The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-20
WASHINGTON.
The Financial Farce To Re Re.
sumed on Monday.

NAsHiN6TDN, MARCH ~ 1874.
The Doings In the House and Senate
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS OF the FL
nance Question Again-Progress with
the Appropriation BiiI--The Army BiIl
and the Southern Claims Commi ssion.
In the House to-day the Legislative Appropria-
ton bin was taken up and discussed In Committee
OF the whole. Considerable interest mani
tested by the clerks OF committees when Mr.. Her.
ford, OF western Virginia, offered an amendment
reducing the appropriations Tor their pay, and
consequently their salaries. These gentlemen.
who understand their business on the floor as well
as elsewhere, were busy among the members to
have the amendment rejected which was enectu-
ally done by their active canvassing. The pay OF
the capitol police was reduced, and this action has
occasioned much dissatisfaction to them. 1t is
urged that they have plenty to do and great
charges under their Keeping
In the senate, by consent OF Senator Sherman,
the further discussion OF the financial ques-
ton was postponed and the Army Appro-
priatlon bill was taken up Tor consldera-
ton. with the exception OF several unim-
portant amendments the provisions OF the bill
were agreed TO, until the question OF Southern
claims was reached. as provided for in the word
ing OF the fourth section, which discusses the
method OF adjusting claims against the United
States, and refers them to commissioners, duly
appointed according to the provisions OF the bill.
Senator stevenson, or Kentucky, introduced an
amendment embodying the entire bill presented
by Senator West some few days since, which
proposes to take all these matters from the hands
OF the Southern Claims Commission and to
abolish the commission entirely This will
create great deal OF excitement. as
the commission is ably defended, and OF
course there are a number of official documents
and much evidence already taken, which will have
to be referred 20 In the of the investigations
and which VIII have to be turned over to strange
hands II the bill should pass it opens up wide
range OF discussion 1t will be found that many
interests will be affected By the change. The
friends OF those people at the South who are
making claims to property taken or destroyed by
the government contend that If the loyalty OF the
claimant is established he should not be debarred
from his rights of property because that property
was located within what has been technically
termed the territory OF the enemy; that as the
arms of the Union advanced and recovered States
and parts of States that had been In rebellion the
designation OF such recovered territory as terri
tory OF the enemy ceased to operate. The amend
ment, however, Is not likely to be concurred in by
the House.
programme OF Congressional Work-The
Army ana the Transportation Bills.
The Army Appropriation bill will probably be
passedin the Senate tomorrow, and this will con-
Guide the Senates labors Tor the week. on Mon.
day The financial question will be resumed Sena-
tor Morton leading or with speech, 10 the prepa-
ration OF which he has devoted great care during
the confinement incident to his late indispostion.
vote Is now looked for by the middle OF next
week, the weight Of opinion being that free bank
ing will be the result. Senator Window, of Min
nesota, chairman of the Committee on Transpor-
tatiOn ard hal ia riy
ready for submission to the committee.
Many parts OF his report have been prepared in
consultation with the other members, and the very
valuable Information that has been collected DUR
ing very patient research during the whole sum.
mer will soon be laid before Congress. When the
chairman Of the judiciary Committee, Senator
Edmunds, returns from his Southern trip Tor the
benefit OF his health, there may be expected dis
cussion on the distribution OF the award OF the
Alabama Claims now lying in the Treasury, to the
amount OF sl5,oooooo In gold, and which many an
itching palm Is now waiting TO grasp.
The ApPraisc of Merchandise.
The bill to provide for the appraisement of mer-
chandise in certain cases was passed by the Sem
ate this morning. 1t is the one introduced by
Senator Boutwell, on the 10th OF January last
1t provides that whenever any goods, wares or
merchandise shall be imported by the manuiac-
turer or producer thereof, or when the appraiser
shall be OF the opinion that the invoice OF any
goods, wares or merchandise does not correspond
with the market value OF any such goods,
wares or merchandise at the place Of Ship
ment, although such invoice may state truly
the cost OF such goods wares or merchan-
disc, it shall be the duty OF the ap-
pralsers to fix the actual market value
of such goods, wares or merchandise at the place
OF shipment at the date of the expectation, by
ascertaining the value of The same of goods OF Il
similar character, manufactured or produced by
other manufacturers or producers, sold to other
bona Fde purchasers in open market.
Reform OF the Customs Revenue Service.
The Committee on Reform in civil Service held
meeting to-day, and agreed to report, with amend
ments, Mr.. Woodford's bill to provide for com.
mission for the reorganization OF the customs rev.
enue service OF the United States. AS amended
the bill enacts that, within ten days after it's pas
sage, the President shall. by ana with the advice
and consent OF the Senate. appoint three commits
siOners, OF whom at least one shall have been an
importing merchant, whose duty it shall be to
codly, simplify ana arrange all the laws OF the
United States and regulations OF the Treasury De-
parment with regard to imporatlOns from
foreign countries and the collection of duties
thereon: for reasonable reduction OF al
lowance to officials and in;ormers, and
lOr plOVluluE proper safeguards In respect to the
seizure Of books and papers. That such commits
sioners shall be required to present their report
TO the President on or before the 1st day OF No
vemper, 1874, in order that nc may transmit the
same with any ecommendat tons thereon to the
present Congress at the opening OF its second ses-
sion, and that such commissioners shall each re-
ceivc a salary at the rate OF $4,000 per annuni,
and shall be allowed to appoint such clerks as they
may require, which said clerks shall Jointly re.
ceive compensation not exceeding $4,000. Said
commissioners shall report their disbursements In
detail, with vouchers.
Continuation Of the photographic Ser
vice Favored.
The Senate Committee on Commerce this morn
ing agreed to recommend an appropriation Of
$4,000 Tor the purpose OF continuing the hydro.
graphic work OF the Navy Department This
action is prompted by and IN accordance with Pc
ttiops numerousv signed by presidents OF insur-
ance companies and prominent snip owners OF
New York city, setting forth the great importance