New-York tribune., 1874-05-05

Pacific instead Of causing the Northern t faclnc 10
bring business to it. This the Dutch capitalists Tno
cifc. thought was not putting their money where
il would do the most good Ihere is no oopo. sna
had the managers put the iron down on tne DraheIu
branch first the supply of money would not nave
ceased Another trouble grew out OF dispute
between the st. Paul and Pacific and the Northern
Pacific Railway in regard to the land granted near
the junction of the two.
THE DISTRICT RING SUSPECTED OF NEW OF
FENsEs.
There were so many suspicious circumstances con-
nected with the late alleged attempt to rob the
safe of the District-Attorney in this city that
the subject has become one of public
scandal. It is freely intimated here
that "the robbery" was what is known as O
"put up Job" that it was robbery at ALL but, on
the contrary was a criminal attempt on the part Oh
certain persons having access to the Office
and the safe to implicate one OF the
memorialists in pretended robbery. The affair
has created so much comment that an effort was
made by Mr. Foster to introduce the following reso-
luton, but he was not recognized by the speaker
Another effort will be made to have the resolution
adopted tomorrow.
Resolped That the Joint Committee on the Affairs OF
whether any officers employees of the United States,
Government have been engaged in any. CON
spiracy TO defeat or hinder the investigation
particularly in this connection to inquire into all the
circumstances connected with the late robbery OF the
safe in the Office OF the united states Atorhey ioi o
District OF Columbia.
ExTRAvAGANT EXPENDITURES IN THE INTERIOR
DEPARTMENT.
The Committee on the Expenditures of the Int
rior Department have accomplished little thus far
toward discovering the enormous frauds said to have
been perpetrated in the various bureaus of that de-
partment during the past fiscal year. Nothing has
been done with the department ITSELF but calls have
been made on some of tho bureaus for statements
showing the total amount of expenses and the items.
The Indian Bureau as usual, seems rather averse to
being troubled by Congress- and has not sent state
meQt. 1t is probable that the greatest extravaganza
will be discovered in the Secretarys office proper,
where the expenditures for fine books and costly
monogram stationery has been very very large. Ex-
penditures Of still graver character are said to
have been abundant extending to costly furniture
for private houses. The Pension Bureau spent
S74,994 IN contingent expenses during the year,
which S. less than was appropnated-the latter
being the turned into the Treasury as the unex-
pended balance The amount spent Tor stationery
was Sl32Sl; SG,015 was spent for furniture ana re-
pairs of furniture In contrast 70 the Pension once,
the Land Office makes an excellent shoWins-pelng
$4,000 less
BUNCOMBE HOMESTEAD RESOLUTION.
Mr.. Negley wants to destOy the entire Homestead
system, for the purpose, it would seem of gaining
little popularity among that class of ex-younteer
soldiers who are supposed to throw up their hats for
anyone who proposes measure ostensibly for their
benefit no matter how unwise or destructive to tho
interests of the country it may be. Such, at least
appears to be the meaning of the resolution which
he :ried to have passed to-day, lnstIuctlng the
Military Committee to report bill allowing
soldiers and their widows to acquire homesteads
without a settlement. Such a measure. If it be-
came law, would cover with land warrants all the
lands uuOcCuOlet.
would retard to incalculable extent the settle
ment and progress of the West. The House rejected
the resolution by a large majority.
DISTRIBUTION THE GENEVA AWARD.
The Judiciary Committee of the House have at
last finished the consideration of the bill for the dis
tribution of the Geneva award, and have agreed
upon ameasure substantially the same as that known
as Gen. Buffers. II will be reported soon as Gen.
Butler returns. 1t provides that payment shall be
made to the mutual insurance companies for all
losses sustained by the vessels for whose depreda-
tons we made claim against Great Britain, provided
no member of a mutual insurance company shall
recover for any war premiums paid to such company
for risks In other words, they will be paid for all
losses and cut off from war premiums. The amend
ment further provides that they shall distribute the
money so paid them among their members who con-
tributed to pay the losses. The insurance compa-
MES have gained great strength from some cause
OF other, having five friends on the Committee
instead of one which was all they had when the
subject first came up 1t is also noticed that the
companies have unexpected number OF strong
advocates on the floor of the House. One feature OF
the bill will be strongly antagOnize6 by the lobby,
il being that part relating to the assignment OF
claims The bill makes void all assignments, liens.
&c, made by war-premium claimants to claim
agents, brokers. lawyers, and Others and not only
this but it provides that all claims SO assigned shall
be void.
THE BILL TO ANNUL THE sANBORN CONTRACTS.
The following is the full text of the bill reported
to-day from the Committee on Ways and Means
relative TO the Sanborn contracts:
BE II enaeted That so much of the act entitled IAN
making appropriations for the legislative executive
and judicial Of the Government for the end
ing June 80 1873 and for other purposes approved May
provides for the employment by the Secretary
the Treasury OF not than three 10 assist
the proper officers Of the Government in discovering
and collecting any money belonging TO the United
States, when the same shall be withheld by
any person corporation be and the same ls hereby
repealed and Secretary of the Treasury is hereby
directed oIrevoke and annu all contracts for the cOec
Of such taxes made under and by authority Of said
| act,
SEC O. That the Court Of Claims shall have auhor-
ity consider decide any claims for damages
OF the dscoDnuance OF the contracts afore
SAID. or for any profits or percentages under them.
WASHINGTON NOTES
The Ways and Means Committee disposed OF large