The New York herald., 1870-02-22

m hU1CAllDs " UODh 4
saxon-the committee told the New York delegation
that would be van at the present time to ask the
government for any subsidies, and that the commit,
tee could not recommend any such plan to Congress.
Report Of the Retrcnchmsnt Committee.
The Joint Committee on Retrenchment made
report to-day. They mention that they visited DUR
ing the summer vacation the cities of New York,
Chicago and San Francisco, and carefully inquired
into the administration OF the public service, and
took large amount OF testimony relating abuses
therein, the most valuable parts OF which they sub
init for the consideration OF Congress. The system
OF carding and sealing Of goods between New York
and San Francisco via Iathmus OF Panama was
heavy tax on the merchants and Its superintend-
ence necessitated the employment OF q considerable
force as large expense to the government while the
system itself was wholly Intellectual and, so far
from protecting the revenue Afforded increased fa-
cl,lties for the perpetration OF the very frauds
which It was designed to prevent It was not within
the power Of the Treasury Department the
evil. The result OF the investigation was the abo-
uon OF the system. The committee recommend tho
erection upon the Custom House block, San Fran
cisco, Of building to accommodate many Of the
government olices in the city. Considerable testi-
mony was taken IN relation to the management OF
the San Francisco Post once, internal revenue in
California and frauds In connection with whiskey
and tobacco but a. the evils and abuses disclosed
can be corrected without additional legislation and
are within the control Of the Treasury and Post o.
nce Departments, the committee do not think 1t
necessary that the testimony should be printed and
recommend that 1t be kept on 1le for future use.
The committee also gathered testimony rela-
tive 10 branches Of the customs revenue and
suggested the means to lessen expenses, prevent
smuggling ana increase the eflciency OF the SERVICE
&c. The Committee intimate they will hereafter re-
commend measures for enactment by Congress In
relation TO tho object OF their Investigation ana Will
submit the testimony In order to afford full under
standing Of the abuses which they are intended 10
correct and the advantages which they are designed
TO produce.
John Barleycorn MISUNDERSTANDING Fine
Whisikeys.
The Ways ana Means Committee have agreed that
nne whiskey In bond shall be safe. An appeal was
made to Schenck Co. some days ago to allow such
whiskey to remain In bond for three years longer
for the reason tnat II taken out now II would SPOIL
The whiskey men went before the Ways and Means
Committee and explained the situation, and the
consequence Is that the committee have agreed that
John Barleycorn may remain in healthy bondage for
three years longer, provided that additional tax
OF one per cent on each gallon be paid. II, there
FORE any member offers special bill to carry out
this appeal OF the whskey there wlli be no op-
position from the Ways and Means. II no separate
bill is brought forward then the desired relief will
be granted in the regular Internal Revenue bill now
under advisement.
WhIslkeys in Bond.
resolution will be offered In the House to-day II
an opportunity is presented, extending to three
years the time for holding In bond nne whlsxey
which improves with age This legislation desired
by the manufa The disposition OF the Com
mlttee Of Ways and Means TO be to accept the
resolution with an amendment charging q small In
teresl on the different taxes.
The Spanish Frisatcs In New York Harbor.
The presence Of the Spanish rrigates the Lealtad
and vittoria in the harbor OF New York has been
the matter OF much comment showing exaggera-
tion. Thee is reason to believe tnat the two fri
gates VIII not remain in New YORK harbor more
than few days. aud It IL believed that they are on
their way to another port, where they win undergo
thorough repairs 1t is stated positively they nave
not selected New York for this purpose.
Bill for the Abolition Of Hnrbor Dues-Altcrn.
si0n Of pii0tagc Regulations.
On Saturday last Congressman Moore, Of New
Jersey presented to the House petitions from d. s.
stetson, A. Simpson d Brother and 2S4 citizens OF
New Jersey and Pennsylvania snipbuilders, cap
tains and owners of ships and vessels praying Con-
gress by enactment to project all engaged in naviga
ton from Illegal exactions by State and municipal
corporations, such - license, pilot, port warden
harbor master and port collector fees, and to
encourage and foster American shipbnilding.
These petitions were referred to the Committee on
tho Decline OF American Commerce. The members
OF that committee said to have agreed to report
proviso to their bill, which was suggested by q
committee OF the Vessel owners and Captains
Association OF New York and Philadelphia, pro-
vdinR that potage shall not be abolished, but that
the pilots shall collect compensation only when
actual service is desired and rendered. This is
stouty resisted by tho pilots of New York and the
whole country.
Proposed Sale Of Omcers' Quarters Cover
norss Island.
Secretary Belknap appeared before the Senate
Military Committee to-day on = subject OF some in
terest to New YorKers. He explained TO the Com
mitee the necessity OF changing the present plan OF
keeping officers partly on Governors Island and
partly In New York city and elsewhere. 1t was at
tended he said by very unne ecessary inconvenience
IN many respects. boat at present was employed
IN doing little less than running between Governors
Island and New York city, conveying messages, &C.,
from the military authorities. Secretary Belknap
proposed that the Offices &c. used Governors
building be obtained IN New YORK city, from the pro-
ceeds thereof TO accommodate all the business OF the
military authorities In thar vicinity. Whether tho
Secretary also recommended the sale Of the island
itself have not ascertaned. It is understood that
Senator Wilson Will introduce resolution bill In
short time to carry out the suggestions OF Secre-
tary Belknap
The Mediterranean and Oriental Steamship
Company.
The friends Of the Mediterranean and Oriental
Steamship Company claim that recent paragraph
relative the character Of the incorporators does
them injustice. They were alluded TO as persons
more FAMOUS as politicians than as merchants or
capitalists. and that infcrentiaiiy the enter.
prise was more Of . legislative speculation
than an honest scheme to promote egiti.
mate commerce. A petition in support OF
the bill, signed by q number OF New York political
worthless and presented by Mr. Conkiing in the Sen
ate, was mistakenly supposed to be q list Of the
names OF the corporators but the latter said
70 be number OF gentlemen prominently connected
with our merchant marine and Of known capital 1t