New-York tribune., 1874-11-23
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL
THE PACIFIC RAILROAD LAND GRAMS.

WASHINGTON Nov. %. 1874.
From tine records Of the General Land oee appears
that tho number OF acres of land actually patented
to the Pacific Railroad Companies under the Congress
sona land grants is follows: Ulion PLcih1 Railroad
7o9,954 acres: Central Pacific RlrOad 6726li acres ;
Kansas Pacific Railroad $4,000 acres. TIE number OF
acres selected but withheld patent by the order OF
Secretary Cox Now g. 1862 TO await the completion OF
the roads, in accordance with the report OF the Com
mtee OF five eminent citizens" was 3222 acres by
the Union Pacific and 6i3j acres by the central racine
COMPANY. These two roads, having been now accepted
properly completed, entitled to demand ana re-
ceive patents for the remainder of their land grants,
which the General Land Oice estimates will amount to
acres for the Union Pacific, and 10000 acres
for the Central Pacific Company The estimated guam
tty which the Kansas Pacific RIilroad Company may
sS isw Of july a. 1854 however, forOds Of
patents for lands 10 Pacific Rlroad company unii
the cost OF surveying, selecting and conveying thG an
applied for shall have been nrs para lhto the onltea
States Treasury and as there Is no Jaw reqEinE i9
Companies to aEpy patents unless they Wish TO- ana
no machinery provided for enforcing the pro-
vision of the act of 1864 hnt lands not sold oy
within three Years after the compeuon o sv. o", t
shall be liable TO he sold under the Preenp1on laws or
panes Gr msv delay the
although still reserved from general settment ana sus-
ceptible Of sale by said corporations.
PROBABILITY THAT JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL
WILL BE APPOINTED MINISTER TO RUSSIA.
The President now intends to appoint James Russell
Lowell Minister TO Russia and, unless ne is oissuaueo
his good intentions before the meeting OF Congress
by the mschevous interference OF politicians the name
of that distinguished scholar ana poet will be sent TO
the Senate among the first nominations Prof LoweH
has not yet been consulted the subject. But his
friends in the Cabinet have little doubt OF his accent
ance He has not sought oice Bnt his selection would
he 80 fitting that 1t has strongly urged the Pres
dent by three members OF bis Cabinet Oae OF the
members, whose opinion has not been sought by tue
President says that Mr. Lowell is probably G hepHPn
for ihe party Ever since the recall of Mr. Motley II
been matter OF regret among tue better ciass VI
high mission abroad some other repr.enatiye OF the
learning and culture Of America An opportunity now
offers and he Will probably take advantage of H. New
England claims tie appointment on t1e ground that
she has nrstcass Minister abroad, ana inc iormer
Minister. Gov. Jewell was from that section. Qiarer-
IuasterCenera Meigs has definitely decided 10 oecnnc
the tender being somewhat uncertain OF Retaining us
position the army in case should be retired Cen
Megs however will go abroad shortly ana remain. it
said, for two In the me neantlihr IL Is uenesed
Rufus ingalls, will be Installed as darternasterGene neral
COLLECTION OF DELINQUENT RAILROAD TAXES.
Special Agent Yargau, who made Investigations for
the Treasury in Texas has returned from the west and
will soon be dispatched the South TO continue similar
examinations IN Other States He has lately been col
lecting taxes railroads at the West, under
information furnished by san0orn, aud wheh Commis-
soner Douglass Is using, with the agreement that he
will pay a fair price for the same About OO0) VIII
he collected aud the Commissioner Is restricted by
law paying than 10 cent the collection OF
this SUN, instead of costing tue Government SJJ as
t would ha done under the sanborn contract IL will
cost considerably lees than SlOJ0o. and the ConIs'
suner will not. general tning, allow 0per cent Tor
much OF the Information furnished.
DISCOVERY OF THEFTo FROM THE POST-OFFICE
II has been ascerained that largo number of INVITA-
ons the Sherman wedding s:oen from the Post
once here, aud Judge Elmuuds 10 now investigating
the matter. The discovery made through IL num-
ber OF friends OF the family and several prominent o
absence being noted ana their complaints
coming the OF family IN Others tue rca cause
M failure became known Gen Sherman estimates mat
at least 90 In stolen As yet none VI INC
pertetraiors OF the theft have been detected.