New-York tribune., 1875-02-22
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL.
SENATE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS.

WASHINGTON Feb. al. 1878.
The Republican Senators held caucus yester-
day, to consider the order of business for the re-
mainder of the session, but adjourned until tomor-
TOW before arriving at any conclusion. Senator
Morton and others who support his policy. are In
favor of taking up at once what are known as the
political measures and passing them before any
moro Of the Appropriation bills are disposed of.
They say that if there is one right of the majority
that is higher than another it Is the right to deter
mine what business shall be considered; and If the
Democrats interpose objections and use up tho time
50 that any of the Appropriation bills fail they will
have to bear the responsibility of an extra
eession. II Mr.. Morton and his friends are sus-
tanned, as very probable they will be, the
Civil Rights bill, or the PiDchback resolution
will be taken up tomorrow or next day. and the
struggle between the parties which began last week
will be renewed. The Republicans viii not be
unanimous 10 the support Of the Civil Rights bill as
it passed the House and was reported by the Senate
Committee on the Judiciary. Some OF them, and
Mr. Boutwell, among the number, are In favor OF re.
storing the section providing for mixed schools and
believe that the bill is of no value without that
provision. Unless some general understanding Is Is
arrived at among the Republicans before the bill ls
taken up this difference OF opinion Is likely to lead
TO considerable discussion on the ADMINISTRATION
side of the House.
SUPREME EFFORT OF THE TEXAS AND PACIFIC
LOBBY.
Those best informed in the history of the Memphis
and FL Paso and Texas and Pacific legislation assert
positively that it can be proved that SoOOO OF the
money which Gen. Fremont obtained In France can
be traced to Washington, to be used to secure the
passage of the Memphis and Ell Paso and Texas and
Pacific bills. Gen. Fremouts name being tho hrst
on the list of incorporators Of the last-named
road. it is also asserted that SlS0OO0 of the
French money was invested in $40 United
States bonds and held by an officer of the Company
for use IN Texas but that after Gen. Fremont ar
rived in Washington to urge the passage of the
Memphis and Ell Paso BILL he sent q peremp'ory
order to have those bonds brought here; and the
receipt that was given for them on that occason can
night that an attempt will be made in the House to-
morrow to suspend the rules and pass the Texas and
Pacific BILL as agreed to by the Committee on Fri
dav. and one of the most powerful lobbies that
ever assembled in Washington is now here, deter
mined to use everv influence for its success. II ls
also believed that great quantity OF the bonds OF
the Company, which are now worth 70 cents on the
dollar, are carried by this Washington lobby with
the expectation that they will realize par for them
within 10 days after this bill passes.
TIE COST OF DISTRICT IMPROVEMENTS.
The report Of the Board Of Audit of the District
of Columbia shows that the amount expended on
improvements by the Board OF Public Works and
the Commissioners, as audited and allowed by the
Auditor of the Board and by the Board of'Audit.
from June l, 1871, to Dec. q. 1874 is:
For work on 20
For roads outside OF the cities. 10000 80
For raising, uBderpiDnine, and otherwlse
repairing private buildings damaged Oy -.
the improvements. As4S1 "a
This statement does not include audited claims
for damages to real estate.