New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-01-08

was to create fund ont of which could DO reimbursed
any double payment The Secretary says that all tne
admissions chow that money was certified as IN the
treasury when in fact the money not there There
Is not the slightest doubt OF the improperly OF any ds
bursting officer investing the money Of the United States
and afterward using the interest for any purpose what
except be sanctioned by express statute
The documents referred to the Committee on MIL
tary Affairs
THE REDUCTION OF ESTIMATES.
AMENDED ESTIMATES TRANSMITTED TO THE HOUSE
BY THE PREsIDENT-THE REDUCTIONS IN MOST
CASES SMALL
GENERAL PRESS DIsPATCH.]
WASHINGTON, Jan. Tin reply to resolu-
ton OF House Of Representatives. OF Dec 49, request
ing revision Of the estimates for the expenses OF the
Government for the fiscal ending June &c. 1916 the
President to-day transmitted to the Speaker OF the
House amended estimates and replies from the various
DEPARTMENTS showing that action had been taken by
fUlvuS- --
The Postmaster General reports that he has caused
careful examination to be made OF the estimates here
ofore submitted for appropriation for postal service
during the fiscal year. and finds, after such exam
nation reduction in the sums asked for can be
safely made He further states that before approving
| the estimates submitted 20 him by his subordi
Mates he had them most thoroughly examined
| and reduced t694,511 Tho revised estmates,
| he says. are without exception based ON tho
actual necessities and the probable develop
ments Of the postal service shown by the annual re-
ports of the for the last three years
The largest required are for inland mail trans
portation and for compensation OF postnas-
ters $6sOOOO The increase asked for in tho first OK
these Items Ia ess than five per cent on the amount re-
aured during she last fiscal year. whereas theaverage
annual increase that branch Of the service during the
past three at the rate Of IL cen
tum annually greater reduction will, in his opinion,
seriously impair theI ability OF the Department TO pro-
vide for the real wantf the country In regard to the
second ite the General states that no has
no discretion whatever, the compensation OF post
masters being fixed by law The other items estimated
for WERE he says In each instance placed at the lowest
figure consistent with the expected demands Of the ser
vice and are indispensable to its requirements Tho
total of the estimates made for this Department thee
fore stand at the same ias heretofore presented,
viz, S3e,l04,s12
The Secretary of the Treasury in his report that
the estimates belonging exclusively to his Department
amount including the interest on the pubic
debt and the amount required for the sinking fund.- az
grcgating sa for which there are permanent ap-
proprlatons The amounts payable the general sal
ary current and ordinary expenses OF
the branches OF the service besides sS30 Tor
other objects expense ordered by the laws OF Con-
gress In relation which the Secretary has no authority
or discretion except carry out the will OF Congress as
expressed in under which he is required to per-
form his duties OF the whole estimate for the year
endIn June So 1876 only the Of s19672el is subject
TO the consideration OF Congress outside the require
ments of the existing laws These latter may be omitted
They include 81 for lighthouses and sums for rev.
enue vessels the Secretary doubts tho proprety OF
emitting these appropriations. He shows where reduo-
tiops to q slight extent may be made. MI Mullett bu-
perysing Architect OF the Treasury lays that shoud
be decided to begin works and TO suspend
general operations certain buildings named the ex.
penditures nsvSs' $3.50 ~'-- - .ouue0N
| very nearly 6.00o0Oo.
The state Department says the only estimate that can
be reduced is the appropriation for official postage
stamps $4,000 The Department of Justice also states
what reductions can be made. though TO comparatively
small extent.
The report Of the Secretary of War says that the mill
ary estimates based upon the actual cost OF material
and supplies and by the number Of persons authorized
by law 10 be employed In far regards the strictly
military part Of the service the Secretary has endeav-
ored bY active and detailed inspection OF all the supply
branches by reduction In rents and employees Tor the
past three years. to bring down expenses to the lowest
limit consistent with efficiency. The reports Of the
various officers have been carefully revised and
the Secretary refers to them for information on the sub
iect of the reduction Of the expenditures.
The Signal Office submits that the estimates heretofore
laid before the Secretary were based upon consdera
ops OF the most careful economy and it Is not believed
they can properly reduced. The Subsistence Depart
ment reports that under existing circumstances no
reduction the estimates can DO Inc
Office provides for o reduction In the estimates Of
1913 s3l TO- The Surgeon Generals Office submit TO
reduction of $4,000. The PaymssterGeneral does not
deem It safe recommend reduction OF the amount
appropriated for the current fiscal year.
The reports generally contend that reductions from
former estimates would be detrimental TO the service,
or submit comparatively small figures in response
to tho Houses desire for reductions thereof No report
from the Interior Department has been received.
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL.
CLOSE OF THE DEBATE ON THE CIVIL RIGHTS BILL
WASHINGTON, Wednesday, Jan. T. 1874.
Mr. Butler closed the debate the Civil Rights bill
to-day, speech that was eulogy on ths coored
race spiced with sharp thrusts in his peculiar manner
at the Democrats for their opposition to the measure
and with good deal OF rdicule Of the pretended preiu
dice Southern whites against the negroes. HIS
description Of the gallant charge of brigade Of colored
troops under his command upon Rebel redOubt on the
| James River, . much higher style Of oratOry
than his friends thought him capable Of 1t was
niece OF thrilling and dramatic description that held
captive the attention Of the House and brought round