The New York herald., 1870-01-28
WASHINGTON
Discussion on the Currency Bill
In the Senate.
AN EXCITING DAY In THE HOUSE.
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The Virginia Representatives
Sworn In.
DEMOCRATS DIRECTING TO PORTER.
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Bill to Abolish the Franking Privilege
Passed by the House.
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MIR. Dawes Speech in Reply to
General Butler.
AN EXCITING DAY In THE HOUSE.
DEMOCRATS DIRECTING TO PORTER.
Bill to Abolish the Franking Privilege
Passed by the House.
MIR. Dawes Speech in Reply to
General Butler.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 81, 1870.
Improving the Capital-President Grant Fn.
vorinx Congressional Appropriations.
The Mayor of Washington ana the Register OF
Deeds have had an interview with the President In
regard to District matters, the course OF which
the President Is represented saying, referring to
the former visit OF the citizens, he did not know
how they came to suppose he would recommend to
Congress tnat appropriations ought to be made for
this city. Such had not been nor was 1t his in
tentiOn now. A recommendation OF this char
acter at present would be desregarded. The West
cru members were specially tenacious in regard to
this subject Time and more information would
soften the asperites Of the moment. 1t had been his
desire for years. and was his wish to before
the close OF his term OF ONCE the capital to take rank
with the drst In the world-to beautily, adorn and
Improve 1t so as to be source OF pride to the
tion and worthy OF our great achievements aud the
admiration OF foreigners visiting us. The year clos
ing March would show great reduction of the
public debt and less taxation, and by that
time Congress might the necessity OF improving
our avenues public buildings and other important
public works, and he had no doubt the time would
come when Cabinet ministers would be furnished
with houses free OF rent by the government To
suppose that men representing the nation could on
tlons was simply ridiculous.
The President was asked by the Register whether
It was not best, under the circumstances, for the
Mayor 10 draw up IN brief statement as to the
wants OF the District and what would give almost
entire satisfaction to all classes and that the
President endorse the same or accompany
1t BY letter Of his own to Congress, and
thus 40 something practical for the relief OF our
citizens. The Mayor desired to know whether the
plan suggested and the brief mentioned by the
Register were satisfactory to the President. He
doubted very much II any other would give sats-
faction. Four r-niths or the republicans Of the District
were opposed 10 the curtaiment OF the franchise.
This plan might harmonize conflicting opinions and
result in unity. He would In this letter explain
what was essentially necessary; how the avenues
and streets ought to be improved, and why the gov
ernment should feel interest In our loca! exist
ence. The President replied that he would take
great pleasure in being the medium OF trans
mtting such letter to Congress, with such
endorsement as he might ceem proper ana ex-
pedient; that he could not see why the gov
ernment, which owned half the taxable property OF
the city, should be exempt from It's due share OF
itabnty to adorn and embellish the capital, &c.
General Logan's Army Bill.
Some time ago General Logan introduced o bill to
reduce the number OF officers In the army and to ix
their pay. The House Military Committee has had
1t under discussion for time, and at its meet
Ing to-day, after amending 1t in some particulars,
the bill was agreed to and the chairman ordered to
report 1t to the House. 1t Is q radical measure
Tar the officers OF the army and their pay
cerned and If adopted IL will leave many q warrior
with his occupation gone. 1t authorizes the Presi-
dent to appoint board OF five oficers, whose duty
Il shall be 10 revise the entire army list and
10 examine all officers as to their fitness for the
vice. All officers who fail to pass the examination
are to be mustered out at once, and ali vacancies
occurring within six months are to be filed from
the list OF oilcers recommended by the Board for
retention in the service. At the end OF that time all
supernumerary officers are to be mustered out and
given one years pay and allowances. The General
snip and the Lieutenant Generashp Of the army are
to be abolished upon the death or resignation OF
the present incumbents, with all the laws re-
iating thereto. The number OF major generals
to be reduced from i've to three. and OF
brigadiers from eight to six. The President Ii
authorized to select, without regard to seniority,
such generals as are 10 he retained. The heads OF
departments and chiefs OF STAFF are TO have the work
and pay OF colonel instead OF brigader general,
and ell brevet ranks are to be abolished. The
tired liss is TO number $50 officers and more. All
Ofcers 0l the army, whether the retired list in
active service, are prohibited from accepting or
holding positions In the civil service. The pay sys-
tenn is thoroughly revolutionized by the bill. In
stead OF certain amount with commutatton and
allowances, the pay Is TO be so much per
annum and no perquisites. In all cases the
pay Of oficers is reduced from the present rates.
The General Of the Army is to receive $4,000 per
annum instead Of $4,000. his present salary; The
Lieutenant General $4,000 instead Of $14, 900. All
the other Officers are reduced IN proportion. Ocers
serving In the field are to have an extra allowance
Of pay.
A. X. Corbin Before the Investigation Con,-
mittee.
A. r. CorDin, OF New York, was before the Com
mittee on Banking and Currency to-day, and was
examined at some length in reference to the recent
gold panic In New York. His examination VIII be
concluded to- morrow; put he positively declines to
divuge any OF his testimony on the ground that It
would be showing disresrect to the committed.
Nominations sent to the Senate.
The PRESIDENT to-day sent the following nomina-
tAons to the Senate:-
James Jennings Receiver Of Public Moneys at
Cena, Mich; John Eaton, Jr., OF Tennessee Commits
sioner OF Education, In place OF Barnard to be re.
moved; hampton Auick, Assistant surgeon in the
Navy; Lieutenant Samuel s. Wilson, Lieutenant
Commander in the Navy; First Lieutenant II, b.
Lowry Captain III the Marine Corps; second Llente-
naut X. X. Neili First Lieutenant IN Marine Corps;
Israel y. Adams, Collector OF Customs at Great Egg
Harbor N j.; Jarvis II. Bartlett Collector OF Custom
at Little Eng HdrDOr, N. D., Wllll6n u. WtlllafnS
Postmaster at Watertown, N. y; Bruce Johnson
Postmaster at Shebyvule lnd
Enforcement Of the Laws Against Polygamy
in Utah.
The House Committee on Territories, at their
meeting to-day, finished the bill which they have
mad before them Tor some time, to abolish poiygamy
In Utah. and to provide for the enforcement Of the
laws OF the United States In that Territory.
], provides that hereafter the practice OF polyga-
my shall be prohibited in the Territories by the
United Satcs For the enforcement Of this and other
laws Of the United States in the Territory OF utan
the President is authorized and directed TO employ
. suflcient force Of United States troops and 10
rnise $4,000 militia among the citizens Utah Terri
tory. The bill Will be reported to the House as soon
as the committee is called upon for the report and
she chairman Of the committee, Mr.. Cullom Is con.
ndent that 1t Will 20 through the House.
Disposal Of the Public D0main-Rairoad Land
Grants to be Prohibited.
The Committee on Public Lands OF the Houae at