The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-04-19
w SHIN GTON.
GENERAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.
WASHINGTON. Anr.l Is. 1871.

WASHINGTON, April Is. 1871.
THE NEW YORK CUSTOM HOUSE INVESTIGATION.
Two OF the three gentlemen invited accept the pc.
sition OF commissioners 10 investigate tho affairs OF the
New York Custom House have accepted the Office ten.
Secretary sherman declines TO say Who The commits
sioucrs will be-
SAD SCENES AT THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT
DISCHARGE or EMPLOYEES.
A discharge OF 800 employees OF TIE Bureau OF En-.
craving and Printing OF the Treasury Department
took place this afternoon. The list includes plato
printers press girls copyists and other employees OF
the bureau. Thore worry sad scenes at tho
close OF tho Office hours when parties who
were dismissed were informed OF tho fAtc
that awaited them. tho knowledge OF tho fact
that wholesale reductions wore TO be made having
in any way mtigated the severity OF the blow when II
came. The end is not yet and by the LIST o. Nay
Others In the same bureau, well other divisions
OF tho department. will receive notice that the public
interests will permit their further employment IN
the government service. The indications that
before the middle OF next month least hundred
dismissais will be made OF persons in the employ
ment Of the government in this city
THE CLAIMS FOR MAIL SERVICE ANTERIOR TO
THE Rebellion.
tho last Congress In relation payment for carry
ing tho mails In the States lately IN rebellion which
limited the time 70 when the States ''cngagcd in
against the United States" Sixth Auditor McGrew has
commenced tho sending out OF circulars. notifying
claimants TO present their claims. Circulars will be
sent TO all contractors in those States prior to tho
rebellion, under tho ruling OF tho Secretary oil tho
Treasury. No payment DO made until the
counts arc all adjusted when, II the amount allowed
exceeds the amount appropriatcd-namely $3.5, 600
that sum will be divided pro rata among the claimants
leaving the balance settled by future leg isation
MASTER or CEREMONIES AT TIE EXECUTIVE
MASs1oN-TuE PRESENT MARSHAL OF THE
DISTRICT DEPRIVED OF THE DISTINGUISHED
FUNCTIONS
During tho administration OF President Buchanan
tho Commissioner OF Public Buildings aud Grounds
acted tho master OF ceremonies Mt the Executive
Mansion, conducting the introductions, &C, on
public occasions and having general super
vision OF affairs In tho succeeding admins
trations tho Marshal Of the District performed
those duties but the Marshal has been superseded
by the Commissioner VI Public Buildings and Grounds.
Colonel Casey, who succeeds General Babcock ms Com
missioner, will, therefore. In future attend to the
above named duties al tho Executive Manson, and Is
now making the arrun semcns fo- the diplomatic DIN.
nor to DO given Tomorrow in honor oil Grand Duke
Alexis
DEPARTURE OF MAILS FOR CHINA AND NASSAU,
NEW PROVIDENCE.
The Post ONCE Department has received notice that
letters from the United states for China tuong Kong
and dependent ports excepted forwarded England
may by the Southampton route at fifteen cents
per half ounce and by the Brindsi route at nineteen
cents per half ounce
Uwpg tho loss OF the steamer Leo there has been
change tho schedule for the departure OF mails for
the bahama Islands, via New York and Savannah. Ca
Tho steamer San Jacnto will sail from New York on
the 2lst inst.. tho Cleopatra from Savan-
nah on the 26th Tho steamer San Salvador Will sail
from Now York ON tho 2stb all for Nassau, n. r.
TEN HOURS PAY FOR EIGHT HOURS WORK
THE SPIRIT AND THE LETTER.
Tho Supreme Court having decided that tho law de-
cIaring eigh. days work for govcrnmen. work
mon Is merely . direction by the government TO its
agents, and rot . contract with laborcrs The sccrc-
tary OF tho Treasury will order announcing
this decision and directing its officers pay here
| anor ten hours wages for eight hours labor Tho
order given by President Grant that eight hours shall
constitute days work for all government workmcn
will DO revoked and additional pay will be allowed
tnoso who work longer than eight hours. A dclega.
tion Of workmcn from tho department; building
called upon tho President to-day 10 protest against
being compelled to work ten hours day.