Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1866-06-28
LATEST FROM EUROPE.
THE WAR COMMENCED.

We have advices from Europe to the 10th
instant.
The German Diet having agreed to the Aus
TRAN proposal, by vote of nine States to SIX,
for the mobilization of the Federal army, Prus-
sia acted on her previous declaration that she
would consider it an act Of hostility on the part
of those supporting the measure, and moved
her troops into Saxony and Hanover on the
following day, and General Benedek, the Aus
TRAN commander, it was believed, would imme-
diately proceed to the attack of the Prussians.
The protest of the Prussian representative in
the Diet, that the action was unconstitutional,
and effected dissolution Of the confederation,
only elected the adoption of rcsoutian, at the
instance of Austria, that the Federal compact
was indissolublc. Already in the invaded coun-
try railroads had been destroyed and postal
communication cut off, and the Saxon treasury
and army stores been removed to Bohemia for
safety. The Austrian troops had Intercepted
all the lines of communication on their side OF
the Pc. Prussia has issued declaration to the
great powers justifying her course. The fact,
however, that the majority of the German
States are against her, gives great advantage
to Austria, and will go far to cou ntcr-balance
the Italian force which will be arrayed against
Austria also in the war The King OF Italy is
already in the field There was great commo-
ton and financial depression throughout Ger
many, but there appears to have been no fur
Their effect in those regards in England, and
consols and United States bonds we're steady.
The action of the United States Government
toward the Fenlans gives general satisfaction.
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS. The Senate,
yesterday, postponed the bill to aid in the con-
struction of telegraph lines, and to secure 10
the government the use Of the same for postal,
military and other purposes. The Senate con-
CURED in the House amendment to the joint
resolution appropriating $4,000 to hire tenn.
porary accommodations for the Department of
State, and also to the amendments concerning
the transportation of nitro glycerine. The bill
to regulate the elective franchise in the District
Of Columbia was taken up. An amendment
was adopted excluding from the right to vote,
all persons who voluntarily left the District to
give aid and comfort to the late rebellion.
Another amendment, making the ability to
read the constitution, and speak the English
language, qualification for voter, was offer
ed and rejected. Pending another motion to
amend the Senate adjourned.
In the House, the new internal revenue tax
bill, with the Senate's amendments, was re-
ported back from the committee of ways and
means The following Senate amendments
were disagreed to: exempting 5000 instead OF
$1,000 On incomes; reducing the tax on cotton
from i've to two cents per pound; allowing
gas companies to charge the consumer with
the tax On gas, and railroad companies to put
their tax on passengers taxing ready made
clothing two per cent instead of one cent; and
placing tax Of ten dollars instead of four dol
lars per thousand on cigars, cigarettes, etc.
Among the amendments concurred in was the
one reducing the tax on smoking tobacco from
twenty to fifteen cents per pound. and another,
extending the time from the first OF July to
the first Of August of this year mot next year,
In which State bank circulation may be ex-
empted from the ten per cent. tax. The
House then asked for committee of confer
encc on the disagreeing amendments.
The Richmond Wing says:-''When the
growing crops shall be gathered in, and the
farmers of Virginia shall have supply of ready
money, they can afford to hold a meeting of
the State Agricultural Society, to call a conven-
ton, and to consider even the propriety of hold
ing fair. Looking to agriculture as the prin-
eipal means of creating wealth and prosperity,
we desire to see all its influences operating to
that end