The New York herald., 1873-10-07
CLAIMS COMMISSIONS.
Count Corti Entertains His American
and British Colleagues.
Investigating the Quality Of Fighting Ma
terial in Europe.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 0, 1873.
The District ia ks.

Cdtcs III lcu VI currency ana CertlHed checks Tor
certain small amounts The form was prepared
and the order for printing the blanks was given to
the printer. at the meeting on Saturday, how
ever it was unanimously resolved that such q
coulse would be fnexpedient, and to continue the
present mode OF certifying checks, TO be only
ior c.earances between banks The financial situa-
tioL is very much improved and most OF the
banks OF the association DAY paid out currency
The Senate Committee on Transporta-
tion.
The Senate Committee on transportation viii
meet in New York on the 10th instant. Senator
Window has sent word that che Committee viii be
unable to visit Boston and Portland. He invites
the merchants OF those cities to send representa-
tive men to New York, where they Will be heard.
After the business in New York is finished the COM
mttee win visit Richmond to hear the railroad and
canal men, proceeding thence to Atlanta, next to
New Orleans up the Mississippi to st. Louis, where
the committee expects arrive by the 10th OF No
vember
A POOR OUTLOOK IN WASHINGTON NEXT WINTER.
The work OF SO called street IL provements has
stopped again, for want OF funds. The certificates
oiindebtedness, which have been the only resource
ior MONTHS are inconyertibe into money at any
price. The district bonds are freely offered at fifty
cents on the dollar, and no purchasers. Many OF
the principal streets left in deplorabe state,
the inhabitants OF some OF them having access for
vehicles cut on both In front and rear and indef-
initely OF water, gas, sewerage and the means OF
bringing on their premises their iuel for
winter The vast changes OF grade have resulted
in slippery and crumblng banks OF earth and sand
at the street crossings and the excavated road
beds filing with fever brooding pools of stag
nant water. Indignant contractors VINO have been
ted with false promises by the Board OF Puoic
Works assert that the present condition was
rv;th
further appropriations from Congress by rem
dering the streets Of the city unsightly,
unsafe and dangerous to health during the
enforced residence here OF the members for the
long session. The mercantile class are predicting
their own ruin under the accumulated weight Of
hard times high taxes and assessments, the i'm
FEASIBILITY OF the thoroughiares and the popular
revolt against Congressional extravaganza and
corruption. Added to the other evils OF the ap-
preaching season will be the large negro popuIa-
tion greatly sweled by the extensive street works
OF the past two years and destitute, dtssoute and
dangerous.
The Mexican Claims Commission.
Numerous inquiries having been made from
various quarters as to the United States and Mexi.
can Claims Commission, IL can be stated that the
new Mexican Commissioner is busily engaged In
examining the claims which have been argued,
while Judge wadsworth, the American Commits
sioner, Is performing similar duty at his home in
Kentucky. The clerical force Of the Commission
are arranging various papers relating to the un-
adjudicated cases. in order to have early formal
resumption OF business by the Commission. An
umpire has not yet been agreed on, although the
names OF several eminent gentlemen have been
suggested that important ofice. 1t Is thought,
however, that on the return OF Judge Wadsworth
selection will be made by the Commissioners with
out delay.
Entertaining the British Claims Conn
missioners.
Count Corti, the Italian Minister will leave here
this week for Italy on o leave Of absence. After
the adjournment, sine die, OF the British and
American Claims Commission, at Newport this
gentleman entertained the Commissioners at din
ner, at his cottage, and during the evening
Russell Gurney proposed q toast COM
plimenting the Count for the impartial
manner in which he had discharged
the duties Of umpire, to which compliment the
Count replied In appropriate terms, and In concu-
sion, proposed the sentiment, england and
America" which was drank with much enthusiasm.
The Secretary OF the Commission, 7. G. Cox by re-
quest OF the agent Of Her Majesty, delivered to Mr..
Gurney the journals and records belonging to the
British government, which that gentleman took
with him to England, the sealed box containing
them being addressed to Earl Granville.
America.
John D. Brandt Chief Clerk Of the Ordnance Bu.
reau, Navy Department, having been sent to
Europe several months ago toexamine the various
improvements In ordnance. gunpowder, &C,
adopted by the European governments, has re-
turned here and will make quite lengthy report
to the Secretary through the Chief OF the Ordnance
Bureau. During his absence he visited Berlin,
Paris, London, Dresden, Vienna and other cities,
examining closely the various arsenals and the
improvements IN ordnance and especially the gun
powder used by foreign nations in heavy ordnance
In all the countries he visited he found more
extensive supply OF heavy ordnance than we
have, but improvements therein do not excel our
own. AS to the gunpowder 1t was found TO DO OF
excellent quality, and though manufactured much
more extensively than In this country, 1t Will not
surpass that used in navy. Quite number OF
minor improvements came under his observation,
and his report will give full description ol them,
many OF which may be adopted by the navy. MIR.
Brandt win have a conference with Col bnes Laid
lev. Benton and Crispln, OF the array, who have
been in Europe since last spring on q similar mis-
sion for the War Department. TlAey are now on
their way home. After q careful comparison OF
views these gentlemen will make reports to their
respective departments
An Interchange of Postal Cards with
Germany
Some time ago the Post Office Department In
yited the postal authorities OF England and Ger
many to open negotiations with this country for
the interchange OF postal cards on the basis OF a
two cent rate. England declined the proposition,
but negotiations now In progress with the Ger
man Postal Union, including Austria, ana there is
eyeryprobabinty that they win be brought to q
successful issue by the lst of next December. The
draft OF an additional postal Convention for this
purpose is now being prepared py Mr.. Blackfan,
/ superintendent of the foreign mails, and will be
| forwarded In few days for the signature OF the
German authorities.
New York Custom House Appointments
The following named persons having passed the
| Civil Service examination and served a proba
tionary period Of six months in the Appraisers