New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-01-26

TERROR DEPARTMENT
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRTDUHE.i
WASHINGTON, Wednesday. JAM ~, ISL
The recent introduction OF mob Law at West Point by
the first cass Of cadets has greatly injured the reputa
ton OF the Academy In the opinion OF leading members
Of Congress. Tho thng punishment awarded to the OF
Tending cadets, who have merely been confined WITHIN
certain itson the parade ground is thought to show
remarka bic lack OF appreciation Of the gravity OF the
ofIense committed the part OF the onicerso of tho
Academy, and the possibility Of the occurrence OF any
such outrageous breach Of discipline proves that there
is something radically wrong in the management OF The
institution that requires correction. The cadets VINO
committed the outrage showed penitence afterward
but, as appears from papers submitted to the
Military Committee by the War Department, had
the irpudence to hold o meeting and appoint
o committee to prepare an address 10 tho Super
intendent, justfying their conduct This address
covers eight ten pages OF paper and duly signed by
the three cadets constituting the Committee. 1t Is not
improbable that the investigation Of tho affair by the
Military Committee will Iced ~ the adoption OF resolu-
ton directing the Secretary Of War to dismiss the entire
first class OF cadets, and TO make on Immediate change
in the officers Of the Academy the charge that they
arc incompetent TO maintain proper discipline The
affair has strengthened the opposition In Congress 70
West Point that were It the carly close Of tho
session. proposition entirely abolish tho Academy
would be introduced end strongly supported. gentle
prominently connected with military legislation In
tends make special effort ia the next Congress 20 Sc
cure the passage Of such bill He believes that the
stem Of military education at several Of the colleges
throughout the country introduced four years ago. can
lie further developed to furnish better officers than
West Point supplies TO the army
The Senate Judiciary Committee had under considera
ton to-day the question Of the payment Of the interest
on the bonds issued by the Government to the Pacific
Railroads. Mr.. bingham II. Nichols Of New-York sub
mitted argument to the Committee In behalf OF tho
Railroad Companies He contended not only that there
was no law requiring tho Companies TO semiannually
reimburse the Government for the interest paid the
United States bonds but that such requirement on The
part Of the Government officers was violation OF
special provision the contrary and that the debates In
Congress showed that such payment by the Company
was ever contemplated lie claimed that II the
Government fulfilled its obligations to the Com
panIes by using the road for tho transportation
OF troops, and the forwarding OF all supplies for the
army the Indians, the Pacific Squadron, that one
half OF the compensation FOR such services which by law
is TO be applied tho repayment Of the principal and
interest the United States bonds would not only TO
pay tho interest but extngsh the principal before tho
maturity OF the bonds That for some reason only ono
tenth part Of tho Government transportation Is now sent
by way of tho Pacific Railway, and that tho payments
from even this service, including mail service, had re-
paid onequarter OF the interest paid by tho
Government although the most OF that interest has
during construction Of the road The interest
on the entire of United States bonds
amounted only to $as77.129 "a annually, while
prior TO the construction OF the road the Govern
ment transportation across tho continent cost
o. 100000 and would now, without the railroad cost from
100000 70 s1500OCco that Messrs. Wells, Fargo
Co. were paid 81 10000 in 1868 for carrying tho United
States mails between the termini OF the two then UNI
finished roads, the Central and tho Union distance OF
s3l miles while now q mail OF ten times the weight is
carried all che way from Omaha to San Francisco 1913
miles for less than 100000 He stated that the action OF
the Government officers in retaining the whole compensa-
ton services based the idea that the Companies
are liable TO semannualy reimburse the interest paid
by tho United states, had fallen heavily upon
many; that it has caused a depreciation in the
securities Of tho Union Pacific Railroad alone OF i00
OOO between the LIST OF October and the 10th day OF
December and yet he submitted that such action not
only without law but direct violation OF the express
terms of the law He closed with comprehensive view
Of the advantages resulting 10 the Government and tho
country tho construction of the road. and insisted
that the Government out 10 act In good faith toward
those through whose energy and this national
work had been carried to successful issue. The COM
mttee came to conclusion the subject tho further
consideration Of which will be resumed al their next
meeting on Wednesday next
A rnmor is current here that Judge OTTO Assistant
Secretary of the Interior 10 be removed and that
the President has rendered the position to Pennsyva-
man. Senators Scott and Cameron pressing the
name Of Major d. H. Il. Neyn, who, they say is staneh
Republican able lawyer. and man OF great executive
ability He has also brilliant record and was con
fined for a time in Libby Prison in 1861
The House Judiciary Committee have agreed without
division 70 report bill prohibiting State from eyyng
any duty upon goods In transit or for SALE which
tax is not levied upon the citizens of the State imposing
the tax The Appropriations Committee, this morning,
heard arguments from the Secretaries OF the Treasury
and War; in relation 10 Deficiencies IN their Depart
ments. Postmsster-ieneral Cresweu again appeared
and made argument against paying Dempsey &
OTooe Of this city $4,000 claimed by them for alleged
damages resulting from the Departments withdrawing
contract stamped envelopes awarded them, on the
ground ,na they unable to execute the same. 10
was afterward awarded to Messrs. Ray Co. Of New
York This claim has been very persstently pressed,
and as earnestly resisted by Mr. Creswe who has been
several times heard in opposition. The SUBJ Committee
TO which IL was referred unable TO agree though IL
was expected to report this morning.
The Committee Education and Labor have referred
TO them claim which involves the recognition Of an adj
vance I'm public law and the rules OF OF beneficial
character The claim is that OF the william and Mary
College at williamsburg, Va. the institution at which
Washin gon received collegiate education, and amounts
10 900 for damages sustained from our troops
during the war Aside from the Justice or other wise OF
this particular claim, the point OF general issue Is
whether the principle acknowledged by the Geneva
Congress- that all institutions OF learning and charity
shall be declared neutral property, not to be used<by
either contestant and to DO remunerated for damages
incidentally occurring from military operations, shall DO
acknowledged and embodied in our legislation Prof.
Ewe will be heard in behalf OF the Virginia college dur
ing the week.
secretary Boutwell, was before the Committee OF Ways
and Means OF the House this morning. resisting the abo
on OF the Income He represented that the propa-
BILE revenue from would he between Is ana II
millions while Of its collection would not De haf
a million.
concurrent resolution, from the Kansas
nI,tf ntrn Uat
votes I'm the House. in the Senate, relating 10
the neutral lands troubles. IL takes ground In