The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-08-04
WASHING ON.
ReOpening Of the ST. Thomas
Treaty.
TILE BROOKLYN NAVY YARD.
The Commissioner Of Pensions on the Duties
of Pension Agents.

gentleman aulhoriZed 10 act as seni-offclal
sgent OF the Danish government is in Washington
now for the purpose OF stirring up new agitation
aoout the 81. Thomas treaty long and so unjustly
neglected by the United States Senate. 1t seems
probable that his eIcrts united to those OF Senator
Nye and other influential people, will result in bring
ing the subject once more into prominent atten-
ton when Congress reassembes A few DAYS
ago 1t viii be remembered, it was stated
several newspapers that toward the close
OF the late session of Congress, Senator
Nye offered resolution, which he intends calling up
for consideration next winter, asking for all the in
formation in possession or the President in relation
10 the st. Thomas treaty Senator Nye proposes to
press his resolution with vigor and If possible TO
have the treaty ratified next session. The friends
of the treaty contend now that in spite OF Summers
opposition a favorable report can be obtained from
the foreign relations committee and that two-thrds
OF the Senate VIII vote for IT, How far their hopes
lustihab,e under all the circumstances OF
the case l am unable TO ascertain, but nom their
confident assertion seems probable that they have
something more than mere speculation to work upon.
In favor OF reopening the question and urging ratn
cation they say, with some truth and justice that
Denmark did not offer TO part with Its posse ssion,
ont that it was only after repeated solicitations by
this government that she consented to transfer ner
territory to US for pecuniary consideration. All
the prenminaries were carried out 10y her in good
faith including the free vote or the people for the
transfer, bur the United States Senate never acted
npon the treaty. because the Committee on Foreign
Relations dld not report IL TO that body. And IL now
lies among the musty records as neglected AS 80
much waste paper; that Denmark Justly complains
ar the indgnity with which she has been
ireated-au indignty after all that had
passed, which was not expected by one
nation OF another. The weak voice Of
Denmark was inefficient against our government
and the fuhlment Of the treaty was therefore not
accomplished. Such treatment would not have been
practised toward England, France any other
powerful nation. 1t il matter Of regret, they urge
that the truth has thus 20 be spoken; but our ma
.honal pride and sense OF Justice should prompt
80 repair the wrong.
The Brooklyn Navy Yard-Anofhcr Ebert 10
Have IL Removed.
Il seems evident that another and more powerful
effort will be made at the next session OF Congress TO
remove the Brooklyn Navy Yard TO some more eligi-
bic site IL seems probable moreover, that New
London, with all Its liberal offers 10 the government
Will not be selected as the site for the new yard. IL
seems that close survey Of the place shows that the
channeway is very narrow at New London and
along the greater part OF the water front further
from the shore line than was supposed. Captain
Ammen. In his report Secretary Robson in
October, 1869, called attention TO this fact, ana
pointed out the necessity OF having survey eX-
tending from just above the town TO at least one
mile above the present proposed site Tor the yard
to be able 10 select the point naturally the most
advantageous and looking to the construction OF an
extensive fresh water basin for ron-clads. But
Ammen himself does not approve OF New London ~
ut site, and in this most Of the naval authori
sfn- ,ta,.
teen or twenty miles from the Battery, tsiegarded
more suitable In every way, and particularly with
view to defensive purposes The protection OF the
great city OF New York, it is argued, should DE
main feature in considering the question OF a site.
Captain Anmen says on this point In his report
'The protection OF the city New York is Of para
mount importance and TO that end in the future the
Navy Yard as located, seems inadequate OF sufficient
extension. In the present relation OF vessels IN de-
fence against vessels attacking the city,
material advantage would be obtained
by locating The Navy Yard so that us
defence would not be involved IN that
al the city, but consist OF interior lines The vessels
employed to aid IN the actual defence Of the city and
within The narbor would then be able 10 proceed TO
their work without embarrassment or delay and
would operate with entire assurance Against the
Brooklyn Navy Yard he urges the following rea
SOus.--'lue iDCHllOu VI Tue Navy 1htu 1T bIOokFD
N. Y, has long been considered unfortunate
The water front available is quite limited, the Walia
bout Channel narrow and subject 10 extra
ordinary deposits OF dirt ana washings in
by sewers, to render the con-
hnual use OF dredging machines necessary, at a
large annual cost, IN order to maintain required
depth OF water. Al this important station in the
harbor OF the commercial metropolis of the nation
there are always numbers of vessels-of-war neces-
sary crowded together ana exposed to imminent
danger from fire. the yard beng adjacent to build
mgs OF various characters among The number a
large gas house. The fact that very large tract OF
land has its natural drainage through the yard the
right OF way for this drainage reserved for the
city, and the formation OF the surrounding
land such as TO render 1t impossible, except at
an enormous expense, to discharge the eDtents OF
She public sewers outside the limits OF the yard, is
now grave injury. Vessels newly coppered lying
near the discharge OF these sewers require almost
entire recoppering in few months, caused
by the action of the acids from manuiac-
turing establishments ami other chemical agents.
The Rights Of Pension Agents.
Commissioner Van Aernam, OF the Pension Blu
reau, lert here this evening for brief visit to his
home in western New YORK. Before leaving he
caused the following circular TO be issued for the
bghtenment OF people In the claim business
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, PENSION OFFICE,
WASHINGTON ID. O., August 3, 1870. !
StR-Tne act OF Congress entitled can act TO DC
inc the duties OF pension agents to prescribe the
manner OF paying pensions and for other purposes
approved July g. 1870 IN section seventh makes II the
Huty or every claim agent or attorney OF record IN
The prosecution OF claims for pension or bounty land
10 cause TO be hed with each claim with the Com
missioner or Pensions duplicate articles of agree
ment, without additional cost 10 the claimant In any
case, setting forth the amount agreed upon az the
fee for his services In prosecution Of said claim,
uUnt eh all u cd In rf
and certified by some ollcer competent TO adminia-
Ter oaths, and shall be approved by said com
missioner; that IN each case IN which
no snch agreement Is fled with aud
approved by said Commissioner, the fee small be
only dollars. and IN no case shall II exceed
twenty-five dollars. IL Is deemed advisable to ac-
quaint the parties affected by this enactment with
the fees which should generally obtain and with the
fact that the duty distinctly understood 70 be ln-
salmbeDt upon the said Commissioner TO reserve 10
hiriseK or his representative che discretion TO in
crease or decrease the amount OF fee agreed upon