New-York tribune., 1868-02-01
WASHINGTON.
OHIO ON THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
THE COrToS-TAX BnL-BOSTON BOARD OF
TRADE-INFAMOuS SLANDER EXPOSED.

| In the Senate to-day Mr.. Sherman presented the
resolution of the Ohio Legislature resembling the
ratification of the fourteenth amendment, together
with the protest of the Republican members of that
| body, denouncing the decision as not representing
| the wishes of the people. A debate occurred, in
which Senators Sherman Sumner, and others pro-
nounced this act of the Legislature wholly unprecc-
dented, and Reverdy Johnson admitted that it had
no validity The subject was referred to the Judiciary
Committee, to inquire into and report upon. The
reconstruction debate commenced at l o'clock.
Senator Howe of Wisconsin took the floor and deliv
cred long and effective speech in vindicaton of the
| Republican policy. No other speech was made.
Reyerdy Johnson gave notice that he would call up
the resolution for the admission of his colleague on
| Monday.
| The most important part of proceedings in tho
House to-day was the passage of the Cotton Tax BILL
as amended and agreed to by the Senate. An hour
was consumed in debate the subject the high pro-
tecive tariff men opposing the Senate amendment to
repeal all duty on all imported cotton. The bill, as
finally agreed to, cxempts from tax all domestic cot
ton raised after JAM 1863 and admits free OF duty
all cotton imported after Nov. 1863. The bill now
goes to the President for his signature Only forty
three members voted in the negative, namely Messrs
Ashley of Nevada, Benjamin, Benton, Blair, Cake,
Cary. Cobb. Coburn, Coyode, Donnelly, briggs,
Lawrence lOhio). Loan. Loughrdge, Lynch, May
nard, McClurg, Mercur. Moore, Moorhead Morrell,
Pike, Polsley, Pomeroy, Sawyer, Stevens IN. H.,
Smith, Tane, Trowbridge, Van Aernam, Ward, Wei
ker. Williams of Pa and Wilson of Pa. resolu-
ton similar in character to the introduced in
Senate in regard to the action Of the Legislature OF
Ohio Oh the fourteenth amendment to the Constitution
was offered in the House and adopted 1t tinstructs the
judiciary Committee to inquire into the facts OF the
case and report Immediately upon the legality of the
action Of the Legislature in the matter. bill was
introduced by Mr.. Elliot providing for the continu-
ance OF the Freedmcns Bureau until June, 1869 The
bill goes back TO the Committee on Freedmen's Al
fairs, and probably will not be acted on for some
time. The contested election case of John Young
Brown against Sal f. Smith of the WITH District Of
Kentucky, was reported to the House, the Commit
tee deciding against both claimants. and providing
for new election. The subject debated until
the adjournment, without vote being taken. The
House meets tomorrow for regular business, instead
of merely speech-making, as is customary.
The Associated Press agency OF this city was used
last evening for the purpose of circulating an in
famous slandcr upon the Commissioner Of Internal
Revenue Mr.. Rollins and OF diusing false and
malicious paper as has appeared IN print in long
time. The document is said to have been prepared
by the Secretary Of the Treasury from official
records in his Office and represented that during
the past fiscal year, rs compared with the one be-
fore the Internal Revenue receipts had decreased
nearly sOO 0 that out Of the changes Of collectors
and assessors made within the year, l9 were brought
about on the recommendation of Nr. Rollins and
only 20 by Mr.. Johnson; that in the districts where
Mr. Rollins's appointees were placed the ave
rage losses were nearly $4,000 per district,
and that in those districts where Mr.. John
IaI la
losses averaged $4,000 per district; in other
words, that Mr.. Rollins's men stole nearly three
times as much as Mr.. ,Iohnson's. From beginning TO
end there is not one word Of truth in the statement.
The Secretary of the Treasury neither prepared nor
caused TO be prepared the document in question: and
knows nothing whatever about II. Mr. Rol-
lins did not suggest dozen changes in the De-
partmont. and the removals were made. in
most cases, against bis express wishes. The
paper was drawn mp at the instigaton of
the President, by clerk in the Treasury Depart
ment and was intended as a means Of escape from
the odium Of having placed the public purse in the
hands of gang Of thieves. Ii is charged in official
circles that the document came from the White
House: that Mr.. Johnson authorized its concoction
and publication ana that the whole transaction il of
n piece with the Grant assault-an untrue cowardy
attack upon a faithful officer.
Mr. Toby. member of the Boston Board Of Trade
and a representative OF the shipping interest of that
city, addressed the House Committee Post Offices
and Post Roads, to-day the adyisabity OF
granting subsidies toward the establishment of
lines of steamers between the United States
and Europe, from New York, Boston and Phila-
dephia. At the conclusion of Mr.. IobyS re-
marks the Committee postponed the further
consideration of the subject until their next meet
ing. II is understood that the Committee favor the
project but they consider proper that the bids for
the service should be open, and be awarded in the
same manner as to the lines between California and
China. The Senate Committee in charge of the
same department take the contrary view. and hold
that there should be no competition, but that one
two lines should be established, guaranteeing inter-
est on n certain amount of bonds for the construc-
ton of an American line of steamers to ply between
New York and other cities. The Government to pay
interest on the same. The postages and lien on the
steamers 10 be reserved as indemnity against loss.
The Military Committee of the House have IN
structed Gen. Dodge 10 report bill establishing an
arsenal at Fort David Russell Dakota Territory near
the present terminus Of the Pacific Railroad, such ar
senal to be for the supply of troops engaged IN the
Indian hosllities in that vicinity This action has
been taken on the recommendation of the War De-
nortment the cost of the work to be limited to $50
COO with a view to retrenchment The Committee
have also authorized Gen. Ketchum to report a
luton directing the Secretary of War to concentrate
the various offices and storehouses of the Department
in New-York and Brooklyn, now rented at cost of
$4,000 annually. in two buildings one for offices
and the other for stores The latter is to be situated
at some point in the harbor and the rent of both is to
be within $4,000 per annum. This will be large
saving to the Government and will greatly facilitate
the business.
The Committee on Appropriations, in reporting