New-York tribune., 1873-12-20
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL
IHE POWER OF CONGRESS TO REGULATE RAILROAD
WASHINGTON, Friday, Dec. 10, 1873.


wAsHHGTos. Friday, Dec. 10, 1873
The House fairly,committed to-day 10 the theory
that Congress has power to regulate the charges on
railroads by adopting resolution offered by Mr.. Cotton
of Iowa. directing the Committee on Railways and
Canals to inquire whether the tariff of the road for
freight and passengers between Rock Island and
Omaha was reasonable, and IL not, to report what
measures are necessary to compel the road 10
make them so. This resolution will undoubtedly be
followed by many similar ones, which will open de-
termined warfare upon the principal railroads
Of the West Another movement in the same direction
was a resolution of Mr.. Luttrell ns;ructng the Ju-
dietary Committee to bring in bill TO enforce the re-
payment by the Pacific Railroads Of the interest the
Government has paid their bonds According 10 the
preamble Of Mr.. LuttrelPs resolution, the Government
has already paid as interest on the bonds OF
Siou City and Pacific roads. and must shortly pay
s292,470 more The resolution Was objected to and not
received.
THE CASE OF AssIsTAST-TRHAsURER HILLHoUsE OF
NRw-YoRK.
The Ways and Means Committee discussed to-day the
proposition 10 relieve Assistant Treasurer Hllhouse Of
NewYork his responsibility for the lobs by the
bezzlemept OF his stamp clerk, OF property to the
amount OF $lso0O0 belonging to the United States. No
decision was reached. but the discussion led to
another rather sharp but good natured one
between two OF the members on another
point Mr.. Niblack Dem, IndJ remarked that II had
hitherto subject Of much speculation In mis- mind
where all the money came from to carry elections, leav
ing the Inference. that be supposed that all embezsle
nens went Republican funds for carrying Indiana
Mr. Foster rep, Ohio), also a member OF the Commit
tee said he knew where some Of the money came from
and on being asked TO rvo his knowledge, he said: at
comes from Fernando Wood" who is also member
OF the COMMITTEES. Mr.. Foster then recalled to the
minds OF the members the fact that his Democratic
colleague lMr Morgan, o. tss n,. sst Congress nao
Woods check for u oc0 which Mr Morgan subsequently,
admitted was contribution IRON MI WOOD 10 aio In
his (Mr Morgan'S election.
THE TREMAIN. BUTLER BANKRUPTCY BILL.
The origin Of the Tremain Butler Bankruptcy bill
popularity known the Jay Cooke bill" 10 still topic Of
conversation the House. II appears that the bill
had the approval Of the Judiciary Committee nor
il even read them. The Committee authorized Messrs
Tremap and Butler 10 prepare bill repeating the
Bankruptcy law, with Q provision to save pending
cases Under this sathority. and with the aid Of the
attorney OF Jay Cooke Co.. it is charged. they pre-
pared the nve sections OF the bin that appeared
expressly designed to meet the Of the
great bankrupt firm, and would have ens
bled them 70 get control OF their sssefs
and 70 70 on with their business The other
members Of the Committee expected that bill would
be brought in saving pending cases by simply coninu
ing them under the old law and were surprissd e hear
ne long complex affair that Mr Tremsin offered, and
~ hear bis demand for immediate vote upon 1t % .
Committee Dill
JupGE DURELIs CASE TO BIZ INVESTIGATED.
Judge Durel will have 10 stand the ordeal OF THOR
oah inv.,t,gation at last The Committee the Ju-
dietary got tesve of the House to-day to send sub
Committee to New Orleans during the recess and taxa
,,I,,o,v IN his case IL there nothing against him
hn his outrageous acts opolicsi usurpaton he might
hon. ,o sscape: bot there are serious charges
made apsinst him. 10 Mr.. Butler said OF misap-
pljcst,on Of funds and msproceedpgs In bankruptcy
cases 1t is notorious in sewOrean. that one Norton
bright light IN the Kellogg nerty' nss peen nsoo y
Judge Durer q universal receiver ia eenkruptcy' anu
respectabIs business men in New-Oreans sssert that
under the Joint management OF wnro" n. Tns9n, W
dividends paid 10 creotoIs' ""'s No''op, "
not Dure has got rich.
Isr A~s~.~ R~~. PgscsstsU Sssswa Pss)