The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-07
GENERAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.

GcNeHAL WAoHtN1lON UEorAII1Go.
@f WAsH1NGToN, Dec. 6. 1873,
PREVENTION OF YELLOW FEVER AND CHOLERA
MEETING OF TEE SENATE COMMITTEES.
| The Senate committee appointed yesterday to in
vesgate and report upon the best for the pre-
vention Of yellow fever and cholera in this country
held meeting to-day. Supervising Surgeon Gen.
eral Woodwork OF the Marine Hospital service. was
preAent and informed the committee that commits
sion of medical experts was engaged in prepar-
ing data on the subjectof yellow fever. The meet
ing was devoted almost exclusively to discussion
corning the scope Of inquiry to be made.
The following subcommittee apponted:-
To investigate the extent OF the constitutional
Of Congress to cgslate the question Of pre-
venting epidemic discases-Messrs. Mathews, Gar
land and Paddock.
To prepare circular letter Of inquiry
to be addressed to Boards Of Health and
leading physicians throughout the whole
country and to prepare plan Of Investigation
Messrs. Eustis, Lamar and Conover.
On selection of exports to be employed by the
mittee-Messrs. Lamar. Mathews and Garland.
Senator Harris. chairman OF the committee was
made ez-c6scio . member Of all the subcommittee.
THE LHEsAvING sERvICE--IMroKrANcE OF
KEEPING IT SEPARATE FROM poLITIcs-RE-
PORT ON THE CHARGES AGAINST HENRY r.
HUNTING, SUPERINTENDENT OF THE THIRD
DISTRICT. sF
Final action has been taken In the case Of Henry E.
Hunting, Superintendent Of the Third Life Saving
District Long Island. There were % charges
| against him. it being alleged that he had
! used his official position in the interest of
local politics, to the detrimcnt of the
ife-aving service. These charges accompanied
by statements accusing him of official corruption and
dishonest practices. There were ninety witnesses at
the examatiion Of the investigating committee and
the testimony covered 500 manuscript pages. The
committee came to the conclusion that sixteen of the
charges were unfounded also the allegation
that the Superintendent guilty Of official corrup-
ton and dishonest practices The four remaining
charges the committee say, partially true; that
is, that in several instances he swayed by pclit
cal influences in removals and appointments to Office
but that there was evidence that in consequence
there any life lost, that the service suffered
Apart from such conduct the highest commentator
is bestowed on the department for his efficiency.
The Chief of the Life Saving Bureau 8. j. Kimball
in reviewing the report Of the committee, says the
conduct Of the superintendent in the four instances
above mentioned was gravey reprehensble. and con-
stitutes breach OF duty to the spirit
and purposes of the life saving service;
adding tnat the pest class or men only
should be chosen for life saving work.
without regard to party views. Whoever makes the
criterion that men whose business it is to save life
may be chosen for their political or sec.arian views
or from any other than professional fitness
fails in his first duty to his fellow men, and
enters upon . course fraught with ruin to
the establishment; and further. the following
out Of such would be productive Of calamity
to seasarcrs wrong to the taxpayers. destructive to
the service and disgraceful to the country The
duct of Superintendent Hunting in becoming Access
sorry to movements tending to reduce his district to
shameful condition must be stigmatized as un-
worthy OF him and his otherwise unsullicd oficial
character, and merits severe censure Mr.. Kimball
concludes his report the Secretary of the Treasury
AZ follows:-
been taken to prevent the subordinaton of the
vice to local party ends disposition his part
act counter thereto has been apparent. but the
contrary there is evidence of his cheerful acques
cencc. In view OF this fact in view also OF his
high and honorable discharge. Of duty in
all other respects. as established by the
committee Of investigation and known at the De-
partmcnt. and considering, moreover that profess
sional experience such no has acquired is OF the
greatest value in this service, 1 should deem II
hardly equitable and certainly not in interests OF
the establishment to recommend any other action In
the premises than that dictated by the Importance
| OF keeping tho stations free from local politi-
cal dornnation--namcly. that letter be- addressed
+! anding OF the committee, admonshing him against
any repetition of such practices those proven upon
him. and cautoning him that they are considered TO
DO Of such gravity and s0 injurious to the interests
OF the service that their recurrence would be sum-
cient ground for removal.
The report Of Mr.. Kimball meets the formal ap-
proval Of the Secretary. and action win be taken in
accordance with his recommendation.
DIscoNTINUANcE OF THE POSTAL CAR SERVICE
FoREsHADowED.
".
be prepared for transmission to tho Speaker of the
House Of Representatives foreshadowing q discon-
tinuance Of tho postal car service in all
January next unless Congress shall in the
meantime make appropriation to continue It,
The total appropriation for railway mail transporta
ton during tho current fiscal year will las shown by
the Postmaster Generals annual repor fall short OF
meeting the cost Of fhe existing railway service
of all descriptions by about s5Ooooo The cost Of the
postal car system is about S1,O0o.000 per annum,
and the entire withdrawal OF the postal cars from
the LIST of January to tho 3oth OF next June will
therefore, effect saving Of 100000 and bring tho
expenditures Of railway transportation within the
total appropriation for the fiscal year. No step hav
ing yet been taken by Congress to supply the de.
iciency the Postmaster General feels compelled
though with great reluctance. to prepare for the
adoption of the above Indicated the only
means Of continuing even tho old system OF trans
porting the mails in first class without the pres
emit advantages Of speedy distribution while in tran.
sit. Section s,6T9 OF the Revised Statutes provides
that
No department Of government shall expcnd in any
one fiscal year any sum in Of appropriations
made by Congress for that fiscal year involve tho
government in shy contract for the future payment
Of money IN excess Of such appropriation