The Portland daily press., 1874-09-25
WASHINGTON.
Another Report about Black Hills

WASHINGTON, Sept. 24.-Fuller and later re :
ports received here show conclusively that the
recent glowing accounts from the Black Hills
are entirely unreliable, and confirm the opinion
of Prof. WiLchel that there are no valuable
minerals in the country. Col. Fred Grant, who
accompanied the expedition under special in
structons to report upon its geological charac-
ter says that the rock on which it is clai med
gold was discovered, is Of metamorph osis
character, in which no precious minerals have
ever been found. Not over So worth was
brought under his observation during the entire
expedition, and it is question whether this
was rot imported into the section. The timber
is spruce and yellow pine but is valueless for
lumber. The area of tillable lands is very
small, there not being enough for doz en- good
sized farms.
The Sioux commissioners lately sent to nego-
tate with the Red Cloud and Spotted Tail
bands went on their explorations to the base
OF the Black Hills, the south side, and give
substantially the same views as Col. Grant re-
garding the character of the country and the
absence of minerals.
The President is emphatic in his determine
ton to prevent all invasion of the country by
intruders so long as by law and treaty it is Sc
cured to the Indians
The Grand Jury Legal.
The case of Underwood and Hall, holding
office under the District government, charged
with the forgery Of fireman. pay certificate.
is pending before the criminal court A plea
on abatement was raised by their counsel, in
volving the question whether the grand inrv
which found an indictment was properly drawn
or qGallhed. The court, after argument, decid-
ed lOr the government The same grand iury
found indictments in the safe burglary case,
and a contrary decision would have rendered
their work abOrtive.
Newspaper Postage.
The Postmaster General will doubtless adopt
the recommendations of the report made by AS
SlStant RarhOur and II af of
stamp division, with regard to carrying out the
law which goes into effect on the first of Janu-
airy requiring prepayment of postage on news
papers or periodicals. mailed from the known
office Of publication and addressed to regular
subscribers and news agents. They believe the
best plan is to afix stamps to a memorandum
OF mailing, the stamp to be cancelled by per-
foration, and that they range in value from 2
cents to $50.
>.are" ANeveI Case.
8. B. Murdoch, who attempted to blackmail
Fernando Wood, by sending him threatening
letter charging him of criminal act with wo-
man who visited him last June to get an Office
was found guilty to-day in the District Court.
He wanted $4,000.
Treasury Balances.
The following are the Treasury balances to-
day:-Currency. $l4, 129, 312; special deposit of
deposit, $50 800 600; coin, $75, At, 514, including
coin certificates, $2S 6S7 ,140; outstanding legal
tenders, $685., 00O.O 900.
A Played out Il ureau.
NEW YORK, Sept. PA Washington spec
ial states that man named Nettleship, EN-
ployed in Whiteley's corps of the secret SER
vice detectives, has been found to have drawn
immense sums from the secret service flu nd.
he was paid six dollars per day regular salary
and three dollars per day for subsistence, be-
sides great sums under the head of incidentals
and expenses. In addition to all this he was
also appointed inspector in the New York GUS
tom house by Murphy in 1871, and had been
drawing three dollars per day Three similar
charges are made against Newcomb of White
ley's force.