New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-04-16

at the time; American hemp does not come up to the
tests used in the Department. and Imported heinp mas
10 be purchased witness did not consult the Secretary
Chef-Engneer Wood was recalled, and examined by
Secretary RObeson He said he had recently examined
the proceedings of the Rnggod Board, and found that
the subject matter of the MahOpac and Tecumseh was
not referred 10 that Board, nor was 1t reported.
BY Mr. ArcheT-Ie found in the papers reference TO
sidewheel steamer built by Zenas Seeor which was not
of the monitor class. The Committee adjourned until
"Wednesday night.
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL.
DECISION IN TIE MORMON CASE-PROCEEDINGS
IN CONGRESs-LAKE NAVIGATI0N-TtIE NEW
ORLEANS INVEsTIGATION-THE ST. CROIX
LAND JOB.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRlBUNBl
WASHINGTON, Monday, April 10, 1872
The onnon of the Supreme Court in the Mormon case,
to-day was predicted correctly in the dispatches TO THE
TRIBUNE last night. The opinion was read by Chief
Justice Chase, and very conclusive, reviewing the
history Of legislation relative to the Territories from the
foundation of the Government The Court decided frst
that while powers granted TO Territories by organic
acts passed by Congress that body has right to pass
any Of laws relating to the Territories which it has
not right to pass for the government OF the states
second that the duties Of the Dlstrct-Atorney and
United States Marshas in the Territories are precisely
the they In the Sates and, third that the
iures which have been drawn in Judge McKCans Court
during the past year, both grand aud petit nave been
Illegal The effect Of this decision ia to make VOID an
criminal proceedings in the Territorial Court OF Uah
during the past wear, and render necessary the
Immediate discharge Of 1873 prisoners who have
been Illegally held. at an expense OF from $iOo1 70
$50 co., which there law TO provide the payment OF,
and affect in the same way ali civil cases IN which eA
sad that 20 or SO OF these civil been appealed
to the Supreme Court The effect OF the voorhees, D Is
TO make legal in the future what the Court decided TO-
day to have been Illegal. and the general sentiment
of Congress to be in favor of letting the MoronS
alone and providing that more poyganous marriages
take place if any legislation at all is enacted, it Is doubt
Jul if,he bill passes. The decision Of the Court today
is considered as very damaging to the administration,
as Judge Mexican supported in the course he
took by the President, though AltorneyG en-
proceedings in Utan Were illegal The prosecution Of
Administration measure foot 10y the advice of the
Rev. Dr. j. r. Newman, after his return from SALT ahe,
PROMINENT Saints. The Court viii hear, tomorrow, the
arguments in the celebrated Joy Purchase case Bel
the settlers and b. n Curtis and Sydney Bartlett for the
RAILROAD Company. The Court win hear no arguments
after April g. It will meet May 20 to deliver Opinions
and Will Il ~ adjourn until Oct. d.
Few bills Of public interest presented in the
House today for reference. The last half OF the morn
ing hour was, as usual, occupied by fbustering mo-
tons emanatipg from the Democratic side and made 10
prevent vote the Civil Rights bill. The friends of
this measure decline to take it ont of the morning hour
and it be referred TO committee and the Democrats
stubbOrDy refuse TO permit vote upon IT, The dead
lock- therefore, continues from week TO week, and the
6ubusterug Is Regularly renewed every Monday morn
ing A bill was passed by unanimous consent authorizing
the appointment Of Commissioners To investigate the
condition of the Mexican frontier. Tine bl was offered
OF both the Indian and Foreign Affairs Committees,
which have been looking into the matter Some mem
thought that army officers who have been serving
for years on the Rio Grande frontier could make more
valuable report on the subject than commission Of
They offered no objection the passage Eli me
iIver and Harbor bill taken up, and prevented the
s Scramble to get bills passed without considSr5
the remainder Of the day, aud passed without
tcrcs The Southern members appeared to think their
had not bee treated
Cox took their part, alleging That the State or Michigan
long line Of scacoast Messrs. Holman and Conger de.
Tended the action Of the Commerce COmnittOe in fran
ing the bill, and said that there had been no Partially
shown 10 any section
Senator Wilson got through the Senate to-day without
opposition bill which has been urged for year
more by the Ladies' Union Relief Association of New
York, allowing honorably discharged soldiers to DC
buried in the National cemeteries.
The Senate has lately got into the habit of doing legis
ative business after voting to 20 into Executive session.
and the doors have been closed. few weeks bill
from the Claims Committee was taken up in Executive
session and discussed at some length and Friday
long discussion took place On the order OF business after
the doors had been closed
The following is copy OF bill offered IN the Senate
by Mr.. Conklng to-day.
Whereas The site OF the present Post-Ofce in the City
OF New-York was purchased in the year 1S60 by the
United States for the price OF 5O0JO of which the
amount OF $50 600 was contributed by members of the
NewYork Chamber Of Commerce, and by their interests
represented In the membership, which sum has never
been refunded and
Such contributors have requested the sale OF
the said site to the said Chamber of Commerce.
upon such terms as shall bc equitable under the ereum
whereas The City of Ncw-York has recently conveyed
10 the United States "a suitable site for Post
Office at price Tar below the actual value thereof;
therefore,
BE IL enacted de- That the Secretary OF the Treasury
and iencral are hereby authorized and
oured TO cOnveYunto the New-YOrk Chamber Of Com
,nerce the land and premises occupied the site OF
the Office in the Guy OF NcwYofk lying upon Mas
saust between Cedar and Liberty In the said ety.
upon receiving from the said Chamber OF Comm the
OF s2OO,OO In such payments shall be agreed
Upon.
An important bill was introduced by Mr.. COburn, in
the House, to-day, providing for the appointment OF
three Commissioners the part of the United States TO
Join snch Commissioners may be appointed by
Canada TO report what measures necessary pro-
vide the OF the navigation of
connecting the great lakes OF the Northwest, and for
free Outet TO the by Of the
St Lawrence IT is made the duty OF the Commissioners
report what improvements are necessary 10 facilitate
fine passage seag0iDg vessels from Lake Superior to
the ocean the improvements that have already been
ma6e, with cost OF tho same and by whom paid, and
which should borne by the Governments of the United
States aud Canada The bill referred 10 the Foreign
Affairs COMMITTEE
There are still indications OF q report from the
Eew.Oreans Investigating Committee. The for
The delay Just what IL has been for many weeks past
VIZ impossbty Of getting the testimony in print,
emily pages out Of the 700 having yet been put In
TYNE although the copy has been at the printing Office
ever since The Committee returned from Louisiana.
cause this uDaecOuntabc delay; one OF them Ia chat
the Printer pupOsey keeping back the test
mony, and he - believed 10 be acting not on his own
responsibility, bus under what he thinks TO be
cOInpeteut authority. No other Committee either III
the senate or to House. found much trouble In
geL,ng the evidence II hae taasn Dfn'oL ~ 10 Sua