The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-13

WASHING TON.
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GRANT AND THE WAR CLOUD
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Presentation Of the New porfu.
guese Minister.
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THE SYNDICATE ABROAD.
Hooking the Congressional Com
s2 mittees with Claims.
GRANT AND THE WAR CLOUD
THE SYNDICATE ABROAD.
WARRINGTON, Jan. II. 1872.

Grant Pun1ing Away the War Cloud.
The President does not anticipate any trouble
with Spain on account OF the alleged firing upon
the Florida BY the Spanish war vessel Balboa, and
vessel that she was detained or her officers and
crew subjected 10 any insult whatever.
Cuban Agent il Washington.
N. Ruiz, selected AZ the leading representative Of
the Cuban patriots IN Washington, who has been In
South America for year past promoting the cause
Of Cuban independence among Its friends In that
country, has returned TO washington to renew his
efforts among the sympathizers here.
The Portuguese Mlnistef Presents His Gre.
dcutials.
Senior SouEa Lobe. the new Portuguese Minister
was presented to the President to-day by Secretary
Fish. and at the same time Senior Antonio do
Cunha. who has for the past two years been the
Charge d'Anaires OF Portugal In this country took
leave OF the President previous to his return home
Senior Cunha received complimentary assurances
Of the satisfaction with which his functions have
been DISCHARGED, especial allusion being made to
the successful management OF the "Colama" ques-
ton between his government ana that Of Great
Britain, in which President Grant acted as arbi-
traitor.
Tue following is translation Of Chevalier de
Housa LoboV remarks upon the OCCASION
Mr.. PREsIDENr-I have the honor to hand you the
letter Of the King, my august sovereign, which ae-
harry and Minister Penipotenfiary. His Majesty has
especially recommended to mo to accompany It
MIN sae most earnest OF ms esteem ana
maintain and further develop the relations OF good
understanding and Of confidence which fortunately
the sentiments Of sincere friendship which
sentiments strengthened by the gratitude which
HIS Majesty feels Tor those universal marks Of SYM
patty which the interests Of his Crown have on
several occasions experienced from the govern.
Ment Of the United States. Happy in being the ex.
ShaI be doubly SO IL Ia my zeal for strengthening
the intimacy and developing the interests Of the
two nations, succeed In deserving your nigh good
The PRESIDENT replied as fOlows:-
CnEyALIEE-I am pleased to receive yon as the
sire to keen up and iurther develop the relations Of
keod understanding and Of confidence which fort1
cordially rccipfccated by me. am aware OF nothing
which may De expected to dlsappOnt ihls desire.
shown for the interests Of me crown Of Portugal
mas been the expression Of friendship sincerely eu-
3ieved to be in conformity with right and with the
wishes Of that country.
. There rs no reason to distrust your disposition
faithfully 10 represent the friendly feeling OF your
sovereign Tor the United States.
Civil Service RefOrm-Thc Washington
~ Position. rfN ,>s
There b much misunderstanding In regard to the
PLATED by the rules adopted by the President 1t Is
teriousiy supposed by many persons that there Will
be advertisements and examinations for every
vacancy that may occur. But the Board contem-
plates holding stated meetings for examinations
under . general notice, at specified points
and At Uncomfortable expense. There has
been great deal Of comment against the
scheme founded upon the erroneous I'M
presmOn that vacancies In the departments at
washington will be filed from the District OF
Columbia or from States adjacent to the capital.
Therefore, Representative Wilson, Of Indiana, has
introduced bill to guard against such O result
But one Of the first subjects which was considered
~ the Advisory Board was the proper distribution
OF these 0flces throughout the country The result
Of Its action Will be that the washington positions
viii be more equally distributed than heretofore.
There are probably, few objections Of any kind
which the Advisory Board has not considered, and
for which, when they reassemoe, they Will not
provide.
Private Bill Day in the Rouse.
This being private bill day, there was nothing OF
Importance, interest or amusement IN the proceed
ings Of the House Of Representatives. Private bills
were reported from the Committees on Pensions
Patents and Elections, and Mr. Farnsworth asked
that the Committee on Post Ofllces ana Post Roads
be directed to investigate the contracts for the trans
pOrtatj0n OF the mails. and report the results OF
such Investigation to the House, aud that said CON-
mttee have power to send for papers ana persons
This Is understood to be in pursuit OF Cresweil and
part Of the electoneering programme OF the opposi-
ton. The resolution was adopted, and the House
adjourned until Monday.
The Claim Nuisance and Congressional Com.
mittces.
The enormous number OF petty claims and pen
sl0ns which are continually swelling the calendars
or both houses Of Congress and turning important
committees into mere claim agencies Is engaging
che attention OF members as nuisance TO
be abated by some means. Gentlemen who
have served on the Committees on Commerce.
Indian, Naval ana Military Affairs, judiciary
Claims and Invalid Pensions, and even the House
Ways and Means Committee declare that II some
remedy Is not provided either by general laws or
~ the appointment Of some examining commission
20 report to Congress directly the whole business
Of legitimate legislation will be blocked. Before
shc war these sort OF bills could be counted
during any one Congress by the score: now.
however; they are In any session TO be
rscKoned by the hundreds. or the eleven
hundred and more bills now on the dockets
over one-half are Of the character named.
Every session now sees several score bills become
laws and as many more repealed, having for their
object the granting Of invalid pensions to persons
whose cases are not considered by the Pension Blu.
geau % coming within its general powers. SO with
thc majority OF the applications for allowing a
change Of register or name for ship. The busl-
ness Of pushing claims through Congress has been
reduced to fine ART ana Its professors often hold
seats inside the Capitol
Percussion Fuse "Strike."
Ono OF the smallest and latest JOBS introduced
since the reassembling Of Congress Is bill OF Mr.
Hoar, Of Massachusetts,. directing the War Depart
mont to pay $4,000 to one Of his constituents for
che right to use patent double percussion time
regulating fuse that the department. In the opinion
OF ordnance officers Is likely to use after the
money has been paid. further requirement OF the
bill Is that the department. shall pay twenty cents
royalty In addition for every fuse manufacturod--a
prOvisO harmless in itself II it did moi encnnraaa