The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-15

W any person except the, french EMBASSY ana IL IL
boldly asserted that the papers were diverted from
the keeping OF that Embassy to be used in an at
tack upon our government by the enemies OF
the administration. The Marquis de Cnambrun Is
charged with furnishing these documents and gene
rally with concoctiug the plan 10 advance his own
selfish ends and secure the humiliation OF this re-
public, by using Nh. Sumner as o catspaw. The
Marquis, who Is an attorney OF the French govern
men has resided In this city for about eight years.
AS O firm adherent or the Orleans family and q
former parizan OF theirs he is quite anxious to
recommend himself to the French authorities.
Being an intimate friend of Mr.. Sumner he has
used that confidence to secure both his friends
and his own objects in the way indicated 1t IS de-
clared that II the French government have been
able in any way during the trial of Victor Place, to
ind reason for suspicion against any ofcer OF this
government OF being an accomplice in Mr.. Places
malfeasance, the diplomatic and courteous mode or
procedure would have been to SEND o c0mmunica-
ton thereon through the usual channels, asking for
an inquiry by our government. Such request
would have undoubtedly been brought to the
attention Of Congress by the Executive, If
the allegations OF the French government had
been decently sustained. Instead OF that its ac-
Cepted attorney legal adviser here PUSHES into the
partisan arena and makes Of the alleged points in
his possession an arraignment of the federal admin
that Mr.. Sumner shall have his investigation, and
that 1t shall be made thorough, so as to bring
to light-as 1t is claimed Will be the result
facts that will show how his personal hostility I'M
hinges judgment.
On the other hand Mr.. Sumner afIirms that there
are the gravest for believing that serious
breach Of International obligations has been COM
mitted and that the facts Will sustain HIM In his
jealous regard for our honor and duty.
The House and the Naval Appropriations
MIR. Cox Piuning the Republicans to Civil
Service Reiorm-Navy Yard Employees.
The first fair opportunity to test the sincerity Of
civil service reform professions was afforded in the
House to-day upon an amendment by Mr.. Cox, OF
New York, upon the Naval Appropriation BILL Mr..
Cox proposed that no workmen should be employed
at political dlctation This was measure going to
the root Of the evil 80 much complained Of in the
conduct OF our civil service and called out the eX.
preston OF much feeling upon the subec,. General
Sl0cum. OF New York, SAID il the House wOnld give
him an Investigating committee he would prove
that political influence In the matter or ap-
pointment went further than party; that
in New York all men known as ''Fenton men" had
been turned out of office and "Conkling men" putin
their places; that ship carpenters had been dis
missed for no other reason than that they were not
Conkling men, Mr. Cox spoke Of the Mare island
It's patronage the member from that district had
been elected, whereupon Mr.. Cougnlan rose TO ex.
plain that, the contrary, he received $50 demo-
cratic votes in Vallejo, the town were the yard was
located.
General Farnsworth made good point in show
ing that the government could not Guild It's own
ships as cheap private enterprise, IN consequence
OF the abuses growing from the fact that political
influence kept workmen at higher pay and without
regard to fitness. Mr.. Butler, Of Massachusetts,
offered q substitute for Mr. Cox's amendment,
which provided that naval officers should not inter-
fere with the employment OF work1nen. He wanted
master mechanics IN charge OF the work TO seleci
the men without dictation from men who know
nothing about the work. This amendment was
adopted by vote Of e5 to 65, all
the republicans but four voting for 1t. as
means Of killing Mr.. Coxs civil service
amendment. Mr.. Cox was on the alert, however,
and promptly offered as provls0 to the substitute
his original amendment. with change enough to
make 1t In order. and thus compelled q vote on
civil service reform. On the division the democrats
voted yea solid. and four republicans--hoar.
Finkelnburg, Beatty and Farnsworth. All the rest
OF the republicans were against II. When tellers
were ordered, however, members began - dodge
the vote. Cox's amendment was carried by II to
o. So much for the first effort at civil service
reform.
just before adjournment the Speaker laid before
the House request from the Senate for the testl-
mony taken before the committee appointed 10 In
vestigate alleged irregularities in regard to the i'm
peaohment trial Of Andrew Johnson. This action
is in relation to the charges made against Mr..
Legate who has been appointed Governor OF Wash
ingtOn Territory.
Practical Not Holiday Service for Our Young
Naval Officers.
The Secretary OF the Navy has much so!ictude
that the younger officers of the navy be Afforded as
far as possible, every opportunity to acquire fair
average of service on board OF the vessels best
adapted to give them professional experience. HIS
attention has been directed to the fact that the
graduates of the Naval Academy have preference
for easy POSITIONS to the detrlment OF the
service. He has therefore issued an order to the
eommander-in OF the Asiatic squadron direct
ing that as few OF the younger officers OF the navy
be assigned to the sidewheel steamers as will prop
erly serve their purposes, ana this period Of ser.
vice be limited on board the Monocacy and Ashue-
lot to one year. as far as possible to that time
Similar orders will also be issued to other COM
manders Of squadrons.
Ten New IRON Clads.
The House Committee on Naval Affairs having
agreed to report bill for the construction OF ten
iron-cad steamships at o cost OF 49, 600 0oO Secre.
tary Robson and General Butler appeared before
the Committee on Appropriations to-day ana urged
the necessary appropriations.
A United States District judge Charged
with Drunkenness and Maifeusance.
Charges have been preferred against Judge Ollie,
United States District Judge for Kansas, which are
to be investigated by the Judiciary Committee OF
the House Of Representatives.. Some parties from
New York who had case in bankruptcy before
him are the complainants The charges are NAL
feasance in Office and habitual drunkenness. It is
asserted by parties acquainted with the facts that
the investigation viii probably result in his re-
moval.
startling Steamboat Inspection Statistics.
1t appears from Official documents that the num-
Der of steamers on the Atlantic coast inspected ia
1871 was LAO; the value Of property destroyed by
fire, explosion, collision and wreck was