New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-12-09


any increase in the annual amount of Government
transportation or any saving in the management OF
Indian affairs.
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL.
REPRESENTATIVE WELLS DECLINES TO BE
CANDIDATE FOR THE SPEAKERSHIP.
WASHINGTON. Tuesday, Dec. s, 1874.
REPRESENTATIVE Erastus Wells of Missouri, who has
been somewhat prominently mentioned in connec-
ton with the Speakcrshp of the next Congress,
saws he is fully aware of his want of capacity for
that position, and that he is not fool enough to
expect such honors. He thinks the few that have
expressed a preference for him have been guided
more by personal considerations than by any idea
that he was the most available or popular man. He
saws ne has no desire for the Office, and that If he
were elected he could not serve, This be feels at
liberty to saw although general rule he does not
feel called upon 10 refuse thing before II has been
offered to him. He even says that If he were
candidate he could not receive his vote, salts
fed is he that he would not make good presiding
officer.
A DIVISION oE SENTIMENT on THE ARKANSAS
CASE
During the session of the Senate Republican eau
Gus this afternoon Arkansas and Louisiana affairs
were only incidentally referred to- it being evident
that formal discussion of them would show wide
and irreconcilable difference of opinion. In the
Arkansas case, the friends of Smith have been seek
ing Congressional action, and those of Garland
operating against it. Several prominent SEN
tors say if the Senate attempt TO intermeddle
with tho affairs of Arkansas they will become
as much confused as the parties to the Guberna-
toriai controversy themselves arc Ill that State.
Besides they do not see how Congressional action
could benefit State already peaceful and they fail
to perceive any reason for Interfering IN Arkansas,
when the condition of Louisiana, being or scandal
lous character has failed 10 secure Congressional
ctiO EX-(nOV. Rayfpr arrived here
ABOLITION OF OFFICES BY AMENDING APPRO-
PRIATION BILLS.
Ii is the intention of some of the leaders the
Democratic side Of the House 20 urge the adoption
of an amended rule which will make a correction Of
appropriation bills in order far to provide that
Offices Of the civil government may be abolished
the compensation of their holders reduced or set
aside in order that the civil establishment may be
cut down in its list of expenditures. Secretary
Brstow expresses the belief that the annual
penses of his department may be considerably re-
duced but under the present rules Office be
abolished, or the payment of its occupant
be reduced by amendments to the
preparation bills it being held that such amend
Iuents are in the nature of legislation Repre-
sentative Holman will offer the resolution.
PROPOSED FURTHER INQUIRY AS TO PACIFIC
MAIL AFFAIRS.
At the last session of Congress the House passed
resolution directing the Ways and Means Commit
tee to begin an inquiry into the transactions of the
Pacific Mail Steamship Company in the doubling by
Congress of their subsidy. After few sessions had
been held in secret and before the close of the in
vestigation the inquiry fell through and the test-
mony was never given to the public by the Commit
tee. So much has since been said of the affairs Of
the Company in New-YOrk business circles and in
the newspapers that the Ways and Means Commit
think that they will fan TO discharge their duty
Committee will, therefore, be held tomorrow to de-
eide what course shall be taken. The witnesses are
said to be ready and the investigation may proceed
al once. .,. ,, .o,..
The portion of the recent Post-Ofllce regulations
for the prepayment of postage newspapers and
periodicals. relative to country papers, has been
modified as follows: Newspapers, without regard to
the frequency of issue. copy to each subscriber
actually for the time being residing in the county
where the same printed entitled to pass free
of postage through the mails but the rate of post
age on the same, excepting weekes when deposited
in etter-carrers Office for delivery by the Office
its carriers, shall be uniform at cent EACH
Weekles when sent through the mails to, or deliv-
cred in letter-carrlers Office in the county where
printed shall be weighed in bulk and subjected to
postage of two cents per pound TO be prepaid at the
mailing Office by special adhesive stamps.
A SWEEPING RESOLUTION OF INQUIRY.
Senator Davis of West Virginia introduced reso-
luton to-day asking the President to submit to the
Senate complete list of defaulting officers of the
Government, the amount of their indebtedness the
length of time during which it has existed and the
names of their sureties Also the claims made upon
the Government for land by various railroads, and
what claims have been granted Mr.. Davis expresses
his determination to call this bill up an early day.
and to continue doing until he gets the nfOrma-
ton desired. In conversation he seems to be par
ticulary DESTROYS of investigating theaffars of the
| receiving land grants of doubtful legality.
GRIEVANCE OF THE UNITED STATES MAR
SHAIS.
| The Attorney General has prepared bill which
| he has forwarded to the House Judiciary Commit
tee, providing for the restoration of the mileage
| rates to United States Marshals. A Committee of
Marshals called on Gen Butler and other members
of the Judiciary Committee soday and urged prompt
action II seems that the Marshals receive but 800
year as salary, and that in all Government cases
only their travelling expenses paid, Thus making
l their compensation very meager and unremunera-
| tive. The provision of the bill of last June was
| were particularly intended for officers receiving
reasonable monthly or yearly compensation.
MR. sTowELLs ALLEGED CADETsHIP.PEDDLING.
Dir. John r. Brady, member of the Virginia
Legislature in the lobby of the House to-day.
| exhibiting letter addressed to tho Speaker. in