The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-24
FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT.
WASHINGTON, May %, 1878.

WASHINGTON, May %. 1878.
AWAITING THE ARRIVAL OF MR.. HIsCoCK.
l, is likely that the Electoral Investigating Com.
mittee will Organize TO morrow. Mr.. HiscocK, who Is
detained by business In Syracuse cannot get here be-
fore Saturday and no has made special request that
nothing shall be done until he is in attendance To
this request tho other members are disposed TO defer
THE ARMY BILL IN THE HoUsE-rHE Es-
TABLIsHMENT RESTORED TO TWENTY-FIVE
THOUSAND MIN.
Tho republicans, In combination with the Texas
delegation secured control to-day, OF the army bill
in the House and restored the establishment 10
rs 600 They tried to amend the bill throughout
in Keeping with the present establishments, but the
minority dibustercd and delayed action to future
day. 1t is probable the bill will be rccommitted
with instructions amend 1t to conform its
general features to establishment of 25, 900 men,
THE ASSISTANT APPRAIsERsuIP or NEW
YoRK-MR. FRoTHINoHAMs NOMINATION
REJECTED.
Tho Senate in executive session to-day rejected the
nomination OF John b. Frothn rh to be Assistant
Appraiser at the port oil New York. MIR. Conkling
made speech against the confirmation, in which he
reviewed, tho circumstances oil the resignation OF
Alien and tho appointment OF rockingham. Ho
chained that Allen faithful and efficient officer
and that valid reason had been could DO
presented for his removal He asserted that Allen
was virtually removed. His resignation was
quesicd, and whom he gave H. to take effect upon the
appointment and qualification OF his successor Secre
tary Sherman accepted to take effect I'm odately
Mr. conkiing declared that this equivalent to
mova aud that thus forcing OF ofhco Official
appointed by the President and confirmed By tho Senate
Secretary sherman had excceood the limits OF official
proprioy, to say the least He referred 10 tho fact
that The Commitiee on Commerce had alter q careful
examination rs 10 Frothingham's character and
qualifications. submitted unanimous report recon-
mendiug that he be not confirmed This be thought
was sufficient TO decide the question. pnd he hoped
Mr. Frothing CHAM would be rejected. Mcssrs sauIs-
bury and Hill we're ine only senators who voted for
confirmation
THE RIVER AND HARBoR BILL BEFORE THE
SENATE COMMERCE COMMITTEE.
Tho Senate Committee on Commerce has called
upon the Secretary OF War for information relation
10 number oil the proposed river and harbor I'M
provements provided tor by the House Appropriation
bill, and will not finally act upon tho bill until the In
formation 10 received. II is Understood the bill viii
anne ded in many particulars, but tho committee
has not decided IN what form the amendments shall
&c reported.
CIVILIAN EMPoYEs IN THE ARMY AND NAVY
NOT LIABLE TO rEfAL ny COURT MARTIAL
controversy has existed for several years between
stat and general officers OF the army over the
right OF the military authorities TO Try civilian
cmployc Of the army by general court martial under
tho regulations and articles OF war; Tho question
was nfst raised at San Francisco In tho ease
OF qsartermaster's clerk VINO had forged vouchers
and checks and altered and raised vouchers, thereby
defraudng the government OF largo amounts OF
money. court martial ordered Ia the case, but
the power to try the clerk was ruled against here,
whcreupon MAJOR General Sehoaed issued an order d.
rectng trial 10 proceed Notwithstanding tho ruling
Tho clerk question lett the matter unsettled by
escaping from custody ana removing TO South
America. An order just issued to-day from
headquarters OF The army gives the formal opinion
Of Attorney General Dovcns, ruling that civilian en-
poy6s arc not liable 10 court martial As thcru are
considerably over 500 civilians employed in the
army. besides a large number in the navy. the
opinion is OF great interest TO tho service at large