New-York tribune., 1869-04-01
WASHINGTON.
FINAL SETTLEMENT OF THE TENURE OF
OFFICE QUESTION.

MovRD-THE QUESTION OF RANK IN THE
NAVY-A NEW DECISION ON THE EIGHT
HOUR LAw-THE CURRENCY BILL-REMovAL
OF GEN. sToNEMAN.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THR TRIBUEBl
WASHINGTON. Wednesday, March 81, 1859.
To the great surprise of everybody the Conference
Committee of the two Houses on the newC ivil Ten
Office bill, after session of; two hours to-
aay promptly agreed upon. Compromise bill,
which, judging from the explanations made of the
same in the two Houses afterward. is signal de-
feat of those who favored absolute repeal Grimes,
Butler, and WashburD, gave up repeal, and then
Messrs TrumbuIl, Edmunds, and Bingham, yield ed
in regard to thepower of the Senate over removals
made by the Executive, contained in the third sec
lion of the original act In the House, Bingham and
Butler explained that by the compromise Dlh a sus-
pension from Office was virtually removal, and that
no power other than the President himself could put
back in Office person once suspended therefcom
Trumbulls explanation IN the Senate differed from
this view of Butler and Bingham, but all concerned
seem satisfied. The conference report was brought
into the Honse shortly after 1 o'clock, and after
nearly an hours time had been consumed in explana-
ton rendered tedious by the apparent dullness OF
comprehension displayed by many members, vote
was taken and the report agreed to by vote OF lOS
Yeas TO 67 Nays All the Democrats with II Repub-
lcaus voted against the report. The bill was imme-
diatey taken to the Senate and with
its reception Trumbull made the report of the Cou
ference Committee Mr.. Thurman, for the purpose
of delay moved that the report be laid on the table
and printed but only got eight Democratic votes Tor
his motion. The report of the Committee was then
IN o. Nava Mr. RDrnQua and
seven Democrats-Messrs Cole, FessendeA, Robert
son. Sherman, and Warner-refused to vote. Mr.
Morton was not present. Mr.. Grimes voted yea.'
There is some comment tonight regarding the diff
ference of Interpretation of the bill by the Senate
and House. and some of the more blatant "repeaers'
20 so far as to predict veto from the President.
The attention of Secretary Boutwell, having been
called to a large number of persons now acting as
special agents for the Treasury Department many of
whom 10 vas ascertained, were appointed at the in
stance of President Johnson for political consid
arations he has determined TO remove the entire
force and if there are any who ought to be retained
that fact viii be developed when they are again
presented for continuance. Secretary Boutwell, is
determined to lop off all the worthless and inefficient
Ahieers who have been pensioned upon the Depart
ment for several years past and to put in their places
capable and worthy men. The same course wlll DE
Adouted respecting the CustOm-HOuses throughout
the country particularly in NewYOrk, Boston, Phia-
delphia and Baltimore
Secretary Bore has written letter to the Naval
Committee of the House urging prompt action,
during the present session, on the Grimes bill to
create Naval Board Of Survey, and fix the rank OF
The line and staff of the navy. He says that unless
The bill is acted on during the present session he
viii be compelled to do very unpleasant thing in
reducing the staff officers Of the navy down to their
pld grade which was fixed when the highest rank
Ia the navy was Commodore. When Congress
created the rank Of Admiral, Secre-
larry welles fixed tho rank OF the
paf raising the same in fair proportion to the in
crease of rank made in the line. When this was
done, the old prejudice OF the line against the
Itaff was reneNod. and the legality Of the action
Of the Secretary called into question. The
case was submitted 20 the Attorney General, MIR.
Bates. and he gave decision sustaining the Secre-
tary's course. Now the same question has been re-
newed, and decision asked Of Attorney General
Hoar. He dissents from ex-AttOrney General Bates,
md decides that Mr. Welless action illegal. On
this decision Secretary Borie intends acting and
reduction of the rank of the staff officers of the
Navy contemplated The pay win remain the same,
excepting where officers the retired list rrOnA
disabilities incurred in battle. Their pensions and
pay by law regulated strictly according to the rank
they hold. AttorneyGeneral Hoar has also reversed
the decision of Attorney-General Evarts In regard
to the law making eight hours days labor In the
Nayy-Yards When this law went into effect the ques-
ton arose as to whether reduction Of the number OF
hours labor did not carry with it reduction OF wages
Mr.. Evarts decided that it did not Now Attorney
General Hoar reYerses that decision and decides that
persons working only eight hours in the NayyYards
should receive only eight-tenths of the wages paid
10 persons outside who work 10 hours per day. The
Secretary wants this Eight-Hour law repealed and
the subject is now in the hands Of Messrs. Stevens
and Archer Of the Naval Committee Of the House.
The Hon. Henry j. Raymond and Mr.. Collector
Bailey arrived in town to-day. There are many
as to their errand. The proposition to unite
all the districts, and make grand Metropolitan
Distinct, will not come up this session Of Congress.
1t is contended that this consolidation would be in
the interest of economy, and the friends of Mr.
Bailey contend that he would manifest in his new
Office all the intrepidity shown in the Fourth
District. this is not done, then 1t is
thought he viii DO transferred into the
Thirty-second District For the Assessorship
in Websters place Mr.. Michael Scanlan, the cele-
brated Irish journalist is named. The contest for
Marshal is between Gen. p. H. Jones and Gen. Pleas
OntOn. Mr.. Charles A. Dana's name has been with
drawn for the Poet Office and delegation will
down to press his name as General Appraiser Prn
cipal Weisher The Office Of Weigher demands good
Judgment. a fine mathematical mind, honesty, and
industry qualities that generally conceded to Mr.
Dana
The name of Mr.. Eliot G. Cowdin is presented for
the Belgian Mission. Mr. John Jay is named for
England Mr.. Tracy desires tosbe made District
Attorney in New-York. There is nothing to do in
Brooklyn and the fees are small The name OF the
<,n-a4 /. tod