New-York tribune., 1870-08-04
WASHINGTON.
FURTHER DIRECTIONS TO THE OMNIBUS APPRO-
PRIATIoN BILL-EFP0RTs FOR THE PARDON
OF GEN. O'NEILL.

| rohlhEh OfJECIlONS TO TIE OMNIBUS APPhO-
PRIATIoN BILL-EFPoRTs FOR THE PARDON
| OF GEN. O'NEILL.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUsEI
WAsHISGroS, Wednesday, Aug. 8, 1870.
Another instance OF the careless and eccentric legisa
ton by Congress has just discovered. In the Legs
atlye and Executive Appropriation bill, passed on the
18th of July, section was adopted which gives con-
structon to the 5th of the act OF March lsl
commonly called storage compensation, entirely different
from the construction given by the Supreme Court many
years snce and allows much extra pay to the surveyors
and naval officers Of the Custom Houses. Mr. Sargent
Commissioner of Customs has addressed letter to Sec
tetary Boutwell, asking that the matter be referred to
the Attorney General for his opinion. The carrying out
of the law woud involve the Government in an expense
OF over 100000 as the accounts back 80 years and
many OF them are stin OPEN Mr.. Sargent
also desired the opinion Of the Attorney-Genera
IVA 10 whether Congress can oyerrue ana set
aside decision OF tho Supreme Court In their
construction Of law and IL so il they can make their
action retrospective. Secretary Boutwell, submitted the
questions of Commissioner Sargent to the AttorneyGen
era, and to-day he transmitted his opinion on the sub
iect. He says that no doubt this eighth section
intended to have effect rerospecvely and must be so
regarded also that 1t does nothing more in ts reropec
tive operation than to give naval 0cerFnd surveyors
greater compensation for past services than the law as
expouhded by the Supreme Court gave them when the
service rendered There is nothing In the Consu-
donations. In all where accounts are still open,
these officers should be allowed to receive the credit
allowed by the act Of 1870 and in all accounts for future
services the Same credit should be allowed No account
once closed should however be again opened TO
pay this extra donation Hundreds Of the accounts Of
and naval sorekepers have not been closed
for the past years the Government officials
would allow these officers this $4,000 year adj
ditonal pay and the officers nearly always withheld 1T
from rents and storage receipts, &c Commissioner Sar
gent says that it raises all those places throughout the
country from i25Oo TO 1850, and that it will take half
million to settle up the past accounts. Mr. Dawes was
fully aware Of the operations Of this section. and
promised to have changed but for reason failed
TO do it.
Strenuous efforts making to have the President
pardon Gen. OSeil the Fenan leader, who was recently
convicted at Windsor VT, and among those working to
Ills pardon several members OF Congress and
prominent persons, who argue that the law has been
fully vindicated y the verdict OF guilty which satisfies
the English Government and therefore no international
question win be involved by his pardon Numerous let
ters have been written the subject, well weghty
personal influence brought to bear upon the President
and members of the Cabinet for his release IL IL proba-
bic that the President may, within year. pardon
ONe but considering the sentiments expressed by the
President time OF the Fenan troubles, he has
immediate intention Of doing SO, and prominent
Der of the Cabinet considers it in bad taste to press the
matter at this time.
Admiral Porter who left here yesterday, WILL during
his absence visit the several Navy Yards where vessels
are fitting out for sea, in order to give his personal
attention matters connected with their completeness
and efficiency.
Secretary Cox, Postmaster General Creswe, and Act
ing Secretary OF the Treasury Richardson to-day
a Board Of Examiners to determine plans and spec
ncatons for public buildings. The plans OF several
buildings throughout the country were discussed, but
nothing determined upon. - -.
Deputy Commissioner Douglass decided today that II
ha..I~ Ianla HiNi and Al
the st OF August the tax OF five per cent must be col
ected instead OF q cent After July the u per cent
law goes into effect $1,000
Gen. sherman will probably visit his family in Ian
caster Ohio next week, remaining but a few days
The Secretary OF War viii with the President 10 ST.
Louis and continue to his home in keokuk, Iowa, ana
return here in September.