The New York herald., 1871-12-11

triots naturally does not desire 10 be made an IN
strument or needessly injuring them in the estma..
ton OF the American public for the benefit OF the
Spanish volunteers and their policy in Cuba.
There Will be no direct action or report by the
House Committee on Foreign Anai,s till after the
holidays.
The DefaIcations Mt the Treasury Depart
mCah
A resolution viii be offved in the House to-mor-
row by Mr.. Lynch. Chairman OF the Committee on
Expenditures an the Treasury Department., instruct
ting that comrittee to make an investigation into
the late detacations in Treasurer Spinner's Office
and report to the Hease now matters stand in that
office and what measures are necessary TO the bet
ter protection OF the deposits In Jhe Treasury.
Mr.. Lynch has communicated his purpose
TO General .ptnner and Mr.. Boutwell,, and
these officeIs have invited him TO 60 ahead with
his investigation and make It as thorough as he
picases. This Is the only answer that they could
make with pr0priety, but, for all that they are a
little piqued au the offlclousness OF Congressman
Lvnch In cutting out work for committee that has
had no other existence tRan its name In the men,
ory OF the oldest innabttant OF the capital Besides
they were doing the work Of investigation them
selves and as General Spinner claims to be respon
sibe for the amount OF any defalcatlons In mis-
once, the action Of Representative Lynch is re-
garaed to some extent as q rejection upon them.
selves. But Mr.. Lynch no more intends that Mr..
Blaine shall put him OUT OF sight by assigning him
to an obscure committee than General Butler does
and as his successful management OF the special
committee OF the last Congress on the decline OF
American commerce mas not brought him to what
he had right to expect in this Congress he intends
making the most OF what he has got, and the
general impression IL that he will succeed. The
proposed resolution Will give him ample powers
however restrictive It's formal terms. and the
Treasury Department affords wide field Of explora-
tion. MIR. Lynch does not offer report contain
ing lvelier reading than Senator Patterson's report
on the New York Custom House he will disappoint
those VINO know hts energetic character, as well
as those who think they know the department TO
be Investigated. With such leaders as Butler and
Lynch-each with grievances to stir up their ag-
gressivencss-ths Is to be the day Of small commit
tees in Congress. as past sessions have been the
day OF small men and smaller measures.
Resumption of specie Payments.
The bill introduced by Senator Sumner for the
resumption Of specie payment has awakened a new
interest in the proposition to put currency Oh q
gold basis, aud ne has already received many letters
from prominent merchants encouraging him to
pcrsevere In the good work inaugurated.
To-day letter was read by MIN from
one Of the leading members OF the National
Board of Trade, now in session in st. LOUIS, in
which the views OF that body are concisey expressed
In the following quotation:-
1--WE lind among the members general determi-
nation not TO be satisfied with a meie declaration
that specie payment ought TO be speedily resumed,
but an attempt win be made to suggest definite
plan"
Senator Sumner is assured that something will be
done at this session to wipe out the difference be-
tween paper and gold dollar
Attorney General Aikcrmn and the Cabinet.
Attorney General Akerman has said nothing
to the President about his leaving the
Cabinet. has the President SAID anything to Mr..
AKerman on the subject Members OF Congress
and others have, however, freely expressed them
selves in favor OF change. and are endeavoring to
eject it.
Testing the Claims Of the Southern 10y yaIists.
The Southern Claims Commission are holding back
their overdue report to Congress for q day or two
Tor the purpose Of gong through their list OF
awards, to see, in the light OF some newly dis
covered reports OF military boards OF assessment
appointed by the Union commanders In Tennessee
and elsewhere in the South. if any improper
characters have managed to gain admission to the
select circle OF loyal claimants. The Commissioners
are anxious TO gain the connde nee OF Congress and
the House Committee on CLAIMS by presenting a
report that shall be, In their own words, Fire
proof" There has been great deal OF doubt
the conclusions OF the Commission, continue
their powers adopt the principle OF paying any.
body living In those States whose inhabitants en-
naaSse were proclaimed by President Lincoln to
be IN insurrection against the United States; but
The two facts being established that many OF these
proclaimed rebels were as true to the Union under
The most trying circumstances as any Of their
higher favored brethren living in q loyal atmos.
phere. ana that their scanty possessions contrib
Cted material aid 70 the Union armies, the
feeling in Congress Is tending in the direc.
ton OF paying the claims OF these loyal.
lists, potn on the grounds OF gratitude
and justice. MissconSeptiion of the amount and
measure OF compensation to be awarded by this
Commission Is assigned as the chief cause OF the
opposition heretofore encountered, but as this is
now removed and the commissioners are generally
TO have done very well under these DIM
culles there Is little doubt or their being sustained
by Congress- Some discomfort over the individual
awards Is expected TO find expression through the
southern members but TO meet this the reasons for
every disalow ance given with the rejected
that 60 to the Committee on Claims.
Back Railroad Debts Against tho Govern.
ment.
One Of the strongest lobbIes just formed Is being
organized in the interest OF number OF railroads,
who are about TO make demand on the Treasury
amounting, IN all, 10 seVefa! Hl0nS Oh uOars, LOT
fun freight and traffic rates during the war.
Quartermaster General Meigs refusedSto pay more
than certain amount per mie-much less than
the usual rates. The companies engaged In this
effort have kept Iull account at full rates against
the government. These accounts now to be
presented but IL Is expected tney will be dlsallowed
by the Treasury. The parties who are managing
this matter then propose to to Congress for relief
Revision o, the Mint and Coinage Laws.
The Committee on Coinage have under cons idera.
ton the bill revising the laws relative to the mints
ana coinage OF the United States and II Is the In
tention OF Judge Kelley, The chairman, TO bring the
subject before the House early In the present
sion. Tie bill was prepared at the Treasury De.
partment 1t had already passed the Senate and its
passage Is again recommended by The Secretary OF
the Treasury In his annual report.
Weekly Report from the Treasury.
Do Of fracfinnal currencY for The