New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-12-06

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MATTER BEFORE THE HOUSE-THE AMI
CONTRACTION MoyENfENT-A NEW POINT AS
TO THE TENURE OF OFFICE OF THE PREsI-
DENTS APPoINTEEs-RETURNs OF REVENUE
on DISTILLED sPIRITs-sOUTH CAROLINA
VOTES FOR RECONSTRUCTION.
By THR TRIBUNE
WASHINGTON, Thursday, Dee. s, 1867.
In the Senate to-day the proceedings were devoid
of special interest. The bill to repeal the cotton tax
came from the House, and referred to the FL
nance Committee. Mr.. Anthony introduced bill
for the conversion of registered bonds into coupon
bonds. Mr. Sumner called up the bill pocketed by
the President last Session. to strike out the word
,rhite from the city charters of Washington and
Georgetown so as to abolish all distinction on ac-
count of color a qualification for holding office.
This gave rise to debate in which the johnson Sena-
tors pointed to the late elections popular verdict
against such legislation and the Republicans parted
the thrust by advertng to the failure of the Eman-
cpation policy when first adopted and its triumphant
success the year afterward and ever since. The
rival of o'clock put an end to this discussion, and
Mr.. Edmundss bill for the payment of bonds in coin
taken up. Mr.. Edmunds made an able argument,
and was replied to by Mr. Cole in opposition TO the
bill. Most of the Senators at this time in the
House to listen to the Impeachment debate
The impeachment debate was begun to-day in the
House by Mr. Boutwell, The galleries were crowded
as they were yesterday, and the spectators were
compelled to endure over two hours of dry argument
on a Kentucky contested election case, it being
o'clock before Mr. Boutwell, obtained the floor. The
House granted him two hours in which TO make his
argument but he had consumed only one when the
House adjourned. He will continue tomorrow, and
will be followed by Mr. Wilson the Chairman OF
the Judiciary Committee No programme OF
action has been definitely agreed on by the
Republican members on the subject but 1t is gener-
ally understood, among those opposed to lmpeach-
ment on the evidence far taken, that Mr.. Wilson,
when he finishes his remarks tomorrow. will move
the previous question his motion TO lay the whole
matter on the table. it is expected that those in
favor of impeachment will oppose this, and will do
their utmost to have the debate extended, but those
against impeachment feel confident that the previous
question will be seconded, and the motion to lay the
whole subject on the table will be carried, even
though the Democrats unite with the impeachment
Republicans to prevent it, and force vote on the
direct issue The matter has lost a great
deal of its Interest of late, and not even
the remarks of i Mr. Boutwell, of to-day reused
any excitement. The closest attention was PAID TO
Mr. Boutwell, to-day while he was speaking. His
argument 50 far as he has gone is considered sound
and logical and an able defense of the majority re-
port of the Judiciary Committee. so far as Mr. Bout
well has been touching on what are looked upon as
the weak and doubtful points Of Mr.. Wilson's argu-
ment as set forth in his report. Whether or not be
will assail the strong points tomorrow remains to be
seem There are a number of members who are ahX-
ious 10 speak on the subject among them Mr.. Thad-
deus Stevens. That they will succeed is doubtful
Gen. Schenck viii probably, during the morning
hour tomorrow call up the bill repeating that por-
ton of the statute allowing the Secretary of the
Treasury to retire four millions per month"; and will
endeayor to press it TO immediate vote 1t is gen
orally understood that a large majority of members
are in favor of the measure, and there will be an
effort made to preclude the debate, that 1t may 90
10 the Senate at once for their action. When this
measure shall have been disposed of, the Ways ana
Means Committee will take mp Internal Revenue
matters and endeavor TO mark out some plan which
will insure full collection Of the taxes in accord
ance with the views and recommendations of Secre-
tary McCulloch and Commissioner Rollins. The
Committee are determined to secure, if possible.
full collection of the tax whisky, tobacco, petro
lenm. &C. 50 that the duties other articles of con-
sumption NAV be reduced 10 the lowest limited |
figure.
Ii has evidently not occurred 10 either the Presi
dent his friends or the general public, that the act
@. February 20 1863 referred to III these dispatches
last evening may regulate Gen. Grants tenure of
Office as acting Secretary of War. The language OF
that act is that when some officer of the Government
either the head OF Bureau OF otherwise, is designat-
cd bv the President to occupy vacant office IN an
emergency he shall serve not more than
six months Gen. Grant detailed, 1T is
true. 70 act as Secretary of War, dd in
trim. bv virtue of the Presidents authority
~ Commander-in-Ch Chief but under the provisions of
the act of February 90 1861, such detail can be
made for longer period than six months and hence
rs Cen Grant was placed the War office in Au-
gust his term will expire in February and the Presl-
dent will have to make another selection or violate
the law Such are the views expressed tonight by
members of Congress who have been discussing the
paragraph on this subject in last nights dispatches
from this bureau.
Senator Wilson has received letter from an army
officer in South Carolina assuring him of the triumph
of the Republican party IN that State 1t says that
returns from a districts show that ont Of 96GS regis
tered voters 81 4sl have voted, showing majority of
2qj against the policy of maction.
The following statement of the collection returns
ON distilled spirits during the fiscal year ending June
80 was sent to the House to-day by the Secretary of
the Treasury in compliance with resolution of that
body: ..o,,- -,
Alabama ....... l5s,20 81 Virginia 49,. S5o4!5 %
Arkansas ...... 4Sil5O 90 Washington Ter 1880 ~
Arizona. ......... Nothing West Nirgnia ~ 9lg 50
California 7s9 $50 "a Wisconsin,. A75,S9 IS
colorado .... 1888 ~ NeWJersey..... I2ifssi 81
Connecticut ... 1Sj,i62 5o 2d District nothing