New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-09-29
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL.
AN END TO EXORBITANT CHARGES FOR TRAVEL
ING EXPENsES BY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.

ING EXPENSES BY GONERNMENl OrriCihi~7'
WASHINGTON, Monday, Sept 49, 1874
Tho systom OF charging two three prices, which
officers and employees Of the Government have peen III
the habit of doing the matter OF mileage expenses
&C. while travelling business for the departments
apparently at end. 1t has been customary "he on
Government business for officers TO charge ~ oeh'S"
mile each way for every mile travelled and also in many
cases hand very unreasonable bill Tor expenses
&C. This has been in many cases where the ohcer
travelled on free passes from the railroads Or as was
some time the case ira yelled free by virtue OF commits
sion as special agent Of tho PostOhce Department.
The act OF Congress Of June o. 1874 prohibited such
charges, provided that the exact expenses shouu
only be paid In accordance with that act the treasury
Department has prepared blank which must DC
filed signed and sworn to before any oincer
can obtain pay for travelling expenses The person.
I'm whatever branch of the service whether IN the mill
tary naval civil, before receiving pay mus swo
that the account for actual necessary expenses - y5t
and true IN all respects that the services saen were
actually rendered under the order annexed tnat ne
expenses charged were actually Incurred anu pau az
the specified that the distances as cnaIgeu weI
actually and necessarily travelled and that no par u
the travelling was under any free pass on any railway
steambcat or other conveyance. This statement must
be and also certified by tue ocer eompet9ho
to the seryice to be done Hereafter there VIII oe
less official jnnketing behalf OF officers acting on ther
account and receiving extraVasaht sums ioi pci
forming unnecessary journeys
DELAYS IN INDEXING AND PRINTING THE
REVISED STATUTES.
The E Executive Departments, particularly the Depart
ment OF Justice continue TO be troubled as to the laws
now existing In the United States The codicatlon OF
the United Statutes was finished and the laws on
the statute books revised by the Commissioners ana
by Comm tee OF Congress- were reCnacted at the last
session, authority given TO print theni anu
although they are now by law in operation nobody
exactly knows what the law IS on any given subject
And yet it is supposed that the President ana Tue
Government are carrying out the laws OF the country
1t seems that the Revised Code is yet without notes.
he
revision were printed. it would DO whoi'y
useless to the officers Of the Government
and the legal profession generally NoOne knows "neIe
the blame should be attached III TINS unOrtuhhte MAJ
Ter but II is likely that when Congress reassenDles steps
viii be taken find out In the meantime there If te
possibility that laws will he within the reach OF Tue
bubble for six eight months. Even the laws OF the
last session OF Congress have not yet Deen az
though more than three months have elapsed since tue
adjournment. The forms are all up aud nothing delays
the issue the tardy state Department For the same
that DELAYS the laws and the laws OF the
asT session. tue OF The Record containing the pro-
ceedngs OF Congress, is also delayed ana those VINO
nave been expecting bound volumes will have to walt
for some time.
AN INQUIRY TO BE MADE REGARDING THE
WORKING OF RECENT CIVIL SERVICE LEGS
LATION.
Representative Kellogg and other members OF the
Subj committee OF the House on the civil service are
expected here early next month to confer with the Sec
rotary and Bureau officers OF the Treasury as to the pro-
posed reorganization Of that Department 1t Is their
purpose TO inquire IL more clerks not needed in
branches OF the service and whether reduction may
not be made in others 1t Is shown that the changes
made by the last appropriation bill in cases
very oppressive, and that in some OF the Offices the re-
auctions materially interfere with the proper ransac
ton of current business Inc proposed Is 10
test he operations OF that law Mr.. keoggs bill Tor
the reorganization OF the Treasury was at the last SEES
sion made the special order the calendar for the
next session, aud Will therefore probably be reached
early III December
THE REDEMPTION AGENCY CALLING IN LEGAL
The National Bank Redemption Agency has called
upon the National banks within the last six days for
abont A. in egatender notes to reimburse 1t for
their notes redeemed. Other calls will follow at the
rate OF about $OOO per day. until enough legal tenders
shall have been received to justify the resumption OF re-
demptions The date of resumption will depend some
what upon the proMptitude with which the banks
respond to the call
Joseph H. Bradley, who was debarred from the Su-
nree Court of the District OF Columbia during the trial
Of John H. surratt In 1867. for alleged contempt OF
Court and who was afterward charged with sending
threatening message the Justice holding that Court
Judge Fsher) to-day restored to the list OF attor
news ON motion Of Thomas Durant. In granting the
motion Chief-Justce Cartier said the Court had been
informally advised of this motion and had unanimously
agreed 10 grant 1t. They considered whatever had
passed had been abundantly atoned for. and they
with pleasure, The courtroom was filed by members
of the Bar. who with the greatest unanimty appauded
the remarks OF the Court, and satherb! around Mr.
Bradley To congratulate him.