New-York tribune., 1873-12-19
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL.
THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE AFFAIRS OF sUrEf
NIsINa ARCHITECT MrIIETr.

THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE AFFAIRS OF SUPER
vIsING ARCHITECT MUILETr.
WASHINGTON, Thursday, Dec. Is. 1878.
Judge DueIl OF New-York Chairman OF the Committee
OH Expenditures Public Buildings, will probably not
begin his into the affairs Of the supervs
ing Architect of the Treasury Department for several
days At the Republican il indicated that
dsposon existed to retrench in the manner OF pubhc
building at least until the financial condition OF the
country shall be more hopeful. The points toward
which the inquiry this will be directed are as
follows: First: Whether appropriations have been
made for buildings yet begun which not neces
sary or can be deferred Second: Whether there are
any buildings upon which work has been begun that
can be properly aside discontinued for the present.
Third: Whether extravagont or unnecessary eIpend
itures have been made contemplated the buildings
now being. erected IN various parts OF the country
Members OF the Committee say that no charges what
ever have been made against Mr.. Mullett, the Super
ysng Architect but that II Is the specified dnfy OF the
Committee TO examine the questions above referred TO-
II Is probable that the Committee will investigate with
reference to the building in Philadelphia for which
a. 600 900 will be necessary and also the Cincinnati
building for which the same amount will be required
Neither these has been begun. Mr. Mulett saws that
neither the new State Department the Boston. tne
Chra 70 the St. Louis nor the New York buildings can
be stopped without serious loss.
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT ID THE RULES OF lHE
HOUSE.
The Committee on Rules brought into the House 10
day an amendment Of the rules. ostensiby and no
doubt honestly intended to facilitate the business Of
legislation, but which In Its practical effect would
seriously abridge the parliamentary privileges Of the
minority The proposition was, that when motion
made 10 suspend tho rules 1t should not be
entertained unless seconded by majority
vote. This would save great deal Of time
wasted in calling the Yeas ana Nays on buncombe
utions and bills that have not support enough to war
rant their being entertained. but 1t would greatly
tail the power of the minority to resist the passage OF
obnoxious measures during the last days OF the
sion and would place them in position ct ell times
where they could not get Yea and Nay vote any
motion 10 suspend the rules, unless they could
persuade portion oil the majority to act with them
The Democrats earnestly opposed the adoption OF tins
rule MT Maynard who had charge Of It, wanted put
il through in spiteeof their protests and appea and
rallied the whole Republican strength for this
but afterwards sense OF fairness oyercame partisan
feeling aud at the request q Mr. Garfield and Eugene
Hale the vote reconBidered and the rule recon-
mitted The debate occupied over an hour.
THE SPEAKERS SALARY.
TheIstatems some papers that the Speaker OF the
House was included In the motion Of Mr. rreman yes
terday afternoon TO retain the $4,000 salary 10
common with the Vice President and the members Of
the Cabinet was At the special request the
Sneaker Mr. Trsmain had excluded that ONCE from the
text or his amendment The Speaker did not permit
long controversy the BILL The result OF the whole
was really reduce his compensation below the whole
amount Heretofore the Speaker has bad 5000 beside
mileage and certain allowances amounting in sll to
about $500 The bill Of yesterday Ied the salary simply
at ooO with no allowances Whatever. The alsry OF
members raised 1000 above the old rate. 10 an
alleged commutatiOn for all extra allowances but o.
Speaker Baine's special end very earnest request this
additional thousand dollars was attached 70 his
ofce Tue general result was, therefore, reduction Of
about $500 on the old salary OF the ONCE and an addition
OF about $500 TO the former salary Of members.
REPRESENTATIVE KKLLKY's BILL FOR CONVERTIBLE
TEMPORARY LOANS.
Judge Kelley again manifested q determination to-day
10 press his bill for convertible temporary loans he
thinks Its wisdom can be clearly shown, and that 10
no, An experiment He that such temporary loans
have been provided for BY four sucoessve sws One OF
these tho aot Of July H. 1884, provided for the holding
of go greepbacks IN Of the et0oooco in
circulation be held exclusively for the prompt psy
pent Of temporary loans In cass Of smsresney. Jodse
~ e0v0osh pn10