New-York tribune., 1874-03-20
NETWORK, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1874

prescribed by the Commissioners and maintain that
| they are too low. If the bill gave the Commission
ers aosolte power to fix and enforce rates. was at
first proposed, 1T would get very few votes.
ECONOMICAL MEASURES IN THE HOUSE.
IL Is the era of small things in Congress, and, it
might be added. of small men. Nearly the whole Of
to-day was spent by the House in discussing the
proper strength of the Capitol police force, and
cited arguments were made on the question whether
the force should have two lieutenants three, and
whether 20 privates would not be sufficient instead
OF q. Pennsylvania member tried to awaken
sympathy for the policemen by saying that they
were obliged to remain in the building after the fires
were put out and that their health often suffered
from the chilly atmosphere, whereupon Ohio
member ridicued this pathetic appeal by contrast
ing the condition of these guardians of the Capitol
who arc comfortably housed at all times, with that
of city policemen who, for about half the pay, must
be out in all weathes. All the attempts Of the
omists to reduce the number salaries of the en-
ployes about the Capitol failed so did effort to
strike at the mileage abuse by cutting down the ap
preparation for this purpose-an impracticabe
cheney, for as long as the present mileage law re-
mans nneha9ged failure to appropr'.Ito tho neoss,
would not take away their right to demand and re-
ceIve II at a future sesoion.
THE APPRAIsEMENT OF MERCHANDIsE
The bill to provide for the appraisement of mer-
chandse in certain cases, passed by the Senate this
morning, is the introduced by Senator Boutwell,
on JAN l6 last. 1t provides that whenever any
goods, wares, OF merchandise shall be imposted by
the manufacturer or producer thereof, or when the
appraiser shall be Of the opinion that the invoice OF
any goods. wares, or merchandise does
not correspond with the market value Of
such goods, wares. or merchandise at the
place of shipment, although such invoice
may state truly the cost of such goods, wares, or
merchandise il shall be the duty of the appraisers
To fix the actual market value of such goods wares,
MERCHANDISE at the place of shipment at the date
OF the exportation by ascertanng the value Of the
or of goods of a similar character manufactured
or produced by other manufacturers producers,
sold to other bona fde purchasers in open market.
AN IMPORTANT LUMBER CASE.
The case of the United States against Cook, on
certificate of division from the Circnit Court for
Wisconsin, argued in the Supreme Court to-day,
presents the question whether the United States
can replevin lumber or logs III the hands OF third
person. 10 whom they have been sold by individual
Indians from the reservation of the tribe. The Gov
ernment insists that the land from which the
trees are cut still in its original condition as Indian
land, and as the Indians cutting them are
tribal Indians they coud pass no title to the per-
sons taking from them. The Indians have the right
of occupancy only. and this right is vested IN tue
tIlhe and not IN individuals. such Indians nave 90
power 10 sell timber of the reservations As stand
ing timber II belonged 10 the Government, subject
only the tribal interest in IL as covert for game
aud 10 the night the tribe as such To order the
land 10 be cleared Tor purposes OF agriculture when
necessary.
TIE CHARGES AGAINST COMMISSIONER BAKER
Commissioner of Pensions Baker to-day presented
to the Speaker of the House his official reply to the
recent charges made against him. He answers at
some length the several charges and asserts that the
persons concerned in the assault upon him were all
dismissed from his Office, either for wful neglect
of duty or nearous conduct To the charge that his
military record was faulty he replied by official
testimony from the War Department positively
<o1lfaa.cliEgr It, and showing that ho was com
mended and promoted for his action IN the specihc
case quoted by his accusers. To the remaining
charges he gives full ana specific answers asserting
their fasity and makes an argument with regard to
the injustice as well as the demorailzng effect upon
the public service of permitting public officers to be
arragned by discharged clerks ana others, without
the support either OF competent testimony or
responsible names.
FURTHER INFORMATION RELATIVE TO THE
sANBORN CONTRACTS.
The name Of the gentleman who fIst tried to OBJ
tain contract under tue law for the collection Of
moneys due the Government is Pennery Of Kansas
He had evidence that the Pacific Railroad had over
charged the Government for freight fully three mil
lions. He offered 10 contract TO collect at 80 per
cent for the first 100000 and y per cent for all
over that sum. Secretary Richardson to-day wrote
in answer 10 n member of the WAYS aud Means
Committee that the man who had been travelling
about the country collecting taxes and signing him
self Special State Auditor of the Treasury was not
known 10 the Treasury Department IN any official
capacity whatever, but as al employe OF Sanb0rn
elmp4y.
A LADY NOMINATED AND CONFIRMED AS PEN
sion AGENT AT CHICAGO.
Miss Ada c. Sweet, who was nominated by the
President and confirmed by the Senate to-day to
be Pension Agent at Chicago, vice Blakey, resigned
is the daughter OF the late Cen b. j. Sweet, First
Deputy Commissioner of Internal Revenue. The
President has heretofore declined to appoint ladies
70 responsible disbursing positions, but the ability
of Miss Sweet in the administration of the Chicago
office wnle her father Pension Agent, before he
was appointed Deputy Commissioner induced the
President 10 make an exception IN her favor. The
Senate confirmed the nomination without the
usual reference TO "a committee.
WASHINGTON NOTES.
wAsHKGTos, Thursday, March 10, 1874