New-York tribune., 1874-03-07

than they paid under the present system
Owing the delay OF the railroad companies TO make
weight returns their compensation for the service be-
tween New-York and Boston has not vet been read
used but supposne the weights TO be the same as in
March, 1879 their total compensation would be
sl2 The OF transporting all tho malls between
NewYork and Boston In railway post-o'hce ears
would at the demanded by the companies sls
now paid to railroad companies for mail service be
tween New-YorK and Buffalo, aud Rochester ana NJ
$1,000 per annum The Increase demanded by the rail
companies for this service is s9oo per annum Tor
the present service.
THE FARRAGUT STATUE
The House has at last hit upon way Of selecting
a model for the Farragut statue. The money to pay
for the statue has been ready for long time, and
last Winter there was competitive exhibition OF
plaster and mud monstrosties, called models IN the
basement of the Senate. The combined Committees
on Public Buildings and Grounds were empowered
by law to select model, but the trouble was that
they could not agree. There was hardly art taste
enough in the whole body 10 select good sign 1or
tobacco-shop, and every man favored the sculptor
who button-holed him the most assduousy CT
brought the most influence to bear. No choice was
made, and the question went over to this session.
To-day the House passed resolution creating
commission to select model composed OF Ihe sec
retary of the NAVY, Gen. Sherman, and Mrs. faf-
ragut. They will. doubt, Int upon something
that looks like the late Admiral, Whatever lts merits
az work of art may be.
THE EFFECT OF THE ABOLITION or The TRANklNG
PRIVILEGE ON THE DEPARTMENTS.
The President sent message TO the House to-day
inclosing communications from the various depart
mcnts in reply to the inquiry whether expenses had
been increased by them for the transportation OF
any matter which. before the abolition of the
franking privilege, WAS carried IN the mails.
The Secretary of State says no such ex-
pense has been incurred by his department.
The Secretary OF the Interior says it Is
not the practice Of his department TO forward mail
matters outside the mails. The Secretary of War
says that, as matter of economy in sending the
express was used for short time: not more tnan
Ssi were thus spent. But the Signal service naS
incurred express expenses Of $40 month IN I3r-
warding supplies 10 stations Of observation / ne
Secretary Of the Navy thinks 500 would cover the
amount spent in his department. The fostmas'ti-
General says money has been expended Dy Ms
department by sending matter outside the malIs
Mr.. MCRARY's RAILROAD BILL.
The House held session this evening for debate
on the Railroad bill of Mr.. McCrary, at which
Messrs. Wilson Of Iowa and BurrOughsot Michigan
intended to speak in its favor lis understood that
the following gentlemen will speak in support of the
bill in the course of the debate MesSrs IIeadley of
Illinois, Orr of Iowa, Hazleton of Wisconsin, Pratt
of Iowa, Butler of Massachusetts,, Smith of Ohio,
McNulta OF Illinois, and Dunnell of Minnesota
Messrs Kendall OF Nevada, Wolfe aud Holman
Democrats. of Indiana. will also advocate lis pas
SAGE during the debate. Mr. Willard of Vermont
will speak against the bill Al the present time 1t
would seem that the friends OF the bill Will have the
floor pretty much to themselves, ITS enemies geneI
ally remaining content with voting against IT,
vote or the bill Will not be TeachedfOr week OF ten
days.
TUE EXPLORATION OF PALESTINE.
T1le House Military Committee viii report a joint
resolution authorizing the Secretary of War 10
detail an engineer officer to aid in continuing the
exploration of the country east Of the Dead Sea and
the River Jordan which is being prosecuted by tn"
Palestine Exploration Society. The Government
is not asked to pay any of the expenses of the sur
vey beyond the salary of the officer. The President
of the Society is Prof r. ID. Hitchcock and among
its members are the Rev. Drs. Crosby and Adams of
New-Y0rk; Prof. Dana, of New-lIaven; Prof.
Henry of the Smithsonian Institute, and large
number of other prominent dvInes and scientists.
An English society is carrying on u similar work OF
exploration the western side OF the Jordan. Jho
cost OF completing the work Of the American society
is estimated at $4,000 year for five yeas.