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

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| WHISKY CONVENTION.
BIT ~. TRIBUNE.
WASHINGTON, Wednesday, Dec H. 1867.
In the Senate to-day the proceedings had special
interest for spectators and very little for Senators
Mr.Anthony introduced bill to declare null and
vote all Rebel confiscatOns and forfeitures. Mr.
Wiley introduced bill to sell the Government prop
ertyat Harper's Ferry and Mr. Howard introduced
| onetO aid in the construction Of a Railroad from
Lale Superior to Puget Sound. Some time was then
speIt in discussing Mr. Shenman's bill to pre-
ven the payment ont of the Treasury
! of money accTuing from the sale of captured and
| abandoned property. No action was taken on it. A
petition from $4,000 colored people of Kentucky set
TIM fo tn their grievances under the State laws and
asking redress, was presented by Mr.. Sumner, and
drey from GarTet Davis solemn declaration that 1t
was gross libel upon Kentucky which IN turn drew
a smile from the listening Senate. The remainder OF
thedays session was taken up by Mr. Morrill, of Yer
mott in an exhaustive argument in favor of return
| to pecie payments
The House spent most of to-day in Committee Of
the Whole discussing almost everything, finances
and the purchase of Walrussia in particular Mr.. C.
C. Washburne of Wisconsin, made a strong speech
against the House making any appropriation for the
purchase of Walrussia, st. Thomas and st. Stevens
explanations regarding their votes on impeachment
Many other members of the House are anxious for
the same chance to set themselves right for their
stituences 1t is hardly probable that much business
will be transacted by the House until after the holt
DAYS Ii has done great deal already and the SEN
ate has not yet acted on several important bills that
have been sent them.
special meeting Of the Finance Committee of the
Senate was called this afternoon for the purpose of
considering the business before the Committee, more
especially the bills relating TO the currency and the
cotton tax. IL is stated that the Committee will
shortly introduce bill which has received the
unanimous support of the Committee, as substitute
for Mr.. Schenck's measure. A report will be given
on tho Cotton Tax bill in a day or two. Material
changes have been made in its provisions notwith-
standing the pressure used to exempt the present
crop
The Ways and Means Committee resumed the con-
sideraton of revenue matters to-day, and discussed
tie preliminary features of the Tax BILL and also the
question OF the tax whisky Ii is understood that
the Committee do not at all concur in the opinion of
the distlers rectifers, &c. who are in the city,
relative to the reduction Of the tax. They hold that
tax Of 81 can be collected as easily and efficiently
IS n tax Of . cents under proper administration Of
the law.
Tde Indian Commission met this morning, all the
members being present. Cen Sherman Senator
Henderson, and Commodore Taylor,were appointed
committee to prepare a report embodyng the views
Of the Commission. Ii is understood that Gen. sher-
man il now engaged in this work. and that 1t VIII be
ready in about week, when 1t will be sent to the
Pendent and by him to the two Houses OF Congress.
Tie National Republican Convention met to-day
at Willards Hotel to fix the day and place for hold
n Convention for the
nomination of President aud Yice-President. The
following members were present John b. Clarke,
New. Hampshire; Samuel f. Hussey, Maine; A. H.
Gardiner, vrrmunt5 VIM. Cisnin, A~--.' h~r""s L.
Ward. New-Jersey; S. 4. Puryiance, Pennsylvania;
j. 5. Fowler, Tennessee; John d. Defrees, Indiana
b. c. Cook, Illinois; ID. p Stubs, Iowa;
II. W Hoffman, Maryland; n. b. Smithers, Delaware;
w. j. Corning Virginia; 5. Judd wisconsin, Horace
Greeley New-York; Ii. II. Starkweather Connecti-
cut: VIM Window Mnnesota; Thos. G.. Turner,
Rhode Island: " Dwyer, Ohio; Gen Pile, Missouri;
Daniel X. Goodloe, North Carolina, and delegate
from the District of Columbia There was very little
disagreement as TO the time for holding the Conven-
ton. Gov Ward was in favor Of calling the Conyen-
ton on the day that the Convention IN 1850 was
held the 18th Of May but as that day falls on Mon
day next year, il would not do, so Wednesday the
Goth Of May, was fixed upon There was some contest
over the selection Of the wherein to hold the Conyen
ton ST. Louis, Chicago Indianapolis and Clncin-
natl were all claimants each making a bid for the
selection After five ballots bad been taken Chicago
was selected. the final vote standing-S hicago, ~
Cincinnati TO- While in session. the Nationel Union
Committee received Gen. II. N Pearce OF Virginia
James H. Harris Of North Carolina and A. y. Cole OF
New-Hampshire a delegation from the Natohal
Union League which is now III session
in Washington. The Committee also received
q communication from the Soldiers and Sailors
Union, asking that time and place DC haliieu lor
meeting them.
An adjourned meeting of the National Convention
nresenting the manufacturers and dealers in spirits
vas held Tonight combined report OF the several
committees was made. and, after debate, 1t was
adopted as follows:
WLe,<os The operation Of the present laws relating
N distilled spirits Is such as to invite frauds prevent
Legitimate business, and cause widespread
ton while but scanty revenue Is yeiueu 10 tno uo'ei
Whcreas, We are actuated by desire to cooperate with
the Revenue Department IN such hthheI as 10 1st
the fun requirements OF the law, free from those multi
piled restrictions which hamper honest men ohy lot e
Pnes of secret and irresponsible competition; there
fore be IT, by this Convention OF those Interested IN the
use OF distilled spirits, representing disteIs
Commission merchants, and manufacturing consumers III
all parts Of our country, , ..t- ,
Reolred l. That In order to eonfne the opportunities Oh
fraud 10 as small space as possible ana thus aod Tue
MULTIPLICATION OF expensive Oiclals, we recommend tnt
the tax be assessed and pald NJ the SUM- OF Nh'n o
snrits leave warehouses A, and that warehouses DC
Entirely abolished and that when exported drawback
shall he allowed including proper percentage Tor rect-
| cation and shrinkage. ,,,., ...,.
On fand and 10 larger revenue by the greater
probability OF collection we recommend the reduction Oh
ihe tax TO twenty-five cents per proof gallon.
Reoired That in order TO prevent corrupt espionage
and he moestation OF innocent parties we recommend
thai when spirits shall have left warehouse A. 1t shall be
arded as prma facie evidence that they have paid the
ray and that they be no more subject 10 seizure than
otber merchandise in the open market
Pesolred That the responsibility Tor the collection OF
the revenue should rest upon the Collector ana assessor
~ Zach collection district, who shall be accountable
therefor TO the Secretary and that no subordinate officers
should be appointed TO act in any district except such as
said district 49,. ,,,r.o ,,o a. o.,