Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-03-04
THE DISTRICT HIVES LEGATION.
Proceedings Of the Joint Committee
To-day.

Allison and Representatives Wilson, Hubbell
Bass and Hamilton. Senator Boutwell, stiu be-
ing Ill, was unable to be present, and Senator
Thurman presided. Columbus Alexander and
the counsel for the observation-disclosures. Mer-
rick, Shellabarger and Crystie-were present
as were Col j. A. Msgruder, treasurer of the
Board of Public Works, Mr.. Il. s. Burr of the
auditors office, and several clerks of the con-
the fact that it was generally understood that
the meeting to-day would not be public, as only
preliminaries were to be disposed of.
GOV. sHEPHRRDs ANSWER TO BE PRINTED.
The FIRST business was the formal reception by
Mr.. Thurman, the chairman, on behalf of the
committee, OF the answer received from Gov.
shepherd in response to the inquiries pro-
pounded by the committee.
Some informal conversation then took place
in regard to the printing of the report, and as
to how many copies should be printed. 1t was
generally agreed that great expedition ought to
be used in printing this report, but that this
could not probably be done in less time than a
week.
On motion of Mr.. Wilson, it was ordered that
800 copies OF the previous answer be printed.
MIR. Thurman called the attention of the com.
mtee to their decision at their last session that
but swo counsel on side be permitted to ap-
pear during the investig alton, and said that it
had been suggested that this order be amended
so as TO allow three persons to appear in that
capacity: The order was modified in accord
ancs with the suggestion of the chairman.
THE DISTRICT DOCUMENTS.
Mr.. Thurman asked Colonel Magruder who
was in charge of the accompanying documents
forwarded with Governor Shepherds answer
Colonel Msgruder replied that Mr.. t. 8.
Burr, OF the auditors office, with several cleri-
cal assistants, had charge of the same. Colonel
Magruder also called the attention of the chair
man to the systematic manner in which the
documents were arranged, and said the COM
mittee would have no trouble in finding any
paper they might desire.
Judge Merrick, of counsel for the memorial
ists stated that he and his associates would like
to have access to the documents referred to at
all times, of course under the direction of the
persons whom Governor Shepherd had placed
In charge. 1t was necessary that they should
see these papers in order to intelligently make
up their case, and il accorded this privilege the
investigation need not be delayed.
Senator Allison suggested that possibly the
counsel for the memorIalists might want to read
the Governors answer, and they could not do
this If It was sent TO the printing Office.
Mr.. Merrick thought this would not be neces-
sary. They could examine the documents now
and the answer itself after it is printed.
MI. Wilson concurred in this view of the case.
At this point the chairman requested those
present TO retire for a short time.
ORDER OF THE COMMITTEE.
when the doors were thrown open the chair
announced that the committee had made the
following order:
other original papers sent to this committee by
the Governor OF the District shall remain in the
room OF this committee in charge of one or more
OF the following persons named by said Governor
lot that purpose, to wit: Thomas s. Burr,
Fred'k III. johnson, John A. Hurley and George
L. Howard; and that the counsel of the me-
morialists and of the District government shall
have leave to inspect and take copies of any of
said documents or papers,"
He also stated that the committee would hold
a private session from $50 to II A.. m. to-mor-
row. and that at the last named hour the com
mittee would take up the subject of schools in
the District. He requested Col. Magruder to
nave before the committee at IL O'Clock the
controller of the District, the collector of taxes,
N fha och md
other officers as can throw any light upon the
amount of tax levied for school purposes, the
amount remaining uncOllected, &c.
The committee then adjourned. Prior to ad-
journment the chair stated that none of the
vouchers and other papers sent to the commit
tee by Gov. Shepherd would be allow wed to leave
the committee room.
TO SIT DURING THE SESSION.
In the Senate, to-day, Mr.. Sherman offered
resolution, which was adopted. Empowering the
CON mlttee to cit during the session of Congress.
similar resolution was adopted in the House
Columbus Alexander and the counsel for the
me morialists at once ayailed themselves Of the
privilege of inspecting the documents forward
ed by the Governor, and were engaged all the
afternoon in making extracts and copies of pa
peIs.
VISITOR TO WEST PoINT.-The President
has designated Gen. Thomas j. Morgan, of Ne
brsska, to be one of the Board of Visitors to
the West Point Military Academy, to fill
vacancy.
THE SENATE Committee on Territories held
meeting this morning to consider the nomina-
ton Of Gen. McCook, to be governor of Colo
RADIO. Gov. Ebert and eighty others opposed to
the confirmation arrived here Yesterday and
are at WoTmley's. They were heard at the
meeting this morning and again at 2 p. m. this
afternoon.
PENSIONS FOR INDIAN SoLDIHRs.-The
chairman of the Committee on Pensions was
before the House Appropriation Committee this
morning advocating an appropriation suffi cient
TO pay pensions 10 such Indian soldiers as were
disabled by woundsor disease during the war of
the rebellion. Opposition was made on the
ground that Indians were not taxed. But the
same rule would apply TO good many white
men who draw pensions, having perhaps moth.
ing to tax but their good names.
The HOUSE COMMITTEE on Commerce this
morning agreed to report favorably on the bill
authorizing the Secretary OF War to detail a
competent officer of the army to inquire into
the subject of the spread of epidemic diseases
and to report what means should be taken to
prevent the importation of contagion of any
kind. They also agreed to report the bill q y
ing the Secretary of War control of the mouth
OF the Mississippi river while certain improve
ments now in progress are prosecuted, it being
alleged that the tow-boat monopoly OF New Or
leans Interferes with the work.
WAR CLAIMs.-The chairman of the House
vi SidlIuS tnls morning, lC is
under stood, submitted to the committee a re-
port prepared by him on the general subject OF
the liability OF the government to pay for prop
erty used, occupied or destroyed, by the armies
OF the United States durins the late war of the
rebellion. The claims are divided into fys
different classes, in the order In which settle
ment lie to be recommended the most meritori-
Gus being of the first and second classes. 1t is
the general impression that the committee will
not adopt the report
The CLERKsHIP QUESTION. - Dear Star
Thanks for publishing my humble effort to-
ward calling attention of "those in authority
to the injustice of giving employment to sew
eral members OF the same family while the sole
representative Of large connection Is dis
charged, or fails Of appointment. Thanks too
to our noble champion, Hon. b. +. Butler who
although advocating the soldiers claims does
not forget woman's. May he 60 on In his
good work, and see to IL that the bill brought
by him, when made a law, shall be enforced.
Why, dear STAR, can tell you of q whole
family holding office, with one single excep-
ton, and she 10 the grandmother, who, If not a
paralytic-dear old lady-would herself, no
doubt, have her spoon In Uncle Sans porridge-
pot. Let reform 60 with retrenchment, says
March 8, 1874. MINERVA.
HYDRoPHoBIA FROM A CAT BITR.-A twelve
year old son OF Mr.. David Smith, Of Davidson
county, y. c., Is suffering from an attack of
n Vdr hrt.f 49, As- it,