The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-08

introduced especially those in which the LOBBY are
Interested. The two most important propositions
OF this character are q bill granting the
use Of 0ne-half Of Goat Island, in the Bay OF San
Francisco, to the California Central Pacific and ono
materially modifying the regulations for protection
OF life and property made by the Treasury Board Of
Steamboat Inspectors. There is huge delegation
here fav0ring this latter, representing q Western
river and lake interest aggregating at least
$500. 900 900 OF capital.
The bills now on the House docket have been re-
ferred as foows:-Ways and Means ~; Appr0pria-
lions, 0; judiciary, GA Of which about 0ne.hrd are
for the removal Of dsabties); Public Lands, 80 (of
which the fraction railroad Nnd grant bills, and
as many more call for grants to construct irrigating
canais Commerce has ~, Military Affairs 3s most OF
which are OF the private claim naturel Claims has a.
Public Buildings and Grounds "a, Invalid Pensions
20, ana the bolance are distributed among sixteen
other committees. The greater number Of the bills
referred to the above named committees are of but
little slgnlficance-mainiy local jobs like those for
construction OF public buildings In various Cities or
private claims or pensions. The committees to
which 60 the most important details of legislation
are not yet encumbered with business, except four
or Ave Of them.
The spanish Difficulty In Congress-Bunc0 mbo
Expocted-Thc Washington Treaty Pr0vi-
sions.
made tomorrow In the House to bring on discus
sion over the Spanish difficulties Resolutions can
be presented under the call OF States and from some
OF the States earlier called an attempt will be made
to force vote on some such resolution. Should It
be concerted effort on the part OF special clique
the probability Will be that most OF the time allotted
Tor the call Will be consumed In an attempt to
secure It's passage. AS sGch move Is most likely
to come from the opposition side, 1t will be resisted
py the majority and OF course defeated. 1t Is re.
ported that the democrats will demand vigorous
action with Spain, and aim to make all the party
capital out Of the present state o. public feeling.
The three bills for carrying out various provisions
Of the Washington Treaty now before General
Banks committee are the first measures of tmp0r.
lance to be considered in the House. the first re.
lates to the fishery articles and General Butler Ia
loaded with every legislative means OF opposition.
He will receive larger support than has generally
been expected. In the Senate the Amnesty bill is
the pending measure. 1t is understood Mr. sumner
will withdraw his supplementary Civil Rights bill.
which he has attached as an amendment to the
amnesty measure. Senator Schurz will move to
strike out all the exceptions and make the amnesty
general. Tho Committee on Elections and Priv
leges Ill make q report on the vance-Abbott case
which may give rise at once to discussion kelyt 10
postpone tho amnesty debate for some time to
come.
The jealousy between the leaders Of the House
and the party leader OF the democracy curiousy
illustrated yesterday. On being asked by an ante
diluvian whether Mr.. Fernando Wood was still In
the House Mr.. Dawes SAID, with some asperity,
"Wood Is IN the House, but not STILL"
Tho District Board of Health have declared war
upon the cars Of the Pennsylvania Avenue Street
Railway, which Is chiefly owned BY Sylvanus
Riker, Henry Hart, OF Chatham street, and
nj IN
New York. The Board intend to condemn the
dirty cars as o public nuisance, dangerous to
health. and remove them from the road, is hardly
probable that this good intention Will DO carried
out as the road processes to own congressman
enough to control the District authorities all pur
chased at the low price oil an annual pass. bill
for the construction and operation OF street rail-
ways by helOcal government for the benefit OF the
people, 10 be introduced Into the Legislative As
sembly, and In anticipation Of this piece OF commu.
nal legislation the members Of the Legislature have
all been furnished with deadhead tickets.
Alleged Abuses In the Post ONCE Do.
partment-The Contract Combination.
For some time past parties interested In bringing
to light some OF the Irregularities IN public affairs
have been investigating tho management OF the
Post once Department by Mr. Creswell They
claim TO have fastened upon him In the clearest
manner q series OF conspracies to reject respon-
sible proposals for neavy mail contracts on the
ground that they were 'straw bids'' and otherwise
irresponsible or informal and to award the contracts
to favored bidders with whom previous arrange.
ments had been made at higher rates. It Is also
alleged that contractors In the actual performance Of
mail service under their contracts, have been In
duced to make default, with assurances that their
suretles would be held harmless, thus afrording q
pretext Of emergency for the reettng OF the routes
the law requires. Tne sum drawn from the Treas.
ury In pursuance OF these arrangements Is named
at about two million dollars. Messrs. George Earle,
Of Maryland, and Giles A. smith, Of Illinois, both Of
whom have filled the position Of Assistant Postmas.
ter General under MIR. Crcswell and resigned
1t to attend to the prosecution OF claims
and the settlement or accounts before
the Department. are charged % the active
agents between the Postmaster General and
the other benenciarles Of the transactions. And
It is further charged that the Auditor OF the Depart
menr, reconstruction loyahst from Alabama. can
not keep his skirt clear when the coming revela-
tions are made, Members or the Democratic Con-
gresslonal Committee have Vbeeu In consuisa-
ton upon the subjecr, and resolution Of
inquiry embodying in specific and deh-
mite terms the accusation against the
Postmaster General, win probably be introduced In
both houses Of Congress to morrow. Names OF per
aous and dates and other particulars OF the transac
lions are, It IL stated to be introduced into the
resolutions to forestall objections rom the majority
uide Of tho Houseslthat the resolutions ore intended
A political man@uvres and campaign documents
merely.
Washington Nssables In Thespeas Charity.
washington s promised sensation In an anna
teur theatrical performance on Thursday next
for st. Johns church charities the National
Theatre, the largest In the city, has
been engaged. The amateurs are OF
the best and most known famillsA The President
and the Cabinet have been invited and are expected
to attend. the demand for tickets among the efn
Is unprecedented. some having been teegraphed for
from New York ana philadelphia.
mup HID Am AND nm ILVINQgT0HE