The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-07-26
The News
FROM WASHINGTON.


The News.
FROM WASHINGTON.
Our Eteihgence from the capital is particularly
nsere' Aing. The treaty with Russia, securing the
Aeutr Atty of this country in the pending European
war, md acknowledging the principle that the
1eut sGi flag protects vessel end cargo was ratified
yes Rrday by the Senate.
n the Senate yesterday the question of the right
6 Mr.. Williams, Senator from New Hampshire, to
n seat, was referred to the law committee. The
; Eecedent set down in the case of tke Vermont
senator will, if followed, GUST Mr. Williams. A
eommittee of conference on the amendments TO the
Indian Appropriation bill was asked for. The bill
fm final settlement Of the claims Of Revolution
AIRY officers passed. The consideration of the Civil
and Diplomatic Appropriation bill was resumed.
After some slight amendment, the appropriation for
Ie water worka Of the District was passed Mr.. Bad
ger moved to add to the bill sections authorizing the
President to employ in his official household a
secretary, at a salary of two thousand dollars; q
clerk, at q salary of sixteen hundred dollars;
steward, at q salary of one thousand dollars;
messenger, at q salary of nine hundred dollars;
and an assistant messenger, at a salary Of seven
handfed and fifty dollars. The duties of these OFF,
siala are defined in the BILL There was but a tri-
ming opposition to the proposition, and the amend
uent was adopted by vote Of thirty one to six
teen. What would the Fathers Of the Republic
have said Of such retnue? Shades Of Franklin,
and Ogle-of spoon notorety-where are yoaI
When John Quincy Adams bought billiard table
fog the White House there was no end to the cla
nor at the extravaganza. We expect Mr.. Marcy
win prescribe en- appropriate democratic costume
Tor the Lord Chamberlain, the Keeper of the Pub
lie Spoons, and the Purveyor of the Presidents
Bed Linen.
In the House the amended Homestead bill was
received from the Senate. Notice was given that it
win be taken up to-day and its friends will no doubt
earnestly press for immediate action. The bill au
thorizing the Post Office Department 10 appoint let
Ter carriers In California, Oregon and Washington
Territories was taken up, and the amendment fixing
the charge on single packages at twenty-five cents
instead Of fifty concurred in. II the letter carriers
DO their duty this will be greatly advanta-
eeons 10 the miners and others in those sparsey set
tied regions. Heretofore nearly all letters have been
delivered by the express agents. NJ expense vary
ing from ty cents TO five dollars. This bill estat
hshes number Of perambulating post Offices, charg-
ing ct the rate Of twenty-five cents per letter.
Leave was asked to introduce resolution allng for
information concerning our affairs with Spain,
and whether il is necessary to grant adj.
ona powers TO enable the President to protect the
national honor, &c, but ii was objected to. In
committee the Naval Appropriation bill was taken
up. The subject Of reform in the naval service Of
the country is the most talked OF and the least
acted on. During the present session Of Congress
there have been presented two bills designed to eff
feet thorough reconstruction Of the personnel OF
the navy, but neither of them has as yet received
moments serious attention. Efforts win be made to
engrait the appropriation bill two three unim
portant alterations, and there the matter Of reform
viii end. Mr.. Bocock yesterday addressed the
committee the necessity Of having more efficient
seaen in the service and advocated an increase OF
pay as an inducement to men to enlist. Com
plant is made Of the small number Of native born
sailors in the service. Nov, il is well known that
ships of war are regarded by sailors as the las. re-
soyt-as . sort Of harbor of refuge-and as nothing
else; and prepost suppose that any native
born American, possessed Of common school edlca-
xion and vigorous constitution will voluntarily resign
himself TO the penitentiary discipline Of the naval
service for the term OF three years for any pecunary
consideration whatever. On shore we progress
rapidly that aSste constitution Of twenty years eS
istence il regarded venerable relic Of past age,
while afoat we permit the enforcement Of regula
tons that existed in the times when Jack Tar wore
pigts The regulations have outlived the pig
tsils by nearly half century If our legislators de-
sire efficient seamen in the naval service they should
revise the regulations well as increase the monthly
stipend. After some discussion on the bill. an |
amendment approprating over three hundred thou. |
sand dollars to enable the Secretary Of the Navy |
10 pay higher wages il necessary was adopted. |
Garrett Smith moved to abolish the liquor ration OF
seamen. This was amended so a. to prohibit the
use Of liquor by officers, save as medicine and then
adopted. Three hundred and seventy thousand dol
lars were appropriated for the expenses Of the
Japan expedition.
COMMERCIAL AFFAIRS.
The continued light receipts OF breadstufs tended
to keep up prices. State and Western brands OF |
fous again improved yesterday l2a cents per barrel.
For day or two past only about $500 barrels Of |
Sour par day have reached market by the4Nor.h |
rivera supply inadequate TO meet the demand, |
The market Ia bare Of Canadian The chief parcels |
OF wheat sealing are ooadned 70 Upper Lake and |
Western red, g fall prices, according TO quality
Prime white confined scarce, lot Of 200 bush.
els new Southern rod sold at 81 So per tosael.
Cotton was nominsy the same a. to prices,
slough dn,l. Sales could not have been forced
without some slight concession in fayor Of pur
thasers, The late crop Is estimated at about
200 900 bales. The receipts ST the sea5oard are
aid to be about $4,000 bales below thsse at the
'sms period last year.
LFFAIRs IN TINE CITY.
4ie Fire Marshal yesterday held vegy rcuasrLa
~ nyts trstor nsleer .fsssice Clarke icscectina
~ s'tess o. And as vie, named ino.n ,soa,
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