The New York herald., 1870-02-16

Senatorial Auacudmcnts 60 tho Frunkisg Prlvi-
lego Isiil.
Senator Morrill,, Of Vermont, this morning opened
the discussion Of the bill TO abolish the franking
privilege by reading piece calculated 10 show that
the passage Of the bill in Its present shape would oe
nadvisabe. There are several features OF the pre-
sent free postage law which, he thought should be
retained; Tor instance, tho diplomatic ma'is OF for
clgn governments aud the courtesy OF the franking
privilege to Presidents Of the United States par
tlcularly. The bill Will be discussed by the Senate
as the unfinished business or the mOrning hour. A
number OF amendments VIII he presented. 1t Is
probable the subject viii be again referred to the
committee TO report mature bill. 1t is certain the
House Of Representatives win adopt any amend
ments the senate may propose. The passage OF the
Dill in the first place by the house Of Representa-
tives was mere buncomb.
Bntierss Disability Hill.
The Reconstruction Oommlttee has agreed to But
lcr's general Disability bin without amendments
An effort was made BY the democratic members OF
the committee TO strike out the section which pro-
vides that any person formerly member or the
United states Congress belonging TO the army or
navy who went into the rebellion shall be excluded
from the benefits OF the act. MIR. Beck, OF Kentucky
made strong appeal on benaf OF this class of per-
sons, but Butler and the radical majority were in-
exorable. Ben does no. believe that there II any
forgiveness for these men.
New Departments Of Governmenr Proposed
Commissioner Dclauo Aspiring to a Seat
In the Cabinet.
The greater part OF the SESSION OF the Ways ana
Means Committee today was consumed In discns
sing proposition TO elevate the Internal Revenue
Bureau 10 q separate department OF the govern
ment, with Canmet ofncer nc its head Tne Presl-
dents message, 1t viii be remembered, contained
recommendation to that effect. This is understood
TO have been suggested by Mr. Delano, the present
Commissioner, who 1t is reported, aspres 10 seat
In the Cabinet. The committee, after an animated
debate, agreed by vote OF i've to four to report In
favor OF the measure.
Opposition to tho Proposed Changes of the
Pilot Laws.
Mr.. IL. HarDinson, delegate from the Pilots AS
sociatl0n OF New York, arrived here to-day to
protest against proposed provision in the new bill
OF Mr.. Lynch, OF the committee to Investigate the
causes OF the decline In American commerce. The
provision objected to by the pilots of the whole
country is one proposing an entire change in the
pilot system, taking It's regulation from States and
placing 1t exclusively under the jurisdiction OF Con.
gress. Some OF the shpowners have complained
that the present system injurious to their bust
ness; That the pilot charges too high and the
compulsory provisions tyrannical-that is, that
part Of existing laws which c0mpea masters
Of vessels to accept the first pilot that offers
hts services when they arrive near their
port OF destination. The pilots declare that the
present law Is the best that could be devised, and
that to change It Will be TO encourage Incompetent
piots and thus ruin the business OF large and USE
ful class, who have made the calling the study Of
their lives. They contend that the compulsory part
Of the existing law Is mutual, oblglng pilots to 20
with any vessel that halls them, just as well as YES.
sells required to accept the services Of the first
pilot that offers. Mr.. HarbinSOn had an interview
with Congressman Lynch. explained the wishes or
the New York pilots ana left for New YORK tonight
The GKecne-van Wyck Contested Election
Care.
The contested election case Of Van Wyck against
Greene, from the Eleventh district OF New York,
was Brought up IN the House to day and discussed
by Butler OF Tennessee, for Van Wyck, and Burr OF
Illinois, TOR Greene, until the hour OF adjournment.
OF course Van Wyck, beng republican VIII Get
the seat whenever vote IL reached Thus far, dur
ing the present Congress, every democrat whose
seat has been contested has been ousted, matter
what majority ne may have received from the peo-
pie. Judging from the action OF the Committee on
Elections, which Is always sustained by the House,
would suppose saat 1t Is Impossible for repub.
ucan candidate for Congress be elected by fraud
While the democrats can be elected IN no other wav
The indications that every democrat IN the pre-
sent House whose seat is contested viii be cleaned
and the dry unnteresting discussions In the House
over these cases are the merest farce.
Lavish Appropriation for Railroad Purposes.
The Legislature OF Florida has granted 1t Is said,
over $500 600 Of gold bearing State bonds TO the
railroad company referred 10 In our despatch few
days since-whch is equivalent nearly s1O GOO
Of currency. Total taxable properly OF the State
as shown by the last assessment. is s25, o0O, ,ooo
The state debt now, by this Issue, being over
sll 100000. with population Of s140, 900. This
tn be about the biggest thing on record OF the
kind.
Nice Little Lobby Job.
Last Friday Senator Nye, or Nevada introduced
bill to relinqush the interest OF the United States In
military reservation in San Francisco. This means
Yerba Buena Island, In the harbor OF san Francisco
and OF the most important military positions on
the whole Pacific coast. The Central Pacific Rail-
road Company, baving goObled up all the land they
could along the route the Pans, have for
time been casting longing eye on this valuable
island as very desirable terminus OF their road.
But instead Of Offering to purchase 1t OF the govern
ment at fair valuation, the agents of this great
monopoly have sought to get possession OF il by
practices honest men would scarcely condescend TO-
Having been defeated in their attempts TO get pos
session Of 1t through this War Department they have
packed strong lobby and hope to bag their game
through the influence they can bring to on sue
congressman as are ready to have an impression
made on them when you show the colcr OF your
money. To show the value Of this property which
the Central Pacific Railroad Company coolly asks
the government TO make 1t present OF Will quote
from a report made by the United States engineers
January s. 1868, and dated at San Francisco:-"This
island" says the report, s regarded this city
q very valuable piece Of property. II the public
mind could be disabused OF the idea that 1t may be
obtained for railroad aud commercial purposes by
OF Congress- and If the government were dis
posed to sell the island and were TO put up pub
lie auction, be sold to tho highest bidder 1t would
probably bring $4,000, 0oo."
1t is reported that capitalist In San Francisco
stands ready to pay down s2,oooo0o in gold fer the
island whenever the government is ready to sell.
Acquisition @: sites for National Defence.
The Secretary Of War has submitted to the Senate
Dill designed to facilitate the acquisition OF sites
for national works OF defence and to protect the
public Treasury against the combinations sop,etimea