New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-02-03
WASHINGTON.
RUMORED CABINET CHANGES-PROPOSED Luis
LATION CONCERNING PRISONERS OF WAN
THE CASE OF TIE STEAMER METEOR
Try TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUNEl

WASHINGTON Thursday, Feb = ISL
The city has been full of rumOrs, during the
past two days. in regard TO reorganization OF the Ca
the .th OF March next but dlgent inquiry fails
10 trace the reports TO authoritative source ana o
general opinion now seems to be that those WldeV
printed this morning based entirely on conjecture
The fact that Mr. Fish has long intended to leave inc
State Department, and that Mr.. Morton VIII succeed
him, has been more than stated In dispatches 10
THE TRIBUNE. Nothing new has probably beendeVeoped
in connection with this change within the past fe" days.
The report that Pleasonton to succeed Secretary
Boutwell, probably has for its foundation the TACT that
the former is in accord with President Grant on the re-
peal OF the tax, while the latter has srenuousy
opposed the measure. OF course there Is oppooio "
Mr.. Boutwell, in many quarters, many OF inc "esein
men, especially dsking some OF his nnaneiai measures
They all look upon him, however, IA an emneh'y sho
officer, and thoroughly honest as TO De ABOVE BUS
pcion and even those opposed to him would not DC IN
favor OF change unless some equally able and e1pe-
rienced could be appointed In his place. ihe con
nccton OF ex-senator Morgans name with change III
the Treasury Department Is doubtless due 10
visit 20 the President which that gentleman mas
been making for somo days past Mr. Cres"eHS Ietro-
ment has also been before conectured and repeton
OF the rumors now probably has its origin In Deorac
sourees como of the leading members OF that party
having made an attempt 10 fasen upon him the respoh
sibility for tho escape which the treasury a
from tho Chorpennng swinde. Tho attempt VIII iai'
and the blame will continue 10 rest where u De-
longs-with tho House OF representatives "nhcn
inadvertently ordered the PostmaserGeherai 10 sc'uo
this claim, and stipulated the evidence on when he
sborid hasa hi, decision Mr.. Akeman's retirement
(. not renored now for the first time, common
rumor having superseded him several times before
snce Congress last met His report sent TO inc HOUSE,
Yesterday quite severely criticised today especiay
those parts OF II which recommend On Increase OF com
pensaton for the DisrictAtorney and the estabish'
rfa Of
try District Attorneys receive now 500 year, ana
toes not exceeding 5000 His proposition to mako tho
animal salary $500 and OO according TO locality, ana 10
extend the commission two per cent on III
collections, would make the remuneration VI
some immense whose principal collections are OF fuT
fted bonds for large amounts and when there no ue
fense The expense also OF erecting prisons all over the
county, and Of paying the necessary employees IN charge
OF them it argued would increase the present expense
n, taking care of prisoners many fold. There Is little
probability that either OF these recommendations VIII no
complied with especially in view OF the TACT tnat tne
modification OF the revenue and other hscal laws VIII
yearly decrease the number Of cases coming uhder Fed
eral jurisdiction.
Gen shanls is preparing speech In support OF Joint
resolution he will introduce. Monday next directing
the President 10 enter negotiation with other civil
lied powers with regard to the establishments OF some
principle in the public law OF nations Affecting persons
captured in Gen. ehanks proposes to declare that
all captured shall be paroled under such con-
ditions as the immediate circumstances may warrant
and not be held as prisoners OF is generally tho
ease Gen shanks's Investigations as Chairman Of the
House select Committee the Rebel treatment OF our
prisoners has led him the conclusion that great deal
of suffering inseparabe from the holding OF large
bodies OF captured soldiers. He clearly OF opinion that
some change ought to be made in the public law, and
hopes that America viii belong the credit OF taxing
the first steps In such direction.
The Foreign Affairs Committee OF the House had under
discussion to-day the steamer Meteor case and voted 10
report It to House. with amendment on the Senate
bill This provides that the Court of Claims, to when
tho case is referred for settlement shall take cognZsuce
of no claim for damages account of loss of market
caused by the detention OF the vessel from the break
nr ND Of the voyage. Thus limited, the owners will
probably obtain about $4,000 or $4,000 As the bill came
from Senate, 1t opened the door for claim of from
10000 10 100000. The Committee also heard
the statement OF Mr.. Sarkweather, member from Con-
neccut regard TO claims for damages done the prop
erty OF his constituents by the Alabama and other Anglo
Rebel cruisers. He represents about 100000 worth Of
these clams and said that his constituents would be con-
tent 10 have Congress appoint Commission to examine
their cases without provision for the assumption OF
the damages by tho United States. The Committee Will
probably report such BILL but will surely 80 no FUR
Their this session.
The House Committee on Commerce heard Gen. Sypher
~ Iouisiapa I'm regard TO distractions to navigation
caused by railroad bridge the NewOreans, Mobile,
and Chattanooga Railroad constructed across the
Rsoets navg gable branch or bayou, connecting Mobile
Raw with Lake Pontchartrain. This bridge runs OBJ
lduely across the inlet instead Of OF right anglo with
the current the river interests claim should be the
case. The draw is now too near the shore, and
but 100 feet wide. Gen sypher urged that the
railroad be compelled TO relocate q portion OF
It's line so az to bring the bridge some distance above
where IL now H. leaving the major portion OF the inlet to
serve as a OF harbor The Committee VIII not con-
sent TO this but will in all probability report bill direct
inc the Company change the bridge so as 10 cross ut
right angles and to- construct the draw In the middle
making 1t $50 wide. The Railroad Company under
stood TO be willing to make this change.
Tie Senate Committee Post Offices and Post Roads
considered to-day the ChOrpennng matter. In connec-
ton with the at just passed by the House. They
decided to report it back and ask its passage, but the dis
cussion in the Committee was by no means a. harsh
toward the claimant the Post Office Department as In
the House.
Mr. Allison desires to have it understood that he has
always been In OF the retention Of the Income tax
and thai he was not converted Secretary BOutwes
arguments report to this effect has been current
here.
Tho Senate Naval Committee examined some witnesses
TODAY on the question of assimating the rank OF the
STAFF and Line in the Navy Secretary Robson is to
appear before the Committee shortly, aud VIII oppose
the hill passed by the House last week
Commissioner Pleasonton has decided that under the
nroysons OF Section OF the Act Of July Il, 1870 the
American Board OF Commissioners for Foreign MISSIONS
L. released from all liability for succession OF legacy
,,es which were imposed the date OF the passage OF
that act and that after that date no such taxes can
accrue II has also decided that the taxes OF per
cent upon the undivided profits, dividends interest ana
coupons of the companies and corporations enumer@o
In section is OF the Act OF July H. 1870 should pe WIN
held only from that portion of said profits &C. winch
has accrued since 81 1870 and that no taA
nd ma xvtbbed from the portion earned ana accrued
during the last five months OF the year 1870 AsprelouS
rulings of the Internal Revenue Bureau iheohSaS'ent