The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-17

amounting co nearly S3,OOO,OOO for the use
OF which there Is not the slightest sccounta-
bility to Congress. All other branches OF
the department are required by law to submit item
by item the expenditures Of their contingent funds.
These vary from $4,000 to 100000 This fund OF
millions, on the other hand. Is expended without
showing OF how or when or where it goes. Out
OF this fund the scores OF peregrinating favortes
are enabled to indulge in Official journeys. Syndi
ate bonds are carried to London by way Of the
capital ana other popular centres. In the onncial
register is an unpretending bureau. known as the
Engraving and Printing Bureau, with q chief at
5000; custodian or dies. rolls and plates,
$1,000; sealer, IS day, and three
keepers OF registers at $1,000 each. Com
pared with the array OF names under other
bureaus this was thought to extremely modest.
The Investigations OF the chairman OF the commit
tee. however. give quite different complexion to
this modest bureau Under its direction are 1000
employees OF all kinds, all within the Treasury De-
partment building, with pay ranging FROM 81
day to $4,000 year. or these hardly pay roll Is
kept, ana the amount OF paw Is fixed without re-
gard to law. In this manner the nearly $780, 600
are consumed without any exhibit. General Gar
field viii a. once prepare q bill on this subject,
requiring full statement OF expenditures. It is
known, as stated, that the fund has been used in
N~'s~~~SAS
when it comes forth, Will bring TO light few nov.
elites In the way Of department expenses.
Economy in the Progress OF Public
Building.
The Senate Committee on Public Buildings and
Grounds have decided that it will be iinexpedient
to consider any new propositions for erecting gov
eminent buildings this year, and that work should
be confined 10 those now In progress which are
strictly indispensable.
Drain Upon the Treasury.
The Treasury reserve has been drawn upon to
the extent Of s27 OoO leaving only 900 OF
the original amount.
The Centennial Commission Laying
Siege 70 Congress.
the meeting Of the Centennial Commission,
winch. as previously stated In these dispatches,
was to be held at Wizards Hotel, convened TO-
night in consultation with the Committees of Ways
and Means, Foreign Affairs and Appropriations Of
the House, who were present by invitation Of
Judge Kelley, Of Pennsylvania, chairman OF the
centennial Committee. There was full attend
ance and deep interest manifested by the men,
bers, who were present in large force, and much
satisfaction was felt at the presence of Mr.. Dawes,
who, with the Others, listened attenttvely to the
statements and explanations made by Messrs. Rad
FORD and Petit the architect and engineer of the
proposed building, and by General Hawley, OF Con-
necticut The explanations and description given
were most ample, detailed and gratifying each Of
the gentlemen exhibiting thorough knowledge OF
all the different parts, and giving his experience
In his relations to former exhibitiona buildings.
Mr.. Petit, the engineer of the proposed immense
edifces, made full and most thorough report OF
his investigation OF those erected for the London
Paris and Vienna Expeditions stating that the
plans and construction OF that at Philadelphia
m in
lures of them, and IN It's general combi-
nation and apportionment excel them IN
the beauty OF It's special architecture, which was
to be distinguished for its lightness and strength
and in the vista of arches which, in parauelograms
and subdivisions, would afford unsurpassed ex-
pansiveness and accommodations to all the sepa-
rate divisions OF the various nationalities. The
plans were exhibited to the committees. General
Hawiey followed, giving full and most encouraging
statements of the work of the committee.
Ground Is to be broken at once, and
the work is to go forward as rapidly
as possible. $500, 600 have been subscribed in
Pennsylvania. Assistance is now asked from Con-
gress az was promised when the national charter
was given, and the sense Of Congress as well as
that OF the whole country will undoubtedly be in
favor OF contributing everything to make the
anair the grand and browning event in this coun-
East to the Pacific slope the committee are
in receipt OF assurances promising most enthusias.
tic cooperation, and they are determined to carry
the structure through to completion. All the
States are expected to show an alacrity in helping
out the great project. Conspicuous among the
members Of the committees which were very fully
+. represented, was Mr.. John WEIGH, chairman OF the
Board Of Finance OF Philadelphia; Senator Scott OF
Pennsylvania; Mr.. Charles Marshall, Of New i orK !;
Mr. Hines, Secretary Of The committee; Messrs
O'Neil and Myers, Representatives from Philadel.
phia, and many distinguished men Of wealth from
all the states and Territories.
Effort TO Secure Uniformity i'm the
Patent Systems Of the World.
At the meeting Of the Patent Association OF the
United States tonight, Mr.. John 8. Perry, or AL.
bany, was elected President OF the association for
the ensuing year. The association will finish It's
work to-porEQw. The principal object of the meet
ing this year has been to secure Improvement and
perfection in the patent laws Of the United States
and also to bring about uniform patent system
among all civilized nations. In this the association
is assured Of the cooperation Of Congress- and it
is hoped that an International convention for the
purpose OF securing this uniformity will be held at
the time Of the Centennial.
The Postal Telegraph Bill.
The Senate Committee on Post Offces and Post
Roads to-day heard a continuation of the argu-
nlents OF Messrs. william orion and G. G. Hubbard
respectively opposing and advocating the postal
telegraph bill. These arguments which are not yet
concluded, possess no very formal character, but
consist largely OF questions and answers the Presl
dent OF the Western Union Telegraph Company and
the author Of the bill frequently interruptng each
other, and both being subjected to numerous inter-
roRatories BY the various members Of the COM
mlttee.
Mennonites Desiring Lands.
The Senate Committee on Public Lands this
morning had under conside ration Senator Cam
erOn's resolution directing them 10 inquire into the
expedlency Of granting the request OF the Men.
nonites, OF Russia and Prussia, to purchase from
the government compact body Of lands sum.
GENTLY large to AFFORD homes for them in this coun-
try. They number between 200 and so, 600 souls.