The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1871-02-25
WASHINGTON.
The West Point Scandal--The Presi-
Dental Obstacle in the Way
of Justice.
WASHINGTON, FebruaryeA

OF JuStlces
h4H r.I WASHINGTON, Februarye4.
No action has been taken by the War
Department upon tho House resolution
about the West Point Outrage, The Sec.
retary, It Is understood, puts the respon-
sibility upon the President, because the
President alone has the power 10 order
court of inquiry. The President, 1t Is
reported, Is disposed to pay no attention
to the House resolution, on the ground
that It has no force, and Is simply an ex-
preston Of the opinion Of the House,
and a profer oi advice which he Is at
liberty to accept or decline with equal
propriety. The House declared that the
Secretary OF War ought to ascertain by o
court Of inquiry who were the ringlead-
ers in the late riot, dismiss them from the
academy and court martial the other mem.
bers of the first class. But II the Presi.
dent holds contrary opinion, as he
directs the Secretary, there Is an
end TO the whole matter, unless Q Joint
resolution should bepassed in both Houses.
The delay IL announcing the result Of the
court martial Of the cadet, Smith, has oc-
casioned considerable comment. II Is
stated on good authority that the Secre-
tary Of Warisperplexed In forming Inside
cision, as he Is called upon to decide Smiths
fate on the merits Of the case. There Is
little doubt that the Secretary Is disposed
10 sanction his dismissal from the Acade.
my, and the President would approve
such sentence, but in view of the public
feeling created against the conduct Of the
first class, and as Smith is not the only
cadet who has grossly misbehaved him.
self, the Secretary Of War Is undecided
whether to put Smith on his good be-
havior or end his career at the Military
Academy by dismissal In consequence
OF the. recent numerous publications by
West Point cadets, and articles relative
tothe late disturbances, General Pitcher,
Superintendent, called their attention to
the army regulations, which forbid all
all publitions by tho officers and cadets,
relative to the transactions at the Military
Academy tu1ftfW 10 frrW
THE INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION.
The Joint High Commission will begin
It's labors next week. All the members
on the part OF Great Britain, and all the
American members, except ex- -Attor. Gen.
Hoar, arc in Washington. 1t seems like.
ly under the loose wording Of the agree
ment, that the Canadian claims for dam
age caused by Fenian raids, will come be.
fore the Committee. Earl Kimberly has
written letter tothe Governor General
Of Canada, in which he urges that the
claims arising out Of the invasion will be
presented to this Government for settle.
ment, which has caused quite little sen.
sation in the Administration quarters, and
Is the subject of comment among the
members OF the Cabinet Secretary Fish
takes different view upon the subject
-, N THE COAL TARIFF, W
Representatives Brooks, Wood, Fox
and others are making an effort through
an amendment TO the appropriation bill
now pending, to abolish the duty on
coal. Mr.. Scofield, Of Pennsylvania, was
in the chair, and ruled them out Of order.
Mr.. Brooks appealed TO him as q Penn
sylyanlan 70 be liberal, and allow free
coal. But in parliamentary view, Mr..
scofeld is justified by the precedent.
THE PACIFIC RAILROAD INTEREST.
Senator Carpenter, from the Judiciary
Committee, reported today on the subject
Of the relation OF the Government 10 the
Pacific Railroad. The opinion Of the
Committee Is adverse to that Of the AttOr.
ney General, and maintains the position
taken by the Companies, that the United
States arc bound TO pay for one.half the
services In money, and can only apply the
Other. half on bonds, and that the Com.
panies orc only bound to the performance
oi Government service where required,
and beyond the performance Of such ser.
vice are not bound TO repay the interest
until the maturity Of the bonds. It Is un.
derstood that all the Committee concur
In the report except Mr. EdmundS The
report Of Senator Stewart L from the
Committee on the Pacific Railroad. Il
recommends no legislation, but Expresses
an opinion that the advantages are 90
great that the Government will send
freight over the road as far aS Il iS prac.
tiCable TO do So. yr,u
'- ID NEW STEAMBOAT LAW.
H. The steamboat bill which hps'paSsed
both Houses Of Congress, and walts the
PresidehtS signature, Is more careful and
stringent than any one OF q similar
character heretofore enacted. " hOl
/