The New York herald., 1870-04-16
Secretary Robson Anxious to Re-
a sign His Portfolio.
-~~~O>>~~No>>>~~o~N~~~~~> .tr
Bill for the Reorganization Of
the Navy.
~><>~--~~>>>>~~-~~~-
Senator Summers New Postage
asts Bill.
Investigation Of the Charges Against
General Howard.

SuDinet NOSsip-hOOesOu Ia Leave the Navy
Department..
II the gossps are TO be credited the genla, ana
jolly Robson IS among the Cabinet Ministers soon
to retire. Tne story that Robson like Borie. has
tired OF oflcal tonors and languishes for the de-
lights OF private life once more He went into the
Cabinet say the gossips, not so much for grarhca.
ton OF personal ambition to assist his friend Cat
tell TO rejection as Senator nom The Kingdom OF
Jersey; but now, 1t being understood that Cattci
cannot receive the endorsement OF the Jersey Legs-
lature for another term and that MarlAey OF the
Camden and Amboy Company, IS to be the lucky
man. Robeson has longer any object in sustain.
ing the OF ONCE and Is eager retire. THIS
give on the authority OF the gosslps entirely not
having the slightest Inspiration about the matter
from headquarters.
Bill for the Reorganization Of the Navy-The
Question OF Rank Fully Disposed OF.
The House Committee on Naval Affairs nj their
meeting today completed the bill for the reorgani
cation OF the navy The first section OF the bill as
amended reduces the number Of lieutenant COM
manders to eighty, but does not vacate any CON-
mission The second section nxes the number OF
master and engineers ar 100 10 each grade. The
medicaIs corps Is provided for as follows:-Fiiteen
medical directors with the rank OF captain fifteen
inspectors with the rank OF commander, nfry sur
geons with the rank OF lieutenant commander, 100
assistant surgeons with the rank OF master, with
the promotion TO lieutenant after three years. SER
vice and examinations; but no person under twenty.
one nor over twentysix years OF age snail hereafter
be appointed assistant surgeon In the navy. The
Pay Corps Is regulated as follows:-Thirteen nav
directors. with the rank OF capan thirteen inspec-
tors. with the rank OF commander; fifty paymasters.
with the rank OF lieutenant commander; forty
passed assistant paymasers TO rank lieutenants;
twenty assistant paymasters with the rank OF mas
E,xx.t
as follows:-Ten chief engineers, with the rank Of
captain; fifteen chief engineers, with the rank
Of commander twenty-five chief engineers.
with the rank OF lieutenant commander; 100
first assistant engineers, with the rank of
lieutenant 1909 second assistant engineers with the
rank OF master. The sixth section provides that
the chiefs OF the bureau OF medicine and surgery,
provisions and clothing and engineering shall
rank as Commodores while holding said positions,
or II retired therefrom with the pay pre-
sent, shall have the titles OF surgeon general,
paymaster general engineer In chief the bill pro-
vides that there shall be four naval constructors
with the rank OF captain, three naval constructors
with the rank OF commander. three naval construc-
tors with the rank OF lieutenant commander four
naval constructors with the rank OF lieutenant; four
chapains with the rank OF captain, seven chapalns
with the rank OF commander and not more than
seven with the rank OF lieutenant commander;
three professors OF mathematics with the
rank or captain, four professors Of mathe.
mates with the rank Of commander, four pro.
fessors of mathematics with the rank OF lieuten ant;
TWO civil engineers with the rank OF captain, two
civil engineers with the rank OF commander, four
civil engineers with the rank OF lieutenant com.
mander. Onicers OF staff who have served faith
fully forty-nve years when retired shall rank as
commodore, and II retired at the age of sixty-two
war m aft year IN he
vice, have the rank OF commodore when retired,
and II retired for incident to the service be.
fore arriving at sxtytw0 years OF age ha!shave the
same rank they held on the active list The Office
Of solicitor and naval judge advocate Is continued
ana established.
Commanding officers take precedence OF all staff
officers under their commands. and STAFF officer
by virtue of hts rank shall, exercise command or
authority in line or In any staff corps except to
which he belongs, and In PROFESSIONS on shore or
court martials. courts OF inquiry board OF survey
and all other boards the line ana stan officers take
preceaence according to rank.
Senator Summers Penny Postage BiII-AboIi.
tion Of the Franking Privilege.
The bill introduced by Senator Sumner to-day pro-
vides tnat postage letters and all mail matter
wholly or partly in writing, except books in
manuscript and corrected proofs; also on all printed
matter marked to convey any other or further in
formation than Is conveyed by the original printing;
also all matters sent In violation OF law or regu.
iatiOns OF the Post ONCE Department, and on
all matter for which no specific rate for
postage Is fixed shall be ar the rate OF
one cent for each half ounce or fraction
thereof The postage on newspapers. magazines
and periodicals, on book manuscript proof sheets
and corrected proofs passing between authors and
publishers, on pamphlets, maps, prints, engravings
blanks, flexible patterns, samples and sample cards.
photographs. photograph paper, letter envelopes
and wrappers. cards and paper shall be charged one
cent for each two ounces or fraction thereof to be
prepaid by stamps; but on newspapers and other
periodical publications not exceeding four ounces
In weight sent from known Office OF publication
to regular subscribers, postage shall be charged
quarterly as foows--When issued once week Ave
cents and five cents additional for each additional
issue payable at the office OF delivery and such pay.
ments shall be made only at the beginning Of quar-.
ter and for less than quarter and It shall be
In postage stamps which shall be placed upon the
bill receipts and cancelled by the postmaster col.
lecung the same; and provided the Postmaster
General may. under fixed regulations, permit pub
fishers newspapers to prepay the postage of each
entire issue Of the paper at the office mailing at the
rate of one cent for each three ounces gross weight
payment to made by placing stamps upon the Dill
or receipt and canceing the same by the postmaster
collecting the same and each parcel or package SO
paid shall be stamped 'prepaid," with the post.
mark Of the office OF mailing; but the publishers Of
weekly newspapers may send to each actual sub.
scriber within the county where their papers are
printed and published copy thereof free OF post.
age. Books and book packages shall be charged at
rate OF four cents for each four ounces or
fraction thereof. prepaid BY stamps The franking
privilege is hereby abolished; but there shall be fur.
nshed IN lieu thereof stamps and stamped envelopes
prepared and issued by the Post ONCE Department
which shall be charged against the several depart.
ments and used by those oy law entitled to the
franktng privilege only, the same to be designated
on their lace estate Department" Treasury De.
partment," &C., ''Senate," "House OF Representa-.
tives," &C.: provided that the maximum weight Of
franked free mailed matter forwarded under such