New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-02-17

the Territory to inquire into tho alleged abuses in
the conduct of affairs there and prays that pending
the report Of such commission all special Legislation
for the Territory DO suspended. contest arose
over the reference of the document, Mr.. Cannon
wishing il sent to the Judiciary Committee. and Mr.
Merriam insisting that 1t ought to be referred 70 the
Committee on Territories, the chairman OF when ID
the sponsor for the Newman bill in this Congress
aud is supposed to be particularly hostile 70 the
MormOns. Mr. Cannon carried his point on dlVlsioh
of the House.
REPRESENTATIVE wooDPoRD's BILL PROVIDING RE
FORMS IN TIKI CUSTOMS REVENUE SERVICE
Representative Woodford Of New-York intro
duced bill to-day providing for certain reforms in
in the Customs Revenue Service. The bill makes 1t
incumbent upon the President with tho approval
of the Senate. to appoint three Commissioners, OF
whom at least one shall have been importing
merchant, to codify, simplify and arrange all the
laws of the United States and regulations OF the
Treasury Department, with due regard to the i'm
portatons from foreign countries and the collection
of duties thereon; for tho reasonable reduction of
allowances to officials and informers; and for pro-
vidlug proper safeguards in respect to seizures of
books and papers The bill provides that the Com
mission shall present their report to the President
before November 1874, to be transmitted to CON
gress with any report thereon that he may think
necessary. The bill was referred to the Civil
Service Committee.
OPPOSITION TO THE CIVIL SERVICE SYSTEM.
Mr. d. b. Eaton, Chairman of the Advisory Board
of the Civil Service Commission, has addressed a
letter to the head Of each bureau in the various de-
partments by direction Of the President calling for
the officers opinion in writing and the results of bis
experience as to the effects of the application of the
civil service rules within his office, especially con-
corning the effects of examinations for that part OF
the public service. Most of the gentlemen addressed
have already responded, and if Mr.. EatOn's report,
which he is about to make to the President, who
will send it to Congress- shall contain any summary
of the letters he has received, it will be q very
amusing document. SO far as known not single
officer has spoken in commentator OF the system
IA praciced, Wholesome of them, conspicuous among
whom is Mr. Mullett, Supervising Architect OF the
Treasury make effort to conceal their disgust
with and opposition TO the whole system. Many
while they oppose the system of competitive exam
ination for promotions have no objection To the ex
animation before the original appointment is made
GOOD EFFECT OF MR.. DAwEs's RECENT SPEECH.
Mr.. Dawess much-abused speech begins to bro
duce good results already, in bills proposing
retrenchment in the directions pointed out by him.
To-day about a dozen such bills were introduced
and referred; among the most noteworthy, one by
Mr. Kellogg to do away with the Office of Appraiser
of Merchandise at 16 ports of entry; another, by
Mr. WoodfOrd, to reOrganize the Customs service
and Mr.. Buffers old bull revived, to abolish the
office of Pension Agent and provide system for
paying pensions through the post-ofices at the
county seats throughout the country The latter IL
a sensible and perfectly practicable measure of
economy, which would save about half o million of
dollars annually.