New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-11-23


MENr REPORT.
TO rsK TRIBUNE
WASHINGTON, Friday Nov. %, 1861.
There is much speculation IN the city to-nlght rs
the future action of Congress. What will Con-
gress do !" is the great and absorbing topic OF con
versatOE everywhere, from the highest diplomatic
circle down TO the lowest ward political debating
club. 1t is discussed everywhere, and various and
widely different are the surmises and prophecies on
that subject. The general opinion among Congress-
men, however, appears to be that the hnanclai
question will be the first business OF any
importance in the regular December session,
after some disposition shall have been made
Of the impeachment testimony and report. ANY
thing in reference to the contraction or expansion OIL
the currency rvets the attention OF everybody ahd
in fact, everybody will talk of nothing else. Con-
gressmen, the mercantile community, and the coun-
try generally universally interested IN the SUD-
ect and from conversation with prominent legsla-
tors it is learned that that question will be brought
Immediately before Congress for their delibera-
ton and action. Already the lines are beng
drawn, and the forces are marshalling under
the respective banners of contractionists and
expansonists Under the law as it at present stands,
it is discretionary with the Secretary the Treasury
TO retire four millions per month. This, Secretary
months, and, as recent events develop bis course
provokes the opposition and hostility OF many OF the
Western and Northwestern members. They COM
plain that even so small contraction hampers bus-
ness and causes a tightness of the money market
particularly in their sections With view to prevent
such action on the part of Mr.. McCnlloch IN the
future the gentlemen above alluded to purpose 10
introduce bill Immediately abolishing all previous
legislation the subectso as to prevent any 1rther
contraction. They intend not only to do this, but
also to authorize reissue to relieve the monetary
pressure now existing. A majority of the Honse Is
said TO favor these views far further contraction
il concerned but il is understood that members are
averse to authorizing a reissue Whatever
action the House may take in the mat
ter the Senate will not agree to any
plan looking to further expansion though the ex-
pansionsts claim that they have majority even
there Altogether, the subject occasions great deal
of excitement and calls forth much earnest discus
sion. In this connection it may be mentioned that
several members of Congress called on the secretary
of the Treasury to-day to endeayOr 70 OBTAIN DIS
views and get some iDlling of the forthcoming re-
port Mr. McCuoch informed them that he had no
new financial theories to PROFOUND; that he
believed his present policy with niue au-
ditional legislation, giving him enlarged
safely through the crisis The definite organization
of the Committees is locked in the profoundest
mystery and every effort far to wrench the secret
from the bosom of Mr. Colfax has met with an over
yhelminp defeat As may be supposed the subject
occasions good deal of talk, and those interested
anxiously devour every crumb of information on the
subject The latest general impression IS that Gen
Garfield will be Chairman OF the COMMITTEE on
Ways and Means This is the choice Committee OF
the House. and great many members are open IN
the avowal of their desire TO be on It, great part
of the legislation of Congress win be upon the sub
iects which come within the province OF this Com
mittee and consequently every one Is anxious TO De
on il.
Several Senators and Representatives have called
on Secretary Stanton mainly for the purpose OF ehc
iting his views on his suspension. Mr. stanton
stated that he had no desire whatever to resume his
position in the War Department but he thought
that Congress should take some action in the mat
fer and make his case test under the Tenure
ofOfice bill with view to rebuke MI
Johnson for his unwaTantable assumption OF
mower Gen Averil has a long list OF
friends and admirers in town, who are pressing
him for Mr.. Stanton's place as Secretary OF war.
Gen Averill has not a very bad record, and as 1t Is
alleged that he was for reason or other victim
of the late Secretary's ire, it Is not impossible that
he may secure the nomination. lie would be more
accountable 10 the Senate than any other johnson
man in the country.
There are many rumOrs ahoat to-day regard
ing the forthcoming report of the House judi
ciarv Committee on Impeachment. 1t is stated very
positively that majority OF the new members OF
the Committee have agreed TO report IN favor OF I'M
peachment. This is hardly probable, as all the mem
beers of the Committee are very silent about ther
report and beside the Committee has yet TO hoId
two meetings before they take vote on the question
The House committed on the Judiciary VIII hold
meeting tomorrow for the purpose OF agreeing upon
their reports on the impeachment case. Representa-
five Wilson of Iowa. the Chairman, has written an
elaborate report Representatives Eldridge and
Marshal Democrats have, it is understood, reduced
their views to writing, while separate papers nave
been prepared by Representatives Williams, Bout
well and Lawrence. The three last-named papers
may be harmonized so as to form but one report OF
the four members in the minority, who are i'll favor
of arragning the President What the report OF the
majority three republicans and two Democrats
Will be- is not at this time even matter OF conjec-
ture The question will be determined tomorrow
Official news has been received that the treatyafor
selling two of the Danish West India Islands TO the
United States for S. in gold has been recently
signed at Copenhagen. Denmark retains Santa
Croce. The population of the newly-acqulred 40
minion is not sufficient to constitute State, SO that
il will have to remain for some time territory
Secretary McCulloch's annual report is completed
and a copy has been presented TO the President. lt
is understood that Mr. McCullOch makes strong ar
oument in favor of continuing the policy OF con-
fraction of the currency according to the terms OF
the present law, at the rate of four millions per
month
From the reports of the heads of the different de-
rortnents il is understood that the estimates for the
coming fiscal year will be much larger than the APP
inns renniIed last wear. The report of Cen