New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-02-19
WASHINGTON.

WASHINGTON, Friday, Feb. Is, 1870.
Secretary Boutwell, at the Capitol today and on
being questioned by leading member OF the ways ana
Means Committee whether he favored the thirty million
reduction Of internal taxes which formally agreed
TO by the Committee yesterday, he stated most emphat
cally that he was opposed such reduction at the
present time He maintained that it very import
that portion of the debt should be funded before
any reduction made lie had no doubt that II the
funding bill reported by Senator Sherman was passed at
early day. lie would be able to fund five or SIX hundred
millions within the present year. Money was abundant
in all the European capitals waiting investment and he
had no doubt that several hundred millions would
speedily be taken. He hoped, therefore, that the Com
mtee would press this measure soon as 1t reached the
House, That until five six hundred millions OF the
debt funded he did not think advisable to reduce
the lie said the President had never Indicated
TO him that he desired any reduction OF the taxes OF the
Funding bill postponed until next year.
The principal feature III the Senate to-day vas DC
bate OH the bill to authorize the holding OF interna
tonal exhibition in the City OF Washington. Those who
opposed the bill did principally because convinced
that large expenditure OF Government money would be
required make it and that the Government
national honor would be called upon to make
good all deficiencies Others did not believe Washington
was place. that, If the exhibition to be held
it should be held in of the large commercial cities
! Again, some thought it would be disgrace to let
foreigners here and what miserable Capitol
we possessed. Washington, however, had friends
who warmly defended her. ana Mr. Nye said she should
be pride the country and that there no such
building in the world Capitol Mr.. Schurz made
interesting statement in regard 10 the various expos
ons that been held in London and Paris from which
It appears that but one and that the first, proved
pecuuiary success II this has been the in such
dense ccutcrs Of population wealth, and commerce, as
! London and Paris, twhat hope can there
| be OF Washington accomplishing anything. People
here boast that they have already s2oooooO
subscribed which they seem to think is sufficient to
carry enterprise along successfully but In Paris,
where the wages of labor scarcely third OF the rates
which prevail here It cost 100000 in gold to put up
the building 1t probable that the facts brought
forward by Mr. schurz VIII put quetus upon this mad
project although there is disposition 10 let the
Washingtonans spend their own money, II 1t can be
made certainty that the Government will not be called
upon TO contribute. well said, they would show
more enterprise by applying their S2OOOOO0- toward
paving their muddy streets, building railroads or some
! thing practical
The Senate was in Executive session for two hours
day. The calendar taken up, and large number
Of combinations made and but few reflections The
Foreign Committee presented, with favorable recon-
mendations, the of Gen Scklcs for the Spanish
mission Two or three Senators objected his consider
| alton and his went Judge Pearre. Tor the
Fourth Judicial Circuit judgcshp, considered for
/ short time; but he also went over The noml'
nations Of Judge Strong and Mr.. Bradley
preme Bench were akenup and Judge Strong after
a short debate, was confirmed without division. Judge
! Bradley passed without division. Judge Bradley
was passed without action Subsequent discussion
developed the probability Of the passage Of the bill rear
ranging the Supreme Court circuits aud providing that
the Judges shall reside the district from which they
are appointed, aud motion made 10 reconsider the
confirmation OF Strong. HIS confirmation Is void,
therefore, until further action is taken.
In the House, to-day, work Was begun early on the
Legislative, Executive, aud Judicial Appropriation BILL
! and good progress was made. When the item for the
salary Of the Supervising Architect OF the Treasury was
reached. fierce attack made the incumbent Mr.
Mullct led by Farnsworth and Loughrdge. and an at
tempt was made strike out the appropriation. The
main objection 10 Muliet was his extravaganza but Mr.
Dawes answered that the Office necessary, and Mr.
Boutw ell would be held responsible, the Office
was under his control Messrs Butler Peters Lynch and
sarkweaher defended Muet and the motion TO strike
| out failed An animated debate occurred on the ques
ton of salaries female clerks employed by the
| Government. An amendment was offered TO pay the
women clerks the salaries tile clerks, where
they perform like service MeSsrs. lIoar, Kelley Ben
ton and others strong appeals in favor of the ee
vatlon OF labor while other members opposed
the amendment the ground that strict economy de
Inanded there should be increase OF salaries The
debate began with serious intention but members soon
got joking the expense OF the female sex, when
Dawes threatened to call tine previous question on the
whole bill unless members confined themselves strictly
TO business There Is a faint hope that vote ON the
! whole bill will be reached yet
The Military Committee of the House were in session
again to-day aud examined several witnesses in regard
to the allie ged corruption in the appointments OF Cadets
to Point Mr. J.. /? Brooks examined. who testi
fed to having purchased appointment to West Point
| from Mr.. Blackburn. a member OF the NLth Congress
from louisiana and OF having attempted to purchase
one another member OF the XLth Congress from
louisiana but failed because the price asked was too
high and more than he would pay Mr. Brooks also tes
! tilted to having bought cadetshfp from member
whose name he refused give lie appear again to-
morrow if he still refuses to dIyulge the name he
Will probably be committed for contempt
The Ways and Means Committee, having further con
sidered the proposition to erect the Internal Revenue
Bureau into a department. has modified the original
proposition so as make it department like that Of
Agriculture. Indian Affairs the Land Office. Re. with
corresponding powers, duties and responsibilities but
not giving the head a in the Cabinet, origin
| ally contemplated.
| Tomorrow IN important debate will begn on the sub
ect Of land grants railroads. &c the bill Of Sena
| tor Williams, providing for II heavy land grant TO
Oregon road The whole question will be discussed, and
the policy of Congress decided upon. II land is in
one case it must gwen half dozen others. IL is
thought debate will be very long one.
The Mississippi bill sent 10 the House to-day. IL
will De enrolled aud conveyed TO the President, for his
approval tomorrow The House delegation from that
State called on the President to-day. reques him
retain the bill for aaday two, but.the Members did
not bin, on account Of Cabinet meeting
II the President signs the bill tomorrow,
| is expected. 1t il believed that Mr. Reyels and
his colleague Will be in Monday
Ggrret Davis will make very bitter speech agans:
Eevcls, and he says he will speak his mind, # he is
PEELED tor half hour aferward. Ex-Representatve
PetLs OF the XXh Pennsylvania District has graphed
here denying that he Point Cadetship TO Mr.
Bishop for $780, lately proved before the Military
Committee He further says that both Mr.. Bishop and
he here Ia the