The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-01-07

order to make them supernumerary and
better officers taken from the waiting
order list and put in their place. Many
Of the seventy-four we're before General
Hancock's board or were reported fol
investigation by the board, but not
ordered before it on account Of lack oi
time for them to reach this city from
distant parts in the territories. 1t Is
believed that few officers OF decided
merit have been compelled to leave the
army against their inclination by the
operations of the reduction law which
has just gone into effect. Many gross
improprieties in the working of the law
for the retirement Of army officers has
been brought to the attention Of the
House Military committee: many
officers drawing from $500 to $1,000
more pay a year on the retired list
than they received while on active duty
Meanwhile no duty is required Of them
and many Of them are engaged in
lucrative business. This abuse
grows out Of the law
allowing the retirement Of officers on
the pay of the grade they held when
wounded or disabled, which was passed
some five years ago. At the solicita-
ton Of senator who had son, who
was captain in the regular army, and
had been Brigadier-General of volun-
teers during the war, the son was en-
abled to drop the duties Of captain and
pay Of $500 per year, and 60 on the
retired list with the pay OF 5000. A
large number Of officers have been re-
tired in this way-Lieutenants as Ma
iors and Colonels, and Captains and
Majors as Brigadier and Major-Gen-
erals. While these regular army officers
are thus retired upon the volunteer rank
they held during the war, disabled vol
unteer officers who do not get places in
the regular army, get only a pension OF
from $l5 to so.
The San Domingo Job.
Notwithstanding the apparent ad-
verse vote in the Committee of Foreign
Affairs yesterday, on General Banks
Sau Domingo resolution, that gentle
man is confident that it, being one sim
liar to that of the Senate, will pass the
House. 1t would appear, from the
representations OF prominent friends OF
annexation, that at least two Democrats
Of the House will vote for the appoint
ment of committee to report about the
appointment Of a commission before
final action upon he pending PROPOSE
ton. II it shall be passed this week
by both Houses Of Congress, it will be
Immediately announced, and a vessel
now in waiting will convey the Com.
mission to San Domingo 1t is thought
they can obtain all the information de-
sired and return to Washington in time
for Congress to take action on the sub
ject before the adjournment of the pres
ent session.
Treasury Matters.
The Secretary Of the Treasury to-day
directed the Assistant Treasurer at New
York to redeem an additional 81 $50, 900
3 per cent certificates, as follows: $4,000
each of all outstanding certificates be-
tween numbers $50 and 6l0 inclusive,
and SIC, 900 each of all outstanding GER
tificates between 800 and 500 inclusive,
interest on same to cease February %,
after which time they will be no longer
available as portion OF the lawful money
reserve in the possession Of any national
bank. This will make in all S., ESQ, 900
called in. Coin in the treasury to-day
at the close OF business was 500, ,269,-
600, including 81 100000 in coin GER
tifcates.
Miscellaneous Items.
A report has been circulating that
the Spanish Minister is actively engaged
through his enissaries and agents in
opposing the annexation of San Do
migo. There is no foundation, whatever,
for the report
1t ia officially known that negotia-
tions are in PROCESS for the appoint
ment of a joint committee by the United
States and iSpain, for the settlement OF
the claims arising ont Of Cuban mat
ters.
The postponement Of the hearing in
the case of the New York Central rail
road scrip dividend tax, was consented
to by the Law Department ofthe Treas
ury only on the groundof the Attorney
Generals absence and in order that the
railroad may present any evidence they
have to Mr.. Akerman on his return to
Washington.