New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-12-10


WASHINGTON, Monday, Dec. Q, 1867.
Or resolution from Mr. Sumner instructing one
of the Committees to define by resolution the duties
of Sergcant-atArms of the Senate, a lively debate
on what that officer ought to DO sprang up, and
was participated in by Senators Sumner, CONFESS,
Howe and Trumbull Mr.. Sumner complained
that he never saw Mr.. Brown in his place,
which was by the right of the char, to
which Mr.. Trumbull replied that although it was
customary in Massachusetts for the Judge to enter
10 Court House preceded by o Sheriff wearing
cooked hat and carrying long sword he did not be-
Heve Mr. Wade would care to be heralded into the
Senate chambers in that way. The resolution was
finally referred number of resolutions of inquiry
being introduced, Mr.. Fessenden entered general
protest against the indiscriminate presentation of
such resolutions, which he said entailed great deal
more labor and expense upon the Departments than
Senators were aware of. Mr.. Chandler called up his
resolution for neutrality between Great Britain and
Abyssinia and expressed his surprise that some
Senators and gentlemen of the press seemed to
look upon it rs o joke. 1t debated by several
Senators. among them Reverdy Johnson who in
opposing it, said Great Britain in honor bound
10 pay every dollar Of the Alabama claims. No ac-
tion taken it, but it evident that it will be
referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
During the first two hours of the esession of the
House to-day over fifty bills and resolutions were
introduced, and referred to the appropriate commit
tees. Among the most important was q resolution
offered by Mr. Hooper, declaring that in the opinion
of the House. the amount of revenue 10 be collected
from taxes ought not to exceed $900,00O,000, and
Instructing the Committee of Ways and Means
TO report o bin so amending the Internal Revenue
bill as to reduce the taxation to three hundred mil
lion dollars and instructlng the Committee on APP
propriations not to exceed that amount in making
their appropriations. Mr. Hooper spoke briefly on
nj he racolntiOn wac rpfprred
to the Ways and Means Committee. resO-
lution abolishing the office of Assistant
Secretary of tho Treasury, which is
Intended to prevent Col. Cooper ex-Private Secre-
tary of the President from retaining the place, was
referred to committee. On a motion of Gen. Butler
10 refer to the Committee on ArbiratiOns the sub
jeet of apprOpriating sum Of money 10 purchase
Russian America. q spicy debate sprang up be-
tween the opponents and friends of the purchase.
Those who are opposed to sQuandering money
IN purchasing useless land endeayOred to have the
matter sent to the Appropriations Committee the
majority Of which are for radical retrenchment IN
every department of the Government while the
friends of the purchase wished its refer
ence to the Committee Foreign Affairs.
After q hard fight between Messrs. Stevens Butler,
Washburne and Blaine on the one side, and Banks,
Ingersoll and the Democracy on the other side the
latter tIiunphed, and Walrussa was sent to Mr..
BankSS IOIclBu OOlulHltttS' lho NSpN'O ~AiN wv
Oh this question to-day shows that an appropriation
for the purchase of Warussa, any other territory
that Mr.. Seward has been negotiating to buy, IS
doubtful Tho temper of the House is for retrench-
ment everywhere and he5o territorial acquisitions
will fail to be approved. The Reconstruction Com
mittee was revived by strictly party vote. The
Senate bill striking out the word Dhte in the charters
Of the cities of Washington and Georgetown, which
will enable cOlored people to serve on jures, hold
in ho pulip school gVStemg.
was passed by strictly party vote. The bill now
goes to the President for bis approval.
The Ways and Means Committee met to-day and ar
ranged the order of business and the time OF meeting
They discussed at great length the question of the
collection of the whisky tax and several PROPOSE
tons were submitted by members, one of which was
that of taxing according to the capacity OF the Stills
Tho Committee, however came to no con-
elusion ON the subject and will resume
its consideration ct the next meeting There seems
~ be great diversity of opinion in the Committee,
some being in favor of reduction thinking thatthe
tax could then be collected, and Others being OF the
opinion that the only way to eectually secure the
Government against fraud is to tax the capacity OF
the still
large number of delegates to the Whisky Con-
yention to be held tomorrow, arrived this evening
Its thought that tho Convention will recommend
reduction of the tax to % cents gallon ana urge
Gen. Grant and a large number of prominent Army
officers have asked the Military Committees of Con-
mess to enlarge the Subsistence Department OF the
Army 1t is alleged that, owing to the large number
OF posts established throughout the Indian country
% protect the lives of travellers the present number
Of officers in the department. is not sufficient for the
proper performance of their labor. The House Mill
tary Commit &C are considering the matter and Wall
report upon 1t in short time
The Joint Committee on Ordnance will resume on
Wednesday their investigations. Capt. Fox late
Assistant Secretary of the Navy, has asked the PRIV
Lee of appearing before the Committee to exonerate
himself from certain implications of his ohclal con-
duct contained in published reports of evidence be-
fore Committee.
In the Senate to-day Mr. Wilson gave notice OF
hill to relieve from the disabilities OF the Recon
stroction act 2S4 citizens of Alabama, among them
Gov Patton and Gen. LOngstreet. The list is III
dorsed by Gems. Pope and Swayne.
The Senate Finance Committee will meet To-
,aorrow to consider the bill for the repeal of the
cotton tax.
committee from Cincinnati will be here to-
morrow authorized TO give $l5 900 to secure the hold
SpI of the National Republican Convention in that
eity. Cincinnatians charge that the Chicago com
nittee are commissioned to attempt to bride lndl-
yidnal members of the National Republican Com
raittee, as well as to offer money for campaign
surposes The fight between the two cities Is getting
lively.
Senator brakes resolution to censnre the Presi-
dent for the terms in which he speaks of the Recon
structon bill in his Message comes up tomorrow Ill
the Senate and will be the subject of lengthy de-
bate
Representatives spalding aud Bingham to-day
4hao oil nina