The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-02

ing ana Cox ana an adverse decision by
Attorney General Akerman. the company is
still pressing this demand. and that recently
the solicitor General has given an opinion in Its
favor. Mr.. Wilson reviewed the statutes at con-
siderable length the briefs OF the attorneys OF the
company fled in the departments and the opinion
OF the Solicitor General and argued that the claim
had no legal basis upon which to rest. In conclusion,
he urged the House, In consideration of the fact
that the vast amount involved would induce the
company to continue to press this demand upon
the President and the departments to set 1t at
rest by passing his bill.
Proposed Revival or the Grant OF Land
TO the Louisiana State Railroad.
BY an act OF Congress, approved June 3, 1855,
public land to the amount Of six sections to the
mile was granted to the State OF Louisiana to aid
in the construction OF railroad from the Texas
State line, via Greenwood, Shreveport and Mon
roe, in that State. to a point on the Mississippi
River opposite vicksburg, Miss. The length Of
the road when completed will be 100 miles. Dur
ing the first five years or the ten years allowed by
the act for the completion OF the road ninety-four
miles, or about one-half of the road. was con-
structed. The late civil war then interviewed. DUR
ing which time the road az far built was almost
completely destroyed by the military forces OF the
United States and OF the Confederate States
Since the war that portion or the road
completed prior to the war has been re-
constructed and restOcked. An Official letter
OF the Commissioner OF the General Land
ONCE, recently transmitted to Congress, shows
that more than two-thirds OF the land granted by
the original act lies opposite the uncompeted one.
half OF the road, there being comparatively q
small amount OF public land opposite the COM
pleted one-half OF the road The completion of
this road will give to the entire system Of railroads
49, Ma
with the railroads OF Texas and the Texas and Pa
cfc Railroad, Of which this Is the direct eastern
prolongaton. The House Committee on Public
Lands therefore recommend the passage of the
bill revving the grant OF lands heretofore made
The grant covered 353,2l1 acres. The lands which
have not reverted comprise 1O0,652 acres, leaving
252, $50 acres which have reverted to the United
States, and which the bill lately reported by the
House Committee on Public Lands would again
confer upon the owners of the road.
Determined Popular Opposition to the
Change Of officials In Colorado Ter
ritOry.
When the nominations Of McCook and jenkins
come up for confirmation as Governor and Secre-
tary Of Colorado Territory they will meet with
severe opposition. The Delegate from the Terri
tory openly states that the removal OF the present
ofiicias-who are entirely satisfactory to his
lican party in Colorado, on account Of the great
dissatisfaction which it creates The only reason
which the President assigns is that certain of the
federal officials in that Territory have been en-
gagged in land stealing operations, and he mad de-
termined when this was brought to his attention,
to make clean sweep OF all the Territorial officials
and replace them with new set. He intlmated
also that he thought it was about time to make a
change throughout all the Territories. Governor
McCook was appointed through the personal
friendship Of the President Secretary jenkins at
the request OF Messrs Senior and Platt OF Virginia,
and MI. Starlight, the Surveyor General at that OF
Senator Cameron. Who are to be Register ana
Receiver OF the Land Office are not as yet desig-
mated, but the nominations will be made in a few
days. 1t is understood that General Butler is press
ing friend for the position of United States Mar
shall, at present filed by pr0tege Of Senator Nor
ton.
The Life-Saving Service-Medals for
MeritoriOus Bravery.
The report of the Board appointed by the Secre-
tary OF the Treasury on the subject Of lie-savlng
stations, &C., states that for most points on the
Pacific coast and the lakes there are necessary
only lifeboats, constructed the English system,
with hou OF sufficient capacity to contain the
boat on its carriage, and such apparatus par
tlcular localities may require. The exceptions
dIc lew lOCdllCleS lIOm WucTc
it may become necessary to afford accommodation
for certain periods to the crews attached to the
boats, and at points where the chief signal officers
OF the army may desire to connect signal stations
with The lilesaving service. At the latter places
the houses would only require sufficient accommo-
dation for the observers. 1t is proposed that the
lifeboat stations should in general be manned by
volunteer crews, as the occurrence OF dis.
asters at the points named for them are
not so frequent as to warrant the en-
ployment for long periods of regular
crews. TO insure efficiency from the volunteer
crews in these cases compensation might be paid
for services rendered at each wreck, and system
OF rewards, in the shape of medals of honor to be
bestowed upon those making unusually merto-
rous efforts, might be adopted No stations are
recommended for the Gulf coast The soundings
here are so regular, and the shoal water extends
so evenly and gradually Tor such long distances
into the Gulf, that the is rarely, If ever high
enough to break up stranded vessels, and the
crews are never in imminent danger, except dur
ing heavy hurricanes, when lifeboat or other ap-
paratus would be useless. Serious disasters are,
perhaps as frequent at Galveston Bar as upon any
portion OF this coast; but able revenue steamer
such is understood is to be stationed there in
the spring, can render much more efficient aid in
saving life and property than can be done with the
apparatus at a life-saving station.
Bill for Preventing Collisions and Loss
of Life mt Sea-Its COmme ndable
Points.
The bill introduced in the House by Mr.. Hough-
ton of California, providing for CHASING vessels as
to seaworthness and for advisory rules regard
ing building vessels attracts attention and com.
mands favor Letters asking copies OF the bill
are being secured by the members from CONNER
cial and snipbuilding districts. A board of In
spectors is organized under the Dill, to be ap-
pointed by the Secretary OF the Treasury, who also
is to super wise and approve the rules. Steam
vessels must have life RATS, life protectors, signal
lights and other requisites to protect life. No fines
or penalties are imposed. Ocean-going steam YES
sells, before clearance must exhibit to the collec-
tor certificate from the inspectors that the
necessary signal lights, life RATS, life preservers
and appliances are on board, and that the
vessel is in all respects seaworthy; otherwise
clearance is refused. Steam vessels not taking
passengers or the mails do not come under the
sio of ha tho In ,l,,u