The New York Herald Newspaper, December 20, 1871, Page 3

NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1871.—TRIPLE SHEET, WASHINGTON. Tho Fight in the House on the Labor Bill. Conkling’s Compromises on the Retrench- ment Commission, : Wow Busland Got Possession of a Missing Vol- .-tame and What Has Come of It The Civil Service Message In and Out of Congress. The Mormon Machiavelli’s 4 Latest Move. “Straw Bids—Specie Payments—Marine “Registry“The New York Na- tonal Bank Failures. ae - WASHINGTON, Deo, 19, 1871. Some Business Transacted in the Senate at Last=The* Okicage Court House Bill—The Retreachment Committee and What it Has te Inivestigute—Gipt, the Recusant Witness. The proceedings in the Senate to-day were devoid of that profound interest which characterized the long’ and ferov’ political battle of the past two ‘Weeks. Something like practical legislation was once more attempted. The House bill appropri- ating $4,000,000 for erecting the public buildings at Chicago was passed, with unimportant amend. | ments, and resolutions were adopted instruct- ing-'the new Committee on Investigation a@nd« Retrenchment to inquire into’ the recent defaications in General Spinner’s office, the Hodge defalcation, the case of Callender, the Bank Examiner, and the “General Order Business” in tne New York Custom House, with the alleged connec- tion .of the Waite House with the fraudulent trans- actions. ‘The last named inquiry is founded on the resolu- tdon offered by Senator. Conkling yesterday, but it ‘was to-ay amendod by Mr. Schurz, 80 as to de- velop the corrupt practices of officials of every arade: in the Custom House, and Mr. Tipton further amended it so a8 to cover the allegations of the use of public money in the Syra- use-Convention last summer. Mr. Conkling said the purpose of the latter amenament was very evi- ent, but he was willing to accept everythiig Which Senators could suggest. The only comment which is made on this result Of these singular proceedings 1s that it would have been better to have accepted the inevitable before the fignt’ began than after 1t was over. Mr. Chandier, in moving that so much of the President’s ‘Message as refers to the telegraph system of the country be referred to the Committee on Commerce, took occasion to make a flerce atiack on the Associated Press; but ke did not go into the merits of the President's recommendations in re- gard to 8 postal telegraph, nor evince much know- Jeage of the princ ples of newsgathering. The subject 1a @ yery interesting one, ana is 60 far from. being distestetul to Senatorial committees that it consideration was poatponed till Mr Ramsey, chairman of Post OMices and Post Roade, could be on hand toe claim 13 Senator Scott brought up tne case of Gist, the secusant witness from South Carolina, who failed to testify before the committee charged with the Investigation of Southern outrages, but without making any disposition of tne matter, the Senate ‘went into executive session. This was the result of the first business day Of the Senate, I/ it amounted to Mttle, it was at least a step ‘toward business, though the business of President-making cannot fail to be the great purpose of the whole ression. The Labor Question: Among Protectionists, Free Traders jorance In the Honse of Rep. ‘The Debate te Close To-Day. In the House to-day, after the passage of several other unimportant resolutions, the subject of the Labor Commission was again introduced, Mr. Boar’s vill being under consideration. An ani- mated discussion arose in regard to the arrauge- ment of the debate. Mr. Perce, chairman of the Committee on Education and Lavor, after ineffec- tual effort to come to an understanding, gave notice that to-morrow, at one o'clock, hé should close the @ebate. This’ proposition did not meet with lavor from the other side, who wish>d for more ume to discuss the provisions of the vill, Mr. Perce pro- eedea to explain the nature of the work to be ac- complished by this commission, whose business it shail be to inquire into the cause of discontent among the working people, and of the relations of capitaland labor. Mr. Perce has evidentiy given Jought to this subject, and brings earnestness ana practical suggestions in regard to it. ‘the opposi- tion followed up the initiative taken when the bill was first presented. Mr. Campbell offered a Bubstitute to Mr. Hoar’s bill in the form of ® proposition for a joint committee, but was ruled out of. order. Mr. Storm, of Pennsylvania, showed great courage in standiig up against the high tariff ideas of his own State, at the same time that he favored inquiry into the subject of eaucation and labor. He favored @ comuittee of inquiry rather than a commission, and met the whole ques- ton gracefully and ably. Messrs, Cox and Kerr arraigned the republican party before the bar of public opinion as tne criminal in the matter of op- pression and wrong against the laboring ‘Classes, and showed that thé machinery which 46 grinding the iife out of them 1s tne tariff and high taxation. Mr. Slocum spoke of the poor man generally. He said the President was poor once himself, but through tne partiality of his trlends he was poor no longer. He named acom- mission, which he offered as an amendment, con- sisting of Horace 4. Day, Richard Trevellick and Alexander Troup. Mr, Townsend, of Pennsylvania, spoke of the President’s Civil Service Message as a proof of de- sire to correct abuses. Mr. Hawley favored the bill, Mr, Ambler wanted the Bureau of Statistics to do the work proposed. Mr. Farnsworth thought the Committee on Education ana Lavor would have plenty of time to attend to it. Mr. Killinger proposed to give it in charge of the head of the Agricultural Bureau, He aiso wished to limit the term 01 the commission to one year, and to have a practical mmer on the commission, Mr. Kelley made a plea for protection, and sent a letter to the Clerk to be read, vindicating his position. Mr. Ste venson, of Ohio, followed in & warm appeal for @ reduction of taxes, Between the pro- tectionists, revenue reformers and the tgno- france wiich seems to prevalt upon the whole subject the bill providing for a commission to investigate the labor question 18 having a stormy time. The vote will be taken at ‘one o'clock to-morrow, ana its fate at present looks q@oubiful, A little sparring occurred over Mr. Gar- Meéld’s resolution asking for an appropriation of $7,000 to defray the expenses of the Committee of. Investigation on Southern Outrages. Mr. ‘Wood inquired if there was any constructive mafeage to be paid from this appropriation, Mr. Eldridge withdrew his motion for the reading of @ne bill upon. consent being given that it be con- as read, and it was agreed, amid great that when printed in the Glove it should id in his remarks. i then adjourned in better spirits and ‘brighter looks than they commenced the day. ‘The Legal Tendor Discussions. ‘The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United Giates to day announced to the Bar that the opinions in the legal tender cases will be read at an bet bela at ie atid that the delivery of opinions Ly ed at the request of tare nxttnority, ghee it The House Civil Service Committee. ‘The House Committee on the reorganization of ‘880 Civil Bervice have commenced ther labors by ? investigating the House expenditures, and particu- larly as to the employment of clerks of committees, ‘the latter branch having been referred to them by @ Tegolution of the House, The committee, without coming to any conclusion have adjourned uutil after the holidays, Opisitons on the Political Result of the Presi- dent’s Message Divided—The New Hamp- ahire Fifth Auditor. The reception of the President’s Message trans- mitting the report of the Civil Service Commission and announcing that the system therein proposed would go into operation on and after the lat of January next, develops most forcibly the shuttle- cock oature of all the talk gmong different factions of the republican party relative to civil service reform. The political bearings of the Message are regarded as very important and on all sides and parties it will be used with effect against. the President. The prevailing opinion appears to be that the decided air it bears of sestéimg a ques- tion out of which politicians generally; and republi- cans especially, expected to make considerable capital, is .am assumption that will not favorably affect the Presidential expectations of an easy renomination. It is openly asserted that this Message is suré to make Grant’s road auring the coming battle-summer @ very hard one to travel. On the other hand, his special friends out of Con- gress claim that the Message is a splendid fank movement, sure to turn the position so hardly won by the recalcitrant republican senators, and leave him master of the situation, Whatever may be the result, the imsincerity of most of the cry for reform is made very clear by these comments on the Message. The action of the Senate to-day, m confirming an ex-Congressman, Mr. Kla, of New Hampshire, for Fifth Auditor, as well as that of the President in nominating him, ts a still stronger prooi of the shuttlecock character of the agitation. New Englan republicans want to wrest New Hampshire from the democracy, so Mr. Ela 1s ap- pointed over the head of a worthy chief ‘clerk, who should have had the place. Telegraph Wire Reduction—“Straw Bids” in the Post Office Department—A Bill with Dangerous Powers, The President of the Western Union Telegraph Company was before the Committee on Ways and Means this morning, and made an argument in behalf of a proposed reduction on telegraph wire. No action was taken. The Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads was in consultation with the Postmaster General, who urged the commiitee to sustam Houuse bill 609, introduced by Mr. Farnswortn on the 11th inst. which relates to proposals and contracts for trans portation of the mails and for otner purposes. Mr. Farnsworth reporied the bill py order of the com- | mittee and 16 was read. It aims professedly to give the Postmaster General power to refuse “straw bids” and generally to overthrow an irresponsible contract system, which, it iss claimed, has grown imto a great abuse, and providing that persons putting in straw bids and failing to fill, or withdrawing from the contract when called to perform service, may be punished with fine and imprisonment. No bidder shall be released from obligation because of a tower Did until after @ contract 13 closed with Other parties. The Postmaster General is to have the power to roject bids which may to him appear to be fraudulent or ficticious. He may also contract on the best terms obtainable with other parties, if a regular bidder or contractor shall fail to enter or fulfll a contract, The rest of the bill relates to the money order nusiness. It 18 claimed by many persons that the powers given in the matter of contracts, and so forth, are too great so be trusted to a Postmaster General, and will be used to the disadvantage of contractors and car- Medera Diplomacy—The Miss- of Oar Statement for Geneva— Did It Fall into the Hunds of the Endlich t— Who ts to Blame Mr, Eldridge, of Wisconsin, introduced a resolu- tion into the House to-day im regard to the printed copies of the case presented by the United States before the Geneva Conference, which promises to yleld some very Tich developments. The resolution requires Mr. Fish to inform the House in what lan- guages the statement was printed, the an- ewer to which will likely provoke much comment, the facts of the case being that the argument was rendered into Spanish as well ag English, French and Portuguese, but for what pur- pose it 1s dificult to underatand, as neither Spain nor the Spanlards.nave any connection wit the Con- ference, Ths circuntstanos, "so slight in itself, and Yet so unnecessary, creates muoh talk in well-in- formed political circles, especiaily.as the reports concerning Spanish interlerenoe with the Confer. encehave become so painfully common, and are still so incomprehensible, But Mr, Eldridge’s resolution aims at ® more important matter even than an explapation of this anomaly. Acopy of our statement was lost early in Novem- ber, aud there is @ suspicion that it fell into the Nands of the English government and was used by them to our immense disadvantage in the prepara- tion of their statement, by availing themselves in advance of a tull knowledge of our case. The story countenanced by the State Department is that the book was lost in whe streets of Washington, and as the particular volume which went astray was among the first, if not the very first, which came from the binder, the fears that it may have falien into the hands of the English seem only wo well grounded, It 18 well known here that the State Department gave out copies of this work, under restrictions as to secrecy, to international lawyers, like ex-President Woolsey, of Yale College; William Beach Lawrence, of Rhode Island, and Mr, Beamus, of Boston, and some of these gentlemen have used the volumes entrusted to them for the purpose of making articies for the public press. It is not supposed, however, that any of the articles which bave appeared were made from the lost volume, and it is understood that the Secretary of State is not in ignorance of the hands in which the missing book was placed, Nothing is known of the present wherea»outs of this missing volume, but many hypotheses are indulged tn, one of these being the impossibility of losing the bulky work in the streets, or except by de- sign. The Secretary of State can scarcely avoid, under the resolution, the necessity of giving the House of Representatives the name of the person to whom the book was committed and a sketch of its history, 80 taras itis knowe to the State Department. : It 18 intimated on excellent authority that the sequel may show not only the gross careiessness which is manifest in the facts already revealed, but @ chapter of secret history whtch will go far to ex- plain the story of Spanish interest and interierence at Geneva. Consolidation of Internal Revenue Districts— Refunding Taxes—The North Carolina Sen- atorsbip. The President to-day ordered the consolidation of the Fifth and Sixth Internal Revenue districts of Wisconsin. The Secretary of the Treasury to-day issued the following circular:— Tne regulation ordered by this department August 3, 1869, limiting applications for refundiug taxes to two years irom the aate of payment of the tax and two years from that date in cases of claims already accrued Is haraly so modified ‘as to allow the presentation of claims now existing until the 30th day of June, 1872, ‘The Senate Committee on Elections and Privileges meet on Thursday to consider the credentials of Mr. Vance, of Nortn Carolina, and Mr. Abbot's claims to contest his seat, Neither gentleman is ikely to get a favoraple report. Plans for the Resumption of Specie Pay- ments. The House Committee on Banking and Currency, in session this morning, considered the question of resumption, aud finally referred all bills before the committee tor examination and report to a sub- committee consisting of Messrs. Waldron, Munroe and Cox, The only bills referred to the committee so far fare those of Messrs, Merrick, of Maryland, and Lynch, of Maine. The former proposes to allow the payment of custom dues in greenbacks, and the latter propounds an elaborate scheme for re- suming specie payments. This bill directs that on and after May 1, 1872, all Treasury notes received by the United States Treasurer in the ordinary course shall be aestroyed, and the Secretary shall issue de- mand notes of the same denominations, payable in coin six mbnths after date, All pational bank notes are after same date to be redeemed by the banks in United Staves legal tender notes. Tne Secretary May, at nis discretion, after the payment Iu specie has begun, shorten the time from six to vhree Months, This is tne principal feature of the bill, which alms to make resumption both gradual ahd continuous. The sub-committee will report after the hohdays ana the feeling of the Banking and Currency Committee is understood to favor quite strongly a resumption measure of some kind, Pina for a United States Marine Registry. The Committee on Commerce have under con- sideration Senator Wilson's bill to establish a gov- ernment Marine Registry of American and foreign shipping.’ Thete are to be three surveyors in each maritime Gtate—ones practical shipbuilder, another a steam a he thir a sea captain—who are to inspect all vessels bullt or arriving withm their jurisdiction and fasue certificates of registration under seal. Vessels are to be rated under three classes, with three grades to each cluss. Wooden vessels may be classed in the first rate for nine and twelve years, and tron vessels for seventeen or twenty years, There is to be @ Surveyor General at Washington, and owners are to have the right of appeal to him from the local surveyor, and from him to the Secretary of the Treaeury. The whole number of surveyors are constituted a board to prepare rules and specifications for the construction of vessels, subject tothe approval of the Chief of the Bureau of Coostruction in the Navy Department. ‘The National Bank Failures in New York. At the session of the House Committee on Bank- ing and Currency to-day the subject of present sus- Pension of national banks in New York was under consideration. Mr. Cox, of New York, suggested that an investigation should be made into the manver in which business was conducted by the banks, with the view of ascertaining whether further legislation was not re- quired to protect the people from frauds, resulting im the adoption by the House of the resolution of- ferred by Mr. Hooper, instructing the Committee on Bankimg and Currency vo mvestigate the causes which led to the suspension of te New York na- tionals banka. The matter has been entrusted to Messrs. Smith, of Vermont; Merriam, of New York, and Randall, of Pennsylvania, who will visit New York during the holidays and take testimony, Senatorial © onfirmations. The Senate in executive session to-day confirmed the following nominations:— Benjamin J. Sweet, Deputy Commissioner of In- ternal tevenue; David W. Manon, First auditor of tne Treasury; Lewis 4. Douglass, Member ol tne Council tor the District of Columbia; Moses Nv Acams, Indian Agent for Dakota ferritory; A. T. A, ‘Yorbert, oi Delaware, Consul General at Havana. Consu/s.— Stuart Harues, of Connecticut, at Kio Negro; Thomas ‘f, Prentiss, of Vermont, at Mati; ee H. Hawes, of District of Columbia, at Hoka- a Collectors of Customs, - Charles 8, Knglish, for Georgetown, D. C.; William Gilvey, for Newark. N, d.; Edward M. Sandy, for, Rappahannock, Va; Joseph A. Starkweather, St. Mark’s, Fia. keceivers of Pubic Moneys—D. L, Qual, for Stephen's Point, Wis. Regisiers of the Land Ofice.—S. H. Abans, at Stephen’s Point, Wis.; Hiram W, Parker, beatrice, Nebraska; P. B. .ason, Humboldt, Kansas; Hart- ford L. Gordon, St Cloud, Minn.; Irving W. Stan- ton, Kansas Valley, Colorado; Frank Welsh, West Point, Nebraska; Samuel P. Lathrop, Central City, Colorado, Assessors Of Internal Revenue.—Jonn W. Ross, Filth district of Indiana; T. . Brooks, First district of Virginia. Colivciors of Internal Revenue,—C. Todd, Second Minnesota; Andreas Wilimana, Ninth New York, vice Franz Sigel, resigned; George W. Ward, First Texus; Jonn J. Mott, Sixth North Carolina; George 8. Richards, Second Virginia. Naval.—Firet assistant Engineer Henry 8. Davids to be Chief Engineer in the Navy; Christopher KR. PF. Rodgers to be Uhief of the sureau of Yards and Docks; Damel Ammen, Chet of the Bureau ot Navi- action; Jonathan M. Foove, Chief of the Bureau of leucine and 3urgery; Joun 8. Van Metee, to ba chapiain im the navy; Lieutenant Commander Weld M. Allen, to be commauder; Lieutenant Com. mander Nathaniel Green, to be commander; Com- odore Charies steaumap, admiral; Opp. in a, B, Waiséy, to be Com: ; Captains Alex. iurray and Edward Donaldson to be commodores; Commanders Homer U. Biake, Clark A. Wells, Stephen P. Quackenoush and Kari Englisn, to be captuins; Lieutenant Commanders John M. (Quack- eabush and ‘Thomas Eastman, to be commanders, and a bomber of other naval Promotions in the lower grades, rresidential Nominations, ‘The President sent the following nominations to the Senate to-day:— Daniel Turuey, of Penusylvania, to be Consul at Osaca and Hioga; William H. God- dard, United States Judge Eastern district of Texas; J. ‘1, Denver, Collector of Internal Revenue Fourth aistrict, Georgia; wenjamin S. Bell, Collector Inter- nai Revenue, Second district, Georgia; George D. Cross, Jr., Surveyor of Customs, Pawsutuok, R. £; Leonard B. ayer, ‘Kegister Land Baie ng Ce ont on, Maat ward Pine, of Publi Belmy Nev.; First Licuteant Herman . ¢! , to tain of the Ninth cavalry; Second Licatenant Wil- liam W. Tyler, to be first, Heutenant Ninth cavalry, ana Second Lieutenant John Little, to be first eu- tenant Fifteenta infantry. Assisiant ‘Tre. Tatile All Right. United States Treasurer Spinner authorizes an empnatic denial of the statements sent abroad from this city to tne effect that Assistant ‘reasurer Tuttle will retire from that office in consequence of recent developments of the Murden-Johnson defaication. Mr. Spinner states that there has never been the slightest sus- picion of wrong or Hegligence on the part of Mr. Tuttle or Cashier Wyman, both of whom have his unbounded confidence, and with neither o1 whom he would part without exceeding regret, Emoezalers Indicted. To-day the Grand Jury found a true bill of indict- ment against F, A. Marden, charging him with em- vezzling $12,000 of the lawful money of the United States, and against Seth Johnson, charged with em- bezzling $10,000, The Grand Jury also found three indicuments against Michael sStrohmier, charging him with forging the endorsements on the certifi. cates 01 pay of the Beatty Company, of Tennessee, Tue Public Buildings tu +t. Louis. The Honse Committee on Appropriations to-day considered the subject of government buildings in St, Louls, it being proposed as 4 prellofinary move- ment to appropriate $300,000, the enture amount | required being $2,000,000, The Daughters of Cuba. A delegacion of Cuban ladies from New York—Mrs, ‘Anna B. de Mora, Mrs. de Ayramente, sirs. Quesada aoa Mrs. Kmella ©, de Villaverde, Secretary oi the League of the Daughters of Cuba—calied on the President to-day with reference to Cuban affairs, ‘They will call again to-morrow by appointment, Ccnsus Keturna. ‘The following is the aggregate of returns for the year ending June 1, 1870, received at the Cémaus Ofice, applied to the entire country:— acres improved seee 188,800,761 acres woodlan is ++ 168,008,121 ‘Acres unimprove: 50,338,633 Cash value of farms. $9,261,775,121 Gash value Of agricultural impicments. $336, 800,87 Wages paid.. $310,0 Farm products. $2, ‘Vulue of live stock. 76),963, 204 282,005,996 29,761,265 ‘Wine, galions.. Cheese, pounds.. Butter, pounds, Milk, gallons, Hay, tons., Hops, pounds, Sugar (cane), pounas Sugar (maple), pounds. Molasses (Cane), gallon: Molasses (sorghum), galions. Our Relations with Spain. {From the Providence Journal (Senator Anthony's organ), Dec, 19.) ‘There are many people, both at Washington and elsewhere, who earnestly desire to see a war be- tween this country and Spain for the acquisition of Cuba, and some of them, we regret to say, are very reckless as to the manner in which it may begin. war seldom breaks out so suddenly as the ington correspondents seem to think possible. Our grievances with Spain, so tar as the public is acquainted with them, arc, at the most, not very serious, and we have borne them so long that we may naturally be expected to bear them a littie longer. Weare hardly likely to to satity the speculators in the Cuban insurrection, especially walle the Geneva Conference is in ses- sion. If there t» anything wWarlige in the wind the public mast Know it very soon; for the rumors are growing stronger and more positive every day. MUNIOIPAL ELEOTION, Warsrrown, N. Y., Dec. 19, 1871. in this city to-day resulted a the citizen oeeh | I. jo to war merely CIVIL SERVICE. Message from President Grant Ac- companying the Report of the Commissioners. “TO THE PUBLIC BELONG THE SPOILS,” Synopsis of the Report—The Rules—Competi- tive Examinations Instituted. When the New Order Takes Effect. The President's Message. WASHINGTON, Dec. 19, 1871. TO THB SENATE AND HovsE OF REPRESENTA- TIVES: — In @ccordance with the act of Congress approved Maro 3, 1371, I convened a commiasion of eminent gentlemen to devise rules and regulations for the purpoee of reforming tne civil service. ‘Thetr labors are now complete, and I transmit herewith their re- port, together with the rales which they recommend for my action. These rules have been adopted, and jwill go into effect on the lst day of January, 1872 Under the law ives to, as I _ interpret ft, the autharity is already invested in the Executive to enforee these reguiattons, witn full power co abridge, alter or umend them at his option when changes may be deemed advisabie, These views, together with the report of the commissioners, are submitted for your careful consideration, as to whether farther legislation may be necessary in order to carty out an effective and bene- ficial civil service reform. If left to me, Without furtier Congressional action, the rules prescribed by the commission, under the reserva- tion’ already mentioned, will be faithfally executed; but they are not binding without further legisla. tion on my successors. Being Jesirous of bringing this subject to the attention of Congress before the approaching re- cesa, Lhave not time to sufficiently examine the accompanying report to enable me to suggest de- finite legislative action to insure the support which may be necessary in order to give a thorough trial to @ policy lomg needed, Task for all the strengtu which Congress can give me to enable me to carry out the reforms in the civil service recommended by the commissioners and adopted to wake effect, as before stated, on January 1, 1872, The ldw which provides for the convening of a commission to devise rules and regulations for re- forming the civil service authorizes, I think, the permanent organization of a primary board under whose general directions all examinations of appil- cantes for pubic office shall be conducted. ‘There is no appropriation to continue euch a board beyond the termination of its present labors, I therefore recommend that @ proper appropriation be made to continue the services of the present board for another year, and in view of the fact that three members of the board hold positions im the public service, which precludes them trom recetving extra compensation under existing laws, that they be authorized vo receive a fair compensation for extra service sendece . by them in the performance of this duty. ’ U, & GRANT. LXROUTIVE MANSION, Dec. 19, 1871, The Repert of the Civil Service Commise sioners. Subjoimed is a synopsis of the report referred to in the President’s Message:— The Civ Service Commissioners, @fter citing the act under which they were constituted a coinmis- sion, enter upon a sketch of the policy OF the various aomintatrations ta the earlier history of the govern- ment with regard to appolatment to the civil ser- viee and briefly note the various erforta made from, time to time to correct — evil: aud then pass to a description the . mt condition of the civil service, whieh has hitnerto veen sustained by common c7n- sent, setting forth in detatl the serious and threat euing evils of the present practice of treating the imierior poste of the admunisiration as part, prizes, and answering various arguments by waic! it sought to be justified, They say that if, by ex- m for admission to the civil service, nothing jerstood but @ test of mere ite! ois mugnt be reasona: tory; for i¢ is ung that @ man might be an _ excellent appraiser of linen, and yet know nothing of history or of accounts; but, on the other hand, it is equally undeniable that an excellent appraiser of Imen is not tne less excellent because of general intelll- gence. Of two excellent accountants the one who has the most general knowledge 1s certainly prefer- able, and @ cvantry which deciures that, where technicat skill is equai, it wil: select une candidate for its service who is the better educated, 1s a country Which directly and practically encourages intelngence aud morality. it is true that certain distinguished men in the public service might not have passed a certain literary examina- tion, Which is now required of young men entering Ube same service; but it is equally true that the older men could have passed the examination had it, in their case, Deen required, and the proot ts the capa- city Of which their present disticuion 1s the evidence. ‘The commissioners say in concluding their report:. OW do not, indeed, suppose that the adoption of ay rules, however skiliully framed, would at once remedy the evils a im the civil service which are universally acknowledged, and experience wili doubtless show how every method of reform may be improved. Bat those evils will cersainly not be remedied without an effort. Those who are content to demand civil service reform, but who oppose every practical at- tempt to promote it, must be suspected o: having little rea@i hostility to the sys:em which they decry. Forvunately, however, public attention was never more resolutely turned to a subject, and there ‘was never @ more favorable moment to begin the retorm, The party issues of the Jugt few years arg gradually disappearing. The perlions questions of Tundamental policy have been determined, and the paramount interesis of the country are now those of ‘the administration. Honesty and _ eff. ciency of the ad. national policy will now be tne chie demand of every party. But nowhere can that ey ok be shown so plainly as in the reformation of the civil 3.1 vice, 80 as to secure In- texrity, efficiency and economy.” Alter guoting irom @ recent speech of Mr. Glad- stone to show that a similar reform has been made and bas succeeded in kngland, tae Commissioners continue:— propose also that in this coua- places in the public service shall be restored to those who are ound 1o be fillea by thew, and if any One 18 disposed to think that an abuse of forty years 1s a law ot the republican aystem @ iitue redection will show him his error. If he beiléves a reform to be impossible he merely shows that be is the victim of the abuse and forgets that in America every reorm. 18 possi- bie. The eniorcement of the rules that we suomi for approvat depends, of conrse, upon the pleasure ofthe President; yet should tuey receive the sanction of Vongress in the Jorm of jaw, Uneir enforcement Would become, until repealed, hot only the pieas- ure, but the duty of the President, That sauction, whether to the rules now sabmitted or to any scheme, wili more surely proniote that purity aad eflic.ency of the civil service which the country most earnestly desires, If thatsanction should be delayed the rules adopted for his acuion by the President could not bind his successor; but, unless we are wholly iis taken, the reform wonld go vindicate itself whe good sense of the country that the people them- selves would reject any party and any candidate that proposed to relapse into the present practice. The improvement of the civil ser- vice is emphutically the people’s cause, the people’s reform, aud the administration which vig- orously begins it will acquire a glory only 1¢s8 than that of the salvation of a tree Union. GEOKGE WILLIAM CURTIS, ALEXANDER G, UATTELL. JOSEPH MEDILL, DAVIDSON A. WALEER, E. B, ELLIOTT. JOSEPH H. BLACKFAN, DAVID ©, COX. Rules for Admission to Civil Service. ‘rhe following are the rules submitted by the Com- missioners:— 1, NO person shall be admitted to any position in the civil service within the appointment of the President or the heads of departments who 18 not @ ciuizen of the United States, who shall not have furnished satisiactory evidence in regard to char- acter, health and age, and who shall not have passed @ satisfactory examination in speaking, reading and wr.ting the English language, 2 AD advisory board of suitable persons to be employed by the President under the ninth section oft the act of March 3, 1871, entitied, “an act mak- ing appropriations for sundry civil expenses of tne for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1872, purposes,” shail, 80 far as practicable, grou) ns in each branch of the civil service, according to tne character of the duties to be performed, and shall grade each group from the lowest to the highest for the purpose of promotion within the grou; Admission to the civil service shall always be to the lowest grade of any group, traded, to all he get be Semmes be grouped or miasion a jetermined wided for the fewest le. ea oh vacancy oovusring 14 the lowest grade of any | cad group of oMicers shall be filled, after due public no» lice, from ali applicants who snail present them. selves and who shall have furnished the evidences and satisfied the preinminary examination already mentioned, and who shat! have passed a pubilo competitive examination to test their knowleage, pecial qualifications for the performance 1 the office, ‘The Board couducting sach competitive nation shall ary under the supervision the Advisory ‘d, @ lstof the pone het Oe nyo > the order of their excel- P examination, beginni. with the and shall then certity to, the ae nating or pS, power, aa the case may be, the nm at the 4 Cong 3 not Oe aua from names thus certitie itmens shall be made, grade of a group of 4. A Vacancy secarring ip ofMcers above tne lowes! shall be filled by a com- Of applicants from the other of that group, the list of names from ‘whica the appointment is to be made shall ve pre- tifled rovided in the pi ing pared cer! nt meni all applicants, ‘conductea,in, accontance witn the Provisions for admission in (he lowest grade. 6. Applicants, certified or otherwise, qualified for appointment as cashiers of collectors of customs, cashiers of asvistant treasurers, cashiers of post- Masters’ superintendent of money order division ! ip post offices, and such other cus jtodians of suma of money as may hereafter pe designated the Advisory rd, aud for whose pecuniary fidel- ity another officer is responsibie, shall nevertheless not be appointed, except with the approval of such other officer. 6. Postmasters whoge annual salary is less than $200 may be appointed upon the writien request of Applicants, with such evidence of character and fitness as stall be satisfactory to the head of the department, 5 7. The appointment of all persons entering the civil service in accordance with these regula- Uons, excepting persons appointed by the President and with the advice and consent of the Senate, postmasters and persons appointed to any position in a foreign country, shall ce made fora probationary term of 81x mouths. during waich the conduct and capacity of such persons shall be tested, anc if, at the ent of such probatiouary term, satisfactory proofs of their fitness shall have been furnished by the Boara of Examiners to the head of the department tn which they snali have been employed during sald term, they shall be reappointed, & The President will designate three persons in each department of public service to serve as a Board of EXaminers, which, under the supervision of the Advisory Board, and under regulations to be presceibed by it, and at such times and places as it may determine, shall conduct personally or by persons approved by whe Advisory Board all investi- gations and examinations for admission into said departments or for promotion therein. 9 Any person who, after long and faithful service in department, shall be incapacitated by mental or bodily infirmities for the eitictent discharge of the duties of his poajtion, may be appointed by the bead of the department, at his discretion, to a position of less responsibdulity in the same departmenr, 10, Notaing in these rules shull prevent the ap- poiutment of aliens to positions in the consular service, which by reason of small compensation or of other sufficient cause are, in the judgment of the appolating power, necessarily so filled. nor the @pbointinent of such persons within the United Staces as aremmdispenaible (0 a proper discharge of the duties of certain positions, but who may not be familar with the English language or legally capa- ble of naturalization, Ji, No neaa of a department nor any subordinate oficer of the government shail, as such officer, au- thorige or assist in levying any assessment of money for political purposes, under the form ot Voluntary contriputions or otherwise, upon any person em- ployed ander his control, nor shall any such persoa pay any money so assessed. 12, the Advisory Board shall at any time recom- mend to the President such changes 10 these rules agit may consider necessary to secure the greater efficiency of the civil service. 13, From these rules are excepted the heads of departments, assistant secretaries of departments, Assistant Attorney General and First Assistant Postmaster General, Solicitor General, Solicitor of the Treasury, Naval Solicitor, Solicitor of Internal Revenue, sxaminer of Claims in the State Depart- meut, Treasurer of the United states, Register of the Treasury, Firat and Second Comptroliers of the Treasury, Judges of the United States Courts. Dis- trict Attorneys, Private secretary of che President, Ambassadors and other public Minisvers, Superin- tendent of the Coast Survey, Director of the Minv, Governors of Territories, Special Commissioners, special annual Visiting and Examining Boaras, perayns appointed to positions without compensa. tion for services, despatch agents aud bearers of despatches, DELSARTE, Lecture Before the Long Island Historical Sectety on Francols Delsurte by James Steele Mackaye. Mr. Mackaye began his lecture, which was deliv- ered last evening before a large and appreciative @udience in the chapel of the Packer Institute, Brooklyn, by citing the -eulogies of Delsarte by Lamartine, Girardin, Fiozentino, Berlioz and other eminent French admirers of the discoverer of a scientific basis ot dramatic art. in response to the question, “What is his sclence of artt” the lecturer gave an outline of the system and ite objects, He sought to correct the impres- sion that it i too radically transcendental and mysterious. The truth 1s, he said, that the Delsarte system fs very mach such a mystery a8 ahs iteels.. While it cannot be ;underswod in a oment it illuminates every question te which itis applicd. Asa science it is wondertully simple and concise. It aims at something higher and more important than the mere presentation to the public of some one’s personality. Itseexs to make the patnter, musician or actor vacaie his own personality that he may the more faithtully assume the personality or charucter ol the subject he treats. ‘This he accomplishes by teaching the pupil now to express a pas- sion or condition of being according to its natural Jaw—the proper gesture, attitude, expression, mtonation or inflexion-in short, tne most appro- priate physical prescntauon of the impassioned thought, Mr. Mackaye earnestly protested against the hasty conclusion of certain crivics—that art, under the Infuence of this system, would become mechanical, Such a conclusion would ve as illogical and absurd as to suppose that the science df thorough basa, which is purely mecnanical, would be ruinous to musical genius. Delsarte studied every phase of human nature under all possite circumstances, making the minutest notes of gesture, expres- sion, intonation, &. He devoted whole life to this study, too intent upon ac. cumulating knowledge to ive himself gl the time requisite to prepare bis manuscripts for publication, This task he leit as a trust for those who should come after him, and Mr. Mackaye, in announcing that he has been so fortunate as to in- herit the precious treasure of accumulated truths, declared that nis life would begin in earnest when he should have prepared the manuscripts of Del- sarte for publication in English, Delsarte’s science of art consists of three great studies:—Firat, @ carelul analysis of the human being, its passions, powers and perception; second, @ profound observation of the human body, its organs, agents und proportions; third, @ through investigation of the significance of ‘pro- portion, form and movement, Again, there are three distinct but essential natures in man:—First, the vital or sensitive nature, by virtue of wnich we feel and act; second, the mental or reflective na- ture, by virtue of which we think and understand; third, the affective or moral nature, by virtue of which we love and will, Each of the: natures is found in the other—the vit in the mental, or judgment; the mental in the vital, or instinct; the vital in the moral, or sentiment; the moral in the vital, or aympatoy: the mental in the moral, or intuition; the moral in the mental, or conscience. Thus Delsarte shows how all the faculties of the being are produced by the various copeneétrations of a sensitive, reflective and affective nature in man. The body is also di- vided into three divisions by anatomy, and each performs a separate function in expression :—Firs! the limbs, which act as agents of the vital nature, an reveal in their movements the energetic or excited condition of that nature; second, the head, which yy ite movements reveals the subtle or excited action of the mental nature; third, the torso, which reveals by its movements the earnestness or indider- ence of the moral nature. Again, in the head, limbs and torso are found three agents of expres- sion. The head is divided into eyes, mental agent; the nose, moral, and the mouth, vital or sensitive. In the limbs are found three distinct joints or agents, in gesture having the same relavion to the in- wara max. In tne torso we also find three distinct zones of expression—one vital, one mental and one m oral. After giving 4 series of striking illustrations of the elements of the art and of Delsarte’s system of esthetie @ymnastics, Mr. Mackaye eloquently un- folded the grand purposes of the science. He expa- tuated upon the potency of the theatre as an instru. ment either for the elevation or the degradation of mankind and upon the responsibility which rests on all of us in regard to the stage. The remedy which he roposed for the degeneracy arn by evil hands fato which certain provinces of the stage have fallen is the establishment of a school of art which shal! drawa@ dividing line, deep and clear and broad, between the iegitimate and the illegitimate drama. The purpose of De’ was to lay tne foundation of a school of art which should pracu- cally convert the theatre into a great and beneficent school of manhood, one in its purpose with the pulpit, working side by side with * ey and hobiy, for the glory of an he good of an. Delsarte was an ardent lover his kind, an enthusiastic noper and worker for the of humanity, a reverent and faithful ser- vant of his God, This science of art the grand- est promise we have for the growth of attfrom the sensual towards tne spiritual. The lecturer con- cluded with the he that from the seed planted by this system in [ B 7 and ferule Cette oly od a rich harvest uty, ness an mi: Deisarte, the Megsian of reaped, to the honor art. KENTUCKY POLITIOS, Lovisvinie, Ky., Dec. 19, 1871. Mr. T. ©, MoCreery, lave United States Senator from Kentucky, was nominated ig ne Democratio Caucus at Frankiort, last might, to suc- Garret Davis, THE GRAND DUKE IN CANADA Enthusiasm of the Inhabitants of Ottawa. Hospitalities of Lord Lisgar, the Governor General, Public Welcome and Addresses of the People in the Senate Chamber. RESPONSE OF HIS HIGHNESS. Reception by Lady Lisgar at Rideau Hall. Orrawa, Canada, Dec. 19, 1871. The first formal reception of the Grand Duke since the beginning of his tour through the British Provinces took piace here at the Dominion capital to-day. It was a very generous and hearty demon- stration on the part of both the government officials and the authorities, but Of course it lacked the pomp, splendor and enthusiasm which characterized the ovations im honor of the imperial visitor in New York, Washing- ton, Boston and ether American cities. There wag no parial suspension of bisiness, no decorations, and only now anc then a cheer and hurrah when the distinguished guest was recog- nized. The absence of all these demonstrations, however, doea not signify that tne people were less willing todo him nonor than were the .cit.zens of the United Staves, for at the beginning it was gen- erally understood that all popular demonstrations ‘Would be avoided on account of the serious tliness of the Prince of Wales. In fact, if it had not been for this the, journeyings of the Prince through Canaia would have been marked by as much ‘cla’ and general hurrahing as were the trips of the Prince of Wales and Prince Arthur. Only tor the assurances of the recovery of the heir apparent to the British throne even the very moderate demonstrations of to-day would not have taken Place, As it was, however, it was de- cided best to show sume hospitality to the dis- tinguiShed guest, and to this end Lord Lisgar, the. Governor General, and tie citizens of Ottawa com- bined. AT THE GOVERNMENT HOUSE AND DRIVING THROUGH OTTAWA. ‘The imperial party spent the early part of the day at the Government House, but at about noon took & drive through the princtpal portions of the city, Visiting the renowned lumber yards of Ottawa and also the famous Suspension Bridge and Falls identi- fled with the Ottawa River at a short distance from the city. The weather was extremely cold, the ground was well covered with snow, the air full of the seme feathery substance, and everything, in fact, seemed to conspire to make a Russian feel himself pertectly at home. Some two or three hours were thus spent in driving around the city and suburbs, the Duke, of course, attracting great attention and admiration wherever he happened to be recognized. Subsequently 1 lunch was had at the Government Mansion, preparatory to a FORMAL WELCOME AT THE SENATE CHAMBER by the people and municipal authorities of the city of Oitawa, Thousands turned out to mingle in the privileges of this occasion; but as only those bear ing tickets were allowed to participate, there was @ very general and bitter feeling of dissatisfaction om the part of those who were excluded. The —- however, were broad, and the unfavored portion: humanity had an opportunity ww sev and cheer the Duke ag he passed between the Senate ‘Obamber and the eons Cpeaga rede im an open sleigh, accompani y Lord ar and omindy, ds his Tali form was ly recognized and ms presence frequently cheered, all of which compliments the imperial visitor gracefully and gratetully acknowledged. In the {immediate neighborhood of the Parhament Buildings there was a dense mass of people, that even the bayoneted muskets of a military guard of honor had great dificulty in keeping back. A band of music preceding the guard played a medley of the “Kussian Hymo” and “God Save the Queen’? when the Duke arrived at the building, and the as- semvled concourse dofed their hats as reverenty — Eo ae x Mu the Ae om trom Windsor Casti scene altogether Was one both bea “tmpressrve, and the Duke expressed bimself hi; Ly ee Having reached the intertor of the Senate ber, tue brief ceremonies of a formal welcome were commenced at once. Mayor Rochester, gay and ics- tive as he is, was reserved and dignified in ls munt- cipal livery. The Duke entered in a dashing ang modest manner, and did not appear in the least dis- concerted either by the presence of the Governor General and otner dignitaries, or by the curious gazes of the fair ones #9 numerousiy abounding on all sides. THE ADDRESS IN THE SENATE CHAMUER. After a few intormalities, such as getting into Peleg and hushing the audience to silence, the jayor proceeded to welcome the distusguished visitor in the following words:— MAY IT PLEASE YOUR LurERtaL HiGHNEss—In the name of tne citizens of Ottawa, we give yous cardial Welcome to the capital of our young jominion. We welcome you as an illustrious repre- sentative of one of the mightiest nations of the Old World, We welcome you as tte scion of an imperial house, whose beneficent and enlightenea rule has done 0 much to promoe : the well-being and nappiness of their subjects, and we welcome you as a distinguished member of a nobie profession, which we, a4 Englishmen, are wont to noid in pecullar honor. It ts to us a source of sin- cere gratification that, notwithstanaing the shorw ness of. your sojoura in America, you have found lume to make at least a hurried visit to that portion of the Continent whose people, as the nappy sub- jecvs of Englend’s Queen, claim connec» tion with the ancient monarchies of Europe, We sincerely hope that your visit to Cauada may prove a8 agreeable to you ag it is gratifying to as, and that you may carry back with you to your home tn the Northern capital of the Old World nothing but pleasant memories of your too brief stay in this Northern capital of the New. THE GRAND DUKB’S REPLY. The Duke received the words of welcome with a great deal of attention, and when the Mayor had Dnished he responded in a clear and distinct tone as follows:— MR. MAYOR AND GENTLEMEN—1 thank you most heartily for your cordial welcome, and in the name of His Majesty the Empe- ror bey to express my gratitude I for the compliments you have paid to the imperial house and to my country. 1am, indeed, of belonging to a profession which-has produced’ some of the brightest names which have adorned the es of history, and which you esteem ao % Be so near Canada | thought it my duty, it ia @ most agreeavle one—to pay & Visit His Excellency the Governor General, who 1s the representative of @ sovereign for whom 1 have the most profound respect, only regret that my limited time does not allow me to makes longer stay among you; but be assured | shali carry home most pleasant memories of a country where I have been 80 Loney ! received, and which has an addl- Uonal charm for me as at this season of the year it 80 much reminds me of my own. LADY LISGAR'S RECEPTION. This evening Lady Lisgar gave a reception at Kideaa Hall tn honor of the tmperial visitor, [t wus a very elegant aifair, and afforded an ample oppor- tunity for the Duke and tne principal citizens of this section of the Dominion to spend a few social hours. There were many ladies present, and the occasion was a very agreeable one tor the Duke and all others present, To-morrow the imperial party will leave for Toronto. s NAVAL INTELLIGENCE, ‘the United States steamer Ticonderoga, Com- mander V. C. Badger, was at Montevideo November 18. All well on voard, The Untted States gunboas Wasp, Commander Quackenbush, was at Buenos Ayres, With no novelty. The Lancaster, flagship of the South Atiantic Squadron, Admiral Lanmann, was at Rio op the 25tu of November, ARMY AND NAVY ORDERS, By direction of the vresident, Firat Lieutenant Samuel M. Swigert, of the Second cavairy, 19 detatied as Professor of Military Science and Tactics at the Kentucky Universny at Louisville. Passed Assistant Surgeon D. McMurtrie has been detached from the Vermont and ordered to tho New York Navy Yard; Passed Assistant Surgeon W. S. Bowen from the New York Navy Yard and ordered to the Naval Hospital at New eee} Passed Assistant Surgeon W. 8, Fort is orde! to the Waap. BISHOP BAKER, OF CONCORD, ILL. ConcorD, Ne H., Dec, 19, 1871. Rev. Damon 0. Baker, Bishop bo ete t Fi be Chnrch and a Vien Hiethoubdal wamer be ves at real lives through the day.