New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-06-11
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL.
EFFECT OF THE DECLINE IN TIE VALUE OF
SILVER

SILVER
WASHINGTON. Thursday, June 10, 1873.
The effect of the recent decline in the value
of silver bullion appears not he clearly understood
and the ntimaon the part Of tho Director or the
Mint that This decline would bring about the use Of
silver coin Ia the place OF the fractional currency has
led to many inquiries at the Treasury Department To
make this subject perfectly clear, prominent officer Of
tho Treasury Department has responded to the many
questions bearing this matter In the following man
ner A: The gold value OF silver Is now III cents per
ounce, fine, which corresponds to 100 cents per
ounce 900 fine. United States standard One
dollar in fractional coins contains 3s5 TO grains and
since $50 grains Zone ounce worth 81 90; $50 grains
are worth 81 This may be termed the intrinsic
value ~ silver With gold at 81 49, United States notes
are worth Sc p, From the foregoing data 1t will
be that dollar in fractional silver coins VIII pur-
chase less than 2cents worth more OF gold than United
scarcely suc dcray insurance and freight In ex-
porting the coin The supply OF silver beng so rarely
reaches the gold value of the legal tender currency Of
countries IKE the Cntnd s,ee s' nrod tm
cessive supply Of silver well known to be the recent
Empire its limited use as legal tender IN France
aud her monetary allies. and the increasing production
Of that metal in the United States
TIE OBJECT OF GEN. MEIGs's EUROPEAN VISIT.
The following is the letter Of Secretary
Belknap to QuartermastcrGen. Mccs in regard to the
assignment OF the latter sItciai
The President. recognizing your varied and distin-
gi services officer OF Engineers and as Omar
during the mos, eyenfu period OF the
exrrsicncc may DO still further extended and
hs result Of your Oscrva Gss,s hat be T T
he detached upon special service with full pay and al
owances, for the purpose OF INSPECTING ara
that you will make the Stan Department the special sub
ect Of your 1yssSo' p.'hs en apy yeas .nee
that dparmcnt has been rep IGsr cars ~
enjoyed this advantage You will embrace In yonr maj
report not only the results of on Tor
eien armies but that which may be OF mos, va III e
eilon nd make such questions aud recommendations
own m cre"niltton You will be allowed i months
this purpose from June l. or such portion OF mar tine
may be deemed necessary for you properly 10 perform
this duty.
THE NETWORK CUSTOM HOUSE INVESTIGATION.
The recent investigations in the Ncw-l ork
house have been for the purpose OF discovering
means for nsurng q moro efficient collection OF the
revenue and it is believed at the Treasury department
that the good effects Of it may already be seen The
greatest has been i'll the appraisers department.
where much difficulty has been encountered III obtaining
competent men examiners OF certain ci'ss ol sos
man who il an expert in these departments can com
Inand at least twice much salary in tie employ
merit OF private bus mess houses as III. can
by pay and long rs TINS STATE ol ahtlls CONTINUES
the who apply for the POSITIONS are S'hrrdilS unlt
TO M tlcm while the services of those who are III can
not be secured
USE OF THE SEAL LOCK TO BE DISCONTINUED.
The representatives of the Seal Lock Com
many have been in this city for some time working for
the reversal by the Secretary OF the Treasury OF MS
,on against the OF the seal lock on ears containing
goods in bond and have recently boosted that their pros
pcc.s for success wore good. II il known however tat
HE secretary will not his former decision under
any circumstances whatever lie does not STE te s OF
;Le nate Mt aIancc and has caused To De prepared III
rs Mace lead seal lie used with punch The latter
viii cost only few each, while the seal locks
cost 81.
THE WAR RECORDS OF THE ARMY NEARLY
READY FOR PUBLICATION.
The War Department, which has been for
nearly a year engaged In the preparation OF the army
records for the period covering the war Tor puncaoh'
will have six volumes ready for the printer by the time
Congress meets next December These records are care
fully put into type in the War Department. and after
e proofs have corrected, several slips OF each
letter or dispatch printed In ms shape tny arc
coprd and arranged for final publication with little
risk for the safety of the originals.