New-York tribune., 1869-03-19

STILL UNDECDED-FURTHER ARMY REDUC-
TIONs-THE RANK OF STAFF OFFICERS IN
THE NAVY.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEl
WASHINGTON Thursday, March ls 1862
The President sent no appointments TO the senate
to-day nor was there any Executive Session ol ap-
Dointments pending. - -,
The first bill signed by President Grant was that
TO strengthen the public credit which received DIS
signature to-day. .. .rT
The case of Gen. LOngstreet, nominated as our-
yeyor of the Port at New Orleans, was underconsder
ation TODAY by the Senate Commerce Committee 1t
Is understood that majority OF the Committee
were opposed to his confirmation, not especially be-
cause Gen. Longstreet was leading Rebel ourhg
the Rebellion, but tho ground that there are an
abundance of men who loyal to the Govern
ment from the breaking out of the Rebellion to the
close and who ought to be provided for in preference
N the class TO which Gen. Longstreet belongs. The
Committee however, decided to report his name to
the Senate without recommendation, and let that
body take such action as they may think proper.
There are many Senators who are in favor of con-
6r,nipg all of President Grants nominations on gen.
eral principles It is expected that the Southern
Senators will make sharp fight against LOngstreets
confirmation The nomination of Henry ID. Moore,
no sCoector of the Port at Philadelphia referred
to a subcommittee of the Committee on Commerce,
for the purpose of comforting with the Senators from
that State to whether his nomination is satsfac-
tory to them.
There was a special meeting of the Cabinet held
to-day but it has not transpred what was the bus-
ness under consideration 2
In the Senate, to-day, among the memorials pre-
sented was one by Mr. Sumner, asking the enactment
of law calling International Congress OF repuo-
lican nations. The Committee on POst-Omces made
favorable report on bill to authorize the Atlantic
Cable Telegraph Company of New-York to take any
route to Europe Mr.. Conkling reintroduced the
Naturalization bill which was fayorably reported
by the Judiciary Committee at the last session. but
upon which there was time for action. Mr.. Sher
man got his bill, supplementary to the National
Currency act read the second tme when Mr.. Wilson
offered his standing amendment, The Tenure
Of-Ofice matter was taken up promptly
Mt l o'clock when Gov. Morton took the floor and
finished hsremaTks occupying about thirty minutes.
GaTret Davis then jumped up cooked and primed for
an all day talk which was the signal for a general
exodus from both floor and galleries Garret was
not in the least disconnected, however, by this want
of appreciation of his eOquence but rambled on un
til nearly o'clock The floor then awarded to
Gov Brownlow whose remarks were in manuscript,
but being unable to deliver them on account of his
feeble condition, they were read from the desk by
the Clerk. Mr. Scott then obtained the floor, but
gave way for an adjournment Mr.. Trumbuu
stated that he should insist upon vote tomorrow,
which may probably necessitate evening session,
as quite number of Senators yet desrous of
speaking.
The House Military Committee instructed Gen.
Logan to report bill abolishng the Office of Chief
Of staff to the General of the Army. This is done in
accordance with the wishes of Gen. Sherman, who
says there is no necessity for such an Office. The
Office is now vacant Gen. Rawlins having resigned.
The COMMITTEE also agreed to report bill to pro-
hbi the assignment of those officers on the retired
list to duty of any kind. For many years it has
been the practice the moment officer was retired,
to assign him to active duty on full pay Gen. Sher-
man thinks it is about time to put stop to this
practice and so recommended to the Committee.
The duty TO which they are generally assigned be-
longs to officers in active service.
The Senate Postal Committeee after agreeing to
report the bill allowing foreign telegraph cables to
land on our shores, considered the bill establishing
postal telegraph system. 1t is understood that the
Committee favor the scheme but no decision was
had as to the time when they viii report bill.
strong effort is making by those in authority at
the Navy Department, to press through the House
the bill recently passed in the Senate regulating the
rank of officers in tbe Navy. This bill which was
framed by Senator Crimes increases the pay OF mid
shipmen making an additional expense Of nearly
100000 TO the Government. It also virtually de-
grades the staff officers of the Navy. There has al
ways been a feeling of enmity between line
and staff officers of the naval service
in regard to rank. The line officers
are unwilling that those of the staff should have the
same privileges. although they may assimilate in
rank, and the staff officers hpve been gradually
gaining the recognition to which they tink they
are entitled but this bin proposes to put them back
ngain Admiral Porter favOrs the line officers,
while Admiral Farragut sympathizes with the staff.
As the Navy Department is virtually under
the control of Admiral Porter, the bill
is supposed to have been prompted by him.
The Naval Committee Of the House has not yet met
for business, but will do so at once Judge Schofeld
of Pennsylvania is chairman and he will not proceed
hastily, but hear both sides of the question before
recommending what action should be taken by the
House
Gen. Sheridan left tonight for New-York, where
he viii remain for day or two, when he will pro-
eeed TO his new command. His opinions of st. Louis
are evidently not Of the highest grade and be will
not make that city his headquarters The President,
at his request has added the State Of Illinois to his
command and his headquarters will be at once estab-
hshed in Chicago, to which city he goes direct from
Eew-York
The POstmaster-Genenl made the following APP
pointmcntS Of POstmasters in the State Of New
Jersey; VIM. Kitchell, at Milburn in place of the
present Postmaster, who was an anti-War Democrat;
Asa 1. Woodruff, at Springfield in place of the
present Postmaster, anti-War Democrat; John s.
Arnsdale, at Stanhope; John Moore at Marksboro
John s Tunis, at New-Vernon.
The rush Of Ofice-seekers on Secretary Boutwell,
was greater to-day than at any previous time during
the present administration.
Henry c. Niles has been assigned for duty in the
Treasury agC Cbisf of La AnnoiDtment