New-York tribune., 1874-07-09
WASHINGTON.
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL.
SENATOR MITCHELLs REPORT ON THE RAILWAY
POSTAL SERVICE.
WASHINGTON. Wednesday, July g, ls'

SENATOR MITCHELL'S REPORT ON THE RAILWAY
POSTAL SERVICE.
WASHINGTON. Wednesday, July 8, 1874.
The report OF Senator Mitchell OF the subcommittee
OF the Senate Committee Transportation in relation
to the railway postal service Of the country presented
by him the last day OF the session of Congress- has
just been printed. The Senator has gone into thor
ough discussion to the power OF Congress- under Sec
on 6, Article l, OF the Constitution, which declares
that Congress shall have the power to establish post
offices and post roads. He holds that Congress- under
this delegation OF power. may provide for the transpora
ton OF It's mails railroads owned by pri-
vate corporations without the consent OF such
porations of the State in which such roads stu
ated by paying just compensation; that this may be
done by exercise, the part of Congress- OF the
right OF eminent domain. He holds generally that the
power TO take private property for the purpose OF the
transportation of the public mails does not depend upon
express provisions of the Constitution but that 1t is
Inherent attribute Of sovereignty existing in every
Independent State. In support OF this opinion, he
draws comparison between the powers OF Congress,
under present Constitution, and those which
existed under the Articles of Confederation
His views are also sustained by numerous
citations from State aud Federal Courts of high authOr
ty While declaring the existence in the General Gov
cTnment of the power mentioned, Senator Mitchell does
nor recommend resort TO its exercise time, and
only case Of absolute necessity II surh should arise
lie cOnempates such changes In our postal laws as VIII
enable the Department TO make Just compensation
for the carriage mails railroads and also tend TO
the extension of the mail service as the growth OF the
essentially defective, aud he therefore proposes to de-
large part of his time during the recess of Con
lie hopes. will be acceptable to the railroad companies,
and at the same time be Just to the Government.
AN EFFORT MAKING TO PROCURE THE INDICT-
MENT OF Mr.. CHARLES A. DANA FOR LIBEL.
The Star announces this evening that exGov. shep
herd appeared before the Grand Jury to-day to
the indictment of Mr. Charles A. Dana, editor OF The
Nc York SUM- for libel in recent article. II present
ment is secured effort Will be made TO arrest Mr.
Dana and bring him here under the Poland law. The
question for the NewYork Courts TO pass upon Will be
whether Mr. Dana can commit ofense in the
District Of Columbia, by the circulation
here of his newspaper containing an alleged libel The
authorship Of the Poland bill has now become known.
10 was drawn by DisrictAttorney Harrington assisted
by MI Shepherd himself and aferward placed in Judge
Poland's hands introduced 1t will be remembered
that when attempt made year ago TO bring Mr..
Dana here, it then argued by Shepherds counsel
that he could be held for trial in the District under the
$50 section of the act 1893 was however strenuousy
denied by Mr. Dlnas counsel, that the courts OF this
District had any powers under that act and this denial
had great weight with Judge BlatchtOrd Mr. Harrng-
ton has now succeeded In removing all objections
that point, the second section OF his bill now law,
section on both the police and criminal courts OF this
District.
THE PROSECUTION OF THE SAFE BURGLARY
CASE By MR.. RIDDLE.
Mr. Harrington, Assistant DlstrlctAttOrney stated IN
the Criminal Court this morning that in compliance
with request of the DstrictAttorney, the Attorney
General had appointed Mr.. A. Riddle special Assist
ant TO take charge OF and conduct all
proper and necessary proceedings to bring TO punish
ment such persons were crimlnany concerned IN
breaking open safe in the office OF the United States
Attorney for the District of Columbia i'll any bur
glary or larceny connected Herewith. Mr. Harrington
asked that his appointment be fled, and the Judge so
ordered. Mr. Riddle will enter an examination OF the
case at once but will not probably be ready Tor tal at
this term of the Court. AS yet Benton If the only
person indicted The witnesses in the case OF Hayes
nave vet before the Grand jury. Considerable
surprise Is manifested here TO the choice OK Mr. Rid
die for the prosecuting officer not because OF any opo
ston him. either the ground of personal integrity
legal capacity but because or MS connection Mitn
Mr. Harrington Of the suspected persOns When
Mr. HarringtOns name first mentioned In connec-
ton with the safe burglary he appeared pelore tne
Committee Of Congress with MI Riddle as ms COUNSEL
The latter however, far as known, has taken no
further steps in the capacity OF Harrngtons counsel
A VIOLATION OF THE STEAMBOAT REGULATIONS
An interesting case involving the technical violations
OF certain steamboat regulations has iust been DECIDED
being the first case Of its character Recently the
steamer Roanoke, plying on the Chesapeake, re-
norted as running in violation of that part of the law
ouiring the regulations 10 be framed aud posted
up in public place the steamer. The law imposes
fine of $50 for violation of this rule and $500 on the
owners. The accuracy OF the charge was admitted on
behalf OF the steamboat and two explanations made by
the owners and pilot claimed that the rules had
been blown down aud other that they had been re-
moved temporarily while repairs were being made.
The question was submitted 10 the Solicitor OF the
treasury who has decided that the fines must be en-
forced. Had the vessel been at her wharf, the law
would not have been operative. the decision wiz De
submitted TO the Secretary Of the Treasury upon MS
return for approval within bis discretion TO remit
tue fines or TO lessen them
THE SETTLEMENT OF CLAIMS AGAINST THE
DISTRICT GOVERNMENT.
Under the sixth section of the District act, the
First and Second Controllers Of the Treasury are const
tuted board OF aultto examine and prepare for set
Element all the unfunded floating debt OF the Dstrct
and Board of Public Works. in the following order;
F,rst the debt as evidenced by sewer certificates;
second Auditors certificates OF the Board OF Works
trd Auditors and Controllers Sernhcates OF sne Ds
Public Works in which no evidence OF IndeptedISss mas
heen ssned mn the same, account Of the District
- 1Xtnmba srth for private property taken by the
Board of Public Works; and SeVenH uuauJ o"iu'
for damages 49, A.
The Controllers have issued circular inviting tne
claims TO be presented without further as'sl' @s"
settlement will entail an immense amount OF work on
the two officers who their full share Of duties
hut both gentlemen Mr. Taylor and Mr.. Broadhead,
have the confidence of the public, and will do their
work with scrupuous juslse and fairness.
THE NEW BANKRUPT LAW.
The AttorneyGeneral for se=era days has been beset
by letters from various sections OF the country IN regard
ta the INTERPRETATION Of the 18th section Of the new
Bankrupt law which passed during the last days Of the
esson He has decided that, under that section, the
is,er in bankruptcy aud the United States marshal
are not reouired 10 make the returns therein provided
Gov untn those officers are furnished with tabular
form and directions respect thereto by the Justice 2,
the Supreme Court
WASHINGTON NOTES.
WARRINGTON, Wednesday. July g. 1874
The gentlemen appointed to wind up the affairs OF 'he
(Fna kIaD