New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-03-08
WASHINGTON.
The Moieeies Question.

Ano AOloIeS Que0tlOus
WASHINGTON, March THE Ways and
Means Committee of the House have been
engaged all the week with evidence regard
ing mOieties. lnnumerable instances of
malpractice and oppression have been de-
veloped. 1t seems likely that tho system
will be abolished. The investigation con-
tiuues next week.
What Mrs. Gaines says about Caleb,s Ia.
cape.
Mrs. Gaines Is quoted as having said that
Caleb Gushing was heard BY the Durell
committee two hours before tho stated time
and made his escape in buggy via Bladen-
burg. She will proceed against some of his
corner lots for satisfaction in her SOC, 900
libel suit.
The Liquor LAW Bill.
WASHINGTON, March THE bill regard
ing the liquor law passed the Senate yester
day, as follows:
Be it enacted, etc, That there shall be
appointed by the President, by and with
the advice and consent of the Senate, q
commission Of five persons. neither of whom
shall be the holder of any office of profit on
trust in the general or any State govern
ment. The said commissioners shall be Sc
lected solely with reference to their fitness
and capacity. for an honest, impartial and
thorough investigation, and shall hold Office
until their duties shall be accomplished,
but not to exceed one year. 1t shall be
their duty to investigate the alcoholic and
fermented liquor traffic and manufacture,
having special reference to revenue and
taxation in distinguishing as far as posi-
bic in the conclusions they arrive at be-
tween the effects produced by the use
of distilled or spurious liquors rs distin-
guished from the use of fermented or malt
liquors in their economic, criminal, moral
and scientific aspects in connection with
pauperism, crime, social vice, the publio
health and general welfare Of the people,
and also inquire aud take testimony a. to
the practical results Of license and restxic-
tive legislation for the prevention of intern
perance in the several States, and the effect
produced by such legislation upon the con-
sumption of distilled or spirituous liquors
and of fermented and malt liquors; and
also to ascertain whether the evil of
drunkenness has been decreased or in
creased thereby, whether the use of opium
as stimulant and substitute for alcoholic
drinks has become more general in conse-
quenoe of such legislation, and whether the
public morals have been improved thereby.
1t shall also be the duty Of said commits
sioners to gather Information and take testi-
Eony as to whether the evil of drunken
ness exists to the same extent or more SO
in other civilized countries, and whether
those foreign nations that are considered
the most temperate in the use of stimulants
through prOhibitOry laws, and also to what
degree prohibitery legislation has effected
the consumption and manufacture of malt
and spirituous liquors in this country.
Sec. 2. That the said commissioners. all
of whom shall not be advocates of prohibi-
tory legislation, OF total abstinence, in Pc
lati0n to alcoholic or fermented liquors,
shall serve without salary. skall be author
lied to employ secretary at reasonable
compensation, not exceeding $1,000 pee
year, which with the necessary expenses m
cidental to said investigation, not exceed
ing $4,000 Of both the secretary and COM
missiOners, shall be paid out of any money
in the treasury not otherwise appropriated,
upon vouchers to be approved by the Sec-
retary of the Treasury. and for this pH-
pose the sum of $4,000 is hereby appro-
priated. 1t shall be the further duty Of
said commissioners to report the result of
their investigation and the expenses at.
tending the same to the President to be by
him transmitted to Congress. 81.
The Vacant Sent in Congress.
The case of Sheridan vs.. Pinchback will
be submitted to the House early next week.
Probably q majority of the committee will
declare the seat vacant.
A Letter from Governor Hebert.
Governor Hebert has written q strong
letter to Judge Window, chairman of the
Senate Committee on transportation, in
favor of the Fort 81. Philip canal He
argues that the jetty system would ulti-
mately carry the bars of the Mississippi
mouths to the Yucatan coast.
Coming Home.
Colonel Nortsn and Major Mckee are
hOmeWaId bOund