New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-03-03
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL.
HE TITLE OF THE UNITED STATES TO TIE
ARLINGTON ESTATE DEFECTIVE.

HE TITLE OF THE UNITED STATES TO HE
ARLINGTON ESTATE DEFECTIVE.
WASHINGTON Tuesday. March 2, 1878.
The title of the United States 10 the Arlington es-
tate opposite this city, formerly the residence of Gen.
Lee including the large military cemetarv is said to
be worthless. This estate was not confscated as is
generally supposed, but was bid in by the United
States at tax SALE held for nOnpayment OF direct
taxes Those tax titles in Virginia have been prac-
sicaly set aside by decisions of the United States
Supreme Court in the OF Bennett against Hunter
GX. Wallace and lacey against lrWin xviii wal
lacc on account of certain illegal proceedings by
the Tax Commissioners OF course, the title of the
United States falls with the rest. The land was
never the property of Gen. Lee, but was devised to
fns wife aud on her death to 10 her son, &. w.
GUSTS Ice who has pc tiOned Congress for relief.
alleging total lack of legal title the part of the
United States. but stating that he did not wish to
recover the estate itself, but only pecuniary conf
peDsation therefor and asking that the Court of
CLAIMS be- allowed TO determine the amount that
should be paid him. Senator Conkling, from the
Judiciary Committee, has recently reported against,
this claim wi hout giving any reasons therefor, but
a. a LAWYER # he examined the at all. he must
know The defective title Of the United states, ana
ms design evidently ia To throw upon the son OF
Gen lee ,lc odum of bringing action for the
recovery of a cemetery where thousands OF Union
1oldrTs lie buried. and thus IN nlsh new material To
dIo the Northern heart. An action OF ejectment
taiBly be- successful unless the supreme Court re-
verses the opinions expressed in the cases above
cited.
ECONOMY N THE APPROPRIATIONS.
The senate Appropriations Committee propose nu-
uerous amendments to tho Sundry Civil Appropria-
tions bill reported this evening which. If agreed
TO- will effect n reduction of S221O0OO in its
ssial Tho items for pablo buildings are di
,ninished IA follows For Chicago, from $4,000
la SjD3 GC0; Cincinnati from 100000 to 100000; St.
Louis from $4,000 to $4,000; Hartford. $4,000
10 5000; Philadelphia, $4,000 to S3jOOCO; state
Veparirncnt building Washington, $4,000 TO
Sln,ON reduction of $4,000 is made in
.he repalrs and miscellaneous expenses of
public buildings tlISughout the coun-
~ Tho item for repairs at navy-yards
4 reduced from S5OO,OOO TO $20000O The following
n ms are stricken out altogether $4,000 for sur
yoying Indian reservations; $4,000 for the pur-
G aSe Of Gatho guns; all items for. new
\ s,els for the lighthouse and coast sur
w service amounting in the aggregate
4 over 500 G0; $4,000 for the publication of the
orcIs of the rebellion the appropriation for pay
vas: aud numerous items for Improve
{ nts of various kinds in Washington
,y The Committee recommend the
'tti,n Of an item of 100000 for continuing the
& st0m-housc building al New-Oreans, ana $40,
gold 10 pay the interest ON tho District OF
lumbia bonds guaranteed BY the G0yernment.
- section known "a the Kellogg bilt for the
rganilation OF the Treasury Department is
ICken out.
sDRETARY BRISTOw AND THE TARIFF AND
TAX BILL
he grave doubts entertained to-day that the Tax
would fail in the Senate induced some members
The House to approach the Secretary of the Treas
on the subject. Gen Bristow is reported as
ing that although he never liked the bill, and
ud not favor II in any if the session was not
far advanced. he hoped il would not fail. as 1t
~ of vital consequence TO the Department. sub
,Drnt Inouiry showed that this was not the case.
en Garfield Chairman Of the House Appropriation
Dnmittee said that by the failure OF the Rlver
ID HIrbor Hill. the cutting down OF puOhc Duiid-
~ appropriations, the reductions that might DE
ade in case Of necessity in the Sundry Civil Bit
ON 100000 to Sl2OOO.0O0 might be saved. III
ma Tax bill fails the Secretary said he saould
dyide his payments as follows: First, he should
pay the interest on the public debt; second, he
shond rs far as possible, provide for the current
expenses Of the Government; and, fourth he
should, # ANYTHING was leit devote u aGeSrog 20
Wa very briefly discussed at the cabinet meeting
to-day all the members agreeing that IL Was essen
tjai that the bill should pass the senate
REPORT OF TIE BOARD OF AUDIT FOR THE
DISTRICT.
n ,nnsara from the report Of the Board of Audit
Of The District of Columbia sent TO the House to-day
shat the total expenditures for improvements IN the
District from Jan. ], 1871 10 Dec. % 1874, was
Sl5G9OOO- 2O7 900 of this sum being for improve
ments IN Georgetown and parts OF tne county OUT
side Of Washington and Georgetown. The BOARD Vi
Audit SAY there was nothing found among the pa
peIs Of the Board of Public Works which came lnto
their possession TO show on what basis assessments
yefe made. Ia some instances the United STATES
were charged with fve-sxths of the cost. when Tue
Government owned the properly on one sue Oh inc
street, and with the whole cost when owning t h
properly on both sides; aud in instances the
Proportion charged the United States exceeded the
whole cosi as shown by the records ana accounts on
bio
a. WASHINGTON NOTES.