Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-03-30
WASHINGTON.
The Postal Service Question.
Inquiries by the Postmaster General
I,etter from am Indian Agent.

Daniels writes to tie Department under
date of March 20, from the Red Cloud
agency, Wyoming territory, as follows:
would respectfully inform the Department
that Lone Antelope, one Of the hostile
chiefs of Nimre Canyons band of Sioux,
with rs lodges, is reported to have just gems
in camp on White river with Sioux Of this
agency. Also that Sitting Bull, No Neck,
and Four Horns, chiefs of the Amcapapa
band of hostile Sioux, are in camp at Bear
Butte, four days march from here on their
way to this place. Sitting Bull and his
party remained there 70. hear from these
Indians. | have sent them tobacco and
clothes, asking them to come in, and assur-
ing them of the goodwill Of government.
1t seems advisable that steps be taken to
secure the friendship of these people, con-
sidering their importance in connection
with the Northern Pacific railroad.
Appointed Special Council.
Wan. H. Clagett, late a delegate from
Montana, has been appointed special coun-
sci of the general Government to investi-
gate alleged frauds against the Indians in
Montana.
Nothing Yet Determined.
There has as yet been nothing definitely
determined by the Postmaster General rel
alive to arrangements of the Government
about the postal Car service matter. 1t will
probably be officially determined upon on
the return of Superintendent Bangs, and
the result announced on Monday.
Postal Service.
In opposition to the statement of the
railroad companies TO the effect that
g TlFiuiladQd To
run railway postoffice cars heretofore, re-
ceived dollar more compensation on that
account, the Postmaster General shows
in letter addressed TO the Attorney Cen
eral, that in cases in which the utmost lin
it of compensation fixed by law had not
been reached; he Department paid addi-
tiOnal rates, ranging from ten to twenty
five dollars per mile for cars OF this descrlp-
ton, running once day In each direction;
that these additional rates had generally
been readily, somtimes eagerly, accep'ed
by the companies. The postOttice appro-
priation act of the late session, allows a
compensation at the rates ranging from
twenty-five TO fifty dollars mile per an
mum for postal cars running olce day
each way, does away with the restriction
WHEREBY, under previous laws, roads re-
ceiving the highest rate of pay were pre-
vented from receiving any additional com
pensation on account of running postal
cars.
Seeking Information.
The Postmaster General, in his letter,
propounds several very important interrog-
ajories. Referring toithe companies who
threaten, be says: The roads they control
center st New York, and the execution
of their threat would entail consequences
SO serious that feel constrained to inquire
whether the government, in its manage
ment of the immense postal interests OF
the people in whose behalf it acts, can be
thus at the mercy of corporations or parties
like those bv whom this menace is offered j;
or whether, under the laws declaring al
| railroads post roads, making it the duty of
the Postmaster General to provide for the
carving of mails on al post roads,
/ or under any other Law or laws, the Govern
! meut possesses sufficient pOwer,or can have
recourse to suitable means to protect the
| important interests entrusted TO its custody
thus imperilled. Will you therefore be
pleased. at the earliest moment practicable,
| to communicate to me your opinion on the
points TO wit: 81
1. If railroad companies refuse to carry
agents in charge thereof for the compensa-
ton prescribed by law, has the Government,
as represented by the Postofice Depart
ment, right, is it its duty, to convey mail
agents in cars Of its own over said roads?
g If railroad companies offer to carry
mails as freight or baggage, and refuse 10
provide postal cars and carry clerks TO dis
tribute said mails, is it the right Of the gov
eminent to run cars for the due distribu,
ton and delivery of said mails
3. Is it not within the executive power
of the department to interfere and enforce
the law so far as to determine what is righ
and proper in the way Of accommodation
and safeguards for the dispatch, Transports
ton and distribution of mails, and require
compliance Herewith on the part OF rail
road companies
4. Can the department make greate
compensation to railroad companies thai
that prescribed by the act of March 3, 1873
5, In case railroad companies refuse L
run postal cars as heretofore for the compen
sation prescribed, advise this department
as to the extent and nature Of its power
under existing legislation, to provide again s
delays, losses and incOnViences resullln
therefrom?
6. Has Congress power to confer upon
this department greater authority and con
troll over railroads of the country in connei
ton with postal service, than that now pos
sessed? If so, state the extent.
The Indian DefauIter- Farragut'
Claim for Prize Money.
Can't. Jockneck, of the Indian Office, al
rested to-day on an Indictment found i
North Carolina, for the alleged making G
false census returns of the eastern baud
Cherokees, gave bail for trial in Distric
Court.
The case of Farragut for claims for priz
money, for destruction of rebel vessels i
fercing passage to New Orleans
Of which the arbitrators ds
or two ago filed their repor
awarding S26S,O00 was up. Mr.. Ca
wine, for the Navy Department, moved
that the arbitration file evidence takeI
The Judge overruled the motion, and Gen
, eral Butler, for the claimants, moved dc
cree on the award. To-day the hearin
was resumed. Mr.. C)rwiae filed excep
tions to The arbitrators' report. The ex
ceptions we're overruled aud the court cor
frned the award of the arbitsators, az
ordered the payment of the money. Whic
was done.
Death from HydrOphObia.
Richard Staples, who lately resumed b
residence in Washington, was about lot
months ago attacked in Chicago by
small dog, but no wound inflicted. .