The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-12

large majority. Inc entire amount appropriated
by the bill IA reported to the House Is nearly
$I,O0O,000.
Sweeping Reductions Ira the Army Pro-
posed.
The Army Reduction bill, under consideration by
the House Military Committee. has been printed
for the private use OF members OF the committee
only IL provides for sweeping reductions in the
army. among Others OF five regiments OF infantry.
two cavalry and one artillery. Onlcers who may
necessarily be affected by the reduction to- re-
ceive one years pay on being mustered out. I'M
portant changes are also proposed in the number
and mode oil the selection OF officers as command
ing generals OF the several military depart
ments. rue bill provides for the appoint-
ment OF assistant surgeons and assistant
quartermasters from officers who have
served In the Medical ana Quartermaster's de-
partDents during the late war; and that the FIRST
twenty graduates each year from the Military
Academy shall be assigned to regiments and the
remainder discharged
Labors OF the House Military Committee.
9 The House Committee Nirtary Affairs to-day
considered the bill for the reduction OF the army.
There was general expression OF views and
various amendments were made and suggested.
Busnessls not suitciently progressed to indicate
what will be the conclusions Of the committee fur
Their than that, whatever reduction may be recon-
mendea in the number of infantry, cavalry and
artillery regiments it IL not proposed to interfere
with the pay OF either officers men, or TO reduce
the numoer OF officers otherwise than as reduc-
tons may occur by death or other casualties.
Legislative Action no BE Taken to Corr
n rect tho Abuses in the Adm N Isl 4 u ton
Y or Indian Affairs.
Il The House Committee on Appropriations to-day
turned their attention to the organization and
management OF the Department OF the Interior.
Under this department are embraced some of the
most important rs well az extensive services Of
the government including the control OF the Indi.
ans. the payment of pensions. the survey and sale
of the public lands and the vast business OF the
Patent ONCE. The Secretary Of the Interior and
bureau officers were before the committee to-day
to answer such questions az might be put to them.
1t was shown that in most OF the bureaus the bust
ness had increased in reasonable ratio. This was
particularly the case in the opening up and settle.
ment OF public lands. which had necessitated q
dinerent policy toward the Indians and which re-
CURED larger outlay on account OF the obligations
OF the government to feed much larger number
than when the lands were unOccupied and
were overrnn by game. The Pension ONCE,
1t was SHOWN, was an outgrOwth OF
the war, and, though many OF the soldiers whose
names were on the rolls bave since died, the con-
slant expansion OF the scope OF the provisions OF
the pension laws had largely increased the number
OF pensioners since the war, ana hence the labor
OF the office is as great rs ever The committee
were more particularly Interested in the manage
ment OF Indian affairs Though the Secretary
favored liberal appropriations, in the belief that
the Indians would ultimately be civilized and that
the present policy was the most economical the
committee differed In the matter OF expense. The
Or n n IudU T. hrid ra
charged with the Indian Appropriation Dill, de-
velOped many curious features In the disburse-
ments on account OF Indians, and legislative &C.
ton, as already anticipated in these dispatches is
contemplated to correct some OF the known abuses.
The District OF Columbia investigation.
The joint committee to investigate the affairs of
the District OF Columbia met this afternoon in the
room of the Senate Committee on Mines and Min
ing, Senator Boutwell, presiding, and appointed
a subcommittee, consisting Of Messrs. Bout
we'll Wilson, Thurman and Hamilton,
to consider the best mode Of conducting the nves
|. tigation and report to the full committee. The
committee came to the conclusion that it would
be best to hayf the investigation public to the ex
tent Of allowing to be present during sessions Of
the committee authorized representatives OF the
press ana parties especially Interested in the in
vestigation, with their counsel. This 1t is under
stood, includes not only the persons making
charges against the District government. but the
parties OF that government affected by these accu.
satons. The Joint committee will not meet again
until the subcommittee shall be ready to report.
The Sanborn Contracts.
The Committee on Ways and Means to-day
directed Mr.. Foster to report back to the House
Mr.. Randalls resolution directing the Secretary of
the Treasury to furnish full copies OF all contracts
made under authority OF the Treasury Department
in pursuance OF the act of May, 1872, and also
copies Of all schedules and correspondence relat.
ing to said contracts. These relate to what are
known as the Sanborn contracts, and which the
Secretary says he viii furnish If called for.
Denial of UnfriendIy Corresponds nc c
with tho German Government.
Secretary Fish is emphatic in denouncing as I'm.
true the statement of the Paris Patrie that
''sharpIy worded notes have recently been ex.
changed between the governments OF Germany
and the United States;' nor is the German Min
lister aware Of any subject OF unkind feeling be.
tween the two countries.
Government Regulation OF Emicrant
ships.
The Secretary of the Treasury has sent to the
House Committee on Appropriations the CORE
spondence between his department and the De-
partment OF State relative to sendlng experts to
England to aid In framing the necessary regula-
tons for the proper construction OF emigrant
vessels. In January, 1872 the British Minister,
through the Department Of State, submitted to
Mr.. Boutwell, a draft to regulate the construction
of emgrant vessels, which draft was prepared by
the English Board Of Trade, with q view OF settling,
by q convention between the governments OF
Great Britain and the United States. the proper
requisites OF law governing the structure, equip
ment and management of vessels transferring
emigrants between the two countries. In May,
1873, the Secretary Of State transmitted to the
Treasury Department a communication from the
British Minister, in which. acting under instruc-
tlons from Lord Granville, he formally invited the
government Of the United States, on the part of
Her Majesty's government 10 send 10 England ex-
perts in whom it has confidence for the purpose of
completing the necessary regulations. This invI-
tation was urgently renewed in December last.
The Secretary submitted he whole subject OF the
propriety OF the appointment in question: the
Of H.