New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-12-18
81 1rlEoR4ru TO TEE TRIBUNE

CIAL BILL-THF TWO CONTRACTION BILLS
81 TuIEsR4Fn
WAsHINGToN Tuesday, Dec H. 1861
The Secretary Of the Treasury N view OF Ine ue-
messed condition of monetary affairs ana oil the
industrial interests Of the country especially III the
Northwest and in the South, will not insist upon
any further contraction of the currency tOr the
present but is rather disposed TO increase II III such
districts as will relieve those interests The Secretary
II is understood favors the financial measures re-
ported to the Senate for consolidating the bonds and
proyidng for a foreign loan, which will, It IS eN-
nected very materially aid the Government in bring
ing about resumption.
The House Committee on Banking and Currency
today authorized Mr.. HoopertO report bill pro
viding that all United States and National Bank
notes shall be subject to taxation in the same manner
as other property is taxed but at no higher rate The
Committee intend to report it Immediately to the
House. with view to securing immediate action
on it.
The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs had a
long discussion to-day on the various propositions
before them, and among other things looked over
Senator Wilson'S bill reducing and consolidating the
consular force They determined, however 20 take
no action on this measure until after the holidays
when the Committee propose to prepare some piac-
teal legislation on the subject The consideration OF
the several treaties, among others the DANISH so
over until the same time.
Mr. Sherman in introducing his Funding bill in
the Senate to-day said the Finance Committee were
not agreed the details as reported and that he had
no doubt some important notifications and amend
ments would be suggested when the bill came up for
action which would not be till after the holidays.
Before entering upon the consideration Of the bills
for an increase in the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES and
Subsistence Departments of the Army, the Commit
tee propose to decide whether they will recommend
any decrease in the present military establishment.
If such decrease shall be determined addition
TO the present force in the Departments abOyenamed
will be necessary.
There continues to be pressure for the extension
of the benefits of additional bounty, but the feeling
in favor of economy makes it doubtful whether any
bill Will pass this session, involving the expenditure
of any more money than is absolutely necessary
There is a material difference it is claimed be-
tween the anti Contraction bill of the House and that
reportec to-day in the Senate The former stops all
contraction and canceng of notes, while the latter
only applies TO the four millions month which the
Secretary is authorised by law to contract. Gen.
Schenck and other members OF the House Ways and
Means Committee are dissatisfied with the Senate
BILL and say that even after its passage the Secrc-
tary can contract by caneelng compound interest
and other notes. Mr. Sherman, in private converse
ton to-day said he should not call up the anti-Con-
traction bill until the Funding bill was disposed o.
and that if the latter passed there would be no
necessity for the former.
No action was reached by the Senate on the bill to
repeal the cotton tax. 1t debated all day and II
is doubtful if any result be reached before the ho-
DAYS and the belief is strengthening that instead OF
being repealed the tax will be reduced 10 one cent
The House Military Committee to-day instructed
the Chairman to report bill authorizing the Secre-
tary of War to issue discharges TO such men were
relieved from disabilities deserters by the law
passed at the July session of the present Congress
This class comprises all those who left their com
ands after the close of the war and were placed on
the rolls as deserter. These discharges are not to
entite them to pay or bounty The bill also repeats
the section of the law passed IN 1861 depriNng de-
serters of all rights to citizenship.
No business of interest or Importance done
IN the House to-day. Most of the time oc-
cupied in speechmaking by members. The reading
OF Gen. Grants letter on the removal of Secretary
Stanton and Gems Sheridan and Siclles created
great excitement among the members. The Repub-
licans generally seemed particularly happy, while
their Democratic brethren were correspondence Oe-
pressed.
The regular meeting of the Sailors and soldiers
Union was held last night A letter from the Ma,
tiOnal Republican Executive Committee was received
and read Mr.. Morse, from the Committee appointed
IN relation TO a National Convention, reported ihat
there had been a conference OF prominent soldiers
during the evening, aud a committee appointed 10
prepaTe q call for such convention, and, with view
10 render the assembly spirited and effective one,
to open correspondence with leading nniit3Iy men
throughout the country. The Committee had de
cided TO hold another conference the Sth prOXmo
when they would decide whether TO issue the call or
not. A number Of addresses were delivered by us-
1nguished speakers. - ~
Yard on Saturday and yesterday and II IS sand that
further discharge Will fs s6 place S, a ~ t'
smith shop. and from the plumbers department.
In the list of Yeas and nays on the motion Yester-
dav TO suspend the rules to allow Gen Butler to in
froduce ms bill relating to Government bonds, sew
eral omissions made. Gen, hetCham was present
in his seat and voted against suspendlng the rules
though IN the Associated iiess HSu nis n"n'o -
The President to-day nominated Oliver B. Brad
ford tc be Consul TO Brunai. BOrncO. and Edward
Higgins Secretary to Utah Territory. Ii mot prob
able that the President will make any NOMINATIONS
for foreign missions until Congress cOnNeheS ih Jan
An unusually large number of visitors principally
Congressman, were at the White liou>e to-nlgh ana
the President was engaged unth nearly IL O'CLOCK
congressman are already leaving for their homes
20 spend the holidays, and the probability is mar
there viii scarcely be quorum IN the Rouse on
Friday next, the day OF the adjournment Tor the
Secretary Seward to-day presented to President
johnson Chambilain Christensen, the Danish Com
missioner and Capt HedeTman of the Danish navy,
both of whom the Secretary dined last saturday.
There were also present at the interview the keV.
limited States connected with the acquisition OF the
Danish West India Islands, and Commodore Boggs;
who brought the parties 10 tins country III the United
Breyet Col. W. NJ Kilgour, Captain 41st United
States Infantry, to-day relieved from the army
by Gen Grant pursuant TO orders OF fresueht JONI
son Col Kilgour has been incapacitated from act
i've service on account Of wounds received ouihs
The President to-dey nominated TO the Senate
Oliver b. Bradford OF Pennsylvania, TO he Consul al
Bruna, Borneo; Edward Higgins OF MicIigan, S1g -