New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-01-13
WASHINGTON.
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL.


THE LOUISIANA MIDDLE TO BE INVESTIGATED
lBY TRBBGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
WASHINGTON. Jan. IL. 1878.
The Senate Committee on Privileges aud Elections
spent two hours yesterday morning. in discussing ar
rangements for the louisiana and Arkansas inyestga
ons. 1t is reported that at onetime decision was
arrived at tOappOt three cOmmissonersto go 10 escn
State to take testimony and somenames were even sus
pested of persons competent servenn such capacity
The appointment OF one memberHof- each commission
was to he given 10 Mr.. Trumbu and he is UNDERSTOOD
to have named Gov. Palmer of Illinois as his choice 10
represent tho@minorty ON the Louisiana Commission
After several names had been mentioned Tue 4orls
through commissions and concluded TO, couct Ine In
quiry themselves by sending for me Witnesses 70
the presence Of consideable number oil tne iooN
prominent poieians OF III; Ratnrnn Roars The
Committee will also probably SEND for the eeeti0n
witnesses can be procured 1t hoped that the Com
mitee will with open doors, as in the Caldwell case
HOW TO SECURE RESUMPTION.
It's obvious that the chief strength in Congress OF the
bill for the funding of greenbacks in S65 bonds
and the reconvertiblity OF such bonds into green
backs comes the national bank interest which sup
ports the measure account Of the privilege 1t gives
the banks Of investing one-haf their egal-tender re-
serve IN the new bonds and thus getting interest ON
large sum Of money which they now obliged 70 keep
idle in their vaults If this provision were not In the
bill il would he cassed among the many pans for open
ing the way to specie payments and would have very
little active support while II gnI ~ @ m
payments resumed in this generation they can hep IT,
The bank interest exceedingly strong IN Congress
is reported that over one-tDlrd Oh lbe meoeIs VI I
House and one-haf the Senatore own nhtl0hal gank
stock aud Of stockholders large number are BANK
presidents and directors OF course tn. lhIyi
est may be expected 10 favor measure tna VIII secure
nearly four per cent interest on millions OF dollars that
are required by Law 10 De held as eap
tai Ii wifi therefore probably come 10 thls that II te
Rg9Pe ss aye bat tbe ned States will pay dollars on
mand and would like TO have the privilege OF converting
RsT S p SSSn eayn f ten they must pay TIE
banks roundy for their consent to legislation winch VIII
bring this reform about. ,-,.
UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD CHARGES FOR TRANS
PORTATION.
The question as the liability Of the Government to
nav the Union Pacific Railroad Company One-half its
charges transportation of mails troops, and supplies
while default for the interest the bonds loaned
came up Unexpectedly at the close Of the days session
Of the House. This question determined nfavor OF
the road by hesamendment put upon the Army Appro-
piaton bill section O. March g. 1870 but the Credit
Mobier developments have reopened ii. The virtuous
indignation of Congress and the demoralzed condition
of the lobby resulting from the exposures recently
made are quite likely TO result in the repeal
OF that section. Mr. Randall and Mr.. Holman
Of the House on the question. The former
offered an amendment providing thar no part OF the
road companies that Indebted 10 the United States
for interest their bonds and the latter sought 10 ac-
cOmplish the desired object moro enectuaIy Oy IN
amendment repeating altogether ninth sectionof the
act of MaTch3 1870. Mr.. Dawes, wno was In tnechair
ruled Mr.. RendalPs amendment in order and Mr. Hol-
mans Of order. Mr. Holman took an appeal TO the
House. but an adjournment was carried before ae0te
was reached upon the appeal. The bill viii be next
takenup Tuesday, and long debate on the question
will certainly ensue.
PAYMENT OF GOVERNMENT WAR CLAIMS.
The House spent Saturday the Executive, Legs
hight Most OF the time occupied In discussing the
appropriation TO pay the judgments OF the Court Of
Claims. Boardman Smith, who had startled theHouse
the day before bysaying that exRebels likely to
get millions OF dollars from the Treasury through the
decisions of this Court claims for payment for cap
tured and abandoned property, and had offered an
amendment providing that such decisions should
any force until ratified by Congress, made rather
excited speech warning Congressman that the
wrath of the loyal people would come down
upon them If they permitted the claims Of
Rebels to be paid while Union men could not
get dollar Mr., Garfield explained that the payments
to for captured and abandoned property made
the jud gnents of the Court or Claims made uf
derhe permanent appropriations and that the reason
beensengaged in the Rebellion because the Supreme
Courthad Oyerrued the decision OF the Court OF Claims
requiring proof OF loyalty from the claimants and held
the Government held this property only trustee
OF the Rebel prochvities OF the Itwas private
property that apes had taken OF 10 save
destruction, and not property used against the
Government for hostile purposes long and interest
ing debate ensued the result OF which the rejection
or Mr.. Smiths amendment by a decided majority.