The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-12-10


are making formidable effort to secure the
twenty per cent. additional compensation, and
have prepared pamphlet for circulation among
the members Of Congress, containing their me-
mortal to both Houses, aud recommendations in
favor OF the passage OF the measure from Post
master General Randall, Assistant Secretary
FaxoD, of the Navy Department.; nearly all the
beads of Bureaus and Divisions in the Treasury
Department; Secretary Browning, of the Int
rioy Departments 3. Y. Wilson, Commissioner of
the hand Office; Mr.. Barrett, Commissioner of
Pensions: Mr.. Mix, Acting COMMISSIONER In.
dian Affairs; Mr.. Theaker, Commissioner of
PateDts+ surgeon-General Barnes, and many
others.
LETTER FROM GENERAL GRANT.
General Grant also recommends the increased
compensation in the following letter.
WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, Nov. 49,
1S67.-To the Chairman OF the Committee OF
Ways and Means of the House of Representa-
tives.-Sir: My attention has been called to the
TACT that the joint resolution of February 2S,
1867, granting twenty per. cent additional COM
pensatiOn to certain employees in the civil SER
vice Of the Government at Washington, expired
on the 30th of June last. Believing that the
circumstances under which the additional com
pensation was given, and the reasons for giving
it, have full as much force now as then, ear
nestly recommend the subject to the favorable
consideration or action OF your CommItte and
OF Congress.
Very respectfully,
(Signed) U. S. GRANT,
Secretary of War dd iniersm
Although the increase asked for is backed up
by such distinguished names it is thought
Congress will hardly grant it in the presentcon-
dition of the national finances and the necessity
for retrenchment in the expenses of the Gov
eminent. 1t is estimated that the twenty per
cent. increase, voted at the last session of Con-
gress, took out of the Treasury million and
quarter of dollars, and strong opposition will be
made 10 it now on the grounds stated above,
that the Government is mol in q condition to
grant 1t.
The whisky Interest.
A considerable number OF distillers and
whisky dealers here from the Northern,
Eastern, and Western cities, ostensibly tor the
purpose of attending Convention which was
arranged to be held here to-day, but there does
not appear to be any signs of the meeting of
such Convention, or of any concert of action
on the part of these people thus far.
Their main object seems to be to oppose any
reduction in the present tax on whisky. At
home, when they denounce the law they claim
that the tax ought 10 be reduced twenty-five or
fifty cents per gallon; but when they come
here to suggest legislation, they are found the
warmest advocates Of the present rate, as they
make more money now than they would if the
rate were reduced.
The West Indian Disaster
Nothing additional has bee received at the
Navy Department Of the loss of the Mononga-
hela and De Soto, since the brief telegram just
sent from Havana, and the anxiety OF the friends
of the officers and men on board the untortu-
nate vessels to learn their fate is intense.
Cabinet Day.
This being Cabinet day, no visitors were ad
mitted to the Executive Mansion but Mr. Robert
Crawford, an English gentleman travelling in
this country, who was granted an interview
with the President at the request OF Secretary
! Seward.
Mr.. Crawford is member of the Reform Club
of London, and companion of John Bright
| and is one of the Liberals whosympathized with
the North in the late Rebellion.
The Cotton Tax In the Senate.
The Senate Financial Committee has under
| confederation this morning the cotton tax and
discussed it at length without coming to any
conclusion. strong pressure is brought upon
the Committee to exempt the present crop, but
the Committee seem disposed to adhere to the
action of the House.
There will be no financial legislation in Con-
g1ess until after Christmas.
| Gone to Richmond.
Senator Wilson goes to Richmond tonight to
speak before the Reconstruction Convention.
Treaties to be Ratified
| The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
have decided to report favorably upon treaties
with Japan, Venezuela, Sandwich Islands, Den
mark, and Madagascar.
Personal.
Senators Corbett and Doolittle and Repre-
sentative schenck were among the visitors at
the War Department to-day, and had inter
views with General Grant, The widow of DR..
Valentine Mott also called to pay her respects
to the General, with numerous others on the
same errand.
Commissioner OF Patents.
The rumored attempt at removal of Mr..
Theaker, Commissioner of Patents, is partly
on account Of opposition TO him manifested by
patent attorneys who have failed in some in
stances to control his decisions. The editors
of the Scientific American, II is well known,
have been bitterly opposed to him for some
time past It is said to-day that Theaker'G
friends have advised him to resign, but he
refuses to do so.
This refusal, II is thought, will induce the Pre-
sident to send another name TO the Senate fol
his place, Judge FOote, of New York, a.mem
Der of the Board of Appeals at the Patent Office
and Judge b. F. james, Of Illinois, principal
examiner, are spoken Of as successors to
Tbeaker. Neither of these gentlemen have
made application but II is probable the position