The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-28
GENERAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.

{ 9 WASHINGTON Dec. q. 1878.
THE GERMAN MIssIoN-AN EXPRESSION FROM
THE pREsrDENT-A PROMINENT 1sRAELITE
URGED FOR THE PLACE. IaN f t
The President stated this morning in private con-
versaton that there seemed to be special urgency
in filling the German mission. and he remarked that
there are three candidates in Pennsylvanfs
Mcssrs. Hartranft Grow and Boker--and three in
New York, whose names he did not give, together
with as many more scattered in other States Fur
Their than this he was SILENT but the belief prevails
in other quarters that Secretary Evarts will designate
the appointee. subject to the approval Of the Pres
dent. Myer s. Isaacs. prominent Israelite. and
senior editor Of the JaciM Messenger of New York,
is being urged upon the President for the vacant mis-
sion.
FERNANDO WOOD AND THE WORK OF THE COM
anTTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS.
u Congressman Fernando Wood will not accompany
the subJudiciary Committee Of the House to New
York to take part in the socaed Davenport investi
CATION" He has already furnished the committee
with what he considers ample basis
for the inquiries directed by his resolu-
ton. and he is busily engaged preparing
measures for action by the Committee of Ways and
Means involving number of complicated questions
in regard to the revenue laws. The committee have
assigned three days to hear arguments the sugar
question immediately after the reassembling of Con-
gress, and will then dispose OF It and of many
pending as possible, in time to report
TO the Hse of Representatives by the 18th Of Janu
ary which day has been set apart by that body ex-
clusvely for the consideration Of business of the
Ways and Means Committee
REORGANIZATION OF THE ARMY.
The bill for the reorganization Of the army will be
called up after the holidays and General Ban
ton.
"a 81 ACCOUNTS. 4rn.
The Select Committee Of the Senate, Of which Mr.
Davis OF West Virginia. IL chairman. appointed to
investigate the reports and accounts Of the Treasury
Department has held several meetings since tho be-
ginning Of the session. Heretofore the meetings of
the committee have been devoted to the examination
of books and papers. but the fourth day Of Janr
AIRY the taking Of oral testimony will be begun.
1t is thought that exSecreary Boutwell, will be the
first witness, and thst he will be called upon to ex-
plain the discrepancy in the public debt statement,
which resulted, IL 10 said from achange in the system
Of keeping the Treasury books during his term of
Office tl1 .talttsa 9ae titr t81ha
PREVENTION OF COLLISIONS AT sYA--corRE-
sPoSDENcE BETWEEN THE BRITISH MINISTER
AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT ON THE PRO-
POSED INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS.
Sir Edward Thornton in September last addressed
letter to Secretary Evarts upon the subject
of the proposed international regulations
for preventing collisions ct sea. Sir Ed
ward says country has expressed general
dissent from them, and the governments
Of France. Italy. Spain and Portugal have formally
expressed their in the draft submitted to
their approval by Her Majestys government. Fur
thcr notifications were. however suggested by the
governments OF tho United States. Belgium, Dem
mark and Germany, and have been very carefully
considered by the joint committee appointed by the
Admiralty. Trinity House and Board Of Trade, to
whom they were referred. Sir Edward communicates
the documents and expresses the hope that the text
OF the proposed regulations finally adopted by the
joint committee will meet with the approval of this
government.
Acting Secretary of state Seward. replying to Sir
Edward in October informs him that copy Of the
international regulations for preventing collisions a
sea had already been submitted TO the Secretary Of
the Treasury. who thinks that these rules Of the
road by the several maritime nations will result in
mutual advantage and tend to lessen the dangers
of navigation the high seas With ref
to the provision of paragraph Of rule 10 OF
section 4233 of the Revised Statutes of the United
States. prescribing that vessels shall sound
steam whistle at intervals of not more than one
minute Mr. Seward states that the attention Of the
proper committee of Congress win DO called to the
propriety OF amending that provision in harmony
with the proposed international rules OF the road.