The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-05-20
w A S HIN IT o N.
GENERAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.



WE'RE THE RUSSIANS ORDERED AWAY?
In response inquiry at the State Department Il
10 xathoraveiy stated that there Is no foundation
whatever report the Russian fleet LEFT New
York consequence OF any request int,maton from
the government OF the United States
AN OLD wAR CLAIM.
rhe Supreme Court OF the District OF Columbia, IN
General Term yesterday decided the celebrated SUIT OF
Admiral Porter and the officers and men OF the North
Atlantic squadron for prize money on account Oh
the capture CT Richmond. In 1874, nino years
after the conclusion Of the war, suits were
entered in the OF this district III beha! OF the
officers and OF the North Atlantic squadron, claim
ing in the aggregate about So 900 prize money
for the part by the squadron in the capture OF
Richmond Included in these suits wero claims ior
bounty money for every man captured on the Con-
iederate nolas and batteries the rate OF 5000 per
head and also bounty for all ships aud batteries
destroyed by Confedratcs tho York and PamunIy
prevent their ialhns into tho hands OF the
Union forces Prize money was also ciaimeu
on account the capture OF tho Texas ana the Beau
iort confederate men -owar and the bill the value
OF these two ships appraised at $ss2,l2i In
November last Judge Humphreys before whom Inc
case was tried set aside former decree and ssti-
mated the value OF tho two vessels at $672 ana
awarded prize money to the amount OF $33,6lo. Hs
denied ali other claims for prize money. The Court
UNANIMOUSLY reversed the former proceedings and dis
missed all the iibeis The hbelants still havo the
privilege OF appealing TO tho supreme Conrt OF the
United States.
ARMY EXPENSES TO DE CUT DOWN.
The Secretary OF War has Issued general order
calling the attention dsbursing officers Of the army
to sections 367s, 3679 36s2. 900 and sS2 OF the
Revised Statutes, in regard TO appropriations being APP
piled solely to the objects Tor which they are re-
spectivcy made, prohibiting the expenditure OF any
money ia OF the appropriation for that pur-
pose &C. and ioroddng contracts for the purchase o.
goods to be made unless authorized. such certificate
must state that the services voluntarily
rendered without contract agreement ami
that tho holder has claim for compensation
unless Congress shall make appropriation there
The above order applies TO large number OF civil
employees connected with the army such as quarter
masters ami paymasters clerks, and contract sur
Reons He notifies each officer that the department
lawfully enter into any contract agreement
unless the Is authorized by law or Is under an
appropriation adequate TO It's fulnmeni except for
clothing, subsistence. forage fuel quarters trans
po-taiion Contracts agreements tor personal or
clerical service cannot be lawfully made unless pro-
vided for by Law covered by appropriation there
for. Care must taken 10 involve the govern
lent in any tor the future payment oil money
in excess OF the appropriation. Employees for whose
payment appropriation has been made Tor the next
fiscal year. will be allowed to continue duty only IN
where their services absolutely necessary
and ordered by proper authority, and where they will
s.ipuIale that they do voluntarily and without con-
tract agreement to be paid therefor This stpuia-
ton should be in writing. All employees whose SER
DO dispensed with. who decline to remain
upon tho terms allowed named will BIO discharged on
the solh day June Persons rendering services
WI thOuI or
this order, may be furnished with certificate show
ing the time for which such service
dered and the character OF the service, but
UNITED STATES COURTS EXPENSES.
As the Department OF Justice has a small balance to
the credit of the appropriation for expenses Of United
States courts, the recent circular notifying United
States marshas that thor requstons for funds could
not be filled before the beginning Of the fiscal
year VIII be modified except courts in
sections where the business is most urgent the
balance TO the credit OF the appropriation will be d.
vded among these courts, though the amount will not
be sufficient all during the remainder
" the fiscal year.
ARMY SURGEONS.
BY direction Of the Secretary OF War the following
changes IN the stations and duties OF officers OF tho
Medical Department, United States Army, have been
made sturgeon james C. Bailey is relieved from duty
in the Department Of the South ordered report
10 the commanding general Military Division OF the
Pacific, for assignment to duty in the Department Of
California Surgeon v. d. Middleton Is relieved from
duty IN the Department OF Dakota and or
dercd to duty in the Military Division Of the
Atlantic Assistant Surgeon John II. KiDsman
is relieved from duty in the Department
of Dakota and ordered the Department OF tho
Gull. Assistant Surgeon LOUIS NJ. Maus Ia relieved
duty the Department OF tho South and ordered
the Department Of Dakota Assistant Surgeon Cal
win Dewitt expiration OF his present Of alb
sence, will report in person to the commanding gen.
Department of the Platte for assignment to duty
Surgeons Joseph r. Smith, j. J. Woodward, j. S. Bill
lings and William Q. Spencer. United States Army,
have ordered by the Secretary OF War TO proceed
10 Chicago, Ill, to represent the Medical Department
Of the army at the annual meeting OF the American
Medical Association be held In that city the 9Th
prox
EX-GOVERNOR CHAMBERLAIN.
On Monday last secretary Sherman rendered the APP
pontment OF Solicitor of the Treasury to Ex-Governor
Chanb erlain, OF South Carolina. Tho offer made
nj the instance Of the President, who also urged
Its acceptance. Governor Chamberlain ielt
obliged to decline. however, account Of
professional engagements previously made. which
were regarded advan tagcous professionally
and peculiarly Chamberlain had interview with
the President to-day and he leaves tonight for South
Carolina remain for week close up private bus!-
ness when he will return to New York and take his
place in law firm with which no Will hereafter be
associated
RESIGNATION OF CHIEF JUSTICE LEWIS.
Chief Justice Lewis, OF Washington Territory, has
rendered his resignation, which has been accepted but
40 appointment has yet been made to I'LL the vacancy
DISTRICT or COLUMBIA BONDS
The explanation Is made that the acmi-annual in
tercst the G5 District OF Columbia bonds il
not duo until August that the subject providing
Tor their payment has yet received consideration by
the Commissioners. The amount OF interest 10 only
ta50.0o0
REsIGNA1 InS or cESEpII upA1r