The New York herald., 1869-01-12
Preliminary Action Of the Senate on Col
y lector Smythe's Nomination.
WASHINGTON. Jan. II, 1859.

N OfOeF 70 Keep tn6lr T6cOrQ OF Orlgl0al
opposition to 1t consistent Az it was known that
General Grant favored the repeal Of the law most Of
the republican members OF the House, especially
those who are reelected to the Fortyrst Congress,
were eager to show their obedience to his Highness
by voting repeal it. The only surprise expressed
s that fOrty-seven members could be found to vote
against 1t, and among them such men as Schenck,
4 Shellabarger, Poland and Garfield. There is
much anxiety as to whether the Senate will act
. as promptly a. the House In the matter. On this
opinion Is divided. It is generally conceded, how
ever that II passed at all by the Senate it win not be
until near the close OF the session. 1t Is said the
Senate considers 1t unsafe 10 unfetter President
johnson, even for couple OF months, and fears are
entertained that should this bill now become law
johnson might make appointments and removals in
defiance OF the Senate. The large vote by which the
bill was repealed by the House win have favorable
erect upon the Senate when it comes before tnat
body, and concurrence win probably be the result.
:. Another Candidate for CRAMPS Cabinet.
Senator Grimes, Of Iowa, Is prominently men,
toned - probable man for the Navy Department
under Grant Grimes has been chairman OF the
Senate Naval Committee for q number Of years, and
there is no civilian In the country perhaps who un
derstands more thoroughly the affairs Of the navy.
Tho Russien Mission-Nomination Postponed.
The Senate were n Executive session fUf over an
hour to-day and had up the question OF Smythe's
confirmation as Minister to Russia. The report Of
the Foreign Relations Committee was made, being
adverse to the nomination and considerable debate
ensued developing Q very unexpected strength
Esnstor Nye made Characteristic speech
u favor OF Smythe's confirmation, and was, an
swered BY another Senator. The result was that
the report was laid on the table by vote Of twenty
seven to fifteen, and the whole subject was post
1wftl Mr.
6mythe's friends very sanguine tonight, basing
their hopes on the massive vote against Summers
report.
Collector Of the Port or New York.
. IL IL now pretty well understood BY those who
have gained the confidence Of General Grant that Mr.
Moses H. Grinnell viii be rendered by the incoming
President the position of Collector OF the Port
Of New York. No appointment could be made
which would be more satisfactory to Gil engaged
IN the commercial marine, or the merchants Of
New YORK generally. Mr.. Grinnell is one OF our
our Oldest shipping merchants and enjoys position
In the business community OF your city as elevated
as It possible for any man to obtain. Should Mr..
Smyhe, the present Collector succeed in getting his
appointment as Minister to Russia confirmed by the
Senate Mr. Francis skiddy win probably be offered
the Colectorship by President Johnson for the bal
ance OF the term.
Improvement Of New York Harbor.
The bill OF Congressman Robinson, Of Brooklyn,
introduced to-day, looking to the removal OF obstruc
tions from the harbpr Of New York and providing
for the construction OF suitable docks and piers
the water fronts Of New York and Brooklyn, caused
some interest here. The bill provides that there
shall be deducted from the total amount Of
the annual receipts from customs duties fve per
cent annually for twenty years. THIS amount is to
be appropriated the building Of docks and piers Of
section Of the bin designates the Secretary OF the
Treasury, the Governor OF New York. the Collector OF
the Port Of New York and the Mayors OF New York
and Brooklyn as . board TO superintend
the outlay OF the appropriation. Mr.
Robinson estimates that on a basis OF
100000 900 income from customs duties per annum
at the port OF New York, $500000o would be secured
for the purpose named in his bill. In twenty years
there would be. $looooo,Ooo, which, II judiciously
expended. would be sunlcient to build such docks
and piers are to be seen at Liverpool, England.
CensaItutiOualify Of the Legal Tender Act.
No consultation. has yet been held by the Judges
OF the Supreme Court the question concerning the
constitutionality of the legal tender act. A
vast amount OF miscellaneous and prior
business occupies the attention Of the
court and Ia AZ rapidly disposed OF as time and in
vestigation win permit IL is at present uncertain
court turning the necessary, cautious and careful
attention to this important subject while II Ia un-
derstood some Of the judges are disposed to await
the OF events and let the question settle itself
when the monetary anairs OF the country no longer
rest upon currency OF irredeemable paper.
Preparations for the Inauguration.
military company OF Calfornians, called the
Grant Tnvincibies, intend to sail from San Fran
cisco next month to attend the Inauguration here
on the attn OF March.
Supreme Court Judges.
Between Wilson'S bill, introduced in the early
part OF the session. retiring option judges OF the
Supreme Court after they reach the age OF seventy
years, and Shermans bill introduced In the Senate
to-day, there is this difference, that sherman's 70
tires all judges Of United States courts afer seventy
and II they fail to take the hint authorizes the Prcs
dent to appoint additional judges to cooperate with
them and exercise full judicial functions In their
absence.
Address by Chief Justice Chase.
On Sunday evening last Chief Justice Chase sp-
peared In new r6te Before . numerous and
fashionable congregation at the Episcopal church In
ehis city he delivered an address on the subject OF
"Christan MissIonsv which he stated were destined
10 effect what all the conquerors OF the world from
Eimrod 70 Napoleon had failed 70 accomplish the
subjugation Of the whole world. Though there were
but 900 Christians against ESQ., 900 anti
Christians on the globe, and though com
baratvely speaking, but few we're engaged
IN disseminating the doctrine or Christianity
still he believed the time not far distant when the
world would be subjugated. by the power Of Him
who said, sGo ye and teach all nations.r He saw
ell the signs OF the coming religious unity Nations
were becoming fewer bus larger; languages were
disappearing; hut the tendency 10 one common, uni
vcrsal language, understood by all nations, was
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