FROM WASHINGTON: Discussion of Enrollment Act in the Senate; The Postal Laws Amended for the Benefit of Soldiers (1/16/1864)

New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 1/16/1864

[Homer_J_Simpson]

WASHINGTON, Friday, Jan. 15.

THE REBEL FORCES IN TEXAS.

Authentic information received by the Government reduces considerably the numbers of the rebel forces in Texas and other portions of the Southwest. The whole of MAGRUDER's force in Texas does not exceed 15,000, and the troops in Louisiana, under command of TAYLOR and other guerrilla chiefs, are put down at less than half that number. Owing to the scarcity of supplies and lack of transportation, they are so scattered as to be impotent for mischief on a large scale. The forces under MAGRUDER, it is stated, could not be concentrated in a less time than three months.

It is quite probable that the tax on all manufactured articles will be doubled before the close of the session. There is a growing sense of the importance of increasing the revenue, and Members of Congress are rapidly, though rather unwillingly, giving in their adherence to the only practical way of doing this -- increasing taxation. Several are preparing bills to meet this necessity. On Monday, the Ways and Means Committee will take up in good earnest the Petroleum and Tobacco tax. The result will be made public on Tuesday or Wednesday. The tax on the refined articles will probably be increased to the figure recommended by the Secretary of the Treasury.

The reports prejudicial to Secretary USHER, sent ever the wires, and written by correspondents, are everywhere regarded as having originated in a personal feeling. No member of the Cabinet has more endeared himself to the thousands who have business to transact with his department, and to none less than to Secretary USHER can any dishonest motive or any dishonest act be attributed. The best proof of his invulnerability is to be found in the fact that he challenges,

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1861-1865: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: May 2025.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

Posting history, in reverse order

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Link to previous New York Times thread

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

From Washington: Discussion of the Enrollment Act in the Senate – 2
Proceedings of Congress – 2-3
The War in the Southwest, &c. – 3
Army of the Potomac: Stuart’s Reported Movement – 3
News from Fortress Monroe: Deserters to be Shot – 3
The Armament of the Monitors – 3
Editorial: The Chances of a European War – 3-4
Editorial: Our Custom-House Derelictions – 4
Amusements – 4
Lecture-George W. Curtis – 4
Arrival of More Veterans – 4
Obituary – 4