New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-04-29
WASHINGTON.
Glover and 1Inther's Mail Contrnct-The Pacific
Sauadron-The California Dock philadelphia Ap.
pointments-The Territory Of Washington, &c.
Corerordence OF The Y. Y. Tribune
~'''''i - ~ :,


CoreUordepee OF The N. Y. Tribune.
WASHINGTON, Wednesday April o. 1883.
The order of the POstmasterGeneral directing the
contractors for the new enterprise the Mississippi
Glover and Mather (of which have written you more
than once Of ate) their service the LIST
of December next hardly fail to operate very in
uro us on the interests Of these gentlemen though no
spc design was entertained by the Department When
they were ordered six weeks ago, 10 sus
nerd their operations the condition of the business Of
steamboat building in all its departments was much
favorable for making all their contemplated engagements
than at present the demand for foundry and machiDsts
work Of all descriptions having greatly increased aud
prices of labor ruling in all branches OF such work hay
inc also greatly increased Under the contract as orig
inally drawn up they to have sent their boats
around from New-York or elsewhere North, 10 New
Oreans) in the most favorable for the trip now
il must be made at the most unpropopitiOus time of the
year apprehend that such considerations as men,
iion above will induce Mr. POstmasterGeneral Camp
bell TO give them somewhat longer period in which TO
complete their arrangements, which all the favor they
ash at the Departments hands.
The Navy Department is most anxious TO expedite
the departure of the race (7) Independence and the
SQUADRON. Yet, at present, there appears to be no
earthly prospect that they be dispatched in a
SCRABBLE time, owing to the impossbilty of obtaining
hands for them at the prices which the law restricts
the L. S Naval recruiting officers
After all the bubbub created by persons who have
failed to black-mail the for the California
Dock il appears that the only question standing in the
way of the signing of their contract for the basin and
railway additions ordered by Congress at s last session,
is that of completeness of the Governments title 10 the
land on which the work is being built which may not be
valued until the Land Commissioners now adudicating
Uch questions in California shall report on this particu-
lar case | understand, however that the Government
il amply secured in the deed of cesson and purchase
There has been nice little squabble between Messrs
Florence and Robbins the one side, and their col
league (of the House Of Representatives Mr. McNair,
on the other. BY the last appOrt0nment in Pennsyl-
vsDia a portion of the County OF Philadelphia
thrown into McNar's District, which gave him right
TO demand that some of his should be provided fc
in the Philadelphia Custom House. under the ruling
practice in that quarter The Collector Hon. Charles
Brown sided against Mr.. McNairs claims conceiying,
with Robbins and Florence, that the Offices under him
are only legitimate city plumber The dispute was adj
iourned 10 this CITY, before the Secretary of the Treas
ury, upon whom Mr. McNar in daily attendance.
Florence and Robbins however, carried the day
petely.
Major Stephens, the Governor of the Territory Of
Washington leaves here in few days to on his
exploring expedition from St PauPs, Minnesota Be-
ing out three other parties to make explorations and
preliminary surveys for the proposed Pacific Railroad
One ia 10 start from Fort LeayenwOrth, Mo-. another
fro N Fort Smith, Ark. and the last from San Antonio
Texas The Fort Leayenworth expedition will pass
Utah-the expedition from Fort Smith over Alder
durdue and Mexco-the San Antonio one will fol-
low pretty closely upon Marcys trail, the ella route
Stephens party has alone been organized yet 10 Off
Ger being 30 far ordered duty with any other though
in the course of week the Secretary win probably de-
termine who to go the expedition starting from
Leavenworth
The PostOfice Department is evidently much cha
grned at the result of the lettings for the NewYork
and New England section the prices at which they were
forced to accept bids averaging quite IS per centum
higher than the letting for the section four years
ago. They expected average rise Of about 90 per
centum only There wasve competition. Whereas
at the last letting for that quarter there was much bitter
and emulation manifested The truth is, in these
times, shrewd men find that they can make more BY
looking to the patronage of the public rather than to
that of the Government.
The President was walking in the grounds surrounding
the Executive mansion to-day looking as caE a. sum