River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1874-02-17
Washington.

The trial Of Judge J. W. Wright, charged
with Indian forgeries, was concluded in
Washington on Tuesday, By verdict Of not
guilty
REPORT gained circulation TO the effect
that fharply-wordcd notes had passed be-
tween the United States and Germany, but
Secretary Fish empbatieally denounces the
statement as untrue, and the German Minis.
ter is not aware Of any subject Of unkind feel
ing between the two countries.
The Board Of Navigation Comm issioncrs
in session in Washington, have adopted reso-
lutions iayoring the opening no aud improve
ment Of the great water-lnes and denouncing
what they term tho false cry Of economy
The commissioners will shortly appear before
the House Committee on Commerce, in
reference TO the Louisville and Portland canal
THE joint committee to investigate the al
fairs OF the District Of Columbi1 met on Thurs.
day, January 18th Senator Boutwell, presid-
ing, and appointed u subordinate committee.
consisting OF Boutwell,, Wilson, Thurman aud
| Hamilton, TO consider the best mode Of con-
ducting the investigation. The committee
came to the conclusion that it would be best
/
of allowing TO be present authorized repre-
sentatives OF the press and parties especially
interested in the investigation, with their
| counsel.
The army reduction bill, under considers
ton by the House Military Committee. has
been printed fer private use OF the members
Of the committee only. II provides for sweep
ing reductions Ia the army, among others Of
five regiments OF infantry, two Of cavalry,
aud one of artillery. Officers who may
necessarily be affected by the reduction
are to receive one years pay on being
mustered out. Important changes are also
proposed in the number ard mode
Of selection Of officers az commanding gen
erals OF the several military departments.
The bill provides for the appointment Of
assistant surgeons, aud assistant quarter
masters, from officers who have served in the
medical and quartermaeter's departments
during the late war, aud that the FIRST twen-
~ graduates each year, from the military
academy shall be assigned to regiments, ana
the remainder discharged.
The Committee on Education and Labor
has decided to report adversely upon the sew
eral bills To prohibit the importation of Cooho
labor which were referred 20 that committee
II Is urged that the law Of 1862 Is sufficiently
strict, aud that the bill will mani'estly violate
the conditions OF tho treaty with China and
Japan.
THE Committee on Public Lands have re-.
ported to the House comprehensive bill r..
pcaliug all the homestead laws, except the act
ot 1872, providing homestoads tor soldiers
and sailors. The new bin provides that any
citizen over 81 years Of age may select 100
acres Of land valued at sl.2j per acre. or 50
acres valued at $3.50 per ac,e for home.
stead. II provides thst no patent OF owner.
ship can be issued uutIl after five years OF
continuous residence on the land. IT. citi-
zen has land already but less than 100 acres.
be may enter and take possession uf other
unapproprIated lands adjoining. not exceed.
INK 100 acres IN all. Absence irom the land
tor six months at a time dmrug the 1--WE Years
tortcits all clam to ownership. Provision Is
also made for the purchase by settlers If
land for commercial and manufacturing pur-
poses. The date OF the act is fixed ON the LIST
Of september next
AZ insane man attempted q ride into the
White House, az Washington, the other day.
lie gave his name as James G. Syphcr.