The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-04-18
WASHING
A Civil Service Reform Bill
in the House.
West Point Appropri-
alton Passed.
TIE TREATY OF WASHINGTON.
A Lobby Against Consequent
tial Damages.
The South improvement COmpany's
Railway Contracts.
African Methodists at the
White House.
ANOTHER STEAMSHIP SUBSIDY SWINDLE.
A Lobby Against Consequent
tial Damages.
The South Improvement COmpany's
Railway Contracts.
African Methodists ut the
White House.
ANOTHER STEAMSHIP SUBSIDY SWINDLE.
THE MOAN OF THE MATCHMAKERs.

WASHINGTON April IT. 1872.
The Treaty or Washington In the
HOuse-A Lobby Organizing In Favor
Of the British-Thc Australian Steam
ship Subsidy swindlc.
General Banks gave notice in the House this
morning that he would call up the Treaty of Wash
ington In three weeks. Mr.. Cox tried to make
speech on the subject, but only succeeded in CON-
planning that Congress was not treated
by our government as Parliament was
by the English monarchy, where he checked OIL.
He threatened to bring in resolution requiring the
CORRESPONDENCE between Lord Granville and the
State Department to be laid before the House. There
10 at present no chance that the secrecy will be
lifted from the elaboration OF the State Depart
ment and the only new thing the vexed ques-
tiOn is that lobby is developing in favor of aban-
dOning the claim for consequential damages
The Australasian steamship subsidy swinde was
again taken in the Senate this morning, after
short debate laid upon the table to allow the Ju-
dicial Appropriation bill to be taken up; but the
debate has gone far enough to demonstrate the fact
that this little attempt Of Mr.. Banks to gather
honey will fail, even in the Senate. There are in
this grab so many glazing Jobs that few men will
have the hardhOod to support 1t. As Mr.. Morrill,,
of Vermont said lit is curious BILL" 1t provides
that the service for which the Postmaster General
shall contract with this company, and pay for at
the rate Of half million for each thirteen voyages,
shall continue for ten years and begin on April Z,
1871. SO it appears that the company to get pay
for year which has already expired.
The Cultivation Of Trees and the Tax on
Lumbcr-West Point Appropria ton
Civil Service Reform-A Railroad Job
6quclchcd In the House.
Mr.. Haldeman, Of Pennsylvania, finished the
speech he began several days ago upon the subject
OF planting and protecting trees Mr. Haldeman
has agiven this subject a degree of study and
attention which evidently entities him to
the attention Of the House, and he
administered rebuke for their failure
10 give it to him by asking them, after he had
finished the scientific aspect OF 1t, and failed to
rest attention. II the practical sides Of it would be
more interesting. Mr.. Farnsworth took occasion to
make q protest against the tax on lumber He
said, "As well might Congress tax water, air and
light, as wood" Pending the discussion the morn
ing hour expired, and the bill went over.
The House then took up the Military Academy
Appropriation bill, reported by Mr.. Marshall, Of ILL
nOis, who made some remarks upon 1t that excited
very general interest. He gave some interesting
historical facts connected with the institu
ton, which were new to many members.
This review of this subject in connection
with the wants and aims OF the Academy
appealed to the pride and love of country of men,
beers. Its military achievements, both past and
present, were shown to be connected with this
school, and ably the subject handled that in
the very limited time given to the bill before the
special order for the consideration of the Civil Ser
vice BILL which set for halfpast two O'Clock, it
passed with only one amendment.
The Civil Service Reform Bill, introduced by Mr..
Willard OF Vermont and made the special order for
to-day, was next taken up. Mr.. Willard made
speech upon the bill, in which he went over the
whole subject OF the civil service, its condition and
requirements. He dwelt particularly upon the
evils moving from the use Of political patron
age in the distribution Of civil Offices. He
traced the steady Increase OF this evil from the
first introduction Of the political faith which taught
that ITO the victor belongs the spos," to the pres
ent day. There was originality Of thought and
many suggestions which gave EVIDENCE that Mr..
Willard has carefully studied the subject. Mr.. Perry
OF New York, followed, also defending the effort at
reform. He made very practical, sensible speech
npOn the subject, and entered into defence
Of the rules reported by the Commission.
Mr.. Shanks, Of Indiana, defended the posi-
ton he took upon a previous occasion, that Civil
Service reform was Western humbug and re-
pcated 1t. In proof Of 1t, he brought the new Civil
Service rules, published to-day, and said they diff
fered somewhat, and were very much modified from
those at first presented.
Just before the adjournment Mr.. Dunnell at
tempted to have passed the Salt Lake and Colorado
Railroad BILL but he did not succeed. This bill was
put forward as the grant OF simple right of way,
but IL has since been discovered that IL is full OF
depot sites big enough for sites for Cities and it will
Qave no chance in the House.
Preparing for the Worst-A Fleet OF IRON
Clads In Prospect.
At this mornings session of the Senate Naval
Committee the claim OF Mrs. Dahlgren for the use
OF her husbands patent gun was favoraby con-
sidered, and Senator Cragin was instructed TO re-
port bill for the establishment or iron ship yards
for the construction Of iron clads.
Matchmakers demonstrating.
The manufacturers OF matches will strenuously
oppose the repeal OF the stamp tax on matches as
unjust to themselves and Of no direct benefit to
the people, They maintain that If the law passes IL
will ruin them In business and open market for
Canadian matches against which they cannot com
pete with the present customs revenue law In
force. The tax is but one cent on box containing
100 matches, yet the revenue the last fiscal yeal
from this source exceeded 81, 100000
The Joint Mexican Commission.
In the Joint Commission OF the United States and
Mexico to-day, the Commissioners announced thcil
decision disposing OF the class of cases known al
the "Piedras Negrasn Claims some 100 in all
against the United States arising out OF the sack
ing Of the Mexican town of Piedras Negras, by tw,
companies OF Texas militia In October, 1855. Al
award OF $4,000 Is made In favor OF the Mexican
government, to be by that government distribute,
among 100 OF the claimants, named In a list pre-
pared 10y the commissioners, or such OF them as ma
De found to be mertorious, while the demands o
forty OF the claimants as named by the commission
ers are rejected outright
Additonal evidence being offered both for tn,
c'a"hant ana the defendant, IL was announced y,
ue commissioner That, under the operation or tn,
closing uu