New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-12-28


THE MONTH-THE ALABAMA CLAIMS CUES
TON TO BE REOPENED BY THE BRITISH
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES BETWEEN THE
OCEAN STEAMSHIP LINES AND TIE POST
OFFICE DEPARTMENT-rHE ENGINEER CORPS
OF THE NAVY.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRDUSEl
WASHINGTON, Monday Dec. 81. 1869.
The public debt statement for the present month will
show about the same decrease last month $5O0oOO
The gold in the Treasury up to date is slO7 gold
certificates, s37 $50, $50; currency, $OA0,OW
Intelligence again received here brought this
time, 1t is said by the last mail from Europe to the eff
feet that is the intention Of Great Britain 10 send one
Of her ables dipomats to the United States either TO
the place of her present Minister Mr.. Thornton
cooperate with him in the negotiation Of treaty for
the settlement Of the Alabama claims, invcw Of the
probable transfer 10 this city of the future official action
between the Governments.
The trouble between the Post-Offce Department and
the foreign mail steamship companies in regard TO
ryng the United States mails has again broken out and
promises this time to- prove earnest matter. The
companies say that since the rate OF postage has
been reduced their compensation will not permit Of fur
Their transportation without loss It appears that the
ships received at the old rate about hundred times
much per pound for mail matter for any other class Of
freight, and now, having monopoly, they demand IN
prices threaten to discard the mails The Post
Office Department in earnest in regard to the matter
and Mr. Cresswe IL he has not already gone, will go TO
NewYOrk tomorrow give 1.-THE subject his personal
attention.
The bill Of Senator Spencer introduced time ago.
in reference to the reorganization OF the Engineer Corps
Of the Navy Department considerable discussion
here among naval officers. The bill provides FOR promo
tIon and increase of pay. At the Naval Academy the
Engineer Corps entitled to 20 cadets but at
there The officers and politicians complain ef
ths and also the want OF official appreciation the
part of the Government for services rendered during the
The dissatisfaction Of members Of the Corps during
the war; the which they treated by the
Government may in part judged from the fact that from
1869 inclusive 100 have resigned namely:
Chiefs first assistants 49, second assistants l0I and
third assistants 80. These exclusive OF the voun'
resigned and honoraby discharged after the con
clusiOn of the The following incident is related
Mr. D. NJ Greene late First Assistant Engineer, u. ",
formerly Engineer and Professor the Rensse
aer Polytechnic School Troy He entered the navy
at the outbreak Of the war; and was, after doing
service, made Professor OF Engineering at the Naval
Academy. He lately ordered to duty on board tho
Froc where he found himself outranked by young limo
officers and compelled TO do duty under the order of lads
who were his pupils at the Academy. Already dis.
heartened by the course Of legislation and regulation
relation his corps without hope Of promotion in rank
pay, his position under the circumstances referred TO-
seemed no longer desirable, and he resigned MS commits
sion, many others had done before him
The subject Of paying the pensions due the invalid
soldiers and the of deceased soldiers monthly
instead OF quarterly is the practice is being
urged quite generally by those who have become ae
quainted with the present law. The dishonest Claim
Agents at present have opportunity OF making large
fees out OF the pensioners. who frequently live many
miles from the Pension Agent and employ Attorney
to collect their quarterly dues If Gen. Buffers plan
succeeds, the fees will all be saved and the claimant
paid monthly through Post-Ofce orders
Several influential Western Congressman reported
TO be busy engaged in the preparation OF arguments in
favor Of largely increased representation under the
next appOrtionment. The bill offered BY SIR Judd OF
Chicago fixing the number OF representatives at 900 VIII
probably receive the undivided support OF the Western
members. The discussion will be opened after Con
gress reassembles.