The New York herald., 1871-12-07

K HERALD. THURSDAY,
accumulations, and TO preserve only those records
that can lie Of future POLITICAL historical and nan
ciai value, the sum realized from the sale OF the
rest as waste paper would OF itself be pretty item
In Secretary Boutwell's financial accounts.
The Alabama Claims. r.
The American and English Commission to-day
altered the frst rule so as to read as f0lows:-"In
addition TO the representation Of his claim and the
proofs in support thereof. which shall have been
presented TO the government the claimant snail file,
In the o1ice OF the Commission statement of ms
claim, In the form OF a memorial, addressed
to the Commission" The parts stricken out are
the following:-'Accompanied by twenty printed
copies thereof" In cases where the amount
claimed Is less than $1,000 the memorial will be
printed at the expense Of the Commission. One
copy Of each memorial VIII by the Secretary be
furnished to each commissioner, and i've copies to
the agent OF each government The Commission
adjourned until Saturday.
Texas Election Claims.
In the matter OF the claim OF W. T. Clark and d.
O. Giddings of Texas, the Committee on Elections
to-day directed the counsel to argue as to whether
the certificate Of Governor Davis is prin,a acie EVIL
dence which entities either party to his seat until
regular contest can be heard.
"a Tho Chicago fire and the Banks.
The following is an ofIicial statement of the co..
dition In which the Chicago fre left the national
banks OF that city THE capital Of eighteen
national banks in Chicago is $7,sOo,000.
Their surplus fund is $2,1s5ooo. The undivided
profits are $7o5.8oO. Their discounts amount TO
5e no. and OF this sum the banks lose, in con-
sequence Of bad debts occasIoned BY the fire,
$s300oo. They also lose in the buildings,
fr1pn ntynro md A.-tr n1HE lk,Nv Aha
entire loss sustained by the Chicago
national banks by the fire, sl,oo5ooo, leaving them
with an unimpaired capital and over 81, sooo 900 OF
surplus still available. This result is ascertained
by recent Official investigation and fully v1ndcates
the action Of the Comptroller Of the Currency with
regard to those banks showing their entire solvency
In spite OF all losses.
National Tobacco Convention.
The National Tobacco Convention met here to.
day, IN the Metropolitan Hotel There were only
nine states represented, many members who were
expected to be present not having yet arrived.
Vice President Lewis H. Frayser, Of Virginia,
occupied the chair, with John Straiton
OF New York. as Secretary. A committee OF one
from each State represented was ordered to be ap.
pointed BY the Chair to mare nominations Several
communications were received from absent men,
bers, all recommending action towards tho reduc-
tion OF the tax on tobacco TO the uniform rate of
sixteen cents per pound.
Acting President Loring Palmer of New YORK,
read carefully prepared address, recommending
united effort to reduce the tax on the home produc-
tion, but recommending the continuance Of the duty
on imported tobacco. On the motion to adopt
the recommendations contained in the
address, discussion arose. the cigar
manufacturing interest present opposing
the continuance Of the duty. Finally, motion was
adopted to receive both Of the addresses, and to
enter them on the recorded proceedings further
use. On motion OF Mr.. Bailey, OF New York. CON-
mittee OF nine was appointed to prepare business to
be presented to the Convention.
At the evening session Lewis H. Frayzer, of Rich
mOnd, presided, with John straiton, Of New
YORK, as Secretary. Thirty six delegates
were present. representing ten States interested
In the manufacture of tobacco and cigars.
Addresses were delivered by Vice President
Frayzer and Acting President Palmer. OF
New York. the subject under discussion
was mainly that Of the uniform tax on tobacco.
Messrs. Bailey, Spence Flood, Palmer, HaIer,
Campbell others participated in the discussion.
At ten O'Clock r. N. the Convention adjourned TO
meet again for further business on Thursday morn
ing
New Naval COX.
Secretary Robson to-day opened bids for build
naval vessels In their stations. About half dozen
bids were received, all OF them being from the
North and West The Secretary reserved his deci-
sion. the successful bidder will be required TO
give security IN the OF 5000 for the faithful
performance Of his duty. All the bids but one were
above the appropriation.
Funeral of First Auditor Smith.
The funeral Of First Auditor Thomas L. Smith,
who for fortytwO years weathered all the political
storms that surged about the Treasury Department,
took place to-day. and was 80 largely attended Dy
men high In official place that the absence OF Sec
retary Boutwell,, his immediate Chief was generally
noticed and severely criticised. The house Of the
deceased oricial, in the days OF the pro-slavery
prescription in WASHINGTON, was a rallying
point Tor snch men as Charles Sumner. Salmon P.
Chase and John p Hale. and u was almost the only
and intercourse. Cniel Justice Chase, senator Fen-
ton, Comptrollers Tayler and Brodhead and Com
Senator Sumner was also present at the funeral.
Retirement Of Fifth Auditor Barron.
Mr.. Henry d. Barron, Fifth Auditor OF the Trea.
sury, has retired from that oice to enter the WIS.,
consn Legislature. So far as the administration is
concerned his departure Is q happy release. he
was appointed TO conciliate o Senator whose sup.
port was thought 10 be object two years ago, but
the price paid was soon found IN the Treasury De-
partment to be dear one r.Fts4s ,t
Ine places OF Flrst ana F1ltn Audlt0r D0lng now
vacant It has been suggested that the President has
an excellent opportunity to rive the country q
practical proof OF his devotion to civil service re-
form. These places are not essentially political but
require great deal OF integrity and routine ability
TO NIL them plo perly. II any Of the hungry ex- Con-
gressmen not yet provided with places manage 10
get these vacancies civil service reform will not be
promoted to any appreciable extent.
FORTY-SECO CONGRESS.
j
second Session.