New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-01-19
throughout harmonious and the delegates rjocod
that Old friendships had been renewed
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL.
TIE PORT ST. PHILIP CANAL

WAsHIs0TOH. JAM Is, 1874.
The Secretary Of War appointed, last Fall, Special
Board Of United States Engineers examine and report
on Major Howels plans and estimates for building the
Fort st. Philip Canal to the Mississippi River
with the Gulf Of Mexico, and made Gen. Barnard Its
President. This Board FIRST held session In NewYork
then adjourned to meet in New-Orleans about Dec l.
and recently completed Its lab0rs IN New-forA, oy
transmitting TO the Chief Of Engineers majority report
This was received at the Engineer Bureau yesterday IL
Is reported TO have the signatures Of six OF the seven
members OF the Board and to contain an approval OF
Major Howelps plans with some slight notifications.
The expense OF constructing this canal estimated by
Major Howell will be 900, and the time that should
be spent on the work three years. The Board Tx tho
outside limit OF the cost at The controversy
between those who favor Of building canal and
those advocate connnG the current Of the rver and
increasing its depth at the passes, by means OF etnes
he settled by the report Of the Board only one
member OF IL recommending the latter plan which was
once tired at great expense to the Goyernent anu h
seHt TO Congress as soon as It can be copeh
amned by the Chief OF Engineers and Secretary OF war.
already decided TO report favor Of undertaking tins
work, and the Commerce Committee VIII consider IL
this week.
THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION.
The Civil Service Commission have been in session
few days considering the subjects to no presented In
their annual report, which will soon be made 10 the
President. There present Messrs. Eaton, Shela-
bareer Walker Elliott Blackfan and Cox Mr.. Cattell,
the other member II absent In Europe They adopted
yesterday, tho following preamble and resolutions
Whereas BY the rules for the regulation OF the Civil
Service, the duty is devOved upon this Commission OF
supervising application OF said rules on the part OF
persons specially appointed hereunder for the purpose
OF carrying tho into effect and due performance
of said duty may require careful examination no t.e
facts, end botn that no injustice may originate
from false reports. and that no possible abuse may
| escape correction; and
Whereas, The Commission proposes very soon TO re-
issue a report OF s dOiDgs during The past year. IN
which the results of such supervision should appear
therefore. ..,-- -.
Iesoined That there be committee Of three members
of the Commission, of which Mr. ID. b. Eaton snail be
Cha rman the other members to be appointed by the
Chairman 10 during the coming recess OF the Com
MISSION al It's rooms. No. 1i2I Gst.. northwest for the
purpose Of investigating and making report upon any
aforesaid which may he brought Ia tne attention
Committee concerning the application OF said
rules IN Washington on the part Oh any sala peraon
and the further purpose OF giving snch attention as
the Committee may deem appropriate to any sngses-
lions that may made any responsible person Tor
| the Improvement OF the Civil Service.
The PROPOSED CHANGE IN TIE METHOD or ELECT
! ING PRESIDENT AND yICE-PREsIDENT.
The Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections
Yesterday met and considered Senator Mortons pro-
| posed constitutional amendment to provide better
mode of e.ecting the President without reaching
formal conclusions, tae following propositions were
! considered
| FIRST: To abolish the Electoral College.
scOl,d The President and VcePresident TO be voted
nird: Each State TO he divided into many dis
trics As IL has Representatives, ana the candidate
having the highest vote for President in the district 20
receive the votes Of that district when sht count one
Presidential vote each State be also entitled TO two
Presidential votes at large which shall BE- counted for
the candidate having the highest number OF 'o'es III
| the whole State.
Fosr The person having the highest number OF such
Presidential votes in the United states shall ne Presi-
| dent. Tnis will allow President 10 he elected by a
| plurality vote
FIN These provisions to be applicable to the cleo
| ton oi Vice-Prcsdcnt
SiIM Congress shall have power 10 provide for hold
Presidential elections and to establish tribunals Ior
decision contested elections IN districts or states, and
| maze regulations TO govern these tribunals
| TIE EXPENDITURES FOR FOIIIFICAII0Ns
An official report has been prepared showing IN detail
the amount OF appropriations which have been or will
be expended on each OF the forts aud bat
ferries which regular appropriations have been made
from the period Of the beginning Of each work TO the
present time The aggregate total to Feb a, 1879 Is
! s5i6e6s57 The following are among the larger
|