The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-05-09
WASHINGTON.


WASHINGTON, May 8-The Cabinet was in
session nearly two hours to-day, during which
the Arkansas question was under consdera-
ton. 1t was expected that the general govern
ment would have made some decision in re-
spouse to many applications therefor from the
representatives of the contendlng factions in
this case, but no conclusions has been reached
as yet here. The decision of the Supreme
Court favoring the Brooks side of the case in
such direct contradiction of it's previous dec;s-
ion that the Legislature had the exclusive con
troll of the question, has the effect of augment
ing difficulties under which the general govern
ment rests in arriving at solution of the vexed
question This new phase of the matter was
talked of at some length in the Cabinet session
and the reversal of the former opinion of the
Supreme Count of State occasoned surprise.
No member of the Cabinet has made definite or
positive expression of opinion on the subject.
All the papers that have been presented in the
case were read to-day There may be some
discussion tomorrow, but there is no certainty
of it as the attorneys of the different parties
are constantly sending kilograms and present.
ing new points and new arguments which they
are anxious to have considered. A Cabinet
officer said this afternoon that the government
was heartily tired of the controversy. When
its decision is made proclamation will be is
sued which will, all must understand, settle
the question. -,...g
C0nfrmatiOns
The Senate to day confirmed the following
nominations: Nicholas Fish of New York
Secretary of Legation at Berlin; Chapman
Coleman of Maryland. Secopd Secretary Of the
Legation at Berlin; Edward III. Danforth of
Massachusetts, Indian Agent at White River
Agency, Colorado.
Civil Rights Bill.
At an adjourned meeting of the Republican
Senatorial Caucus this afternoon there was a
long discussion of the pending civil rights
bill with view of making it acceptable to all
members of the majority by agreeing on some
modification of its pr)visions No definite con-
clusion was reached but it is believed action
will be taken at another caucus to provide for
such changes on the bill as will clearly admit
of separate schools being provided for white
and colored children and also for separate &C.
commodation by inn keepers, proprietors of
theatres, etc., on the condition that the advan-
tages equally as great is secured to all classes
Treasury Balances.
The following are the Treasury balances to-
day:-Currency, 81: 3S2,006; special deposit of
legal tenders for redemption of certificates of
deposit, S53 $50 900; coin, $S4 1859, 218, including
coin certificates $36, 024, 800; outstanding legal
tenders, 382,000,000.
The Pacific Railroad Interest.
The House Committee on the Pacific Rail-
road to-day unanimously agreed to report and
recommend the passage of the bill directing the
Secretary of the Treasury to demand from each
of the Pacific Railroad companies the imme-
date payment of five per cent. per annum of
their respective net receipts required by law to
be paid over to the Government and applied to
the liquidation of interest on their bonds. The
bill will contain provision directing the At
torney General to commence proceedings to
enforce the payment of this five per cent in
case the demand of the Secretary of the Treas
ury be mont complied with.