The New York herald., 1868-03-16

! ------ WAsHN0ToN. March IS Is6s
ssa.essss scars.~Fhe Grsss Chief Of ne War
T. Omee AusicipasinG N Attack frsn IN Army
IL Ia understood tonight that the expectation Of an
attack from the Virginia shore has within the past
few days taken more substantial form than was at
first anticipated It Ii known that an order has Just
been issued in the War Department directing forty
army wagons, with teams and teamsters TO be kept
IN readiness to move at moments notice for the
transportation Of supplies. Private orders have also
been issued TO the commanders OF garrsons about
the city to keep their commands, both officers and
men, in quarters.
Serious Illness Of Thad stevens.
Since the excitement OF Friday last the health of
Thad Stevens has assumed more serious evidence
OF decline than at any other time since his arrival
here and it is thought by those intimately acquaint
ed with every phase of his failing condition that 1t Is
very doubtful whether he will again be able to leave
his room. Mr.. Stevens has negro servant towards
whom he has always been particularly kind, and
every morning upon entering his room he calls him
by name. This morning. his servant entering the
room as usual Mr.. Stevens was observed to look at
him intently, but apparently failed TO recognize him.
This indication OF so great change observed by
several OF Mr. Stevens household who were In the
room at the time. Several Members OF Congress
who called to-day upon business OF an important
nature were requested not to insist upon seeing Mr..
Stevens. The greatest fears are now entertained
that Mr.. Stevens days OF duty have ended.
The Anticipated Disturbances In Tennessee.
The Tennessee members OF Congress, OF whom In
quiry has been made, know nothing OF the truth of
the apprehended political trouble In that State
beyond the newspaper reports. There is no doubt,
however that the military authorities here, on appi-
cation short time ago. ordered force Of cavalry to
assist the internal officers in enforcing the
laws and 10 suppress the whiskey rebellion in East
Tennessee.
The Whiskey Tax.
The Director of the Bureau OF Statistics in reply to
communication from Congressional committee
on the subject OF the whiskey tax. shows that the
proportion which 1t now bears our whole revenue
is fifteen, about seven per cent and that
during the period nom 1914 to 1917, when similar
taxes were levied, 1t amounted to the same proper
tion 10 the total revenue. As the revenues from
distilled spirits made up Of taxes production,
taxes on sales and license taxes, their fund appears
20 prove that the limit to which domestic spirits Is
capable OF yielding taxes is seven per cent OF the
total amount reaiizable when taxation Is at the maxi
mum. There is evidently limit to the amount to
which any given article Will yield revenue and in the
case Of distilled spirits this limit have been
already allowed. In connection with this important
deduction the consumption Of distilled spirits during
the period Of 1892 to 1901, and again from 1914 to
1877 and again in 1850, was three gallons per capita
OF the population. Cness the use of distilled spirits
has declined since 1850 our present consumption
must be over one hundred millions OF gallons per
annum.