The Portland daily press., 1873-01-10
Washington Matters.

THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE TROUBLE.
memorial of several leading members of
the Alabama Legislature, protesting against the
actions of the body known as the ''court-
house legislature in continuing its existence
and assuming official fun tions. was laid be-
ore Acknowledgement Williams to-day, with
omcial records to sustain its assertions The
memorlalists allege that this action is a viola
ton OF good faith and of he understanding
on which theaAttorney-General' plan of COM
promise was accepted, and unless discount
enanced and terminated will end in serious
trouble. The Attorn y-General states ex-
explicitly to Representat'v Buckley, who
presented the memorial, that his compromise
involved the end of the courthouse legisla-
ture as matter OF course, and that instruc-
tons had been sent to the United States
marshal not to allow that body nor any other
claiming legislative authority the further use
of the United States court room and to give
them no shelter within federal buildings. If
the body attempts to reassemble next week,
as has been announced, the order win IN
doubtedly be carried into effect Mr.. Will
Jams also said that he acceptance OF his COM
promise did not prevent the fullest contest of
seats under the laws of Alabama, and con err
red no right on occupants to retain them.
The whole tenor of the acknowledgements re-
marks we're to the effect that he expected and
intended to SEE a fair and honest execution
OF his plan of compromise, and that no prop
er means would be omitted to secure that
end.
A LABoRIOUs TASK.
The special committee appoi ted Tuesday
to inquire into the relation of the Creiit
Moblier and the Union Pacific Railroad with
the government of the United States will
hold its first meeting tomorrow for the pur-
pose of determining upon course of action,
what witnesses shall be summoned, &c.
This committee has a labor.Ous duty to per
form, and many days will be occupied in their
investigation. Mr.. Wilson, the chairman of
the committee, holds that the relation of the
Credit Mobilier to the Union Pacific Railroad
was analogous to that of guardian and ward
or to a copartnership, and that the stockhold-
ers of the Credit Moblier, having ayailed
themselves of any advantages or accretions
resulting from profits of the Union Pacific
Ralroat are liable to the extent of such
profits for any interest or debt that may be
| due to the United states from said railroad.
MIR. DAWES AND THE CREDIT MoBMIER
1t is understood that Mr.. Dawes will ap-
| pear before the Credit Mobilier investigation
| Committee Cd Friday, and make state
| ment OF all the facts connected with his tenn
! porary ownership of ten sares of stock. Nc
| Comb is getting more and more enraged as
the clear testimony of Mr.. Alley refutes his
| assertions, and he nov for the first time
talks about adding letters and memoranda in
| his possession which will substantiate his
stories.
THE MONTANA WAR CLAIM.
The House committee on military affairs
have under consideration bill appropriating
S560,000 for the Montana war claim. An of
| ficer of the War department has passed upon
the vouchers Of expenditures, but there is a
| question whether there was any necessity for
| the use of the militia called out. In regard
| 10 this part of the matter, the officers of the
| government on the ground at the time de-
clare that none of the Indians against whom
the proclamation was issued, were on the war
path at AL, but, on the contrary, were at the
agency at the time; that no hostile Indian
was zen during the entire season in the val
| ley where the war was supposed to be going
| on; and that the whole move, in its origin and
progress, was simply fraudulent scheme OF
lot of spectators and Indian iobbers, who
ran up tremendous bills for outfits aid sup
| plies for troops, and who have now bougE /
up the vouchers for a small sum and are try
| ing to lobby this half million appropriation
| through.