New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-01-24
WASHINGTON.
REPEAL OF THE COTTON TAx-GEs. GRANT AND
THE PRESIDENT-THE CASE OF SENATOR
THOMAS OF MARYLAND-THE OVERLAND
MAIL TO CALIFORNIA.

WASHINGTON, thursday, Jan. %, 1868.
The Conference Committee on the cotton tax hayo
agreed The tax is repealed, and imported cot
ton is to be admitted after July next duty free.
Last evening between and 10 O'Clock, Mr. John
son granted AZ interview TO two correspondents OF
New-York Democratic papers. and, after some az
sumed reluctance oil his part. gave them what pur-
ports TO be the statements OF four members OF the
| Cabinet relative TO the alleged understanding be-
tween him (Alr. Johnson and Gen. Grant on the sub
ec of the restoration of Secretary Stanton. McCnl-
| loch, Randall, Weles, and Browning tho
| four Cabinet officers whose testimony is adduced
| The documents which have been thus made public
are said to be in manuscript at the Whlte-liouse aud
among them is letter from Cen sherman on tho
same subject, which Mr. Johnson. Tor ms own pur-
poses did not see fit to give to the world. In reply
| to these communications, your correspondent ~
authorized to say that the statements thus pnt forth
| are untrue and that neither the President
| nor any one of the Secretaries dare publish
| over their signatures what is thus at
| tributed to them by irresponsible parties. Gen.
Grants friends assert that it is conspiracy to
| weaken him with the loyal people OF the country.
] and that Johnson who thus stabs HIM IN the dark.
has, since the surrender of the War Department as
sured Gen. Grant again and again of his confidence
esteem and respect. They also assert that
| Mr. Johnson does not publish the Sherman letter,
| that Gen. Sherman il oognizant of all the facts
| in the case and that the President stated in Gen.
Shermans presence to Gen. Grant Immediately AFTER
the first attack, that it wholly unauthorized by
him. Gen. Grant, from his position, is precluded
from replying to these assaults but when they arc
made in an official form they will be denied officially
by him Meanwhile, have authority for giving the
report the most unqualified contradiction.
The friends of Senator Thomas of Maryland feel
disheartened since the delivery OF Mr. Doolittle's
aaV
that that speech has greatly injured 1homas's
chances for admission. The opponents OF Gov.
Swami of Maryland very active in Thonias's
favor They say that although Thomas
was a Rebel and is still in sympathy
with those who engaged 10 Rebel
lion. yet he is preferable to Gov. Swami. They
are of opinion that should Thomas be refused adns-
sion the Maryland Legislature will send Swami IN
his place.
In the Senate to-day the entire session was taken
I'D in the discussion of the Reconstruction bill.
Mr.. Doolittle opened with three hours speech
against the Congressional policy He attracted
marked attention but declined TO be interrupted
with questions as his speech was all prepared
in manuscript. At 81 p. NJ. Mr.. Trumbnll
made a very effective speech of an hours length In
the course of his remarks he said he did not believe
the report that majority of the Supreme Court con-
slider the Reconstruction bill unconstitutional Mr.
Martin has the floor for tomorrow, and will make
all elaborate speech
resolution was introduced into the House yester-
day by Gen. Butler, nstructing the Ways and Means
Committee to devise measure by which DIS
titled spirits of American manufacture may he ex-
ported under the law. The Schenck bill of January
H. proposed at one sweep of the pen, TO destroy the
whole export trade of the country and lock
up as in Theoretically sealed packages nearly
10000 barrels Of whisky and alcohol. Instead
| of causing the bonded warehouses to be
closed up the Committee intmated it would. they
were simply embalmed, for the bill did not allow a
package to be removed even for the purpose OF
cleaning out the warehouses At least such was the
construction attempted to be placed upon it by the
Internal Revenue officials until within the past three
or four days. 1t is only necessary TO provide
| that spirits may be exported i'll bond.
and transported from the interior to the seaboam
for export on bills of lading provided for before
the passage of the late act-any attempt to compel
| prior payment of the tax. and then allow draw
back upon the return of Consular landing certificate
| will fail and the Government will be swindled out
of immense sums by the connivance of the general
inspectors at home and the Consular attaches abroad
| with the exporters. Such was the case when
the drawback was allowed on exported tobacco.
there having been much more money re-
funded as drawbackIthan was ever received for
l IL
necessary that our export warehouses shall be des
ignated in each large seaport city through which
all spirits for export shall pass These views are con-
Cured in by all the practical men involved, incud-
ing many officials with whom have conversed. and
there is reason believe that the bill to be reported
by the Committee within few days will embody
them.
In the House to-day nothing of importance was
done. An amendment to the Bounty bill. allowing
heirs to draw the bounty in cases where soldiers
have died. OF NAV die before their claims have been
settled was passed.
Shortly after o'clock the death of the late Hon.
G.. = Hamilton of Ohio was announced. Mr.. Hamil-
| ton il will be remembered, murdered by his
| few days ago.
The Senate Post Office Committee had under con-
sideraton to-day the question of granting subsidy TO
establish line of steamers between New-l0rk and
Liverpool. The matter was discussed at great
length. but no decision reached. The Commit
tee agreed 10 report the House bill removing the re-
strction OH all matter carried overland TO Calforns
in the United States mail. AT present nothing out
letters are allowed TO go in the mall. ihis
will enable publishers and stationes 70 Sehu
all printed and other matter through the mais
across the Plains and through the Territories winch
will quadruple the amount of matter to be sent ana
render necessary new contracts for the overland ser
| vice which is now performed by Wells, Fargo N Co.,
who aege that il will be impossible TO carry the iu
creased weight in their stages and Will neccssita's
| the abandonment of their contract for what 'ney
now receive. 81, 100000 per annum.
The Ways and Means Committee to-day had UNDER
consideration the various propositions before them
| of taxing tobacco. They viii resume 1t again To-
morrow and continue it until the matter is disposed
| nh. Ia yiv aal tha