The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-12-05
WASHINGTON.
NEW YORK, Dec. 4.

NEW IofSt, DeC. T.
THE COTTON TAX, 90
rs Washington specials state that the bill re-
peang the cotton tax is favored by majority
of the House, but there is difference of opin-
ion as to the time when to put it in operation
The wool interest is working against the re-
peal of the cotton tax.
THE INDIAN BUREAU.
The House Military Committee and Gener-
al Grant had an interview yesterday on the
late Indian war, and both concur IN the neces-
sity of Incorporating the Indian Bureau with
the War Department rrF..
REDUCTION OF ARMY EXPENDITURES
Gen. Grant is preparing new order to still
@ further reduce the expenditures account OF
4tl the army. The movement made some time
since by Gen. Grant to dispense with the SER
vices OF civilians employed in the army will
constitute an important feature of the new or
der, and will make a reduction, e is stated OF
eight thousand men. The abolition of the
breyet system, which meets great favor, is now
- under consideration. The propositions to pay
the army weekly is deemed imprscticable.
DIPLoMATIo APPOINTMENTS.
The Judiciary Committee will probably re-
port favorably on Senator Thomas of Mary
= land, they failing to fihd evidence of his dis
loyalty. There are a number of applications
fg for the Mexican Mission, including Fitzpatrick,
III Mowiy OF Arizona, Nugent Of California, Gen.
-ig j. Averl now Consul to Canada and Gen. Nc
Mahon Of New York. For Consu-General to
gfl Havana there are but three applicants men
toned, viz s. Wolf Of Ohio, Gen: Yickers,
sl present Secretary of Legation to Chill, and
MIR. Hollister Of Connecticut, For Minister to
ss-- Ecuador the candidates are Ex-Governor Ford,
I'd Col Brockway of Pennsylvania, and Spencer,
goes Markbriet, Nixon, Caldwell, Allen and Nixon
the six last named are residents of Cincinnati
"a 1t is probable that Siiwell will be again nom
mated for Minister to Venezuela, as the Sem
, ate did not decide at the last session whether
ana to reject or confirm him. Mr.. Greeley has
been officially notified of his nomination and
confirmation, and until he formally notifies
the State Department he declines, no action
will be had upon applications for the Mission
~ to Austria ra.
r, The President to-day sent into the Senate
b D q unlber- of appointments to- the Treasury
Department mainly, and number of cases
M under the tenure of Office bill, including those
a OF Collector Callieott, of the third New York
district, and Collector Jones, OF Richmond.
UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD.
!, -', The Government Commissioners having re-
ported an additional section OF twenty miles
i of the Union Pacific Railroad, eastern divis-
ri. lon, terminating at the 305th mile post west
5lg from the Missouri river, completed first
90 class railroad, the same was accepted by the
President on the I'd inst and he has ordered
the bonds and patents for lands due on accom- Mt
thereof to be issued.
THE NEW COMMISSIONERS OF AGRICULTURE.
Col. Capron, the recently appointed Com.
ia missioner of Agriculture entered upon the du-
ties OF his office this afternoon. j. w Stokes
n chief clerk, and since the death of Isaac New
~ ton acting Commissioned, has resigned.
UNION REPUBLICAN cAUcUs-REPoRT OF THE
a,4 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
A caucus of the Union Republican members
~ > OF DOTH houses Ur congress was held IN the
hall of Representatives this evening to hear
the report of the executive committee ON the
present condition of the Southern cam paign,
and to consult as to the measures, necessary
p to continue and complete the Organization of
the party in the reconstructed States. Sena-
tor Morgan presided chairman. and Hon.
Shelby McCullom of Illinois, acted as Secre-
tary. The report shows that from April LIST to
1. Dec. 4th $40673 were collected, of which seven
members of Congress and employees at the
s7 Capitol contributed $15 600 The entire amount
has been expended for the greater part in
printing S54, 700 documents for Southern ercu-
lation and in the employment of orators for
that section. Over 100000 documents have
been circulated since the organization of the
committee in March, 1866. Over 5000 letters
have been received from the rebel States A
memorandum is kept of all reconstruction
work. The election Of delegates in favor of
conventions have been successful in all the
States excepting South Carolina, where there
was want of time and but few places for vot-
ing. Tho committee think that, if another
& election should be held the result would be IA
yorable for convention in that State. From
advices coming from Texas, it is believed that
that State will give decided majority for a
convention. One hundred and seventy-cicht
speakers and organizers have been directly
~ aided by the committee, and many more have
'@5 been en- ployed with the pecuniary assistance
u of the State Committee.