New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-01-27

;t+s ~ virginia in respect to the removal Of dis
abilities and stated that the conduct Of the Virginia
ndges had always been upright and impartial as far
as he knew.
Gen. Hancock was examined by the House Com
nittee on Military Affairs in regard to the army re-
treDchment movement, and the expensive and
troublesome Bureau system now so prevalent IN the
army He spent more than an hour in consultation
with the Committee, and during the discussion he
urged many changes in several Bureaus OF the army
He was the first disnterested witness examined by
the Committee, and his suggestions were well re-
ceived and some of the reforms which he advocated
will be made the subject of legislation. He thought
the consolidation of the Bureaus possible, and es-
pecialy believes that the Quartermaster might pay
the troops and that reorganization Of the Adjutant
Generals office ought to be made. He said he could
not say anything too bad in reference to the brevet
question, and related an instance of officer whose
line rank captain. who was ordered to report to
witness, when it was ascertained that the captain
held brevet rank which exceeded the rank of Han
cock himself.
The case Of the alleged corrupt use of money in
the Alaska purchase was again under consideration
in Committee to-day A named Tasstro was
the principal witness examined He was summoned
by the Committee for the reason that the man Mar
tin, who has been hourishing around Washington
paid for lobbying in the interest of the Alaska pur
chase said to the Committee that he got his informa
ton from Tasistro The examination to-day was
rather hurried and careless the Committee evidently
being tired of the thing and anxious TO proceed
with the moro important investigation of
the WellsFargo e. Co. mail contract. Ia
sistro made az number of avid statements
about what third parties had said to him, but he
knew nothing further. He said he met Baron
Stoech just after Secretary Seward had concluded
the purchase and said to him he had made good
thing in getting 100000 in gold, and in reply
StoecBl said it was not as good thing as he sup
posed, as only s5,OOO,0OO would 60 TO Russia. From
this he concluded the 100000 had been used in the
lobby. He was of the opinion that Secretary Seward,
Gen. Banks and Gen. Butler got the largest share of
this money for the that just after the appro
priation was passed by the House. Seward paid off
large mortgage on his property in Auburn, and Cen
Banks, whom he knew to be poor when he left army,
purchased large amount of real estate Gen. Butler
he accused Of being interested in the Perkins claim
but was finally secured for the purchase for large
consideration paid to his friends. After Tasstro had
finished his testimony, Martin was again called, but
nothing additional that is new or of importance was
elected. lir ... ..lr-r1 ..
Gen. Raasleff agreeably to an appointment, APP
peared before the Senate Committee on Foreign
Affairs to make argument in behalf of the ratih-
cation of the Danish treaty. The Committee were
unable to hear more than part of his argument, as
they were called away to attend the Senatorial eau
Gus. He Will resume it, however, at the next meet
ing of the Committee. The Danish Government,
backed up by the Secretary of State, is determined
to leave nothing undone to secure the ratification OF
the treaty. th ln
The House Postal Committee had several steam
Il; hofo tod s. O.
Bushnell of Connecticut who stated that they repre-
sented capital to the amount of $250OO0O0. and that
they were ready TO construct all the vessels that were
necessary to carry out the contract which was pro-
posed by tho House BILL passed last Congress- estab
fishing a line of emigrant mail steamers between
New-York and Liverpool. They further stated that
they did not ask any money from the Government
until the ships were built. but they did want some
guarantee that when the ships built the foreign
mails and hostages should be given to the line in
accordance with the terms of the contract.
Mr. Hulburd. Controller of the Currency, appeared
before the House Committee on Banking and Cur
rency to-day for the purpose Of comforting with the
Committee relative to the amendments deemed de-
sirable in order to perfect the National Banking law
He urged a redistribution of the circulation Of the
banks among the several States in order that
they may have their proportion. The Com
mittee viii adopt this proposition. They also
agreed to adopt his recommendations prohibiting
bank officers from certifying to checks certificates
of deposit unless the parties have the amount certi
fed to on deposit in the bank This matter will be
reported by the Committee to the House at an early
day. with view of getting action at tho present
session. . .s.I I..
Secretary Seward has written aletter to the Senate
Committee on Appropriations, in which he shows it
will be absurd and ridiculous to adopt Gen. Buffers
10
priaton bin consolidating the South American Mis-
sons He has also called the attention of Senator
Sumner to the matter urging him TO have the amend
ment struck out and to allow the Missions TO remain
as they
Edward ID. Neal TO be Commissioner of Education
in place of Barnard S. johnson as cOdifer of the
laws Israel Gass TO be Assessor OF Internal Revenue
for the With District of Ohio, and the following
PostmasteTs: A. s. Russell at Bedford, Penn: II. L.
Stephens at Honesdale, Penn; w. w. Montgomery at
BeefOnte. Penn; VIM. +. Keller at La Sale Ill;
John u. Tyre at Wabash, Ind; VIM. w. NOrthlng-
The Acknowledgement has Just given an opinion
which decides the Question whether where a captain
in the army has been sentenced by c0urt-martia to
reduction in rank by having his name placed lower
down OH the list of officers Of the same grade, re-
mission of the penalty by the President in the exer
else of tho pardOnng power will have the effect OF re-
storing the officer tOhis former relative rank and posi-
ton on the roll The Att0TDey-General says am
led TO the conclusion that remission of the penalty
by pardon necessarily carries with il the restoration
of the officer TO his preGxsting capacity and rights,
under the law of the service to occupy place on the
list of fs grade appropriate to the date of his COM
missiOn-the officer losing of course, such OppoTtu
mites for promotion as may IN the mean time have
occurred"
1t is publicly announced that citizens of Washing
ton Of high social position, without respect TO party
are determined to have All inauguration ball.
This afternoon the Maryland delegation in Con-
gress proceeded from the Capitol TO the Executive
Mansion, to add their voices to the petitions before
the President for the pardon of Dr. Mpdd The Presi;