The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-10-18

WASHINGTON Oct. II, 1896.
ne Effect Of the Nara Retiing Boasd-Protable action
u the Senote-Aaother Reduction not Coatempa,ed-A
Grand I1are-ul--The Webster EStae-Mr. Ctsshing's
Claim-His Organ Out on Tie SatJert-Prince John and
the coo GOO Doars-His Contract Carried out, &c. &c.
Much has been said and written the subject Of the
late Naval Retiring Board and yet singular
TO be current the effect of the action of that Board
the treasury Of the country Many papers speak Of
as reduction Of the navy and nice calculation is
going the rounds of the press showing the exact amount
in dollars and cents which will be saved By this reduc
ton.
assert 1t as fact, not to be contradcted that the
operation of the law carried out by the Board has
been to increase the navy list with heavy increase Of
expenses This is conclusivcly proved by mere refe-
renee to the facts According to law the navy of the
United states consists Of 6s captains 81 commanders
ieutenants and 100 passed midshipmen-total 8s1
officers in these particular grades. Now, by
the action of this Retiring Board 2O1 officers
have been thrown out of active service but
of them retained leave furough pay at an
annual cost Of nearly 100000 In the meantime, an
equal number of junior officers have been promoted to all
the vacancies created by the retiring process and the
new officers carry in their pockets their commissions
giving them every dollar Of the pay allowed the old OFF,
before retirement and instead Of a rec ucton Of ei
Their the list OF officers the expenses Of the navy we
have the retired officers in addition the full compile
ment Of esl as allowed by law), inclusive Of the
promotions and at additional cost too 100 00o
per This hardly be regarded as "a reduction
Of the payy, though 1t may be mode Of reducing
expenses
1t is anticipated here that the Senate win institute
rigid investigation into the proceedings Of the Board and
will eventually refuse to confirm any Of the appoint
ments. They may that the law not executed ia
have been sacced as Mr. IN his
to the President that the number Of officers the several
grades have swollen beyond the number all owed by law
and that the result OF confirmation Of these appoint
ments would be additional annual Of $500, 900
upon the Treasury Of the United States 1t is believed
that these considerations will lead to rejection
Of the whole batch of appointees. Then how will
these gentlemen stand In the seryce9 Completely and
entirely outside Of H. All those whose nominations
not confirmed will be out of the naval service and in
stead of reduction Of two hundred officers we
shall have moie than the bill calls fora reduction Of
who have been fatering themselves with the idea that
they to be benefited by the misortunes Of their
brother ocers viii remind US Of the dog in the fable,
gran lareup when these nominations before the
Senate for confirmation.
1t appears that the estate of the late Daniel Webster
very much embarrassed and complaints being made
against the executors for not qudatng certain claims
One Of our city papers few evening. SINCE nduged in
some severe comments on this subject; but when the
fact is known that Mr.. Caleb Cushing holds claim Of
some fifteen twenty thousand dollars against Mr. Web
sters estate and for which he has instituted suit may
not be hard to account for the milk In the
for the editorial complaints against Mr. Websters
tors.
In my last letter did mention the fact that Prince
John had been here making rather Offering to make
some grand financial and professional operations. can
only give the facts leave the my readers
Mr. Aspnwall, Of New York. 1t appears holds drafts ON
government thc So 600 900 which were be paid
to Mexico the report of the commissioners to
mark the boundary. This report has been made, and
also an effort made to collect the three millions by Mr.
Aspinwal When he came on to secure the payment he
brought with him "Prince John, the magnifcent'-why
wherefore, left to conjecture. Is possible
that the Prince sought 10 have his professional reputa
ton bostered up by sale of his POLITICALLY Or did he ap
pear only plain unpretending attorney l-natured
people here sulmised that they smelt rat-but the
would give the black republicans particular "jesse
Query-Dd Mr. Aspinwall go back with any assurances
that Santa Annals drafts would be henored in spite Of
any protests from the new government? We shall see
what we shall see. f.