The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-08
The Prospect of Economy in
Appropriations.
Reports Of the Departments Of Govern
ment on Retrenchment.
A GENERAL DEMURRER ENTERED.
The Secretary of War on the Charges
Against General Howard.

Attorney General Williams Requests the
withdrawal OF His Nomination.
Attorney General Williams this afternoon sent
letter to the President respectfully requesting that
he withdraw his name for the position OF Chief
Justice, merely embodying this In a short letter
without setting forth any reason. The President,
it is understood, will withdraw the name to-mor-
row. and rumor has it that Caleb Cushing will be
nominated in his place. that Williams will retain
his seat In the Cabinet and that Solicitor General
Bristow will succeed Cushing Minister to Spain.
Attitude of Senatorial Leaders ON the
Nomination for Chief Justice.
There has been some preliminary skirmishing be-
tween Morton and Conkng for the leadership of
the Senate, displayed in the contest over the NOM
ination of Williams for Chief Justice. Conkling
mas advocated the confirmation OF Williams. while
Morton has opposed it, openly and secretly. He
has never fanced Williams; anu having been
placed in false position during last summers
political campaign in Ohio, by the exposures Of
the mismanagement OF the Attorney Generals
business in Arkansas, he has since vowed revenge.
Time OF Minister Cushing's Departure
for Madrid.
General Cushing informed the President to-day
of his readiness to proceed on hts mission to Spain
Immediately, If necessary for the public interests
but unless it was he desired to delay his depar-
ture for few days, in order TO comply with the
promise he had made the Association of the
veterans Of the Mexican War; to deliver the open
ing address before the National Convention OF
Veterans which assemblies here on the 18th. The
President through secretary Fish, replied that he
could fulfil the engagement without detrment to
public interests. The address of General Cushing
on the occasion referred to Will be, 1t is under
stood, OF historical character, and, as 1t will be
his last public address before leaving the country
Will attract much attention.
Reports from the Departments of Gov
eminent as to the Feasibility Of Re-
ductng Estimates.
In reply to resolution OF the House OF Repre-
sentauves, Of December Is, requesting revision
of the estimates for the expenses of the govern
ment for the fiscal year ending June 80, 1875, the
President to-day transmitted to the Speaker of
the House amended estimates and replies from the
various departments, showing that action had
been taken by them as follows:-
The Postmaster General reports that he has
caused a careful examination to be made of the
for postal service during the next fiscal year, and
finds, alter such examination, that no reduction
in the sums asked for Can be safely made. He fur
Their states that before approving the estimates
submitted to him by his subordinates he had
them most thoroughly examined and reduced by
$674,517. The revised estimates, he says, are with
out exception based on the actual necessities and
the probable developments OF the postal service,
as shown by the annual reports OF the Postmaster
General for the last three years. The largest
amounts required are for inland mail transpOrta-
tion $15 $50, OIL and for compensation OF postmas.
ters OOO The increase asked for in the first Of
these items is less than five per cent on the
amount required during the last fiscal year.
the annual Ia
has been at the rate oil over II per cent annually
greater reduction will, In his opinion, seriously
the real wants OF the country. In regard to the
second item the Postmaster General states that he
has no discretion the Of
estimated Tor WERE, he says, IN each instance
placed at the lowest figure consistent with the ex.
pected demands OF the SERVICE and are tndispensa-
BILE to its requirements. The total OF the esti-
mates made for the department, therefore, stand
at the same amount as heretofore presented-viz,
The Secretary of the Treasury in his report says
the estimates belonging exclusively to his depart
ment amount to $173, 1884, 905, including the in
terest on the public debt and the amount required
for the sinking fund.- aggregating $131 504 $40, for
which there are permanent APPROPRIATIONS. me
amount payable on the general salary account and
for the current and ordinary expenses OF the yari-
branches of the service, besides $685. S23 900 for
Congress, in relation to which the Secretary has
authority or discretion, except TO carry out the
will OF Congress as expressed in the laws under
which he Is required to perform his duties OF the
whole estimate for the year ending June 80, 1876,
only the sum OF 26l is subject to the considera-
ton of Congress outside Of the requirements of ex-
listing laws. These latter may be omitted Tney in
clude 81, 632, 800 for lighthouses and sums for rev.
enue vessels. But the secretary doubts the pro-
priety of emitting these appropriations. He shows
where reductions to slight extent may be made.
Mr.. Muett, supervising Architect OF the Treasury,
and to
on certain buildings named, the expenditures Tor
the current fiscal year can be reduced by very
The head OF the state Department says that the
only estimate that can be reduced is the apprOpria-
tT9 of rSa 3se no @ Justice
states what reductions can be made, though to q
comparatively small extent.
The reductions that can be made In the Navy
Department amount to $2,O00,00O, and the Secre-
tary does not think reduction to any greater
amount either proper or SAFE; me estimates or
last year, are based upon the legally authorized
force In the service, and are made largely to meet
the fixed requirements OF existing laws. There
has been some accumulation Of available supplies
during the last two months, and where this has
been the case the Secretary has indicated cor
OF the navy IN efficiency. To supply the PAGES OF
old, worn and expensive ships with new and USE
for the various working bureaus, and II these
are materially cut down the squadrOns themselves
must be reduced. These considerations apply to a
condition OF peace and the Secretary thinks the
lesson Of the day IN truth Is that our navy should
be increased, not diminished; and after q review
OF the necessities OF the service the secretary Is
constrained TO declare frankly his opinion that no
reduction should be made at this time In these
appropriations, especially Intended to put the
cruising vessels OF the navy in condition for active
and immediate service; and, while entertaining
views that real economy would be to increase the
appropriations to sum sufIlcient to make our
naval force fully efficient the secretary will be
ready to accommodate the action Of the depart
ment to the wishes of Congress.
The report OF tho Secretary OF War says that the
military estimates are based upon the actual cost
oil material ana supplies and by the number of per.
sons authorized by law TO be employed. In 80 tar
as regards the strictly military part of the service,
the secretary has endeav0red by active and de-
tailed Inspection OF all the supply branches, by a
reduction In rents and employees Tor the past three
years, TO bring down expenses TO the lowest limit
consistent with efficiency The reports Of the vari-
Gus bureau officers have been carefully revised,
and the Secretary refers to them for Information
on the subject OF the reduction OF the expenditures.
The Signal ONCE submits that the estimates here.
totore laid before the secretary were based
upon considerations Of the most careful
economy and 1t Is not believed they can be
properly reduced The subsistence Department