New-York tribune., 1868-12-31

IiENI EXPESSES-NEW-lEAIiS RS DAY.
WASHINGTON, Wednesday, Dee. 80, 1868
The change in the British Cabinet has not seriously
,elayed the Alabama negotiations Minister Johnson
tas telegraphed that the British Government accepts
AIR Seward's amendments and agrees to abolish the
dstinction between the Alabama claims and the
oher claims which the original draft of the protocol
cniained. Great Britain also accepts Mr.. Stewards
amendment that majority of the Commissioners of
Arbitration shall be sufficient to decide any case, and
Il further agreed that the Commission shall sit in
Washington, and that the selection Of the umpire
shal be subject TO ratification by the Senate.
The Chilian Government has officially sgnifed its
Acceptance of the proposition made by Govern
ment for peace conference with Peru and Bolivia,
,d processes It's readiness to enter upon the debera
lions IL insists that during this conference things
sail stand IN the condition of truce and this will
,obabiy be consented 60 BY other parties as IT
amounts to about the same thing in tht sI@ Inc con-
ference is to meet in Washington this Winter.
The military authorities in this City have for some
tine been dissatisfied with the condition of things in
Arkansas. Gov. Clayton isregarded as having trans
csnded his powers and some Of the troubles now
sgatng that State are believed Ia have arisen from
bsiujudicious course. 1t is we'll understood. how
syer on the other hand that the eX-Iebes are very
Somonstrative and considerable allowance is made
for the Governor on this account 1t is hoped that
will contribute to q clearer understanding of the sit
uatiOn.
Supervisor Creecy of Louisiana arrived here to-day.
after an absence of only two weeks during which he
has rendered valuable service in New Orleans toward
breaking up the whisky rings of that city, which he
describes as being the most formidable in the country
He viii report to the Department the full extent OF
bis labOrs and obtain additional instructions return
inc TO his post next week
Gen. Grant was at his headquarters until noon to-
DAY. attending to the business of the Army. Ac-
rompanied by his family and two members Of his
staff he took the 1880 train for Baltimore. where he
will remain until Thursday. IIe goes thence To
Philadelphia and viii return 10 this city early next
week.
The Subj Committee of the House Judiciary Com
mittee. appointed to investigate charges made by
Henry c. Simple and Robert H. Smith, two attor-
ncys of Alabama, against Judge Busteed met to-
day at IL o'clock. Only two members of the Com
mittee Messrs Woodbridge and Eldrdge attended.
Judge Bustocd was present and Wm. f. Chandler,
formerly Assistant Secretary Of the Treasury was at
his side as his counsel Neither AIR. Smith nor any
of his witnesses appeared. Mr.. Simple with
four of his witnesses was present lie
Committee determined nor TO make the testimony
patlc. Josiah Morris and J. r. Powell were on the
witness stand upward Of four hours aud il Is under
stood that they were subjected 10 rigid clossex-
animation The Committee viii hold daily sessions
until the charges arc disposed Of It's remarked by
Judge Buseeds friends as fact IN his favor that no
complaint of his administration comes from the
Northern District of Alabama, which comprises
third OF that State, aud which WAS loyal during
the Rebellion.
The Committee Appropriations was m Ses-
sion again to-day engaged at length on the Lcesla
tive and Executive appropriation bills The osti-
-. L. do
pay of clerks and for expenses were rigdy scanned
and twas agreed that several hundred clerks III the
Treasury Interior, and other Departments shond be
cut Oft This reduction Is deemed possible IN view
OF the fact that the large amount of busintss arising
ont of the late war such bountIos, pensions, %c,
has been mostly disposed of.
Since the act Of Congress requiring the speciica-
tions Of patents TO be printed at the Government
printing Office and not 10y contract with individuals
went into effect, il s estimated by superintendent
Dcfrees that saving 20 the Government has been
effected amounting to $7500o
Extensive preparations are being made on al sides
for the celebration Of Ncw-Ycars dag in dis city.
The White House is beiug put in holiday trim aud
the residences OF the Ministers, Cabinet officers and
other functionaIies are also undergoing repairs.
From present indications. II is inferred that good
sleighine will add To the festivities The Presidents
reception will begin at II o'clock. and end at e The
ViccPresdcnt elect and the members OF tlfv Cabinet
will receive callers from u TO o'clock.
Amovemont is on foot 10 organize society COM
uosed of the officers of The old armies OF the Io-
tornac similar 10 those Of the Western armies and
circular was received to-day By several army officers
here. from Gems Duttcriicd and lnealls OF New
York. inviting their cooperation IN q Convention,
which Is announced 10 convene in this city On INC
22d OF February.
Gen Grant has ordered that mammoth powder only
shall Dc used in firing the Glteeninch guns the use
Of any other is expressly forbidden until means Tor
checking the recoil are applied TO all carriages NO
charge greater than fifty pounds OF mammoth powder
IA 10 be nsed without instructions from the ordnance
Office In all firing. the Generals order remarks Tie
chassis rails should be well saDdcd
carpenter in this city prizes among hlh be,l
treasures a scrap Ot paper on which IS WI1tten II
von have a piece OF board 70 spare, please let Tad
have il. A. Lincoln IL was brought 10 hlm Dy the
boy while he vas at work at the White House.
Acting Commissioner Ol Internal Kovcnbc H@lahu
has published supplemental regulations concerning
fbe tax on distilled spirits They are intended 10 Sc
care correctness and uniformity ia the monthly
TepuE5s Of Assessors: -.
It s provided that having found the quantity Of mate
rial nss IL they VIII then determine Te quantity OF sDrb
should lie ac90untcd tor from tls qua 81 Dae
RIAL md they , no more definite vi dcterml-
ln hs they viii determine from The character OF inc
material n-cd what quantity OF Spirits bushel Vi buS
material should yisd and alcula.e tle proanst, 20 ~
The namber ~ days which tho perdIem capacliy taS
IS 10 be assessed the whole number since me dare OF
the commencement jn the mouth Inclusive, icss su!h
and the days which operations bayo been FgdhS ss
pcpdcd. ..
The Acting Commissioner has also sent ont instiile
tiOps concerning fiie survey OF dStlDeiJtS, h "lth
ii is said that III estimating the number o dy lucbeN
10 be allowed for fermcutaiOD, the Assessor ana pei
son designated to aid INN pust OF conLH DC 9o'eIncu
in q great measure by tho depth OF The IfrWtilDg
fnls FROM tho best information received il Is be
lisyed that fair allowance VIII be from lnice !"