The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-04

grown materially since the present organization
went into erect. Al the same time they aid not
SEQ necessity OF appointing expensive clerks
IL was proposed, II the new grade were allowed
to require all original appointing to be made IN
that grade and then to promote on the basis of
ability from that into the higher grades az
vacancies occurred. The committee also examined
into the OF the contingent fund Of the depart
ment. There were some uses to which it was
applied which it was considered might be limited
to a smaller range. The holiday excursions under
the guise Of bearing dispatches and other applica-
tions OF the fund 1t was thought might as wen be
dispensed with.
The Congressional printer, represented by his
chief clerk, the former being Ill. was also exam
ined by the committee on the question OF salaries
and contingent expenses OF the government print
ing of1ce. In answer to question as to the reia-
tive cost OF printing and binding, statement was
read showing that In 1873 the printing for Congress
and the departments cost $1,300,0O. and binding
100000 Mr.. Capp stated that the force OF the
Office was entirely governed by the amount OF work
assigned to 1t by Congress and the Executive;
That 1t was customary when work was slack to
make reduction; that the orders OF Congress and
the DEPARTMENTS were now very large, and 1t
would be impossible to carry on the work in sea-
sonabie time except the ONCE were permitted to
retain the present force. While the Sundry Appro-
praton bill is under consideration, the question Of
material and work will be brought up.
The Sergeant-at-Arms, Postmaster and Captain
OF the capitol Police were also before the CON-
mittee. The Sergeant-at-Arms was in favor of the
police. The object in the distribution OF this
patronage is to have as many States represented
as possible. Each member, 1t was stated is ad-
mitted to the corps upon the recommendations OF
State delegations in Congress. This explained to
the committee the amount or strength
developed by the police In some OF
the former attempts made to abolish
the force. The Captain submitted a statement to
show the salaries, duties and strength of the Capt.
toll police. Among the duties mentioned was list
OF windows and doors found opened and closed
through the efforts OF the police. The committee
were not profoundly impressed with the arduous or
dangerous nature Of this exhibition OF active
operations and wished to know what the twelve
watchmen also employed had to do. In re-
gard to pay, the Captain said it would be
impossible for police private to live on less than
$1,000 year. He also asserted that cheap men
would not perform the duties as well, and might
be guilty Of Indscretions which would not be toler-
ated in well paid corps. proposition ID before
the committee to add q reasonable number OF men
to the Metropolitan Police, which is now in part
paid by Congress, and turn the protection
OF the pubic buildings over to their
guardianship. This proposition was received with
favor, and will, doubtless, be presented az the
final result OF the investigation. Secretary Rich
ardson Will be before the committee again to-
morrow on the expenses OF the national loan; and
on the next day. in company with Henry sanford,
General superintendent OF the Adams Express
Company, will explain about the express bills
amounting TO $3.50, 900 last year.
Comparative Duiness In the Senate.
The Senate enjoyed day OF comparative ease
and dignity after the morning hour. in which
multiplicity Of business was offered In the way OF
petitions, resolutions, reports, memorials aud
bills, which, If ever to be disposed of, the hands
Of time must move more slowly, or the active.
we'll trained and methodic members OF the body
must be allowed by the inexperienced to go for
ward more expeditiously than they have been able
to do for the past two months. The Bankrupt bill
was taken up and speeches were made on 1t by
Senator'S Edmunds, Frelingnuysen, Sherman and
Oglesby. portion OF the amendments were
adopted and the bill Is still before the Senate for
consideration.
The West and Southwest Opposed to Re-
ducti0n OF the Army.
1t is very evident that the Western and South
western members will be unit against the reduc-
ton of the army. 1t is feared that this would
necessitate the withdrawal of garrsons from some
VI iIOuuCl Poo1S VuCtC eHcy oIc uceueu iOI Tue
protection Of exposed settlements. Then, too,
there is some feeling in the fact that none OF the
representatives from this section have been
consulted as to the propriety OF this re-
duction. Though the army Is now nominally
$4,000 strong. the actual available force
Is, from various causes but about 21OO0,
and this reducing the force 5000 men in
stead of making the number 25,oOO as suggested,
would in reality take that number from the avail
able force and make 1t but 10000 men, an army so
small that If all could be placed on the from
tier TO watch and restrain the Indians it would
be hardly more than SUFFICIENT for that purpose;
but taking from this the garrison OF eastern iOrts
and the troops still retained in the South
ern States it would leave the Territories poorly
defended. Mr.. Dunnen, Of Minnesota, commented
on the speech Of Mr.. Wheeler, Of New York.
who had charge OF the bill, and who, on
previous occasion. had said that be was
in favor of retrenchment OF settlements,
and that, If the people did not want to see
their scaps they had better withdraw from the
Territories where they saw so much risk. He
doubted whether the country at large ought to be
called upon to protect them at so heavy an ex.
pense as was required. The Minnesota member
alluded to the forgettuness ofthe New York member
as to what he had said in a speech in the House
some years since, when advocating the Northern
Pacific Railroad enterprise, on which occasion he
spoke of the immense mineral resources of the
Territories, which were adding so much to the
wealth and prosperity OF the country. Among
these Western members there is daily growing o
determination that in matters relating to their
own section they shall have control
ling influence. They think. as they do not
attempt TO dictate in those appertaining
exclusively to the affairs of the Eastern States
they should have the same consideration in those
which so materially AFFECT the extreme western
States. Then, too there is very plainly belief,
constantly increasing, that the Committee on APP
preparations Is gradually absorbing the duties OF
al the other important committees Of the House.
and its recommendations, therefore, are fought
against wherever it is thought to have IN any
manner so iniringed.
senator Sherman's Bill for Free Ia NIX
ing and Redemption and Reissue Of
the National Currency.
The following Is the full text OF the bill intro
duced by Senator Sherman to-day to provide for
the redemption and reissue Of United States legal
tender and national bank notes and for free bank