New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-07-02
investigation in his Department is a thorough and
searching one.
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL.
MEETING OF THE TAXPAYERS OF THE DIS
TRICr
lwAsHNGTos. Wednesday. July 1. 1874

TRICr.
LWAsHEGTos, Wednesday. July I. 1874
A meeting of a number Of the heaviest taxpayers
of the District was held tonight at the Board OF
Trade Rooms, when an association was formed 10
give expression TO the views and advocacy OF the
interests of those who contribute to the District ex
penses to make such an appeal to Congress as may
induce that body to apportion justly the future
expense, between the United States and
the District of Columbia, and to proper
economy, integrity, and strict accountability in
expenditures of money by appropriate legislation.
The harmony of the meeting was disturbed by the
appointment of two of the former members OF the
Legislative Council on the Committee to report a
basis of action several taxpayers Directing TO them
as being concerned with the late Government, the
acts of which were strongly condemned. Ii was
stated in reply that these gentlemen property
holders equally interested with all presen in the Dis
trct affairs that nothing had been shown to reflect
in the slightest degree upon their integrity and that
the object to look to the interests OF the DIS
trct in the future. without reference to the pass
After somewhat stormy debate, these gentlemen
retired from the Committee Other elements of
discord were introduced, being resolution to
initiate proceedings for the protection of taxpayers
from the alleged tyranny and illegal acts of the late
District Government, and especially the Board
of Public Works and another looking to the Grim
inal prosecution of officers who had acted in viola
ton of law These propositions were rejected on
the ground that they were not IN accordance WIN
the object of the meeting. 1t said by those who
opposed them that if anyone knew of such illegal
acts charged resort should be had to the grand
jury. The concluding proceedings were orderly
TUE DISCHARGE OF TREASURY CLERKS
Additional removals were made to-day in the
Treasury Department. The female employees, as
YESTERDAY discussed the subject with fearful eyes,
as thew received the notification that their services
were no longer required, owing to the reduction of
appropriations by Congress. The number of addi-
tional dismissals is IS, mostly of mahs
in the Office Of the Secretary OF the
Treasury, the Bureaus of Internal Revenue
and Customs the Third Auditors Office and that of
Treasurer Spinner. Mr.. Goddard assistant chief of
the Customs Division, was among those discharged
The entire number dismissed is upward OF SIX
hundred. Many of those retained were reduced to
clerkships of lower grads There will be no reduc-
ton of force in the Land Office, though few
changes may be made, also in the Post-Ohice De-
partment Twenty-eight eight clerks in tho
Division of Records and Pensions have been dis
charged from the Surgeen-Generars Office
and from his entire Department 2O2 will be dis
charged, by reason of the law requiring the dls-
mssal Of all civil service men and hospital stewards.
From this number, however, the Secretary OF war
is allowed to select such men as may be needed ana
to appoint them as regular clerks III the Department.
Among the removals yesterday the driver OF
Gen. Babcocks carriage, VINO was on the rolls as q
clerk or employe.
THE FREEDMEN's SAVINGS BANK TO BE CLOSED
The Trustees of the Freedmen's Savings Bank OF
this CITY, have been considering the question as to
whether the bank should be continued in business,
or whether its effects including its bills receivable,
should be turned over to Board of Commissioners,
as authorized by late law to be recommended by
them and appointed by the Secretary of the Treasu-
~. They decided upon the latter course ana VIII
recommend the appointment of Postmaster-General
Cresweu Robert Purvis of Philadelphia and Mr.
Leopold of the Treasury Department. The Commits
sioners will receive salary OF $1,000 year each
until the business is closed. which Will be an I'M
mense saving the creditors for the expenses of the
bank as at present conducted, including It's DIanch
es, are about $4,000 year. The trustees nave no
doubt that the bank will pay w cents on the dollar
of all just claims, estimated by Bank Examiner
Meigs. DepOStors are warned by the trustees not
to dispose OF their books at sacrifice.
THE NEW PENSION ACT
The act approved June IS, 1874, entitled IAN act
10 increase pensions in certain cases" provides that
all persons who are now entitled to pensions under
existing laws, and who have lost either an arm at
or above the elbow, or leg at or above the knee,
shall be rated in the second class and shall receive
S24 per month; provided that no artificial limbs or
communication therefor shall be furnished to such per-
sons as shall be entitled to pensions under this act
This act by its terms. to take effect from and
after June 4, 1873. Gen. Baker, Commissioner OF
Pensions to-day announces that persons embraced
within the provisions of this act the
benefits of the same without q formal application,
and without the intervention of an attorney A
power of attorney will not be recognized III an ap-
plcatiOn for tho increase of pension provided by
this act letter from the pensl9ner addressed 10
the Commissioner OF Pensions inclOsing his pension
certificate and giving his Post-OIce address VIII De
sufficient presentation Of his claim.