New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-04-07
WASHINGTON.

OF SAN pOMINGO-DECISION OF THE HOUSE
NAVAL COMMITTEE ON THE QUESTION OF
RANK-RRPoRT ON THE EIGHT-HoUR QUEs-
rIoN-THE CHARGES AGAINST COLLECTOR
- r.. BAILEY.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRBUNRI
r . . WASHINGTON, Tuesday, April o. 1869.
Cuban affairs continue to occupy much attention
hare and are the subject of discussion in Congress
sional Committees in the Departments, and by che
members of the Cabinet. There is widespread
sympahy manifested toward the insurgents IN their
struggle not only among the officers of the Govern
ment, but among private citizens and persons VINO
are temporarily sojouning here THIS is apparent IN
all conversations on the subject, and the treatment
extended to the representatives of theinsurrectonary
forces who are now in this city 1t is said the sub
ject was considered in the Cabinet meeting to-day
which lasted three hours. The latest news bearing
on the question was communicated IN dlSpatoh 10
the Navy Department to-day, from Admiral Hoif'
commanding the North Atlantic Squadron, in which
the DEPARTMENT is advised that expeditions in aid OF
the Revolutionists are being fitted out in various
points in the United States especially on the Mis-
sssipp and that he had dispatched orders to the
Commander of the steamer Narragansett, at the
mouth of the Mississippi to keep sharp lookout for
the expeditions and to seize all craft destined Tor
Cuba with warlike intentions. .
LATER.-Senora Emilia c. De Villavarde, Sehorita
Manuela YzQuierdO, and Senior leopold Yzquierdo
representatives from the American prisoners held by
the Spanish authorities in Cuba had an interview
with the President to-day in reference to the bust
ness in their hands. The President assured them OF
his sympathy, and stated that the Government
would at once take effective to protect cit
zens of the United States in that Island They sub
sequently called on the Secretary of War; and Gen.
Sherman who made the same assertions tits thought
here that the assignment of the 18th U. s. Infantry
to Key West is only preliminary movement and
that the real destination for the regiment is the
squadron of Admiral Ho This belief is strengthened
by the fact that Chaplain Kane of the flagship
Contoocook now in the vicinity Of HaYana has been
ordered hence bearing highly important dispatches
from the Government to Admiral Hof 1t is under
stood that these dispatches have reference to the
American prisoners in Cuba and that demand for
their release will follow from the Admiral.
The Dominican question was resumed by the
House Foreign Affairs Committee at their meeting
to-day. After long discussion and in consideration
of the overtures which have been made by persons
high in authority in that island, the Committee
authorized Gen. Banks to report resolution, which
requires the assent Of the House, to the following
effect
That the President Of the United States be- and hereby
Is requested by suitable commission or Dy oIner
negotiations with the Government OF San Domingo for
the annexation OF that Republic to the United States
Gen. Banks will endeavor to put this resolution on
4 for
that the Administration is favorable to the scheme.
The House Naval Committee to-day agreed to re-
port bill legalzing the regulations established by
tho late Secretary of the Navy Mr. Welles, relative
to the staff and line officers of the Navy. The bill
provides that exSecretary Welless regulations shall
continue in force for one year. Should this become
law it will make the recent order OF the Secretary
OF the Navy, relative to the rank of staff officers,
null and void. The Committee also agreed to report
bill providing that no reduction shall take place in
the wages of employees in the Government navy
yards on account of the reduction In the hours OF
labor Strong efforts viii be made to get both bills
through the House this session, but it is doubtful If
they win pass the Senate the Naval Committee OF
that body is unfavorabe to the proposed legislation
The following is the report Of Gen. Stevens to the
Naval Committee on the eight-bour question: and
the wages Of laborers connected therewith
To NE House Committee on Naval Affairs:
the letter Of the Secretary Of the Navy, requesting
peal OF the eight hour system beg leave TO report That
81 use ~ w uRdeood that the had
power reduce the wages OF the aoorers below the
current prices paid for similar labor outside such having
been the opinion OF Attorney General Evarte In giving
cOnstruction to the law since the reference however
the Navy Department has Issued an order reducing sueh
20 per cent The construction OF the law IN the
for the purposes OF economy es suggested ia
construction a reduction Of wages pro rata can be
made IN regard 70 the other and general ground
taken by the Secretary, that the law is working very In
jurOusy the interests Of the Navy the Committee are
Of the opinion that it's repeal wOnd not be IN accordance
with the principles and policy which have been adopted
gard To- these Glasses Of empoySs The FONT resolution
constituting eight hours days WORK was passed June
gwen rise any complaint Of an official character until
the recent letters OF the Secretary OF the Navy referred
been Just and proper that the Committee Appropra
lions should have reported q sum amply SUFFICIENT 70
carry on the work 10 all departments OF the Government
DO in the OF the Navy the letter Of the Secre
tary implies and have cut down the appropriations
causing embarrassment the public service the law
stuung eight hours days work ought not IN any
TO be charged with the Embarrassment Such neglect
may be good reason why work should DO suspended until
the deficiency IN the appropriation can be supplied,
and disturbing question Of what shall constitute days
WORK IN Government employ. IL cannot be taken even
policy which 1t has established under the law. Your
COMMITTEES believe that the law should have fair and
which It applicable and that it should not he repealed
hastily or in the absence Of searching Investigation
mend its immediate repeal On the other hand the Com.
@lttee are o. the opinion that inasmuch tho wages
OF the workmen and mechanics beenEeduced Der
cent by the order Of the Department and that the re-
dueton must necessarily great Inconvenience and
hardship among the large number Of mol employed at
the lower rate OF wages while IL makes an lnvidlous
distinction between employees in the Navy Department
those Of the same classes In other branches Of the