New-York tribune., 1873-02-10

would make no difference Il he made oath that they
were burned Experience has shown that II az ss con con-
elusive evidence to sustain claims against the "o'en
ment.
A REMARKABLE CLAIM.
One OF the remarkable claims ever presented 10
Congress was recently passed by the Senate and II now
before the House 1t s for $soS o6, being the value OF
negro boy 6 6 years OF age who protected ana
cared for by Gen. Uey while Colonel OF the 92d kes
mont Wisconsin Volunteers. The papers Ia the case
show that while Gen. Utey was az Lexington ny"
with his regiment small halfstar'ed heEio
boy. with nothing on but ragged pantaloons auu
shirt came TO his quarters q snow-storh Inc
boy was in pershng condition, and represented tha
he had been In the woods for long time, suDssng Oh
black walnuts, and sleeping in hogs nests uhi tne
snOw-storm drove him iD This was in the FAB oil 1907
Gen. Utey ordered the boy TO be taken care OF, anu
thought no more about u; until one wiam nt npu and
sought 10 take him away. Gen. Utley calieu thc
March 49, 1862, and said he must be governenn 80 Dg
that. III the boy would so back without fOtce pei @
hired ont a cruel master being 10 years OF age ana
him, and he had sought protection OF hls oww, VIZ
Robertson, IN ysin until hnaiiy; ne ne ran olreasyy
stated. The General refused TO give no the
boy, and Robertson left without him. few days SUP, M
seQuently suit brought against the ohcer IoI tne
value OF the boy Soon aferward Gen. Utcy was taken
prisoner bv the Conederates, at Spring Hill Tenn ana
brought in the Circuit Court Of Wisconsin, and judg
ment rendered the year before for sos O6 and costs
amounting TO s2640. Ex-AttOrney-General Speed Ge-
Tended the suit but the officer forced to pay the
money. The Senate bill II for the purpose OF re-
imbursing Gen. Utey. and will undoubtedly pass tne
House The suit could not have been appealed to inc the
supreme Court OF the United States, because the l'
IN that Court is $4,000
THE MORMON QUESTION.
The Senate Judiciary Committee held long meeting
Yesterday to consider the Frelinghuysen Mormon bill
The Hon. Thomas Fitch and Delegate-eect Cannon
asked permission reply the memorial sent here by
the Salt Lake Bar and to urge objections to the Dill
They allowed tote printed argument, but not 10
personally appear. Mr. F1tchs reply to the memorial
was summed up follows:
1t submitted that the specifications of the memorial
fail TO sustain Their charges. They aege thdt the
legislation of Utah has been inimca and subyersve o
the Federal authority The laws they clte IN suppo "a
tins allegation either never existed are repealel
They assert that the Utah Legislature has neglected 70
establish wholesome general system OF laws Inc CMyI M
Practice of 1870 is, standing refutatlon OF TINS
charge They insist that the municipal charters
are extraordinary grants of power and the muniepa %
ordinances oppressive veXatlOus and arbitrary The
charters and ordinances prove TO be similar to those OF
all other American municipalities, and the adnlnlstrd
tiOn OF Justice and public order proves 10 Dc equal
economical and usual They declare that there are IN
Utah hostile jurisdictions II appears tnat there s
ia every right Of appeal granted u the teueral
courts and 10 instance OF clashlng OF Jurlsuiclo
The melnorialists have based their demand
for Congress legislation with respect 10
Utah upon the basis OF conditions which, II they ever
existed have passed away. In regard TO the bill
lenoe confusion, and business cOnvulsion In Utah.
The social condition OF Utah. he says, is rapidly being
pecuarities destined to speedily disappear. Their
disappearance may be delayed, but cannot 10 hs Jud9
ment, be expedited by legislation.
The movement against the Mormons in both houses
this time believed to be in accordance with the New
man policy, which is supported by many OF the Gentes
in Utah from wholly selfish motives.
FAVORABLE REPORT ON THE sUTRO TUNNEL
BILL.
The sutro Tunnel bill Will he reported TO the House
Tuesday. All the members of the Committee Mines
and Mining except Sargent have signed in
favor it, setting forth 6l facts and arguments, duly
numbered TO show why the bill ought TO pass Mr. Sar
gent has submted'a minority report, denouncing the
bill a scheme for taking money from the
Treasury for the benefit OF individuals. The
bill, after six pompous whereases about
the duty of the Government to develop the universal
wealth OF the country and thereby enhance the value OF
all property and relieve the burden OF the people goes
to provide for loan of 100000 to the sutro Tunnel
vanoes, and to be secured by mortgage on the tunnel
and other property OF the Company. Mr.. Sutro has
lObbied this scheme with great assdulty for the
past five or six years, distributing handsome
COlOred Autographs Of the proposed workand pamphlets
setting forth its great advantage TO the nation ana
laborng ard TO convert Congressman to his views. He
last been arded for mis- patient and persistent
effort by favorable reports from the Mining Com
mittee Of both the Senate and the House but it is
very doubtful whether he makes any further progress at
this session Even IN the hush times OF subsidies ana
land grants Congress never went so far as TO go into
partnership with mining company and furnish The
capital 10 bore the tunnels and sink the shafts. Mr..
surO says that Mr.. Sargents minority report willfuy
msrepresents the facts and is made in the interest OF
the Bank OF California, whose attorney Mr. Sargent Is
CIVIL SERVICE RULES IN THE PATENT OFFICE.
Gen. Leggett Commissioner Of Patents. says in his
annual report The rules for Civil Service went into
operation in this bureau in May last not sanguine
as to the wisdom Of their adoption but determined
they should have fair and impartial in the Patent
Office In examinations have in no way nteriered'
and have expressed preferences for candidates.
believe the examining board have conscentiously
framed their questions and conducted Examinations
with the single view Of securing the best for vacant
positions, and the result has greatly tnscended
former employees, and has brought into office class
Of intelligent vigorous, and enterprsing young men
whom il would have been difficult 10 obtain by other
system. Men having the best qualifications and the
most merit will rely least upon outside influence and
pressure for positions and under the old system were
generally last TO obtain them. The design OF Cill
Service rules is to secure the best qualified and most
mertorous persons for this bureau The examinations
have aimed 20 test the applicants special fitness for
vacant positions and the questions have been thor
have been examined for promotion. "a OF whom have
passed above the minimum standard and 49
have been promoted. FftytWO have been examined
for original appointment % Of whom passed above mini
mum, and have been appointed. The operation OF the
the efficiency OF the working force in the Patent office
The Civil Service is clogged and mpeded, however, by
men appointed 10 positions, to-day, nine OF whom
prove TO he we'll qualified, active, intelligent and eff
CItDt one hDoNc ItqulblVon
four years will find that nine have developed into
men Of much spirit and enterprise TO in cler
cal positions, and have entered business
pursuits in private life, while the tenth
win probably be podding along in the Office of less
value, probably, than when first appointed, yet willing
TO stay without advancement long the appointing
under the pressure OF outside influences can be
Induced retain him. BY this process comparatively
worthless sediment sccumuates in the bureaus impe
ding and depressing characer and increasing the ex-
OF the Civil Service. II the Civil Service Comms
sion can invent broom that will eneetusy sweep out
this sediment shall deem it worthy OF patent.
REFUSAL TO GRANT THE PETITION OF NEW-YORK
FRUIT MERCHANTS.
The Senate Finance Committee has reported adversely
on the petition of York merchants asking the enact
ment OF law 20 facilitate the discharge OF cargoes OF
ID IL.