New-York tribune., 1873-12-18
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL.
THE FINANCIAL DILEMMA.


Several prominent members Of Congress to-day, while
privately expressing their views against the proposed
holiday recess said If the Senate agreed TO the House
resolution for that purpose more than month must
elapse before anything could be done for the relief OF
the Treasury. They alluded to the fact that
while the redemption Of the loau OF 1858 involved
additional obi cations. the extraordinary appropriation
of a. for the Navy exceeded what could possibly
be saved by reduction OF the estimates aud beside
the Secretary had already drawn SIS 100000 OF the ~
100000 reserve without which the Treasury womb now
be bankrupt. The reserve constantly being drawn
upon and therefore it imperative, with due re-
gard the public credit TO pass measures OF relief
without delay. What these should be they were
not prepared TO say; but they, = with
Others, were prepared to restore the duty on
tea and coffee and tobacco which were the easily
colectabe they would agree 90 temporary loan OF
say ooo AT all events Congress should not THINK
Of holiday adjournment until ample provision Is made
tor the Treasury the receipts OF which YESTERDAY were
than oDe-thrd OF what they would have been
but for the effects OF the panic.
REPoBTED ILLEGAL USE OF MONEYS BY THE WAR
-. DEPARTMENT.
The War Department has not yet asked Congress- 10
make an appropriation for deficiencies but it is reported
that certain moneys have been illegally used by the
Secretary in repairing fortifcat0ns and seacoast
defenses There is a law forbdding the use Of any
money that been appropriated for specific purpose
in payment expenses that do not arise under that
made At the of the second year the Secretary of
Treasury directed to all such unexpended
balances into the Treasury 1t is now reported that
reQuisition recently made by the War Department
upon the Treasury Department for s5oo to be spent
in repairing fortdcatons, and that the money was
from the fertilization contingency fund for 1873
and previous years II this report true and there If
little deubt that s then both the Treasury and War
proprated for 1873 aud previous years aud not
during those years, paid contracts made during
them. legally no more available than IL had never
been appropriated.
THE BILL FOR THE REDEMPTION OF THE LOAN
OF 1858.
The following is the text or the b 10 provide for the
redemption of the loan Of s5s which has passed both
houses and awaits the Presidents signature:
That purpose redeemns the bonds is
sued under the entitled 20 authorize loan rot eeeOg The
sum ss Of % oo Jane H. lsSs ,sssdS En- I'd n
Of s y.s si: 70 D ~ s % % s Of .,os s loan % % The m
Treasury coapsn hereby
'pp.opSaS rs ;t 10 s,s parpo.e, u, A..
ohs pnep. and Of svs per senian bonn, Of he pnded
Ii1 Loan a1d o %; " Sr ns tho .aTHA 1ss
90 1871 for tn. bond. o. 1888 which
the i've per csnt.a bonds Of the funded loan I
paid 70; &. esshssse Of ii. Ssb1 na no interest
the bonds exchanged.
AN EFFORT TO REVIVE THE OLD PRINTING ABUSE
Tn first indication Of effort revive the old Con-
oressional Globe printing abuse came 10 light in
luton offered by Mr.. Frye nsructing the Printing Com
mttee inquire the method Of printing tho
debates at the Congressional Printing Oce when che
expense Of providing the facilities required for the
work considered viii not be greater than the cost
Of the old contract system. The resolution promptly
objected to and ruled out There Is clearly joo the
bottom Of the proposition have the debates printed by
private contract, while the Government paying mil
hons Of dollars annually 10 n mammoth printing
establishment.
THE BANKRUPTCY REPEAL BILL IN THE SENATE
The action Of in referring the House
ruptcy bill to-day. TO indicate purpose amend
the law rather than to totally repeal it Those who
we're NOT in favor OF wpng this statute entirely out
opposed referring tho hill to che Judiciary Committee
and as among these Senators were swo who mem
bsrs Of that Committee-Me Conslpg and Thurman
may DO fairly inferred that they know the Commit
toe to be opposed TO a complete repeal
TIE CASES OF DURRIL AND BUSTED.
The House Judiciary indicate discrimination make
thorough investigation into tho conduct Of Judge
Dure- This morning MI. wilson got authority for the
Committee to send Tor persons and papers in the
and take testimony. The ssme authority IL granted in
the case Of Judge Richard Buseed whose judicial Dis
trict Is the State Of Alabama. but whose residence 10
NeV-York.