The New York herald., 1870-01-19
WASHIM GT0N
s~>~>~~~~~>~~~~>~s,~~-~~~
The Republican Party Becoming
DemOralized.
Radical Arraignmcnt OF the
Administration.
Startling Increase Of Public
Expenditures.
A Magnificent Job in the Philadelphia
Navy Yard.
Proposed Sale Of the Brooklyn
Navy Yard.
Preparations for the Reception oi
Prince Arthur.

Prince Arthur.
WASHINGTON, jan Is, 1870.
Startling Speech OF Massachusetts Radical
Extravaganco of Grunt's AdministratiOn-
Enormous Increase Of Public Expenditures.
hr. Henry L. Dawes, OF Massachusetts, chairman
Of the Committee on Appropriations, astonisned his
fellow republicans not less than the democrats in
the House to-day by his exposition of what ne terms
'the tendency or the administration to prongate
expenditures The immediate occasion OF the
speech was the proposition now before the Houseto
transfer the Philadelphia Navy Yard from its
present site to League Island. Mr.. Dawes
opposed the bill on the ground first, that
would take at least million out OF
the Treasury and, second because the bill gives the
Secretary OF the Navy power to dispose OF the land
where the yard now stands and also gives him the
control OF the money. He broadly limited that he
would not trust the Secretary Of the Navy with any
such power. When he made this announcement
members on bolh sides Of the House pricked up
their ears, eager 70 hear what might follow. This
however, was only the prelude TO q general on.
niaught upon all the members OF the adminlstra-
tion, with the exception Of Attorney General Hoar,
who, said Dawes, 'is the only one VINO has not
asked for enormous appropriations, ana it is
RASPvSSu
out OF ONCE" This en- passant compliment to the
erudite Attorney General was received as a good
Joke, and created ripple OF laughter on both SIDES
As Mr.. Dawes warmed up With his subject the men,
bers left their seats and began crowding around
hm where he stood. The democrats, VINO seemed
to catch the first notes Of what he said abont ex-
fravagant expenditures In connection With the
administration, came over from their side Of the
hall to the republican side ana listened atten-
lively, ana no doubt approvingly, to the
startling array OF Official facts ana figures. Dawes
did not speak from memory or vaguely When he
referred to figures he held In his hand the orcial
estimates furnished che committee by the heads OF
Departments for appropriations for the fiscal year OF
Grants administration, and he gave dollars and
cents. In about half an hour he had exploded all
the statements which have been circulated 80 indus
triously In the newspapers and on the stump about
the economy and retrenchment Of the present ad-
ministration. The appropriations asked for the
navy yards were greater than before. The only
hope Of rctrenchment in the Navy Depart.
ment held out to the country was In the
item OF coal Here, 1t was said we would save
00o co0 when the official records showed that the
coal used by the navy last year. under Old Faith er
Welles only amounted to $780, 900. AT this point
che democrats INDUCED in laugh at the expense OF
the Jolly R0bes0n. The Postmaster General with
whom 10 is said Dawes is not on the best serms
came in for his share OF rldicule and blame Cres-
webs calculation that IL cost the government
$eo0o 600 year to MAINTAIN the franking privilege
was dssected, and Dawes asserted that II the post
age all the matter sent members OF Congress was
paid 1t would not amount TO s200,o00 This would
allow every member to mail 800 letters every day in
ne year. Dawes comparison OF the estimates of
appropriations asked for during the last year Of
Andrew Johns0n's administration with those Of the
0rst year OF the present administration was highly
credtable to the former and decidedly damaging to
the latter. Several prominent democrats said no
better defence Of Andrew Johnson's administration
could have been made than was exhibited to-day in
the comparison Of the estimates for appropriations
According to the showing of the chairman OF the
Appropriation Committee, and he is regarded as q
careful man, the estimates OF the present ad-
ministrattOn for the first year exceed those OF
che last year Of Andrew Johnson's ADMINISTRATION
3490O0,0oo. This did not Include ne SAID, the mil
hons asked for ST. Domingo, for the New York Post
Ofice-he said nothing about the Boston Post ONCE
and f0r League Island. The conclusion oil Dawes,
speech was the administration and the republican
party had not kept faith with the people on the
promises Of economy and retrenchment through
which they were placed In power. The speech made
marked effect on the House, and is the general
subject Of conversation In oTlcla and political
circles tonight. The democrats, as might be ex-
pected, are delighted w.th 1t. Judge Woodward
says 1t il the best campaign document the demo.
Gratis can distribute next fall, and the best theme
for discussion on the stump.
The Gold Panic Investigation.
The gold panic investigating committee had
another session to-day and examined MIR. Stout, OF
she Tenth National Bank, New York, and Mr.
Eliis OF the firm OF Heath d Co. The tes-
nS fSnuo
already examined, was unmportant and contained
nothing beyond what appeared in the newspapers
ut the time Of the panic There seems to be really
NO good reason for the xecresy which the members
OF the committee cndeavor to throw around the pro-
cecdings. MI s. s. Cox, Of New York, member Of
the committee, is 80 well satisfied OF this that he
has made proposition to have the investigation
conducted publicly, at least to admit representa-
ttves OF the press. The important witnesses such
as Fisk Gould and Corbin, are not expected to ar.
rive here until the latter part OF the week. The
committee are puzzled to know what to do with
Corbin, who sends word that ne has no idea when
his health Will permit him to attend the committees
summons.
New York Post Onicc Invesiigafion-I Large
Mistake in the Architect's Estimates,
The House Postal Committee examined BENJAMIN
oertly to-day concerning the plans and estimates
for the New York Post Ofice building. Mr. Oertly
was formerly in the office OF the Supervising Archi.
tect OF the Treasury here and says that made out
the estimates at the direction OF Mr.. Mullet for the
Few York Post ONCE According to the statements
~ members OF the committee 1t appears that the
nrst estimate OF Mr.. Mullett the cost was to be
12,5oo0o0 and that the last estimate s 81, COO 600.
Mr. Nnllett states chat he trusted in the first instance
TO Mr.. Oertly, who made mistake in his calculation
hence the difference Of the estimates. Before the
committee to-day MIR. Oerty testified that his esti-
mate was correct according to the plans given him
By Mr.. Auliett and that he had not made mistake.
Omcers Rank in the Navy.
j. understood that bill will shortly DO reported
ffcn the Senate Committee on Naval Affairs to define
shs status OF staH officers Of the navy which
wiz not however, interfere with nor embar.
fass the legitimate exercise or indepen-
Gent authority by the commanding officer
pf any vessel tbs quite certain as long as the ON.
Der In conlmapd Of vessel il responsible alone for