New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-11-02
WASHINGTON.
UrPPrYr TOPICS Ar THE CAPITAL.
rDE SOUTHERN CLAIMS CoNMIaoioS.


WAsHIYGTON, Nov. l. 1874
Tho Commissioners Of Sodthern Claims are no" en-
gagged IN taking testimony. The entire hummer OF c''us
presented to the Commissioners are over 22co' ohi'
1884 OF which have been adj ldirated year aso inc
acgregate amount of the claims so passed upon WAS
sn22i 1885, leaving be disposed OF 1850 claims amount
ing to sJOOOOOOO Several millions Of dollars nave peen
and paid In satisfaction OF the over 5000
claims above referred and reported 10 Congress by
the COMM soners The number 10 he reported To Con-
gress next Winter will not be So large as hercotore
Many OF the claimants placed their respective claims az
very high figures such the facts presented dd not
Justify and therefore there extensy" reduction
by the Commissioners As instances. ono man claimed
$4,000 and cut down TO $500; and another who
claimed s. received only sl6s. These claims. 1t Will
recOected, arise from seizures and the destruction
OF property owned by Uui0n men In Southern States
Ihe rS Ss ST as or nrs.snns claims EXPIRED on
the Of March. 1873 bill Is pending ID Congress 20
exend the time Tor tins purpose many persons hot
having heard OF the limit.
PRESIDENT GRANT CONCENTRATES THE EN-
PEROR OF RUSSIA.
The President has sent the following congratuiatoy
letter To the Emperor OF Russia:
ULYSSES 8. GRANT. President Of the United states OF
America. 10 His Imperial Majesty AIEXAHDEk liz En''
peror and Autocraior all he Russias.
GREAT AND GOOD FRIEND: have received the letters
which your Majesty addressed TO NE on The l7tn uav OF
August last announcing Pleasing intelligence OF the
marriage the 49, Of that month OF DIS iIupeIla
20 he Grand Duca HigDess, the Princess Aexandflne
Elizabeth Eleanor Duchess Of Mecklepoufg-Sch"eiln
Majestys august family participate in the satisfaction
afOr led by this happy event. ana oner 10 your
my sincere congratulations upon ts OCCASION WIN tue
assurance that tho newly married Grand Duke ana
Princess have beat wishes FOR their prosperity anu
happiness And 80 I commend your Majesty ana your
Maiesys royaI family TO the protection OF the Almighty
Written at Washington. the 3Oth Day OF octooer IN 'nc
year OF our Lord, 1874. Your good friend =, cn,
HAMILTON FISH, Secretary of State.
REPORT OF THE CHIEF-ENGINEER OF THE ARMY
The report OF Gen. Humphreys, Chief-EngDeer, has
been submitted to the Secretary Of War; Woikin all
directions during the past has advanced iavor
ably Upon the rivers and harbors and upon fortnca-
tons much of the heavy work which has been IN pro-
gress several years back is nearly completed aud
the estimates are consequence materially re-
duced The forfcson Of harbors is being confined 80
far as heavy works concerned, tn those haroors
which can DO entered by ironciads CARVING iao
Of an enemy would sacrifice millions OF dollars. Laper
mens with topedoes have shown that very peas
defense The Engineer recommends spproRrs,Vps ioi
Fort SCHUYLER hap6or $4,000 .sono fG Ra
terry Hudson Staten Island $4,000 Fort MiiniD, Deia-
ware River, $4,000; Fort Delaware, s21"o'
THE ESTIMATES FOR THE ENSUING YEAR.
Enough is now known OF the character Of the annual
estimates TO that they will DO fully 100000 less
than for last year. The estimates both for pubic
works under the Engineer and those under the
are very mach reduced The cost OF the navy
remains about same, while the army in some OF its
supplies was cut below its real necessities at the last
session. Secretary Belknap has regulated his estimates
strctly I'm accordance with law. The Treasury est
mates have been framed exactly upon what the HOUSE
gave In its last appropriations. The cost OF the lhdan
service will not be diminished. The deficiency AT tue
Office Department will be increased OWING 10 te
rand extension and added facilities AS total result
however the reductions are. as stated something o'ei
N0,000.0O
THE PROPOSED MILITARY PRISON Al FoRr
LEAVENWURTH.
The Secretary OF War returned here Friday night
During his absence he visited Fort Leavenworh, kan
to inspect buildings that place which are 10 DO
converted into military prisons. Congress at the last
session appropriated $4,000 to alter certain buildings az
Fort and has been found that the neceS
sary alterations be made for that slm fans ior
the Improvement have been prepared and the work WIZ
he pushed for ward rapidly. Upon the competoh " 'ne
various prisons throughout country will De rem9veu
Fort Ltavenworh. The secretary Also seloo,.u w
site for permanent prison building Consress snouu
deem IL eXpedent TO make an Appropriation ior INC son
struction thereof next session.
TIIR REDUCTION OF THE ARMY
The War Department, In accordance with Tue law, 10
reducing the number OF in the army TO 2oeOo there
being now about 1900 In service The reduction VIII
TO every IL men, the law having made no provision lor
the reduction OF the nIlaber OF officers According 70
an order OF the War Department, mssionou ON
,ers aud other pryates may rrcns ~ VIC
posts where they NAV DO stationed. his saNoo '"o
expense Of ira LIS i'ortaton.