The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-04-28
FROM WASHINGTON.
The supreme Court.

Special Despatch to The EUening Telegraph,
WASHINGTON, April 2S.-The question to be
decided by the Supreme Court next Monday is
whether contracts made prior to 1862 specifying
bullion are payable ia bullion or greenbacks
The Court will hold that all such contracts must
be paid in bullion. The Court does not touch
the question of what is called gold contracts
The Supreme Court will net decide at this time
the question of the constitutionality of the act
which prohibits ex-Rebels pardoned by Presi-
dent johnson from suing and arguing before the
United States Court of Claims.
Nearly all
The Members OF the Cabinet
are absent from the city, and there is very little
business being transacted in the departments.
BY ASSOCIATED PRESS.
Exclusively to The EUe1lilg Telegraph
The SutrO Tunnel.
WASHINGTON, April 2S.-By direction of the
President, under act of Congress approved April
a, 1871, Lieutenant Colonels Horatie G. Wright
and John G. Foster of the Corps of Engineers,
are appointed members of the commission to
examine and report upon the Sutro Tunnel, in
the State of Nevada, and will hold themselves
in readiness to proceed to the duties of the COM
mission on the receipt of further instructions
The following changes in the stations of engi-
neers are ordered-Captain William K. King
will, in addition to his present duties act as
secretary to the Sutro Tunnel Commission.
Lieutenant Colonel George Thorn will relieve
Lieutenant Colonel John g. Foster of the charge
of all works of river and harbor improvements
and surveys now in his hands. Lieutenant Colo
mel James c.. Duane will relieve Lieutenant
Colonel John G.. Foster of all works of fortifca-
tions now In his hands.
Army Orders.
First Lieutenant James B. Quinn is relieved
from duty under the immediate command of
Colonel Il. w. BeRham, and reports for duty to
Lieutenant Colonel George Thorn retaining his
Clarke 5th Cavalry, is relieved from duty at
the Military Academy, to take effect July 1st;
may delay joining his company till October 1st.
Captain Robert H. Hall, 10th Infantry, will re-
port for duty to the Superintendent of the Mill
tary Academy on July 1st. Hospital Steward
Jos. f. Thompson is dishonorably discharged
from the service OF the United States for for.
warding money to purchase counterfeit United
States currency in response to the solicitations
of pretended agent for the sale of the same.
Navy Orders.
Commander Charles H. Cushman has been
detached from the Bureau of Equipment and
Recruiting, from May 81, and ordered to COM
mand the Wachusett preparing for service at
New York. LieUtenant-C Commander H. E. Null
len is detached from the Navy Yard at New
York, and ordered to the receiving ship YER
mont. Lieutenant IL. X. Baker is detached
frem the Pacific Fleet and placed on waiting
orders.
Commodore Joseph F. Green, commanding
the South Squadron of the North Atlantic
Fleet, is expected to arrive in Boston, on the
Congress, in about two weeks.
The President
has telegraphed to his family that he will return
to Washington this evening
MIR. CorcOran's Illness.
There is no material change in the physical
condition of w. w. Corcoran, which to-day is
considered very critical.