New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-01-20
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL.

WASHINGTON, Monday Jan. 10, 1874.
Probably the irresponsible branch OF the entire
public service is the Bureau OF Engraving aud Printing
in the Treasury Department This bureau spends about
s. 100000 annually, and makes report Of how 1t IL
spent governed by law TO the number OF
its employees the amount Of salaries. IL receives
every year gross from the Treasury by virtue of
what is called permanent appropriation. under law
setting apart onehalf OF the per cent in the gross
amount Of the five per cent loan and one
per cent all other securities, legal-teDder notes,
and fractional currency issued or ressued. The
superintendent OF Engraving and Printing SPENDS
as much OF this fund as he pleases. Every year
he estimates how much he shall probably use during
the ensuing but he not Obliged to 60 TO Congress
for appropriation. He always exceeds his own
estimates but as his appropriation s permanent one
that makes difference. 1t does not cost as much to
print the bonds aud currency no is entitled to draw.
so has always funds enough. In hs department he
Is an autocrat, employing and discharging men and
women by the hundred, he pleases, and fixing such
rates Of compensation as he thinks proper He has
about 1000 persons employed at salaries ranging from
81 to SO dollars a day. Except for q AUTHORIZATION
TO the Secretary OF the Treasury. which Is little
more than nominal, he is absolutely independent
OF any authority. The House Appropriation Committee.
Of tins bureau disposed to repeal the law making the
permanent appropriation for It's maintenance ana re-
0uire IL To Congress with temzed estimates
like other bureaus Tue members or he committee do
not charge extravagance upon MI Meoir,es; ,1 h ou
permanent appropriations are not IN tue interest or
millions Of dollars TO be discussed without any proper
supervision or accountability, and naturally lead to
abuses.
THE APPROPRIATION FOR THE MEDICAL BUREAU OF
TIE NAVY INSUFFICIENT.
Surgeon General Besle of the Navy Department has
written letter 10 Mr. CTagiD, Chairman OF the Senate
Committee Naval Affairs stating that the operations
Medical Bureau cannot be conducted properly
the basis the reduced sums voted by the House Of
al Of tt.ta
have been down OF late years. and that nothing but
the practice Of the sees economy has enabled IL to
execute it's work Further reductions be Is convinced
are possible only the expense OF the sick and disabled
officers and seamen. whose comforts VIII be
materially abridged II more ample provision IL
not made for them than Is granted In this
bill. Last years appropriation Of t5oo for
repairs and improvements, an amount which Is never
sufcent keep the hospital in proper condition has
cut down this year to 5000 This sun, he declares
will hardly suffice 70 keep their roofs and exterior wood
work IN order, aud leaves nothing Whatever to defray
multiplicity of absolutely indispensable expenses which
nust also out Of this appropriation. The estimate
was for $4,000 and is not possible to get on with less
than half this amount. The appropriation for sur
veons' ncce ssares." including medicines and ustru-
mons ships aud ards, has been cut down from
10000, the amount appropriated for many years. to
been barely sufficient heretofore and the fact that the
force OF ne has been n; @ from $500 to
Hospital Fund.- contributed by seamen aud officers of the
navy longer eufnClent Tor the maintenance
the hospitals and an appropriation OF &O00 Is asked
to make good Its deficit
ATTEMPTED REVIVAL OF THE FRANKISd PRIVILEGE
premature attempt to revive the franking privilege
for public documents made in the House to-day by
Mr. Young OF Georgia. The bill which lie offered and
tried TO pass under suspension OF the rules. de
ested by q vote Of II ~ 6S Unfortunately this vote Is
no indication OF the temper OF the House on the
ton There Is every reason TO believe that consid
cradle majority Of the members favor restoration OF
the privilege but prefer the bill Of the POstOnee Com
ittee which, while reviving the worst feature OF the
old syttcm BY permitting the loading OF the maibags
with all sorts Of worthless printed matter does IN
roundabout wav, which IL u hoped Will avert public
indignation. When t0is bill Ia introduced, there II
reason to fear that 1t Will be passed Under members
VIII eDjoy the irankng privilege without the oppro
prium If the name. The new system might be called
The stamping privilege. for the Documents AFTER being
Endorsed with the OF the members sending them,
arc TO he stamped by machine kept In the office OF the
clerk.
iHK POWER or CONGRESS TO REGULATE RAILROAD
CHARGEs
The Honse Committee Railways and Canals will IN
day or twO report the bill Of Mr. McCtsry the chair
Ina thereof, to regulate by railroads among
the several States. which published time since
Tho Committee will accompany the bill with IN ex-
basVe report, which 10 being prepared by the chair