The New York herald., 1871-01-04

IL conclusive OF his guilt. II found guilty by the
court marital he will probably be dism 'sed from
the Academy. IL Is understood that the Secretary
OF War was disposed to dismiss him on
the former trial. but yielded to the earnest solicta
tion OF members of Congress, who. without dtstinc
tiOn OF party, asked that Smith have an opportunity
Of redeeming himself, and tnat II he mlsbehaved
again tney would not interpose in his behalf.
ReassenibIing of Congress.
Nearly all the Congressman who went home to
spend the holiday recess have returned and both
houses will open with more than a quorum to-
morrow. Little business OF Importance will be tram
sacted this week, but 1t is expected that next week
the work OF the session will begin In earnest
Among the new measures to be introduced
VIII be bill embodying the views OF the Presidents
Message about the government assuming and paying
the demands Of the Alabama claims. Mr.. sumner
wnl tomorrow offer his resolution calling for the
Motley letter. lie will also call up his resolution
calling upon the President for all Information ON le
in the department. about st. Domingo.
The New Minister to England.
General Schenck, the new Minister to England,
rived last night and was at the State Department
to-day looking after his Instructions. lie will not
sail for his new post OF duty until the 25th OF this
month. He Will not take any further part in the
proceedings or the House, nor Will he return again
to Ohio before his departure for Europe
The New Commissioner of Internal Revenue.
This morning General Alfred Pleasonton, the new
Commissioner OF Internal Revenue. took the re-
quired oath Of office and at once entered upon the
discharge OF his duties. Deputy Commissioner
Douglass Will hereafter have OF the details or
the bureau connded to his charge the Commissioner
reserving TO himself the consideration OF ques-
tions of Importance. General Pieasonton being
very wel acquainted with the heads OF divisions
IN furma intro m of
Senator's and Representatives who visited the Trea-
sury building during the day called upon the new
Commissioner to pay their respects. The General
commenced social life I'm Washington yesterday by
calling upon over one hundred Of his political and
personal friends.
Cabinet Meeting.
A meeting OF the Cabinet was held to-day. All the
members, except Akerman were present. Only
routine business was done, however
Minister SicISies, Instructions.
Some time ago the government was advised OH.
cally OF the election OF Prince Amadeus King OF
Spain, and instructions were Immediately sent to
General Daniel Z. S.ckes United States Minister
Madrid, for the government Of his action the sub
ject.
decentralization Of the War Department.
A prominent member OF one OF the committees
on military affairs says nat Congress will do moth
Ing with the aSmy at the present session further
than to make appropriation for its support.
Gentlemen connected with this branch of the public
service, however are Of opinion that the next Con-
gress viii consolidate the Commissary. Quarter
masters and Paymaster Generals Departments
and thereby save large amount of money.
The New Orleans Custom House.
Mr.. Mulett the supervising architect OF the
Treasury Department expects TO leave here to-mor-
row for New Orleans whittier he goes at the request
Of the secretary OF the Treasury to examine the
ditiOn of the Custom House building in that city,
and which has been In an unfinished condition for
many years. The foundation OF the structure
has sunk considerably, and it Is a
question whether 1t can be completed
according to the original plan. Efforts have been
made since the close or the to have the building
finished as designed. but 1t IS urged that the add
ronal weight OF the roof proposed would make the
entire edIfce unsafe. MIR. Mullett will, therefore,
examine the work, with the view OF recommending
such change in the plan as may be suggested by q
careful inspection or the foundation and superstruc
ture.
The Value OF Whiskey Meters.
Ever since the passage OF the act OF July 90 1868.
requiring the Commissioner of Internal Revenue to
enforce the law In Inference to the OF meters in
dlstnerles the whiskey ring has been unceasng In
Its efforts to have the law repealed. 1t has been
already stated In these dispatches that it was an
issue In the West during the last political
: campaign, and that wniskey distillers and
dealers were clamorng to have the law
repealed. For the information OF Congress,
elaborate report on tests made with the three kinds
OF meters now In use will be presented next week
showing that the meters safer and accurate
than the gaugers themselves. This report is now
Deing prepared at the Internal Revenue Bureau and
will when finished one hundred pages of letter
paper, entering into all the details of dstlllation and
trt hot
revenue that meters should be continued in use.
Publication of the Public Debt Statement.
The public debt statement was published to-day
for the first time on double Sheet the additional
page having a statement Of bonds purchased by the
Treasury Department for the sinking and special
funds. 1t was at first proposed to print the
latter statement the back OF the public debt state
ment, but when the proof was handed Secretary
Boutwell, he decided to incur an additional expense
OF $4,000 per annum in issuing the double statement
in neater and more convenient form for reference
and in which 1t Will appear hereafter.
Another OF King AleOh0I's Victims.
An Assistant Assessor OF Internal Revenue named
Bullock, employed in the Seventh Tennessee dis
trct has been dismissed on the charge OF too great
intimacy with whskey and tobacco dealers.
Stolen Funds Recovered.
Ex-Collector Of Internal Revenue Tu!lis, OF Texas
recently arrested the charge OF having embezzed
while in of1ce, $4,000 OF government funds, has
handed $4,000 OF the amount to the officials at Gal,
veson and will be tried the latter part of this month
for the offence named.
New Spanish Customs Regulations
The Secre tary or State has sent to the Treasury
Department despatch received from our Consul at
Malaga relating to the Spanish customs regulations
which to be enforced from the 1st Instant They
require the master Of vessel, on entering Spanish
waters, to have manifest ready to exhibit to the
customs officer first coming on board-the manifest
to contain the name Of the vessel nationality,
number and names Of the passengers, character OF
goods, where from, to whom consigned, &C., by
whom shipped, &c. Fines to be imposed for
non compliance with these requirements. The Cen
sui says that after most attentvely examining the
rules and regulations he Is satisfied they do not
affect the commerce with the United States: but this
view is not concurred In by the Treasury Depart
anDf