The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-29

sunfty for making hissiefence Surprise is expressed
that ne chose to represent his case to Mr.. Boutwell,
rather than 70 the committee. II Is believed he
cannot be shielded from removal, and vigorous ac-
ton Is contemplated.
'sIron-CIado Contractors.
The committee on Claims OF the House, at It's last
meeting. had under consideration the House bill for
the relief OF certain 'fronc clad" contractors. These
contractors ask that the Court or Claims be vested
with Jurisdiction to hear and determine their claims
for extra compensation. This Court has long been
noted for the questionable character OF its awards
and Is generally favorable to the parties coming
before It.
The Mixed Commission.
On the Goth instant which was the last day upon
which claims could be filed before the British and
American Claims Commission unless by permission
IN each case for cause shown, very large number
OF memorials were presented. Four hundred and
twenty-one British claims were fled up
TO that date, and ct the session to-
day fifteen additional claims were fled.
IL Is thought that the number, including all claims
on both sides, will amount to about five hundred.
The American claims number eighteen only. There
were no decisions to-day. and the Commission adj
ourned over until the sd OF April next. The Office
OF the Secretary will be occupied for some time in
getting the claims properly arranged and
docketed and the memorials printed. 1t Is under.
stood that the Commission win soon adjourn until
September and that during that month the sessions
WIN be held at Newport. r. l. Since the Commis.
sion was organized eleven cases have been finally
disposed Of out OF which only was favorable to
the claimant that being the first case the docket.
The amount OF the award was $500.
Turning the sword into n spelling Book.
Mr.. b. g. Northrop. OF New Haven, State super
intendent OF Education, appeared tefore the House
Committee on Foreign Affairs this morning in aovo-
cacy Of the proposition to devote the Japanese In
demnity fund, now amounting TO over 500, 600,
TO the purposes OF education, under plecge
and the control OF the Japanese government The
plan urged contemplates a system OF normal
schools for the higher branches OF education in the
English language, ana in the inferior grades OF
schools instruction Is TO be given In the Japanese
language expressed by the Roman characters OF
our alphabet
The China Mail Subsidy Job to be Revived.
The Senate Committee on Post Offices and Post
Roads this morning agreed to move an amendment
to the Post ONCE Appropriation bill when IL comes
up In the Senate, authorizing q semi.monthly mail
service between California and China, and increas-
ing the subsidy Of the China mail line to $1,000 900
per annum.
The House Committee on Military Affairs did not
settle the disputed Quartermasters' question this
morning. as was expected, but consumed their
time mostly In the consideration or private bills.
The Custom House Inquiry.
The Senate New HOrk Custom House Investigate
Ing committee held a special session to-day, and
examined william Orton. ex-Commissioner of the
Internal Revenue, as TO the advtsabty OF the con.
ttnuation OF the system OF moieties In the
New York Custom House. The examination,
which was directed by Messrs. Howe and Bayard,
ELECTED the opinion from the witness that while the
present system was subjected to many corrupt in
novaions 1t was nevertheless, proper, II not abso-
lu'ely necessary, to continue existence some
system OF remuneration to the officials for the pur-
pose OF stimulating them 10 the detection OF
fraud upon the revenue. The salary which was be-
ing paid the inspectors OF itself insu lcen to
guarantee any extraordinary effort upon their part
The evidence of the witness was in oil respects the
oretica and no matter OF fact sought to be OBJ
tanned from him. the Committee then adjourned
until Monday next
The signal Service Tclegraphy.
Mr.. Ort0n President Of the western Union Tele-
graph Company, and Mr.. Whiting, representing the
government, appeared before the Committee on
Ways and Means day In reference to the increase
OF compensation demanded by the company for the
transmission Of the weather reports after the
contract shall expire. Mr.. Urton contends that
these messages, not being sent from one terminal
point to another, but dropping out IRON station to
station as they DO, involve greater expense and
trouble than ordinary business, and that the gov
eminent contract with the company made in 1865
was entered into before the signal included
weather reports.
MI. Whiting on the contrary, in his statement,
alleged that the whole ground had been carefully
gone over by the agents OF both parties, and rates
agreed upon having all these considerations in
view. and that according to these rates, the COM
pany had been compensated 80 lar. The hearing
will be concluded tomorrow.
The Friendly Polo DO Barnnbe.
Rear Admiral Joseph Lanman. commanding the
South Atlantic squadron, In letter to naval
of1cer In this CITY, abiding TO the appointment of
Rear Admiral Polo De Barnabe as Spanish Minister
to the United States. says
have found this officer so agreeable that am
sure you Will be pleased 10 make his acquaintance.
lie mas frequently visited the United States, anu
speaks English perfectly. lie Is also acquainted
with many Of our officers, and no one could esteem
our country more highly than he does.