New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-02-06
CURRENT TO PICS.
PROPOSED ABOLITION or TIE GRADE OF CohNO-
DORE IN THE NAVY.


Tho Senate Naval Committee reported TO day an
amendment to the annual Appropriation bill providing
that further appointments or promotions shall DO
mado TO the grade of Commodore in the navy and that
after the lapse Of that grade the active lst promo
the grade OF Rear Admiral shall DO made from
the grade OF Captain That list This is measure OF
economy, which was recommended by Secretary Robo-
annual report for 1871, and repeated 1872
In the former of those reports he said that in his
opinion the grade of Commodore could be easily die
pensed with. Tho number OF officers OF this grade s
fixed by law at %, aud our navy is now organized
those officers not absolutely required for special
duty.
necessary the Secretary says, for the efficiency
OF the service and for the dignity influence and
cess OF naval representation abroad that fleets
on foreign stations should be commanded by officers OF
the rank OF Rear Admiral at least This the lowest
Grade Of officers to whom the fleets Of any naval power
are committed and it with officers Of this grade,
with those Of higher rank, shat our communicates
abroad TO come IN constant contact Our hee's
abroad generally too small III tlmc OF peace 60 DO
adyantaCoOusly divided into eQuadr0ns TINS leaves
tie grade Of Commodore IN such times without appro
pirate command at sea, ana without duties on Sloro
That may not be discharged by officers OF other grades
Under tho plan proposed 10y the socrretary. ana
mat tho grade OF Commodore VIII pass away and
though the Captains on inc active ISL VIII MOI rcach anu
enjoy its honOrs those OF them deserving VIII reach inc
grade OF RearAdmiTal at an earlier and more active
age while only those who are not deserving will miss
promotion To carry out the secretarys IDEAS iully II
will be necessary 10 provide st further that promotions
The prUposed reform TO great stir among
the captains and all officers OF inferior grade IN tho
navy.
SENATOR CARPENTERS BILL FOR NEW ELECTION
IN LOUISIANA.
Mr. Carponter's bin 10 restore the rights Of the State
of Louisiana begins with long preamble declaring that
there Is no Governor, State officers, Legislature
elected by the legal voerof the State that there Ia
provision in the Constitution and laws for the election
OF SAID state officers before tho next regular election In
November 1876; that the said offices filled de
Cacto by persons claiming to hold them under pre-
tended fraudulent and void canvass of the votes gwen
at the last general election that pretended Legislature
has been organized in pursuance Of Illegal orders issued
by Judge Of The United States Circuit Court; That
the Presidents proclamation, recognizing the said per
sOns legal officers OF said state issued upon the
representations OF sad persons Hho u now appears arc
not legal officers The bill provides for holding cleo
ton IN Louisiana on inc fourth tuesday o. mex Nay Cl
ought 70 have been chosen on Nov 4, 1874 The
army not below the rank OF MaOrGencral TO act
sporin endent Of said election. This superintendent
ia TO appoint two citizens OF Louisiana OF Opposite
political parties TO be State Registrars The registration
IS to be 6egunwithn 20 days after the enactment OF this
election. These Registrars are reGunod to appoint two
Supervisors Registration of opposite political parties
m each parish except Jefferson and Orleans, for the
FOR the latter " o in each ward.
THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE MOUTH or THE MlSSIS-
sirPl
The Senate to-day passed bill which gives the secre
tary power to control the movement OF tow boats
through that channel Of the mouth OF the Mississippi
that the Government is attempting to keep open by
dredging The bill prescTbes severe penalty for such
acts as the Towboat Association have been guilty Of IN
obstruoting the channel. resolution directing the
preparation OF suCh b has passed the House, and so
a measure covering tho same grounds rs the
above will doubtless become law. In com
municatng tho reports Of Capt. Howell upon
the St. Philip Canal. Gen. Humphreys gives his
opinion upon what the Department can accomplish
IN keeping the mouth Of the river open. Gen. Hum
pbreys Gays that by the use OF the present Of
dredging the main channel and the purchase Of new
steam dredge every four years channel OF 10 or 70 feet
deep and 400 feet vide can be maintained; that tho
drcdeing would be by doubling lie amount and the
number OF steamers and by this channel OF IS 10 20
feet and zoo ee wide could be maintained # the war
Department could have absolute control OF the use VI
the channel.
A MISTAKE CONFESSED.
II IL said 20 require great amount Of moral courage
especally for public man, to acknowledge TO the world,
either bv word or deed, that he has been mistaken.
Such an acknowledgment was made In the Senate to-day
nv Messrs Conkling and Hamn. 1t may be remem-
bered that when petition signed by propory-owners OF
the District Of Columbia presented 70 the Senate
something more than week ago, Mr. C0nkling by call
ing for regular order, emphasized Mr.. Sherman's
objection allowing TO be read. To-day long printed
memorial from Mr.. segar, asking Congress TO compen.
safe him for time and money spent in c0ntestng for q
seat in the Senate during the war; presented and
after II had been nearly read through Nj Thurman OBJ
eced, and moved that IL be referred 10 the Committee
Privileges and Elections. To this Mr.. COnkling Oh
jected with much earnestness, and Mr.. HSmn Joined
him in his protest that the night OF petition should not
be abridged thus making graceful confession that
they were wrong on the former occasion.
THE ADAMS EXPRESS CONTRACT.
The House Committee on Appropriations today heard
Mcssrs Sanford, Shoemaker and Others, Of Adams
Express Company, tho subject of the contract Of
that Company with the General Government. 1t ap-
pcared from their statements that the Company last
year carried 500 of actual money for the Govern
ment and over $500 900 complete bonds unfinished
bonds, notes. fractional currency Nc, the Company re-
ceivng for the service 100000 Mr. Sanford explained
TO the Committee the general and working OF
the contract showing that In OF the large sums
transported FOR the Government the character OF the
service, aud the responsibility assumed, the rates
charged are exceedingly low which dsprOyes any allie
cations that the compensation has been excessive.
ATrORHEY-GENERAL wuIIAMs's COMPLAINT.
Attorney General Williams has written "A long letter
10 the Senate judiciary Committee reviewing its inves
ugaton made after his nomination as Chief Justice Mr.
Williams complains With warmth OF the netbods
Of that inquiry, OF It's character and the disad
vantage under which he labored In meeting the charges
made against him. Az far much OF the testimony
taken by the Committee Is concerned, Mr.. Williams pro-
ceeds 10 show it's wOrthessness and claims that nothing
developed that compromised his personal Official
standing. Justice 10 Mr.. Williams will probably move
the Committee 10 publish bis letter.
WASHINGTON NOTES.
WAsHIEGToE, Thursday, Feb 8, 1874
Alexander H. Rice Postmaster Burt, and Councilman