New-York tribune., 1873-02-05
WASHINGTON NOTES.
10y TELEGRAPH TO THB TRIBUNRl

WASHINGTON Tuesday. Feb, 4. 1873.
paragraph in q late Washington dispatch to THE
TRIBUNE, calling attention 10 the need OF civil service
the Capitol been misunderstood as reflect
ing upon the Secretary OF the Senate in regard
administration OF his Office. 1t only fair TO say that
the changes made in the Secretarys Office at the begin
ming Of this session made for political reasons
but transfers effected with the consent OF the
clerks interested and that the service Of the Office has
been improved by tho changes The evil referred to
and the reform needed relate to the displacement OF
employees Of the Senate and House who have held their
places for years, and become experienced and skilled IN
their duties account OF the defeat Of the Senator
Representative who is their patron.
The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations reported
to-day, and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs
agreed report the bill directing the Secretary OF the
Navy TO detail from the surveys and soundings and
along that portion Of the Pacific coast in America and
Asia, where il may be determined 10 establish the Amer
lea, Japan, and China submarine cable, one or more
steam vessels to afford such assistance may be calcu
lated promote the Of the enterprise. The
agents Of this company ask for Government subsidy,
but say that thev will have trouble to raise the
sary capital If Congress only gives its sanction to the
enterprise and aids them TO the small extent asked for
in this bill Much OF the capital, 1t is expected, will be
obtained III China and Japan.
Speaker Blaine left chair to-day calling upon Mr..
Dawes to preside and taking the floor made very hand
and effective appeal TO the House in behalf Of Mrs.
Robert C. Wood the daughter Of Zachary Taylor who, it
appears is In "a very destitute condition The claims of
sstan surgeon in the army, who died four years ago.
The bill presented by the Speaker required the Secretary
the Interior place her nameon the pension list at the
rate Of $50 month"; dating at the time Of her husbands
death. After Mr. Blaine had briefly stated the case the
question put and carried unanimously.
The debate in the Senate, to-day on Mr.. Sherman's
Specie Payment and Free Banking bill, developed
prsng amount OF ignorance and crudeness OF thought
in regard to Of the most important measures that
has been before Congress this session. The pending
amendment that proposed by Mr. Thurman TO re-
Of interest the bonds which it is
posed to allow the Secretary Of the Treasury for
greenbacks when he has not gold with which to re-
deem the national currency The amendment was lost
Other amendments proposed. but very i'm
pOrtant agreed TO- II is much doubted that this
bill will become law.
Senator Hill seems 10 have mania for increasing sal
aries. Having failed in several attempts kO get an
amendment added TO the Legislative Appropriation bill,
increasing the salaries of Congressman. and failed. he
has turned his attention 10 the Presidency and Vice
Presidency This morning he asked the Senate TO act
upon bill that he introduced fixing the Presidents sal
airy $4,000, and the NicePresldents at $4,000 year.
one objection carried IL over.
Gen. Burnside authorizes a complete denial OF the
whole story he desires the command Of the Marine
Corps He is engaged extensive railroad transactions
and has desire 10 reGnter the service he had, he
would not accept place which would deprive the whole
line Of officers in the corps of their deserved promotion