The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-28
NEW YORK HERALD TUESDAY APRIL lS74QUADRUPLE


proprasions already made m the interests OF CON-
Eerce.
enac'ed, &c, that the Secrotary u the Treasury y
hereby authorized to issue 500, 200 OF Uni ca
States legal tender notes, &c.
Mr.. shoemaker's bill proposes FREQ banking and
the retirement OF nrty per cent OF the amount OF
increase In national hank notes In legal tender
notes and to sell bonds TO realize the necessary
funds FOR the retirement or the legal tenders.
The Legnl-Tender Printing Monopoly
An Insight into . Method OF Purchss-
ing Innuence.
For the last four years, In view OF the report OF
Senator Edmunds on the Printing Bureau, o por-
ton OF the leeai-tender and fractional currency
notes has been printed by each OF the New York
bank note companies, leaving the finishing impress
sion to be executed by the Treasury Department.
Owing to the recent establishment OF the Columbia
Bank Note Company In Washington, which IS now
printing government notes, representatives OF
the New York. companies are now here,
aud have had hearing before the
House Committee on Banking and Currency,
their object being to have a law passed restoring
the former position o! afairs as relates to them
selves. Mr.. Frederick T. stanton to-day appeared
before the committee ns representative OF the
Columbia Bank Note Company. He WAS asked by
Mr.. Hubbard, who in part represents tire CON-
bned New York companies, about the issue Of
$4,000 of stock Of the Columbia Company to Mr..
stanton AZ trustee for >. p smith, OF New
York. Mr.. Stantoa's answer brought olt the TACT
that the stock was given as a consideration for
Smiths influence IN ootaining contract from me
Treasury Department for the Columbia Company.
Assistant Secretary sawyer protested against the
proposition or Hubbard to examine the employees
OF the Treasury Department without first applying
to. the Secretary, the Department always being
ready to give the proper facilities for that pur-
pose
Governor Shepherds Message to the
District Legislnturc-The Congression-
NJ Investigation and Suspension OF
Business.
The District OF Columbia Legislature met ana
organized to-day, when Cove. nor Shepherd sent q
message SAYING
"ln view OF the investigation now being con-
Quoted by the Joint Committee OF Congress, APP
pOin ted TO inquire into tae AFFAIRS OF The govern
joint resolution offered IN the House OF Repre-
sentatives contemplating the temporary snspen-
when o. .n aso the Of tRa
mittee, 1t seems tnat proper respect Tor the
action OF Congress would indicate tue propriety OF
deierring legislation while those SUBJECTS are
under Its special consideration
- therefore reconmend tnat the Legislative As
business until Congress snail have made hnal
disposition OF the matter in question"
rne message was referred to special COM
miutee.
Government Preparations for the Obser-
walton OF the Transit Of Venus In Ant.
arctic Regions.
Tue ofnclals OF the Naval Observatory, the
Smithsonian Institution and Navy Department are
buslly engaged in fitting out the party to lie dis
posed to the Antarctic regions and Tasmania, to
observe In conjunction with foreign scientific par
ties the coming transit of Venus. France Germany
and Great Britain will be represented at yarious
points. The outfit OF the American party is veHy
complete and comprehensive. 1t consists OF ~.
fewer than fifteen wooden structures to be erected
at points OF observation Tor the instruments alone,
besides . large number OF tents to be used by the
parties as quarters. A very large and well So
lected assortment OF scientific instruments
will be furnished by the government, and the ma
teral generally Tor the comfort and necessities of
the parties Will be as complete and perfect has
ever been prepared for any expedition sent ont
by the United States Az the parties will number
at least twenty, in addition to the servants
and attendants, the provis one necessary their
subsistence for SIX months or more on their
solitary stations will occupy great space, and there
is considerable fear expressed among the knowing
ones that the gunooat Swatara, fitting out ut
Brooklyn for tt~ estSdt Tor. viii DO altogether
too small Tor the work expected Of her. She Il
one OF the experiments OF the Navy Departments,
and Is by no means r00my or commodlous.
Indeed it is quite certain that she Is
altogether too small for the expedition. With
wardrOom accommodations for twelve she IL ex-
pected to quarter twenty-six, besides those who
must he quartered In the cabin; and mo one who
has not suffered the dscom,orts OF close and
crowded quarters can imagine the amount OF
solid misery o long cruise under such circum-
stances will entail. Besides this she has not
enough stowsge capacity to afford secure room
for all the immense stores necessary for the
parties to properly carry out their work, and when
the time comes 1t win probably be found That a
great quantity Of very valuable freight must be
lett ashore, and finally, 1t Ia doubtful
whether she can be made ready In time.
In every way she Is regarded as unified
for the duty. Hence it is suggested that the
corvette Brooklyn, now at Key West, or some other
roomy vessel be detailed for the work. The COM
fort and efficiency OF the expedttionary parties
would be greatly enhanced bv such q change II
the statements OF naval otlcers are correct.