The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-01-31

ard. we find that the lands alone win y,eld ths
companies the stupenduous SUN or $ll6000,00O.
ing INTO the lobby OF Congress and denying the right
OF the United states to retain on interest account
transporting government freight, troops, malls &C.
Are these men mady
OPINION OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.
On the $50 or November last the Secretary OF the
Treasury submitted the matter to the Attorney
General, who fully sustalns the claim OF the govern
ment TO be paid the full amount OF interest on the
bonds as it accrues. He even went further and ex-
pressed the decided opinion that the Secretary OF
the Treasury may hold the entire proceeds due the
apply the same to the payment OF interest," ana that
after such payment one.half the compensation for
such service may be retained ana applied to the
payment Of the principal OF the bonds.
PRESIDENT GRANT
and the Secretary OF the Treasury accept the opinion
or the Attorney General as correct Interpretation OF
the law, but the spot children or fortune who
lro the corporations are determined to resist. They
protest mat they cannot pay the running expenses
anu the Interest on their first and second mortgage
bono, bonds They seem 70 forget their income derived
from the sale OF 100000 worth OF land given
them by too generous people.
Iney say tnat under the law they are not Obliged
year as It accrues further than onehar OF the
amount tu Oh their government transportation bills
In this imp rtant matter the President, Attorney
General, Secretary OF the Treasury and the best
lawyers In Congress do not agree with The subsidized
OF the treasury IS now Withholding the full amount
que tne companies for government transportation.
ment Of the interest on their bonds. And
CONGRESS-
very much disposed TO authorize the Secretary OF
the Interior to withhold the patents on that
900 900 worth OF land until some adequate pro-
vision 0r the payment or both principal and interest
IS made.
THE LAWRENCE BILL.
blu has been introduced In the House, and re.
ferred to the Committee on Appropriations, which
provides tnat all sums due or TO become due
the United states on account OF the principal or
interest on the subsidy bonds shall constitute lien
N ma
companies, and which remain undIsposed Of. it
also provides that the lands shall only DC
the Treasury, and on conditions which viii
secure the proceeds TO be applied. 80 far a.
sums that nave been advanced the companies, and
naaily that the United states shall not pay any
the government, but shall make seton.
SECURITY.
The Commissioner OF the General Land Once 3d.
Inmates that the Central Pacific Company VIII pc en-
titled to II. 400 acres OF land OF which only
acres have been patented and that the Union
Pacific Company Will be entitled to 1a 600 acres
Of which none have been patented. These lands are
YET the property Of the United States and are not
likely to be turned over TO the companies until the
payment OF both the principal and interest OF the
bonds have been made secure.
THE REMEDY.
The bill above mentioned was referred by the Com.
mlttee on Appropriations TO Judge Lawrence, OF
Ohio, who has made fair full and exhaustive re.
port saowng not only the right and power, but the
The report In iact shows that Congress is In duty
bound 70 intepose In behalf Of the people to protect
them from the rapaclty Of . ring OF SPECTATORS
intent on their own aggrandizemeDt. 1t closes Is
fOl0wS-"TO secure the performance OF obliQatiOns
imposed by law this Dill Is submitted with recsm-
mendati0n that 10 be passed.
CAN THEY DEFEAT IT?
To prevent the passage OF The Lawrence bill the
strongest lobby ever formed In Washington Is using
every possible means.
A strong Boston influence Is brought to bear 70
strangle It In Committee on Appropriations. Mr..
Dawes, OF Massachusetts,, is chairman OF that com.
mlttee. Will the Boston lobbyists capture him We
shall see.