New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-11-27
WASHINGTON.


WASHINGTON Friday, Nov. &c, 1859.
The opnion IL generally expressed by members Of both
Houses that nothing will be done OF Importance until
after the holiday except the disposal Oh the Cuban
question: and introduction OF bills which VIII require
deliberate consideration Senator shermans Funding bill
will be the most prominent this character. and Will be
submitted early In the session. The several committees
charged with investigations during the recess Will also
submit their reports without delay. Among them will
the report Of the House Judiciary committee regard
ing charges against u Judge Busted OF Alabama
which 1t is believed will include resolution recommend
ing the impeachment Of that officer for high crimes and
misdemeanors. The House Committee on Foreign Affairs
will also submit O report OF Its investigations into
the Parayguayan difficulties, which Will prove to be
very interesting and viii doubtless e1cupate Minister
washburne from his alleged completely IN the plot against
life Of President Lopez but will disclose the fact that
he used by the consplrator as On innocent medium
of communication between Lopezscamp and that OF the
Allies The Census Committee viii present Its report at
the same time accompanied by bill organizing the
Census Bureau the census OF 1870 and including nu
merous recommendations among which VIII be one pro-
vidng for sthe enumeration of the different religious
secs the country which has not been done heretofore
The Election Committee will also submit Its report rela
tive to the Southern elections and several contested
seats the Northern States and the Ways and Means
Committee will present statement OF Its observations
relative TO commercial condition during It's travels In
all sections Of the country.
Congress will be asked TO create board OF ohioere OF
semtonical character to investigate and pass upon
claims for refunding and abating Internal Revenue
duties This is done by the Commissioner OF Internal
Revenue who has the time TO examine carefully the
claims, which generally presented by agents who
have previously In the Revenue service, and who
have often assessed collected the very duties which
they declare excessive Illegal In the fiscal year end
ing June 80 1863 the amount Of duties refunded was
upward Of 81 100000 and although but t63o0o was re-
funded during the last fiscal year, the reduction was
caused by the amount OF claims waiting the Commission
er's action.
Great complaint is made by the heads of Departments
here at the advantage taken by members OF Congress OF
the privileges extended them as the representatives OF
the people, In matters Of business These Congressman
especially those who lawyers abuse the rights ac
corded them ty not discriminating between business OF
public nature and their private business for which
they are hired and paid TO perform any lawyer s In
any court Of law Of things lie the cause OF
special complaint in the Treasury Department and the
Revenue Bureau The result will probably be that GER
tain regulations will be established for the correction OF
the abuse order that the Government business may
not be embarrassed.
The report of the Secretary Of the Navy the ablest
port which has been made from that department for
many years. completed yesterday, and submitted to
the President. The report IS very elaborate and ex
hausve and for the first time gives evidence OF having
been framed by accomplished naval authority. While
Mr. RobesOns ideas have been observed throughout
evident that Admiral Porer's long experience and
era knowledge naval affairs have been employed with
natterng results The report begins by showing the
present condition OF the Navy giving the number and
class OF vessels present under the direction OF the
department together with their names, location charac-
service and nature Of armament the num-
OF thereon and the average expense OF each
vessel. 1t appears that the whole number OF vessels
now the service IL 200 and this number he believes to
be large for the present requirements OF the Navy
and recommends its reduction TO $50. The Secretary
favor the Of the smaller vessels and believes
there too many Of the large class in the service,
rs Il 10 not required that vessels Of large tunnage
should be employed. He lie violently opposed therefore,
to the sherwood machinery account OF Its great
weight and the space II occupies and asks authority TO
dispose the vessels of AGO tunnage constructed
during the sherwood plan. Among tho latter
class are the Chattanooga at Philadelphia, the Ammo
and Virginia at Boston, the Illinois at Portsmouth,
and the Java Ontario and Colorado at New'York. He
speaks Ia favorable OF the ironoads The report
gives much space comparison OF the Navy OF the
United States with the nayies OF other countries;
especially OF France and England. Tho entire tunnage
Of the English Navy Is $4,000, Of the United States
100000 and OF France 100000. The cruising OF
our navy alluded to In praiseworhy terms and the
report shows the has been OF great benefit
The report also demonstrates that In accomplishing
results We arc the equal OF England In that respect
| and the superior Of France. He calls attention
to tho superiority of the services OF France
| and England In their regulations and discipline
OF the enlisted and the provisions for their protec
ton and comfort This s particularly shown in allow
ances for uniforms rations hospitals pensins, bountes
&C. which induces enlisments II appears that at pres
ent tho enlstments for the navy have gradually fallen
of until sufficient number Of men cannot be obtained
In this connection the report Is very elaborate giving tho
views Secretary very fully the modes OF mproy
ing the service. He recommends increase Of the pay
OF and enlisted men, and also the longevity sys
tem whereby the pay increased according TO the length
OF service He also favors an additional allowance OF
clothing and increase OF provisions He recommends
Congressional action for the protection of athome
and abroad from the Andsharks and swIndlers and lie
believes that proper officers should be selected to
give information advice, and assistance In Of
| the principal ports. The English system Of educating
boys for petty officers meets the secretarys
| approval, and he recommends the establishment
OF the system here and that pracceshps be designated
the purpose In comparing the strength of the squad
OF this and other countries In foreign waters
the Secretary shows that ours 10 smaller than other
| nations and he warmly recommends that foreign
squadrons be at augmented by additional yessels,
especially OF the lron-cads lie argues that increase
can DO effected without increased outlay through the
operations OF regulation, lately established, OF using
canvas instead of steam motive power. This win
only largely decrease the expense in labor but also
in fuel Such course. II made general, will also ultl
matey abolish most Of the coal stations kept at
an expense OF about millions of dollars The SEQ
rotary refers subject az subsidZDg nes Of ocean
steamers and avors such course, in view OF the fact
that In Of any sudden emergency, the Gov
| eminent would have O claim upon the vessels
thus subsidized, which would be OF vital importance.
| In proof Of this advantage, he cites the number
OF vessels which might have probably used during
the war Of the Rebellion The navy ards reported
good condition. The Secretary avors the abol
ishment Of tho Philadelphia yard and Its transfer TO
League Island speaks fayorably fNew-London, Conn,