The New York herald., 1878-02-10
GENERAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.
WAsnrNerox. Fob. Q. 1873.

0CNCNPI VHSnIN0ION OCSFAISOES.
wAsnrSeroS. Fob 9, 1873.
SATISFACTORY PROGRESS ON THE NEW TARIFF.
Tho Committee OF Ways and Means were in session
to-day from halpast until three O'Clock, and have
thus far passed upon sch sdule Of the Tariff BILL
ating to cottoa and cotton goods, and schedule B,
relating TO earths and oarthenwarc. No amendments
been made TO tho original bill except OF verbal
character. The highest negative votes were two.
Mr. Wood, the chairman, anticipates that the bill will
be passed substantially as he prepared 1t.
MINISTER FOSTER ON OUR RELATIONS WITH
MEXICO.
A special meeting OF Representative Schleicher's
sub-Cornmistee on Foreign Affairs was held at the
Department OF State tpday at which Secretary Evarts
present The meeting was for the purpose Of
hearing statement from Minister Foster concern
ing AFFAIRS IN Mexico. He briefly rccited the
events in that country which terminated In tho eleva-
ton of President Diaz TO the Presidency, and stated
that our government had instructed him TO make
known to that OF Mexico Its desire to settle all pending
questions Of Disagreement between the two countro
including theft murder, aud plunder, violation
OF Offices custom houses, incursions by armed
10 destroy lie or property, cattle stealing (which
had become profitable occupationi and iOrccd loans
by which American citizens have been compelled TO
submit to unjust and unequal exactiOns.
He, IN accordance with Instructions from the
State Department, notified Diaz that some
guarantee OF arrangement for the ADJUST
mcnt OF the dlHlcultes must DO given the
condition precodent to any recognition rather than TO
trust TO possibility that It might ultimately fol.
low. The Mexican government gave the assurance
that they disposed to adjust and rectify theso
complaints and grievances and unwilling to
consent arrangement for concerted action be-
tween the military commanders of tho two countries
on tho frontier for the preservation Of peace and
order and the protection OF life and property
Senior Vallarta, the Mexican Secretary of Foreign
Affairs, whilo expressing tho anxiety OF his govern
ment for settlement of the dsagresments said that
his government could not consent to the considera-
sion Of any conditions precedent for recognition he
considered that they, a civilized nation,
had q right to recognition without conditions,
aud that upon all subjects, including treaties of
merce. both nations must act upon equality; there
fore tho Mexican government must rst bo recognized
before entering upon diplomatic negotiations
II was the opinion OF Minister Foster that, be-
fore anything could DO done In the way OF
recognition, Mexico must give some assurance
or show its ability 10 remove tho present
Of grievance. In the course OF his statement
he said that, portion Of the people on the Rio
Grande pro1ted by the raids into Texas and as re-
cruis Tor revolutions gathered that border,
there indisposition or timidity 10 interfere
with them. Ho gave. at length, a statement OF the
present political condition of Mexico. and stated that
NO treaty between United states and that country
could be enforced without first suppressng the raid.
ers The subcommittee will have another confer.
ence at the State Depart tmont next week.
BIDS FOR POSTAL SERVICE.
Tho opening Of proposals for the mail service west
OF the Mississippi in eighteen States and Terri
tories his been completed at the Post Onco
Department. Dakota, Montana, Idaho. Washing
ton Territory, Oregon aud California werc
disposed Of in this respect to-da wcck hus been
occupied this work, and the number OF bids aggre-
gates over twenty-five thousand. Next week tho
work Of recording tho proposals, embracing in each
case tho designation OF tho number OF the bid the
name OF tho bidder. route and the amount Of the bid
will be begun Alter this step tho proposals 60 to
the contract ofico and the awards are made
BRAVERY AND DEVOTION TO DUTY REWARDED.
General Myers. Chief Signal Ofncer OF the Army,
has issued tho following order:-
l desire to- commend the prompt and Jealous
lction during the metropolis storm" Of the
bon.commssioned officers in charge and their
assistants at the stations at Kitty. Hawk
Nortoik. Cape henry and Cape ; Ast,eras;
10 reinforce Cape Henry and the Metropolis wreck
station; and especially OF Corporal A. I. sherwood
received by messenger from tho wreck, at
len minutes To seven 7. VI. January 81, and
trtVAte Wllllam DAVIS, SlBnal SeTVlce, Uultcu
States Army, who, undor tho immediate direc-
tion OF Corporal Sherwood, starting on horseback
fully equipped within gtcen mnutcs after toe receipt
OF the notice OF the wreck at KITTY Hawk station
rode through tho night and the storm twenty miles
10 tho scene, and by twenty minutes past three A. NJ.
opened station Oh the signal coast telo-
graph line ana reported for service at the wreck
sending condensed report at four A. NJ, and there
renamed continuously. duty the open
beach keeping constant teographc commune
cation along the line with this Office
acting thus with faithful accuracy ant tor
uninterrupted tour Of duty vi twenty six hours
By this action Of the soldiers stations named all
telcgraphc Information from the wreck which has
reached the superior authorities or appeared in
the pross, and which stcps tor relief were
takcn, secured. For prompt and soldieriy
action, fidelity aud good service, Private
vice. United States Army, to date from January 81
1878. Upon receipt OF THIS order Corporal DAVIS will
take charge OF such papers as may DO the wreck
ALBERT J. MYERS,
Chief Signal Omcer, United states Army.
II appears IRON information sent TO the Signal Bu-
rcau, that the highest wind velocity of tho "Meropo-
lis stormr was at Cape Henry sixty miles, at Kitty
Hawk thirty-nine miles and at Cape Hatterss dfty
miles per hour. Tho cautionary signal had been dis
played at Cape May thirteen hours IN advance and at
Norfolk nineteen and half hours before the wind at.
tanned a velocity OF twenty-five miles per hour
REGULATIONS FOR BUILDLRs OF STEAMERS
AND BOILERS.
Captain Dumont, supervisIng Inspector General Of
Steamboats,, has addressed circular to SUPER
vising and local inspectors OF steam vcs-
sells, bo,lcrplate manufacturers, boilermak-
rrs and others, giving rules and regulations
as amended by the Board oil Supervising Inspectors
and approved by the Secretary Of the Treasury