The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1873-08-05
BY TELEG CRAP H.
Exclusively for the Register.
Blythe Pacific and AtlantIc.L Line.
Once, IIO Main street,
WASHING TON.
WASHINGTON, August 4.
Tho GOrdo a.6 Ordon MudtIe.

StudtUl paLusey, WIN oIIlFco beiS
on Friday night. yesterday had an in
terview with Acting Secretary of State
Davis, and returned to Minnesota last
night, carrying with him the views Of
the government on the Lord Gordon
kidnapping case. The Senator, in con-
versatioD, after his visit to the diploma
tic red-tapery was disposed to be rather
non-commupicative. He thought that
the diplomatic and civil points involved
we're both perplexing and delicate, and
should be agitated as little as possible.
In this his logic was perhaps sound
from every standpoint, except that of a
newspaper. He remarked that those
who talked OF an unfixed boundary
line between the American and British
possessions evidently do not extend
the scope of their Information
into that remote region between the
Lake Of the Woods and the Rocky
Mountains. At this moment the Ameri
can and British Joint Commissioners
are engaged in locating and marking
the line, which is iorty-nine degrees
north latitude between the two countries.
aud at the time Of the Lord Gordon
affair it had been run beyond the point
where that occurrence took place. The
line, therefore, has been marked out,
but the point in the case is that it has
not as yet been accepted by either ma
ton. The Senator observed that or e im-
por,ant fact was acknowledged, and
that was that the release OF Lord Cor
don and the capture Of his captors oc-
Cured south of the line mapped out by
the engineers. The most important
question in the solution Of one side Of
the trouble will very likely hinge on the
question OF boundary. Our govern
ment has coneented to use its influence
on behalf of the prisoners, but the peo-
ple OF Minnesota desired that they be
released on bail to await their trlol neqt
October. This is q matter with the
Manitobian Courts.
TIE Postal Car Service.
The postal authorities state that the
railroads, in their quarrel with the
Government regarding the postal car
question, have some legitimate basis
ior complaint, which requires them to
supply free messenger service from the
railway station to every postoffice with
10 eighty rods Of the depot. This has
be,ome 2 very serious question with the
railroads, especially Oh lines where the
stations are very close together. Be-
sides it is practice which places the
ma Is for a certain period entirely in the
bands OF irresponsible persons. The
condition OF their contracts, which COM
pels them to deliver mails free at all
pos;otfices within eighty rods OF the de-
pots, require the railroad companies to
employ large number of messengers.
On some roads one is necessary for near
Iv every station. The expense, Of
course, is very great, and the railroad
officers state that the annoyance and
the local difficulties which result from
this condition arc very much greater
than the expense. On some lines OF
road one-halfot OF the entire compensa-
ton received from the Government for
the transportation Of the mails goes to
pay these messengers.
l. is understood that the Senate Sc
lee, Committee on transportation hav>
ing under consideration the proprety OF
relieving the railroad companies from
this condition Of their contracts, and OF
recurring the postmaster to attend to
thus delivery service without additional
com o. nsatiou. Some OF the postal au-
thorities recommend this change. One
condition of the change, it effectusl,
would be that the government hence
forth should have the choice OF trains
upon which the mail should be carried,
and that the postal authorities shall in
all cases have the right to place postal
cars upon the postal express trains.
The President OF the Boston aud AL
bsny road is represented TO have stated
to the department that he would be
willing TO carry the mails for one hum
dred dollars per mile less, II be could be
relieved of the annoyance and respon-
sibility OF the messenger service.
The Debt.Sogged District.
The iafexible veracity Of figures is q
lact a. this moment perplexingly prom
inert in the minds OF the parties who
have been running the finances chiefly
of this District under the Territorial
form OF government. A number OF CO.
called official statements have been put
forth, which have grossly misled the
public. What appears 10 be an authen-
ticated exhibit Of the liabilities OF the
District shows that the funded debt and
deficiencies of the past year authorized
to be funded amount to $l0.OOO,OOO,
The certificates Of Indebtedness ol
all kinds foot up s25,O00,560 more
and appropriations for various
purposes and floating debt of the
Board OF Public Works sl,5O0,0OO
more. By this it is preceived that the
total debt of the District is upwards oi
Sl7,OOO,OOO. The deceptive feature ol
previous statements has been that the
funded debt has been ignored as q debt,
as if it involved no responsibility. Now
vhen II ia remembered that at least
one-third of the Improvements sre yet
to be emade, the prospects of the District
present the startling promise OF debt
Of S25, 100000. Even those who were
the means OF hesping up this enormous
liability upon the people admit that il
is beyond the finances Of this communi'
ty to carry the weight. Like rats on 9
sinking ship, the Governor and Board
Of Public Works talk openly OF aban'
donipg the debt-sogged hulk. Congress
will be appealed to to assume par
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