the Senate wing.
BY II o'clock all the corridors surrounding the
Hall OF Representatives We're blocked up by the
thrOng hundreds making strenuous Efforts 10 force 4
passage into the reporters gallery which by great
cXctOn ON the part OF the dOOrkeeper was preserved
exclusively for the members Uf the press. The fami-
Les OF representatives Of foreign governments He'd
the gallery assigned TO the diplomatic corps 'many
being compelled 10 stand in the aisle and doorway.
Durng the call OF the roll by the Clerk of the House
the space IN rear Of the members desks was occu-
ued by crowd of visitors, whom the doOrkeepeTs
were unable TO eject. There were quite a number OF
Southern Representatives present most of them TAX
lag seats among the other members.
As the Clerk was calling the roll of the members
from New York, Mr.. Maynard, of Tennessee, rose to
speak, but was prevented from proceeding by the
Clerk, who stated that remarks at that time were
Ia order At the conclusion of the call of the roll,
Mr. Morrill, of Vermont, moved that the House pro-
ceed 10 the election oi Speaker Mr.. Maynard again
attempted 10 be heard, but silenced by cries OF
order Mr.. Brooks, of New York, protested against
the refusal to hear Mr.. Maynard aud spoke at con-
siderable length, claiming that if Tennessee was not
a State of the Union, and if Maynard was to be re-
parded as an alien the President Ofthe United States
4 citizen of Tennessee, was also an alien and an
uSurper. He also demanded that the members from
Virginia aud Louisiana should be admitted, and de-
bounced the refusal of the House as deSpQtism.
Mr.. Brooks was frequently called to order during
hi, remarks by Mr.. Stevens, of Pennsylvania and
others and finally asked Mr. Stevens when he pro-
posed to consider the question. Mr.. Stevens replied
that he proposed To consider it at the proper time
The response elected considerable applause from the
members and spectators. Mr.. Brooks then moved
as an amendment to the motion for an election OF
Speaker that Mr.. Maynard be allowed TO make his
statement. This was loudly objected to.
Alter further discussion of 4 similar nature, the
election OF Speaker was ordered. Mr.. Morrill, Oi
vermont, nominated Mr. ColtaX, and Mr. Winfield,
ot New York, nominated Mr.. Brooks, of the same
State.
Special Despat hes TO the New York Times,l
THE MESSAGES AND THE DEPARTMENT REPORTS
The reports of the several heads of departments and
bureaus are now all in print and ready To accom-
many the message To Congress. The message is al
So in type and will be furnished to the press of the
| leading Eastern cities by mail, in advance of its
delivery. 1t Will not be sent to Congress before
| tuesday.
THE REPORT OF Hon. FREEMAN CLARKE.
The forthcoming report Of Hon. Freeman Clarke,
Comptroller Of the Currency, will be OF the ablest
aud most interesting documents submitted TO Con-
gres> tie takes high conservative grounds in regard
TO the finances OF the country and his facts and ar
guments showing where We Will land II our currency
expansion and excessive Importation ara not check
e 4 are very convincing Mr.. Clarke discusses the
etre question of finance in all It's elements curren-
cy, taxation, tariH and revenue. urges rc-adJust-
of the tirii with view to check impOrtatiOns,
and the consolidation Of our system of internal reve
uue by restricting taxation to Il few of the leading
articles ut high iisS such cotton, tobacco, dis
tlled and matt liquors, stamps licenses, &c. As we
have heretofore stated no increase of the national
bank capital will be recommended, except upon such
conditions as will prevent any further imitation of the
CURRENCY The report will also show that the amount
OF currency in active circulation is many millions
less than il generally supposed. The number OF Ma
tinual Banking Associations in existence, Novem'
her 1, was sixteen hundred and one.
INTERNAL REVENUE RECEIPTS.
Il ~ 4 t1.sNtI N.f1
of internal revenue for the year ending June ~
1868, were sell l29 52) IT, against about Sll6OOO
OOO for the previous year. The receipts for the five
months ending November 80 of the current iisca
wear are Sl5l OOOOOO At a similar ratio OF increase
The aggregate receipts for the present year likely
| To exceed S275 100000 The cost of collecting the
revenue for the past year will be about two and
| three iourths per cent.
The receipts from internal revenue yesterday
| amounted 10 - s6S 1856 5S.
TAXATION
Much anxiety Is manifested 10 ascertain what may
be INSTRUMENTATION of tbs Secretary regarding
Ia nation especially on tobacco and distilled liquors
Their, is little doubt but that the report Will sGspenl
| all recommendations on taxation pending the m
ycstigations of the Internal Revenue Commission
the result OF whose abOrs may not be submitted un
| ill some time in January.
From the Starl
THE NATIONAL DEBT
| The monthly statement of the public debt, now
sued for the month Sf November last 10y Mr. Secre
| tary Met tullOch, presents = nmqrkable improvement
| IA our financial affairs Wise ahd jAdlciQuS man
| alement, and wholesome economy, have produced
marvellous reduction IN current expenses, and largely
increased the public revenue. The Secretary oil Tue
Treasury has good reason for cOngratulation ON Tue
/ wisdom he has displayed in the successful manage
meut gi the financial department of the Government
some OF hs projects severely criticised by many
who INDUCED IN evil predictions as to the results
| These persons may now sec the signal success o
these efforts by the great rsductian Of the national
debt in the short space of time which has elapsed
since the cessation Of the rebellion. Below is given
| the most important items OF the statement for'Ao
vsmber:
amt outstanding. Interest.
! Debt bearing inter-
r~t NJ com. ,61, l6y9il 81 S6o Oj32'Jol
Debt bearing lnter'St
in lawful money. / III, ,53l l49. 10 7OS646Il7 IS
| Debt on which Ater
| est has ceased. LIS, SO.32
! Debt bearihgnO in
t,lest............ 36S,744,T4S56
Total. s., ia 633 3I475 Sl3S sl695j. ,
! legal tender notes IN circulation. AmOsHt.
One and two wears per cent. notes.. S32 j3G 9Ol
| United States notes old issue ......... 392 O1t
United STATES notes, issue. ....... 426 $40 81
Compound interest notes. ............. 67Ol2 lll
| lotAI. sss...s.. .So-o. -'O'fol
CURIOUS PRESENT
! One Of our COusulS in England sent % the
! Department 4 somewhat novel article. which is Il
| be presented To the President. IL seems 10 De de-
| vice adopted TO indicate the English opinion on
! American affairs and consists of two stone rings