New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-04-21

in anv Danger NJ molestation by the Indians.
The reports that sent East few weeks ago are
said to have been greatly exaggerated, and many OF
them to have been manufactured 1or the puIposc o'
creating public opinion against any present redmc-
ton of the army or Indian appropriations Inc
settlers would of course be glad to obtain the arms
which are useful tor hunting buffalo; &C Im lie op 90
great that he withdrew it and offered another pro
viding that the State authorities should give bonds
that the should be used only for the purposes
for which they were issued. On this Mr.. Logan be
gan one of his spread eagle" speeches. winch was
short by the expiration of the morning honr ana
will be continued tomorrow.
THE ALABAMA SENATORIAL CASE
The report of the majority of the Senate Commit
tee ON Privileges and Elections on the SykesSpencer
contest for seat in Congress from Alabama gives
detailed history of the circumstances under which
the contest arose. The Committee say the
quorum of the Courthouse Legislature, which
elected Mr.. Spencer, was made up by
the presence of eight or nine persons
who had been elected. but who had not certificates
of election and that the quorum of the State House
Legislature, which elected Mr. Sykes, was made up
by eight or nine persons who held certificates, but
had not been elected Mr. Spencer was first elected.
and subsequently the Governor recognized the STATE
House Legislature as the legal body. The Commit
tee find that the latter was the Legislature in
form. and that the Courthouse Legislature was
the Legislature in fact. After further argument
they conclude that Mr. Spencer is entitled TO his seat
in the Senate and cannot properly be Oused there
from. The minority, consisting of Messrs. Sauis-
bury and Hamilton of Maryland, take issue with
the conclusion of the majority of the Committee,
and say that the question is presented whether
in one of the States of this Union legitimate
legislative Government, sanctioned by every re-
ouireent of the Constitution and laws OF the State,
can be superseded by faction, and a revolutionary
body assembled without the form and IN contempt
of the law, shall receive the approval ana sanction
Legislature of the State. They insist that MIR Sykes
elected by a Legislature Organized IN con-
formity with the Constitution and laws OF Alabama
and therefore report that be is entitled TO the seat IN
the Senate which is now held by Mr. Spencer.
THE DISTRICT INQUIRY.
The District Investigating Committee spent its
morning session to-day in the examination of Mr..
II. S. Davis, who submitted some calculations show
ing what the cost of improvements by the Board of
Public Works in Washington would amount to, if
they were completed according to the plans
thus far adopted. His conclusions were,
that at rates even below those paid by
the BOARD fOr paving, &c. the cost would be greater
then the whole assessed value of real estate. When
the Board began of course it was not to be expected
that every street in the city would be improved
with patent pavements, but nearly S20O0000O
completed The afternoon session was devoted to
testimony in regard to ovenneasuremests, the
two witnesses examined being Mr.. Wright Rives,
late an officer of the army and very competent 10
criticse the work of the Board engineers, and Mr..
FORSYTH the Boards engineer who, when confronted
with some of his false measurements. was unable to
make any defense. The indications now are That
the Oyercharge against the General Government and
the citizens that will be exposed by this lnyesuga-
ton will be almost past belief.
THE CHEAP TRANSPORTATION QUESTION IN
THE HOUSE.
The canal wing of the cheap transportation party
in the House made surprising show of strength to-
day. in resolution offered by Mr.. Young of
Georgia. directing the Committee on Railways and
Canals TO bring in bill providing for opening up
the most important of the great natural water high
WAYS of the country and their connection by such
artificial channels as will give to our people the
cheap transportation which they demand" and
setting apart day in May for the consideration Of
the bill as a special order. The language of the
resolution indicated that it contemplated gigantic
scheme of Government subsidy for the various canal
projects which have been preached within the past
two years, and Mr. McCrary remarked that the
illustrations appeared to cover bill apprOpriating
S5OOO0OOOO. Less than the twOthirds necessary for
it's adoption voted for the resolution but it received
the remarkably heavy vote OF 10 to To-
PROPOSED TAX ON SALES OF BONDS AND STOCKS.
Representative StarkweatheT introduced bill to-
day providing for levying tax OF one-twentieth of
one per cent all sales of bonds stocks, gold and
prOmissory notes. The bill is said to have grown out
of careful consideration in the Committee of Appro
priations, Of which Mr.. Starkweather is member,
of the prospective balance-sheet of the Government
for the next fiscal year, and a general conviction
that the resources of the Treasury must be in some
way increased. As the question of raising revenue
belongs to the Ways aud Means Committee, the bill
refer IN hem he rnp &c Inor
favorably received than any proposition for addi-
tiOnal taxes that has been brought forward this
session, and appears to be acceptable substitute
for the proposed reimpOsit0n of the duty on tea
and coffee. Honestly collected, il is believed by
persons conyersant with the transactions the New
York Stock Exchange, that II would yield nearly
100000 day in that city alone.
THE SEIZURE OF BOOKS AND PAPERS.
Representative f. II. Roberts of the sub-Com-
mttee on Ways and Means made report to the full
Committee, to-day, on the subject of seizures of
books and papers 1t proposes to repeal the law
which gives that authority and to place the seizure
of books and papers Of merchants on the same
ground that such seizures made as to other
classes of citizens Also to repeal all provisions of
law under which moieties of any fines, penalties,
or forfeitures or any share therein, are paid
to informers officers of Customs. or other officers
OF the United States, and requiring the proceeds of
all fines, penalties and forfeitures to be paid into
the Treasury. The Secretary OF the Treasury is au-
thorzed to make suitable compensation to informers
and other persons aiding in the detection of
smuggling and other offenses against the Customs
Revenue laws or aiding in convictions of the same.
THE ALLEGED IRREGULARITIES IN THE POST
OFFICE DEPARTMENT.
Representative Luttrell of California to-day sub
mitted to the House Committee on Post Offices and
Post Roads list of witnesses and detailed specca
tons of his charges relating to the alleged rregu-
larities in the Post-Oifice Department, connected