The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-05-13
LATEST FROM WASHINGTON.

LATEST FROM WASHINGTON.
Special kilograms to the Dispatch.
| WASHINGTON, May II, 1870.
The Army BiII.
The Senate to-day disposed of the army
bill, the appropriation bill having been laid
aside to oblige Mr.. Wilson, who wants to
| 60 home. In view Of the Indian troubles
and the condition of affairs In the South,
and in accordance with the wishes of Sec
rotary Belknap and General Sherman, the
Senate refused to allow the army to be re-
duced to $4,000, but changed the Sec
| ton SO as to make the maximum
force 10000. Nearly the whole discussion,
which lasted almost all day, ceutr ed on the
propriety of allowing army officers to hold
| civil offices. The opinion was expressed
| that General Parker, Commissioner of In
dian Affairs; General Porter; General
Babcock and General Dent, Secretaries of
| the President, and other officers of the
| army, are now holding civil Offices in vio-
| lation of law. General Sickles was said to
be holding his office of Minister to Spain
| under the authority of years leave
of absence, which would expire next
month, and that he will then have
either to resign his commission in the army
or his diplomatic appointment. A desire
seemed to prevail in the Senate to allow re-
tired officers the privilege of holding civil
office, but such a course was thought to be
at variance with the spirit Of our insti-
tutions and the general feeling in the
country against infusing military mat
tiers in civil relations. The section
as it finally passed is the same as
that adopted by the House, and makes
vacant at once the positions of all officers,
active or retired, who accept civil appoint
ments. This, it is believed. will not only
affect the officers named, but will interfere
with General Badeau, just confirmed as
| Consul-Gcneral to London, and some fifty
officers now serving rs Indian agents, &c.
The section providing Il fixed salary for Of
iicers instead ofallowances, rations, servants,
&C.. was debated ut some length. There is Il
variety ofopinions on this subject. General
Logan thinks it will be Il great saving over
the present system, while Senator Wilson
says il will increase the expenses several
hundred thousand dollars. The section
was finally stricken out, and the present eX-
travagant pay Of the general, lieutenant
generals, major and brigadier-generalS, is
continued, but it is believed the House will
insist upon q reduction. The bill will then
90 to a conference committee. A motion Of
Senator Thurman to recommit to the COM
mittee the whole subject was lost by two
votes, and the bill was passed, the session
continuing until after O'Clock.
| The Tariff Bill.
Although appeals have been made to
General Schenck to lay aside the tariff and
report the internal revenue bill, he eX-
presses his determination to push the tariff
bill, and pass it if possible. He has been
repeatedly informed by senators that they
will not consider the bill this session.
The Cable from California to China.
The question Of granting a land subsidy
to Cyrus W. Field to lay q cable from Cali
fornia to China was discussed at length to-
day by the Senate Foreign Relations Com
mittee, who consider this one Of the most
gress, and maintain that it is the duty of
the Government to aid in it's successful
completion. They decided, however, not
to allow land grant, but in lieu thereof to
lend the credit of the Government in its
construction. The amount and mode of
securing necessary aid for the undertaking
were discussed but not finally agreed upon.
The subject will be resumed ut the next
meeting Of the committee.
Four Per Cent, Bonds.
Mir. BuWles, n par:stan banker, made a
lengthy argument before the Ways aud
Means Committee in favor Of a long four
per cent. bond, and demonstrated that
bond OF this character could be successfully
negotiated. lie said he had carefully con-
sidered this subject, and had conferred with
leading bankers in Europe. He had no
doubt the bond could be floated. He was
ready and willing to undertake it, and give
all necessary guarantees for its early ac-
complishment.
The committee attentiyely listened to his
statement, which seems to be in accordance
with the views of several of its members.
The committee has about agreed on this
branch of the funding bill, and will proba-
bly, report in favor ofalong, consolidated four
per cent. bond instead of the three classes
of bonds provided in the Senate bill.
| Steamship Lines.
William ii. Webb, of New York, was be-
fore the Senate Postal Committee to-day
urging the passage of a bill for the establish
ment of steamship line from New York
along the west coast of South America. He
desires subsidy sufficient to enable himto
successfully establish this line. The COM
mittce still has the matter under considera-
ton.
The New York and Mexican Steamship
Company has informed the Senate Postal
Committee that unless the Government
speedily aids them by a small subsidy they
will be compelled to withdraw their steam
ers, which will give to the French and Eng
Iish complete monopoly Of the trade with
Mexico. The committee is disposed to
comply with their request.
The San Domingo Treaty.
The Senate has been canvassed by the
friends of San Domingo, and it is thought
nv them that the treaty can be carried in
the Senate; others, however, do not beieVe
the two-thirds vote can be had. a protec-
torate is proposed for the island, and sena-
tor Summer is said to be in favor OF it.
Gaugers, Fees-Weiss Beer
i 10