New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-01-23

former occupied Mr. Raymond's seat He was,en-
gagged most of the tiT1 in writing his name in auto
graph albums for the pages
The Ways and Means Committee went over the
Tax bill this morning and voted on several amend
ments The only one Of importance considered was
that of eXcmpting all incomes below Sl,UoO, winch
was recommended by the Commissioner of Internal
Revenue in his report. The Committee have not
passed upon any of the more important items, such
as the repeal Of the five per cent tax on manufac-
lures and the reduction Of the fax on whisky. When
Congress assembled in December, the Committee de
cided make fftymillions reduction i'll the Revenue
bill The rapid falling off in the receipts of Internal
Revenue has induced the Committee to change the
figures of reduction totwenty millions.
The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs con
sUned the entire session to-day in considering mat
cIs connected with the Paris Exposition. ltappears
that the Commissioners who have charge OF matters
in New-YoTk have asked for an additional appropra-
ton of $4,000 to carry ont the plans which they
have in contemplation. The Committee viii prob
abby reduce the appropriation asked for to about
100000.
The House Military Committee will shortly intro
duce a resolution authorizing the President TO issue
certificates of muster and discharge to all honOrably
DISCHARGED Volunteer officers The design of this il
to furnish such officers with a suitable evidence and
memorial of their service. The Committee has de-
cided to report a bill transferring the control OF the
Bureau of Indian Affairs from the Interior to the
War Department. The Secretary of War and the
Observation-Disclosures have recommended the pas
sage of a bill granting the of n portion OF the
Fort Leayenworh Military Reservation for a public
road, in compliance with petition of the City Coun-
ell of LcayenwOrth.
Gen. Banks was before the New-Orleans Committee
to-day and gave evidence regarding the character of
the Convention held during his command, and his
opinions as to lie legality, &c.
The motion Of Representative Cook of Illinois,
passed on the 18th inst. nstructing the Joint Com
mittee Retrenchment to inquire into the sale OF
gold and certain other matters relating 10 the As
sStant TrcasuTers office in NewYOrll, was the lead
ing reason for the summonIng here Of Assistant
Treasurer Van Dyck who to-day had long inter
view with the Committee, and made satisfactory ex-
plantations of all matters relating TO his official du
ties The passage of the Gold bill by the House yes
terday relieves Mr. Van Dyck from further examna-
ton.
1t is understood in Treasury circles to-day that the
position of the Department with reference 10 the
sale of gold will not DO changed by the bill just
passed. but that for the present the sales will he
confined as for some time past to the daily receipts
from customs, when the same shall be regarded
necessary. There is indeed no virtual change made
in Mr. Cullochs former power only that public notice
is to he made of all contemplated sales 1t is thought
probable the Finance Committee of the Senate may
amend the bill by making it specific i'll the de-
tails.
1t appears from the official statement that the
total issue of Fiye-twenty bonds under the act Of
March s. 1865 was the first of January, 1861 $780,
6G5,350, of which amount there had been Issued IN
conversions viz: Of compound interest notes, $53-
rs of five per cent notes $500 7OO of 40 notes,
sos 2j5 400; certificates of indebtedness, $4,000
Total, $lG29ll ,Sj0 leaving 10 be accounted Tor as
sales sl03 $4,000. The ayas of the bonds have been
used in the purchase of go notes 10 the amount of
Sl 2l2 80 and the balance in retiring compound in
tecst notes certificates Of indebtedness and tempo
rary loan. The premium on the sil,2l2,2JO of 40
notes purchased under the acts Of June 1864, and.
March, 1865, was Sl,524,S99; interest on the same
s76s 2S6 Total $f3504,93j. The sales Of SO bonds
amounted TO $lO3 1j3 800; premium, sj96.3lj. Total
80 The commissions paid on the sale OF
the $40 bonds are follows: To Jay Cooke n Co.,
on $G7 800 7OO at the rate Of 18th per cent sSiS; to
=. " Myers d Co.. on $3,l61,j00, at the same rate,
$3.50. Total compensation, $ss,s72. The commits
sions paid account Of 100 notes are as follows; To
Jay Cooke & Co.. $94675OO, at rate of 9Th per cent,
sll, s34 Winsow Lanier Il Co., $4,000, same rate,
SGO7; p NJ. Myers Il Co. $ij0,JJO, same rate, SOS,
Total compensation, $4,000.
cation from the Secretary Of the Treasury in answer
to resolution of that body concerning tho loss of
the steamers Evcning.Sta and the Commodore The
examination he says. into the facts of the latter
case was very carefully made, and though it de-
velops so great disregard Of the provisions OF law
and Of regulations governing this class OF vessels,
and Of the lives of the passengers and on board
he regrets to remark that 1t is by no means OF an
exceptional character in the absence Of loss OF
life. Our merchant marine service Is believed to
abound with incompetent officers and it is not only
necessary to hold them and shipOwners 10 % strict
accountability as TO the condition and equipment OF
their vessels and the competency of the crews
engaged, but they must be required TO consult
and adapt their navigation to the ordinary
safeguards with which science has provided
them or neglect them at their personal peril To this
end the legislation must he adequate and radical IL
must 20 at once 10 the causes from which the dsas
ters ensue, and remove them. II must place respon-
sibiity on the shoulders OF men who defy the law
and seem 10 court action on the destruction of their
vessels known TO be aged, worthless, ungeaworhy
ere they sailed. These men, after the occur
renee Of a calamity in which they had been
the principal actors and which might have
been avoided luumanely speaking, had they
exercised q wise prCcauGOn, became cmboldcned by
the facilities now presented for escaping the conse-
quences Of their crime and held themselves IN readi-
ness 10 risk the enactment Of another. This must be
peremptory met by stringent provisions Of law, both
against the masters and the owners. Indeed the re-
port on the circumstances eliminating in the loss of the
Commodore and the Evening Star, demonstrate fully
the necessity of speedy and Just legislation at the
hands Of Congress TO guard against such calamtics
and provide, before the danger is incurred for the
ff "a