New-York tribune., 1868-01-18

Br rsLxcHAPH 7 TRIBUNE
WAsnINGI0S, Friday. jan II, 1868.
Gen. Grant, President johnson, and Secretary
Stanton still supply the staple topics of conversation
to the political and other circles of Washington AT
one time it is the President who is the stage then
the General and again the Secretary OF War; either
playing his great little part, as the case may De-
and applauded on this side and condemned ON that.
Gen. Grant, however, is the central ngure ana aii
eyes are intently fixed on him. Very many people are
exceedingly uneasy that he does not speak httie
more and are putting all sorts Of speeches into his
mouth such speeches as they think he ought TO make
but does not His appearance on the floor OF the House
Yesterday when reconstruction was being debated
has led TO all sorts of stories in reference to his
views on that particular point 1t was inferred I'M
medately that he wished the bill pending before the
House changed sOmewhat--that he did not want INC
appointment of the district commanders thrown into
his hands But Gen. Grant did not speak one WORD
on the subject, and merely came there to listen 10
the fervid eoquence of honorable members. The
General, so far from volunteering opinions, minded
his own business, as he said he always did in some
recently published evidence, and contented himself
with commenting the rhetoric of bis friends. When
the subject of reconstruction comes before Gen.
Grant. he will decide upon it, and not until then.
Secretary Stanton is at the War Department, ap-
parently quite happy and contented. He receives
his friends very cordially, and disposes OF all the
business that comes before him with his usual
promptness and dispatch Senator'S Fessenden,
Cameron. Anthony and Wilson, and swarm OF
Representatives, called him today, with all of
whom he had pleasant interviews
The Presidents organ here will, in tomorrows
issue contain an official statement from Mr. johnson
to the effect that several members of his Cabinet
to-day compared notes of the Cabinet meeting held
on last Thursday and all agreed that at that meeting
Gen. Grant acknowledged that he had made an agree
ment with the President that he would give HIM
timely warning of what he would do should the
Senate reinstate Mr. Stanton in the War Department.
The same article will call on Gen. Grant to explain,
which of course he will dO-in his usual way.
The WAYS and Means Committee have adopted the
basis upon which the tax bill is to be framed, and
will proceed TO its consideration at an early date,
with the view Of maturing 1t as early as possible.
They will endeavor 10 reduce taxation on the indus
trial pursuits and make effort TO collect the reve-
nue. from articles of luxury. Tho estimate for the
next fiscal year is GEO. which, they are salts
fed. can he collected mostly from: First distilled
spirits: second tobacco and the manufactures
of tobacco; third. stamps; fourth special taxes;
fifth, ncome sixth. dividends seventh, luxu-
ries and amusements; eighth, banks and railroads;
and ninth legacies and SUGGESTIONS; all this pro-
vded that the law is made so stringent that fraud,
corruption, and peculatlOn are completely stopped.
In regard the reduction of the tax on whisky the
Committee have not yet come to any conclusion, but
are getting all the information they can on the sub
ject 1t seems to be very generally conceded, how
ever that some reduction will be proposed, but the
Committee are anxious to obtain the sense of the
II a. e thav
do not desire to bring in bill that will not be accept
able TO Congress.
There has transpired here a matter which, unless
reports received during the past three days grossly
exaggerated seriously affects the interests of several
New York banks. The Controller Of the Currency
and Secretary of the Treasury have received COM
plants that the capital of certain National Banks
was being used in stock specuatons, in violation of
the National Currency act 1t is alleged that officers
of the banks involving their stability by loanng
great sums Oh fancy railroad stocks at inflated prices.
The Secretary has ordered an immediate investiga-
tion to be made by the examiners with view, II the
complaints well founded, of compelling the banks
TO comply with the requirements of the National
Currency act The defacation Of Leverch, teller Of
the City Bank, in consequence OF speculatlons In
Rock Island said TO have precptated this action.
The House Military Committee to-day had a long
discussion on the question of reducing the army
and il is understood came to the conclusion that 1t
is not advisable at present TO cut down the military
forces further than will be accomplished by the recent
orders of Gen. Grant. 1t appears from data before
the Committee that nearly half OF our troops are
in the Southern States and that until the work of Re-
construction complete their services necessary,
large portion of troops are in the Indian country
guarding telegraph lines, wagon routes, &c, and SO
l.o ha,, l1a thara fha
force hardly adequate TO the discharge of the work
required Gen. Grant is of opinion that until
that time arrives he cannot spare a man. He
retained in service.
The House Pacific Railroad Committee to-day au-
thorzed their Chairman to report bill nstructiDg
the Secretary of the Interior to allow the public
lands along the lines Of the various railroads which
have been withdrawn from market 10 be opened for
This course will enable the country
through which they pass 10 be speedily settled and
improved, and materially aid in protecting the lines
of those roads and in short time relieve the mill
tary which are now stationed guards along the
yarions routes.
The Senate was not in session to-day. The Recon
sructon debate was continued in the House to-day.
consuming most of the session. Mr.. Bingham. who
has charge of the BILL is very liberal with the large
number of members who wish to speak on the sub
ject. Previously lie had gwen notice that he would
call the previous question to-day but not wishing to
rush matters unnecessarily. he agreed to-day not to
close the debate until Monday. IL also agreed to
devote all day tomorrow TO speech-msking on the
bill IL 3 vote is taken on Monday, then there will
have been seven days allowed for debate. Counting
tho night session Of yesterday as equivalent to
ono days session. all, both Republicans
aud Democrats seem satisfied with the ample
time allowed them to debate this matter and after
the bill is disposed of there cannot be any grumb-