New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-12-19

Public Lands has reported to the House, and will
soon call up for action an important bill declaring
forfesed to the United States the lands granted to
the Southern States in 1853 to aid them in the con-
struction of railroads. The grants of these lands
have expired, and the passage of the bill will open
mp to homestead entry and settlement nearly 100000
acres
The Presidents Message, lauding Gen. Hancock,
was read in both Houses today and is the topic of
conversation this evening. The members generally
take it as cool piece of stupid mpertinence the
part of Mr. Johnson. 1t is but part of the plan that
is being arranged here by johnson, Seward and Co.
to have Gen. Hancock made the next Democratic
nominee for the Presidency Mr. Johnson's friends
say it is a snub to Messrs. Pendleton, Seymour, and
other asprants for the Democratic Presidential nomi
nation who ignored Johnson in the late political
vases The Blairs are figuring conspicuousy in the
business and their idea and that of Mr.. Stewards is
to have Gen. Hancock run as a Conservative Demo
crat. Mr.. Johnson openly expresses himself as i'll
favor of the pan and so also do most of his Cabinet
All the official patronage of the Executive will be
turned in TO help Gen. Hancock, and, from present
indications, his name will be very prominent in the
coming Democratic Convention.
The variance in opinion among leading members Of
the House. upon the functions and powers of that
body, in the matter Of making appropriations to
carry out treaties made by the Executive and ratified
by the Senate, appears TO be general Scarcely any
coincidence of views III all particulars is manifested,
but while the indications that a majority claim
the right of the House to go into investigation of
the merits of any treaty and on the question of
merit determine whether an appropriation shall be
made or not yet there is reason to believe that ma
jorty of members in favor of voting for the APP
preparation called for in the treaty for the purchase
of Walrussia.
Charles a. Curtis. President of the Spirit Manufac-
turers and Dealers Convention was before the Com
mittee Ways and Means to-day for nearly an hour.
The examination included the most practicable mode
Of collecting the tax on spirits lie VIII again appear
before the Committee tomorrow
The Secretary of State to the Senate to-day the
report of Samuel b. Rugges delegate from the United
States to the International Monetary Conference at
Paris, 1867, the subject Of International coinage.
The whole question of monetary unfcation is now
distinctly presentation consideration and decision
the Governmental authorities Of the. United States
Executive and Legislative.
The Director of the Bureau OF Statistics has pre-
pared for publication table showing the value of
the domestic exports of the United States during the
fiscal year ending with June, 1861 to all countries
except in cases where the domestic exports to any
country did not amount TO $l5G00O0 values in
specie The exact total is S3S4,474 49, In 1868 the
total was over S373,OOOOOO
Among those who visited the White House to-day,
was Gen. Grants father Archbishop Spauldi6e also
had an interview with Mr.. johnson this evening.
The President has revoked the order issued few
days ago. mastering out Of the service Gen. x. X.
Scott, Assistant Commissioner of the Freedmen's
Bureau in South Carolina. This was done on the
recommendations of Major Gen. Howard, Gen. Candy,
and others.
The Deficiency Appropriation bill, introduced in
the House by Gen Butler today, is as follows: