New-York tribune., 1874-08-14
WASHINGTON.
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL.
REFORMS TO BE INsTIIUlED IN TIE 'o0io4"'
DIVISION OF TIE TREASURY.
adviscnent.
WAsIuNGTON. Thursday, Aux To I''f'

WASHINGTON. Thursday, Aug 10 lS'i'
Loren K. Bodcett, United States General hpPr"l'oi
t PHILADELPHIA succeeded II. r. James as chei oi 'ho
Customs Division Of the Treasury Department .o-u'''
The change was decided upon about two months 'so'
when Mr. Blodgctt was urged for the positioh ny n'
Committpe on WAYS and Means and the Committee on
Revision OF tho Statutes. Questions are constantly
arising under the tariff laws, aud are referred anu Gun
strued ty the head of this division and decisions r'
dered in accordance Herewith. The practices cS'"'
lished by the Department In enforcing the tari laws
under the direction of this division has been the s"o
iect Of much critoism but it is said that' 50 coi
pleteIy has Mr.. Blodgetrs predecessor estaDSneu
n system that upheld that practice, IL eouiu
not be done away with except by change III .i'o i''
Of the division Notifications OF appeals from uo'lSo
OF the Department have been allowed TO accuihu"'o
and remain on unacted upon, IN some instances si
1871. To-day, when Mr. Bodgett took charge memo
randum of these notifications made at his request
and they numbered over q hundred, no answer WHAT
ever having been made to the merchants making the
appeals.
very important change is yet to take place IN con-
necon with this customs division. Mr.. Bloleett as
1 ein a. 5GS While that of Chief OF Division OF
Gus 0ms is but $2sOO. that Mr.. Blodget ny a% s m
holds his office as appraiser. nut has been dete os
duty as chief OF the Customs Division Whcn IosIeSs
meets effort VIII be made to class TINS dVlson po
"a higher grade, the chief to rank as an A'sis'"n' ~
tary Of the Treasury.
COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE PAYMENT OF
SALARIES ONLY ONCE a MONTH.
Considerable complaint is made by the 4C,o OF o''oV
clerks and employees Of the Government satioheu III
Washington of the abrOgatiOn by Secretary DTS
tow of the regulation authorizing tho payment
of their salaries semi-monthy. The CLERKS
represent that ii impossible for them to keep so Tar
ahead Of the expenses that their pay Will last during
an entire month and that they are thus suhectcdtO the
demands OF compelled TO ask credit tor 'he
necessaries Of life and that large percentages are
added TO those who are compelled TO asR credIt
until the end OF month II is even said that II Wouu
c nch better for the clerks and for the genera but
rc,s of " snugtou il they were paid weekly. Inc Only
argument III favor Of monthly payments IS hat II saves
work in the Office of the dis5drsing officer.
PROPOSALS FOR FURNISHING STAMPED ENVIL-
oPEs AND WRAPPERS.
Proposals for furnishing all the stamped envelopes
and pcwspaper wrappers which the PostOnioe Depart
meut VIII require for pu5lic and official use during the
parod OF four years from the lst of Octooer next VIII
he opened at the ID uartmcnt O-orrOw sThe enormous
number OF envelopes will be required for public
use besides over six millions OF official envelopes. Oi
ordinary letter size, frat quality. 53UllO0 are feqreu
and of extra letter size 23OOlO10 Nearly 2lOJJOO o
newspaper wrappers advertised for. Tue IdInsh
Inc IL nil these vii! employ capital of abOu $G01t0)
yearly. Several contractors are now here' ana VIII pc
! present at the opening tomorrow
TIE COMING INTERNATIONAL POSTAL CON
GREsS.
Ithas not yet been decided whether our Government
will be represented at the coming international Postal
Congress at Berne, Switzegland Since the recent
changes in the Department some opposition
to sending has been made in the Office
of foreign mails, and the original plan. which contem
pated the presence OF the PostmasterGenera and the
superintendent OF Foreign Mails haS peeh auau3eI %
mast General.