The New York herald., 1878-03-15
The Pacific Railroad Sinking
Fund in the Senate.
CHANGES IN THE NEW TARIFF BILL.
Extension Of Time for Payment Of Tax on
Distilled Spirits.
FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPOND ENT.

FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPOND ENT.
WASHINGTON, March IA, 1878.
THE CIVIL SERVICE REFonM MEssAaE-ANTr-
HAYES REPUBLIcANs AWAITING THE oPPoR-
ruNITY TO ATTACK THE PREsIDENT-wHAr
yRIENDs OF THE ADMINISTRATION SAY.
There arc rumors again OF o special message on the
civil service. Such message would have clear
and important advantage to the public. It would
lead to immediate and probably very bitter at
tack on the administration In open Senate, by the
ant-Hayos republicans. These ready to mako
such demonstration; they are indeed, rather anx-
ious for occasion to express their opinions publicly
Of the President ana his Cabinet and 1t is for tho
public interest that they should, possible,
have such fair occasion to do would be Afforded
them by civil service message. Hitherto they
have spoken and, II rumor in political circles may be
trusted, spoken with the utmost freedom only In
session Indeed, gets the idea from float
Ing reports that these sessions resemble very
often a general scoldins match, In which Senators
privately air ther grsfs and resentments aud dsap
pointments and talk scandal BY the hour This aoes
them 40 good and the administration NO harm, and,
worst OF ALL 1t does not enghten the country, which
gets impression that there is storm. but has NO
means oil knowing what 1t IL all about. public de-
bate, such would be caused by the submission TO
Congress OF message on the civil service, would let
the country know what is tho nature OF the differ
enccs between the administration the republican
leaders Congress- 1t would show what tn ese lead
want and why they disappointed with the
President and furious with his course, they un.
doubtedly are.
There is also q rumor that the President intends
shortly to send In new nominations Tor the two New
York Custom House Offices the Collector aud Sur.
II ha hou
nominations with general message the civil ser.
vics-a plan which he said TO have entertained
shortly alter the holidays
The friends OF the administration assert that as re.
CARDS ts managem Of the civil service during the
year 1t has been in power, while individual appoint
ments may be criticised It has, In fact very great
extent, Increased the efficiency, economy and purity
OF the public ssrvice that its efforts this direction
would have been still successful for the tact
that the President has boon hampcred by the Senate
nud that the evil Of Congressional interference in
appointments aad Congressional patronage have been
checked and indeed brought 70 end. gAey aaa
that In tho departments promotion Tor merit and
retention in olcc during good conduct have become
tho rule; that the insignificant number OF removals
shows this and that, but for the Tenure OF Office law
and the hostile attitude OF Senator's, the reforms
which have been complished throughout the coun-
try would have been carried much furthor that any
general review Of the condition OF the public service
aud comparison with auy period since the war will
show that the work Of administration has never In
that period been carried economically or efl-
cienty now, and that interference OF federal
officers ID the management OF partisan politics has
almost entirely ceased, to the great benefit OF the
country and Of the service; that wrongdoers have
been promptly removed and punished, peculation and
maladminis,raton have been brought to an end, ana
the federal officers all over the country have peou
made to feel that they vgiantly watched and can
hope for Immunity for misconduct neither from
political influences from the careessnoss of the
Executive.
These friends OF the administration add that the
New Hampshire election shows that there is no such
dissatisfaction in the ranks OF the republican party
with the Presidents course opponents pretend
and they satisfied that any calm, general re.
view, after any aud full discussion tho nd min.
istration will be justified by the country; even on
that point about which there has been tho most
trouble, It's management oil the civil service whilc
Its settlement oil the Southern troubles Its attitude
the currency question and its other policies need
no justification, because they already proved TO be
wise in tho general esteem. Tho country they say.
wanted reform OF abuses which had become great
and scandaious IL sees that the President is con-
stany, AS far ~ bis power goes, establish log these
reforms; that he has, IA fact In single year purided
the public service and greatly increased its efficiency
and economy, and that he we'll afford 10 await tho
public verdict on his course far-which course and
policy, they add, he docs change because
he believes that the three objects sought and
Will continue to SEEK to attain demanded by the
best interests OF the country. These three objects
they declare to bc-the permanent settlement OF the
Southern question, the resumption OF specie pay
and tho liberation of the OF tho country
from the control OF tho onlce-hoiders
NEW SILVER DOLLARS IN EXCHANGE FOR
GoID-METHoDs OF ISSUING OPEN TO THE
SECRETARY OF THE TREAsURY-THE NEVADA
SILVER MEN SEEKING FOR CORNER ON
THE GOVERNMENT.
Secretary sherman surprised Congrcssmen and
others here today who to the Treasury the
new silver dollars by tho announcement that they
could be obtained only exchange for gold A little
consideration, however, shows that he necessarily
came 10 this determination He had our days open to
him In which 10 put silver dollars into circulation -
FSrst--ro pay them out in the ordinary disburso-
nents OF the government but there is not and will
not be for long time to enough coined to pay
all or nearly all the running expenses this method
was Impossible because II would have obliged him to
pay some people in grcenbacks and some in silver.
which would arougo general dissatisfaction.
Second-Ho might exchange silver dollars for green.
backs but this would caute contraction, which Con-
gress does not think desirable.
Thi,d--He could have undertak on to pay out silver
dollars for the interest OF the debt there are not
enough to pay ALL and TO pay in part would be DIS
crimInatc and to justly dssatsiy IL holders OF bonds
fourth--He can pay silver dollars out In exchange
for gold coin, and no needs bunion buy this
wiih the silver he has coined. TINS is what will
do and by this the dollars Will undoubtedly be
maintained a. near par Of gold for year
10 come, and possibly Tor longer time,
MS, aside from the quantity which Will
be required and used for tho payment OF customs
duties, tho country will absorb an unknown amount
rs subsidiary currency Silver bullion Is now held at
ahighcr price In San Francisco than in London. 1t
looks as though tho nine owners, who arc few In
number and who control the supply In California and
Nevada were putting up the price on the government