New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-11-22
WASHINGTON.


PREPARING FOR THE OPENING OF CONGRESS
IMPORTANT BILLS AWAITING ACTIoS-IhE
REDISTRIBUTION OF THE CURRENCf-A coN-
TESTED SEAT IN SOUTH CAROLINA-IHE DE-
FAULTING PAYMASTERs
JBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUsBJ
WASHINGTON, Monday Nov. 81, 1870.
There are marked improvements going forward at the
Capitol in anticipation OF the assembling OF Congress
The ventilation in both Houses has been materially I'M
proved and the upholsRrers painters, and carpenters
have busy the several committee rooms and other
apartments The grounds about the Capitol have also
been extended and improved. new carpet, costing
nearly 1900 supplies the place Of the old one ON the
Senate Chamber, which cost about n,oOo more, and
throughout the building workmen have been engaged
for several weeks making ready for the coming session.
Among the important bills which failed at the last scs
sion OF Congress, and likely 10 come up early In the
approaching session, are the following;
Abll to encourage ship-buildine, &c.
among which s that af the Mediterranean and Oriental
Steamship Navigation Company These bills mostly pro
Europe by steamships built in the United States,
A bin to encourage Geographic commpnicston with
posas for telegraph cable between san eI a1 @
bill to relieve members Of Congress from importu-
departments e OF the Government
x resolution regulate the hours of labor throughout
A bill to establish q postal telegraph system In the
United States.
A bill TO make the importation OF immigrants under
b 70 reform the civil service Of the United States
Bills to admit states in the Union the territories of
Colorado and New Mexico.
war TO q foreign Government to use against another
iii TO establish Board Of Port wardens for the Port
hill TO aid the Kansas Pacific Railway, and also one
NJ he Mann 40
Midland Pacific Railways.
A bill TO punish pOlygamy. .,,.,.,
Franking Privilege.
bill 70 regulate the Government printing and TO do
away with the publication OF public documents ior gen
bill for an international Copyright law, and bill for
the construction OF al airline railway between Washing
ton and New-fork.
Under the provisions OF the Act OF Congress providing
for redistribution OF the Currency which passed last
July, II Is asccrtsned at the Treasury Department
that OF the ts4,OooCoo allowed TO the West
and South, with s26,O0OOo contingent, there
has thus far been but 100000 called for. IL also
appears as striking comment the pressure brought
10 bear the authorization Of gold banks that thus far
only banks Of that character are now In successful
operation one in Boston, and one in San Francisco.
Among the annual reports that finished and ready
presented Congress those Of the Secretary Of
the Interior (which placed in the hands OF the Pres
dent before Secretary Coxs retirement the report OF
the Commits Internal Revenue the report OF the
United States Treasurer the reports Of the Commissioners
OF Patents OF Pensions OF Indian Affairs OF the General
Land Office, the Auditors and the Controllers. The
Secretary OF the Treasury the Secretary OF tho Navy
the Secretary Of War and the Postmaster General are
. engaged their reports. The report OF MI Delano,
as OF Internal Revenue unusually short,
and he makes but few recommendations. The Post
master General will devote much space TO the mail
steamship question and will recommend the introduc-
ton Of the penny postal card similar 10 those now In
use In England and Germany. He will not devote much
space TO the subject OF the Franng Privilege but In
January he will send special communication TO Con
gress, having special reference TO that question
In elosng Of Collectors OF Internal Revenue,
1t by the Accounting officers OF the Treasury
that OF these positions OF more lucrative char
scter il generally supposed. By the provisions
the present law every Collector receives percentage
Oh his collections, but in the Collector where
his salary has not been sufficient 20 cover his expenses
obtained special allowance for commissions and X
penses Instead Of the amount allowed by law. These al
0wanccs obtained from the Secretary OF the Treasury
the OF the Commissioner Of Internal
Revenue. the incomes OF Collectors, under
the operations OF this rule, reach very large figure.
The Collector Of the WITH North Carolina District re-
ceved So last year. and 8Eolector Of Georgia dis
trict received nearly $1,000 The Collector Of the Chicago
District who receives only the fees and salary allowed
by law has the comfortable income OF $1,000 year. 1t
il probable some action OF Congress viii be recon-
mended to equaliZe the salaries of Collectors.
The Board Of Canvassers for the state OF south Caro-
lima, after informing Congressman Bowen that they
would receive and examine his allegations and proofs OF
election frauds in the lid Congress District, declined 10
read consider the by vote Of five TO two, and
gave the certificate Mr. DE Large. The Board OF Can
ysssers consists OF the Secretary Of State Controller At
torney General Auditor, Treasurer, Adjutant General,
and the Chairman OF the House Committee on Privileges
and Elections The Attorney General and state Auditor
voted 20 sustain Mr. Bowen and give him the certificate.
Senator Sawyer Is very indignant at the taken
that the House Of Representatives cannot
fail TO give Mr.. Bowen his seat II contest IL made
The trial OF the defsultiDg naval paymasters - still
going forward here The OF Lockwood, whose
accounts were short about $4,000 concluded
Saturday and the records Of the Court sent To the
Navy Department to-day. This is the most glazing
Of systematic fraud of any OF the eight payma-ters
brought before the Court the records ased IN
LOckw Gods own handwriting, extending over long
period There doubt that lie will be sent TO the
Penitentary. II thought that all the sentences will
be promulgated by the Secretary OF the Navy at the
same time after the trials are concluded.
Thanksgiving Day viii be generally observed here; all
the Departments will be closed and business Of govern
ment character Will be generally suspended. The
Supreme has decided 60 take recess on Wedhes
day until the following Monday.
GEN Butler arrived here this morning, aud leaves
again to night for the East He had long conference
with Secretary Boutwell,, and called on the President
but the General says that neither conversation was on
matters OF public interest Gen. Butler denies the re-
port that his visit % Washington had anything 10 do
with the Presidents Message the future policy OF the
Government touching the Alabama claims, aud ntmaes
that the Message Is already written.
The President in ersaton to-day, referred TO the
report that treated Senator schurz cody hi-
arrival In Washington week and that ne had been