The New York herald., 1870-04-07

Tho rrdcssdlass In Congress.
The Senate yesterday, ia discussing the
Deficiency Appropriation bill, agreed to In
crease tho appropriation for tho New York
Post Office from four hundred thousand to
eight hundred thousand dollars. The pro-
position Is timcly, and as the ine weather is
at hand we hope that II will be hurried up, in
order that the work may be continued with the
same energy that it was commenced last sum-
mer. We don't want the new Post Office to fall,
for lack Of funds, into the slough that seems to
have almost engulfed the County Court House.
The Senate seems to be impressed with the
necessity of an early settlement Of this mat
ter, for it passed over the Georgia bill in
order TO continue discussion on the appropria-
tions, which indicates great seif-denial on the
part Of the speech-making members.
Mr.. Fernando Wood, in the House, In reply
to letter from General Howard, reiterated
his charges that tho General had improperly
used the Freedmea's Bureau fund, and thereby
enriched himself He made several speciica-
tions 10 the effect that the Howard University
Hospital was built by thess improper appro-
priationS from the fund, and that the General
bad o Sob" in the patent brick used in the
building, which. it will be remembered, partly
fell down several years ago. Mr.. Woods
charges were referred to committee. The
Freedmen's Bureau, although in itself an
organization at ono time of great good,
has always been used for corrupt pur-
poses by some Of the subordinate officers
in 1t; and az it is upon the verge Of discon-
tinuance we do not doubt that peep into It's
financial arrangement will effect good, though
1t is not very likely to injuro General Howard,
who has borne the very highest character all
through the war and since as hish-tonsd,
honorable, Christian solder. After Mr.. Woods
proposition, during the discussion of which an
enlvening spirit Of talk was mani ested, the
House manfully braced itself to undergo the
dry details OF the Tariff bill and forgot its
pleasant garralousness of moment before in
the busy consideration Of the duties On mineral
water and cigars.
The Cullom Po!ygamy bill, it will be seen,
has been atringently amended by the Senate
Committee, and will be reported to the Senate
in shape more severe aud harsh than that in
which it passed the House. Although some
remedy is required for the evils existing In
Utah o great deal of leniency should be
shown the Moruons. They have the most
thrifty and enterprising colony anywhere on
the Plains, and we cannot tell how far the
system OF polygamy may be a religious
theory with them, which it would
DO impolitic and unjust for us to
wage cruel war against. The Mormon
colony il the most defenceless people under
the sam. They have no force Of soldiery, no
military leaders, no military education. They
are surrounded and permeated with the Gen
tile element, and tho great United States mill
tary railroad passes by their very doors. Two
regiments of United States troops transported
from the West would reach their midst in
three days, and, welcomed and assisted by the
Gentiies, would crush tho defenceless coioay
at the first engagement. We do not need to
make desolate wreck of Deseyet nor to turn
these unarmed zcalots over to the harsh treat
ment of the soldiery. The Senate, we believe,
has too fair a comprehension of tho situation
10 pass the bill rs the committee has amended
it, or, for that matter, 10 80 harsh form as il
n,ooaJ fhn uOuoa