The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-14

ate VIII consent to pass airy measure that does moi
relieve members OF Congress also fSom the tax o.
| paying postage on their official correspondence.
Mr.. Sheldon of New Orleans, succeeded in get
ting on the record a bill for the construction
OF the Fort ST. Philip Canal near she mouth OF the
Mississippi River. which provides for making de-
tailed and final survey Of the locality OF the route
and the subsequent preparation of plans ana
specifications The Secretary OF War is authorized
to contract with the lowest and best responsible
bidder. limiting the complete construction 10
600, the work 70 be begun in sixty DAYS and
finished in three years from the date OF the con-
tract. II satisfactory bid Is not obtained then the
Engineer Corps Is to proceed with the work. This
plan Is In opposition to the JetLies proposed by
Eads and will be supported In the House. The
House to-day refused to pass the bill giving the
secretary OF the Treasury discretionary authority
TO use appropriations for PUBLIC buildings not
already commenced. Many or the members who
opposed the passage OF the bill did 20 on the
ground that discretionary authority with the sec.
retary as shown by his testimony before the COM
mlttee on Ways and Means meant the signing OF
orders prepared by irresponsible parties and not
scrutinized by the head Of the Treasury. The
members who voted against 1t preferred the pres
ent system as against the exercise of discretion
Bill to Reform the system OF Collect
ing DEMONSTRATION Of Moieties and
Diminished.
Mr.. Wood reported an important bill this morn
ing, which comprehends all the reforms in the
collection or the revenue at ports OF entry IN the
United States which are asked for by the i'm.
porters. 1t contains the following provisons:-
First, the total abolition OF all moieties second.
all palms, penalties aud forfeitures be paid into
the treasury; third taking away the power OF
government officials TO compromise frauds on the
Treasury; fourth, 10 abolishes seizures Of books
and papers; lfth II forfcits to the government
only the item of invoice which Is tainted by fraud
or differentiation; sixth, no prosecutions suits
against merchants can be instituted after two
years from the date when the penalty accrued;
seventh, merchants or importers charged with fraud
in the importation OF merchandise are to be tried
by criminal prosecution. This bill will be carefully
considered by the Committee on Ways and Means,
OF which Mr.. Wood is a member, and will doubt
less be reported back favorably at an early day.
The committees Of the Chamber OF Commerce OF
New York and Boston, who were heard before that
committee, favored reforms OF this character. But
for the exertIons Of Mr.. Wood, however. it Is
doubtful whether the pressing duties OF that com
mittee would have allowed them time to have
digesteo proper bill in time for passage during
this session.
airy authority in such manner.
President Grants Latest Views ON FL
nance and the Measures Pending i'm
Congress.
President Grant, in conversation with friends
to-day on the subject OF finance said. it was de-
s irabe that the pledges Of the government to
return as soon as practicable to specie payment
should not be overlooked In his annual Message
he had suggested measures of preparation for such
resumption and thought now, as he did then, tnat
the national banks should retain, as q por-
rfnn nf fhnir cir tho
part OF the gold interest accruing upon
the bonds pledged security Tor their
issue, and the Treasury, he added. should
also similarly strengthen itself with
view to resumption. He had no hesitation in say
ing that he was opposed to innati0n in the general
scceptation OF the term to an increase Of currency
beyond the actual business necessities OF the cOun-
try. The two houses had not yet acted con-
currently, and, therefore, no opportunity was
afforded to conjecture even as to the final result;
but. apart from his own selfrespect 1t would be
improper, il not offensive Tor him TO intimate TO
Congress what he would or would not do in the
event Of financial bill being presented to him Tor
! hts signature.
! Personal Controversy in the House Be-
| tween Two California Members-Bad
! Blood and Political Jealousy-Frau Si n
lent Mail Contracts.
Mr.. Luttrell, the democratic member, and Mr.
Page q republican member OF the California dele
cation, INDUCED In = M0doc war in the House at
the close OF the session to-day much to the amuse-
ment Of the members who have grown weary over
the monotonous finance debate. Mr.. Stone OF
Missouri presented resolution, with "whereas'
reciting . large number OF fraudulent bids for
carrying the mails, and providing for an investi
CATION. Mr.. Page sntagonzed the measure,
when Mr.. Luttrell reminded the gentleman
that he was not only mail contractor but
member Of the Committee on Post U1ices
and Post Roads. The gentlemen occupy seats at
opposite ends OF the hall, requiring the elevation
OF the voice to be heard effectively. and the per.
sonal charges which were hurled in rapid sue
cession, despite the vigorous blows Of the Speak
er's gavel, put everybody in the House in q COM
bative mood, and drew party lines closer than at
any time before during the session. On the call
Tor the yeas and nays by telers the requisite ma
jority could not be had, not more than three re-
publicans voting with the democratic minority.
The House thereupon adjourned, the scene pre-
ceding furnishing subject matter for conversation
on the avenue, at the hotel tables and in all quar-
tiers this evening.
The Currency Bill in the House To-Day
and Its Uncertain Fate.
The House will resume, under the regular order.
the consideration Of the Currency bill tomor-
row. To prevent the hero OF Fort Fisher from
exploding the bill by his Senate substitute, the
programme is to vose only on the amendments,
and not on the bill as moved by the Chair
man, unless something extraordinary occurs to
change the views of those now exercising con-
trolling influence. On seconding the demand for
the previous question, that motion will not be en-
tertained until the pending amendments are re-
jected and the bill left unencumbered There does
not appear to be any desire 10 further amend the
blll but very much depends upon the humor in
which the House accepts Mr. Maynard's manage
menr. HE is so TALL" said nervous member of
the Banking and Currency Committee, "and it
takes long for him to stretch to his full height,
that the covetous military strategy OF General
Bethel Fisher outnanks him every time" SO be-
tween the two the fate Of the bin is uncertain.
Action Of the House Committee on the