The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-02-16
THE LATEST NEWS.
AFFAIRS At THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.

Our Special Washington Despatch.
THE TARIFF QUESTIoN-REDUCTIoN IN THE ARMY
ExPENsBs-GENERAL SCOTS BREvEr PAY CUT
APPROXIMATIONS IN THE NAVY DEPARTMENT.
GREAT RUSH FOR THE NAPIER BALL, ETC., ETC.
WASHINGTON, Feb. Is, 1859.
Nothing was done to- day by the Committee on Way and
Means the tariff question is still believed that the
proposition to suspend the act Of 1867 for two years will
carry but it must be done at once or an extra session
inevitable. The committee had under consideration the
claims of several States for arrearages Of interest," based
upon the rule adopted in the Maryland case.
The Army bill which passed the Senate to day cuts off
all the brevet pay allowed to General Scott last year.
amounting TO nearly five thousand dollars Mr.. Davis
tried to cut it of last year, but failed.
Since the action of the House Military Committee in cut
ting down the Army Appropriation BILL the Secretary of
War has addressed letter TO said committee approving
their course. The reduction amounts to nearly two
million dollars.
The Sherman Naval Investigating Committee expect to
report Friday next. There has been immense mass
Of testimony taken showing great ooseness In the prac
tees and details of several navy yards especially Brook
lyn, and good deal Of conflicting testimony to the
character Of the contracts.
Mr.. Swackhamer, brother Of the former Navy Agent,
George n Sanders of msstatng the of
his Office. Sanders denies this, and witness has been
sent for to rebut Swackhamer. is testimony
that Mr.. Wendell, brother, We believe, Of the public
printer supplied inferior article Of paint to that called
for by contract and that his account passed Tho
other officials of the yard are also in trouble
member Of the present Congress testified before
shermans Investigating Committee that Clancy JONES'
Minister to Austria, whilst a member Of Congress, had
made an agreement with witness, then not member to
procure him coal contracts from the government for
which Jones was TO receive commission of five per
cent.
In the rumored retirement Of Chief Justice fancy
and Judge Mclean takes place. there is doubt Attorney
General Black would 60 the Supreme bench The op.
portunty would also then be embraced of reconstruc.
ton Of Che Cabinet.
Senator Gwin purposes, it is said introducing an amend
men to the Army Appropriation bill, providing that the
five mounted regiments employed the frontier shall
be posted across the plains to California and that shall
be their duty to convey the overland letter mail This
can be done by despatcbng from post to post three
four each mail, and whilst it will add dollar
additional expense, it will the large outlay paid
for the transportation of that mall practice the army as
scouts, and afford protection to emigrants
All the tickets reserved here for the Napier ball have
been sold, and still applications pouring in
Aspeaker's warrant was sent by this evenings mail to
Philadelphia to the Sergeant Arms deputy for the
rest of John Cassn who has refused to appear before the
Sherman Investigating Committee.
The Cass Yrssar treaty will probably not reach here in
time to be laid before the Senate this session. the
senger failed to come by the last steamer.
Mr. ScKes of your city is reported among the abscnees
the Oregon question. 1t appears that Mr. s. and Mr.
Hickman Of Pennsylvania paired off on the final vote.
Among the personal topics of Washington society just
now three fashionable weddings, all to take place
within month, viz; Mr. Eustis NJ c. from Louisiana,
to Miss Corcoran, Of Washington daughter of the banker
Mr. Riggs Of Washington to Miss Bright daughter of the
Senator from Indiana; Mr. Baylor Of Alabama, TO Miss
Gwin, daughter of the Senator from California.