The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-20

son Wnen me mails Y ould be likely 20 be used
to a great extent In forwarding holiday goods.
From these starist cs IL appears that OF the
454s,o4s pounds OF all classes OF matter mailed
during that time at these fifty ofiices there
So per cent OF first class matter. 6lh of the
second class and 20 per cent OF the third class.
Samples OF merchandise occupied less of the mail
facilities than books or any other class. Mr..
Bangs says IL is not probable that the mails VIII
ever be used to forward articles OF particular
value delicate texture great dis tances.
excepting between places destitute OF express
lacilirles; and, ne says. this provision Tor
mailing merchandise should be retained on
account OF its miny advantages TO the public
He argues, however. that there should be one
Uniform rate and weight for all articles OF the
third class, and shows that, In most cases, this
would not increase the present cost of transporta-
ton. In conclusion, he claims to have proved that
the deficiency OF the Post once Department is not
IN any way attributable to samples OF merchan
disc or other third class.matter
PACIFIC RAILROADS
The Cabinet to-day considered the proposition Of
the Union Pacific Railroad Company, which has
been amended so as 10 make the sinking Fund
commence in 1872 applying TO 1t the amount now
due the Company from the government; then the
company, beginning In 1875, to pay $1,000 per
year In semi-annual payments for ten years; after
$1,000, 900 per year, until the aggregate sums meet
the bonded debt and interest; also to allow the
government to apply all transportation and mail
dues, as fast as received, to the above sums. Any
deficiency between the amount due by the govern
ment and the obligations OF the company Is to be
made up by che company every six months. The
Cabinet decided to send this proposition to Con-
gress, with a recommendation that action be
promptly taken, 80 the government could begin
to realize Its benefits July 1875. The proposition
OF the Central Pacific Railroad Company will also
be submitted TO Congress at the same time for
similar action.
TEXAS PACIFIC RAILROAD.
The House Committee on Pacific Railroads this
morning agreed by a majority vote TO report and
recommend the passage oil the Texas and Pacific
Railroad bill No change was made in its pro-
visions, as agreed to by the subcommittee.
THE TEXAS BORDER DEPREDATIONs.
Colonel Robb, Of the late Mexican Border Com
misslon appeared before the Committee on
Foreign Affairs to-day and made full; statement
OF the condition OF the border. He read atiida-
Wits Just received by him showing that since the
commission LETT there year ago the de predations
by Mexican raiders on citizens OF Texas have in.
creased tenfod. Some OF the atlantis residing at
or near Brownsville say thelts OF horses and
cattle are committed in open day as well as night,
In recent case the Mexican authorities were In
formed OF what had happened, but they took no
steps to aid in the recovery OF the stolen cattle.
A petition to the Governor OF Texas represented
that there was no protection to persons or prop
erty outside OF Texan towns, and very little 10
property anywhere, and therefore they applied to
him 10 authorize the raising OF minute men Tor
protection. The committee will meet on Wednes.
day to agree upon report concerning the subject.
CONFERENCES
There have gathered here during the week
number OF leading liberals from New York ard
other States. Their consultations with Senators
Fenton and Schurz are observable. The confer
ences do not appear TO be confined exclusively to
themselves, but to include quite a number OF
prominent gentlemen who, though not having
sympathiZed with the Cincinnati movement, seem
to be fully in accord with the opinions there
nounced, which they suppose to be tending to In.
dependent political action by the people.
THE IVES TERN UNION TELEGRAPH COMPANY.
The subcommittee OF the House Judiciary Com
mittee, Messrs. Wilson, Finck and Cessna will
tomorrow near President Orton on the resolution
or Representative Dawes, insrructing the COM
mittee to inquire into the business OF the Western
Union Telegraph Company.
IMPROVEMENT OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI.
The report OF Major Farquhar, United States
Corps OF Engineers, transmitted to the Senate TO-
day, shows as the result OF the survey made under
MS direction tnat the probable cost of improving
the Mississippi River, from the Falls df st. An
thony up to Grand Rapids 357 miles, so as to give
five feet OF navigation at the lowest stage OF
water, would be S. 1886, 7O4 A depth OF three feet
could be secured by the expenditure OF $685. 720
NAVAL CHANGES
Lieutenant George B. Livingston is detached
from the Colorado and ordered TO the Plymouth;
Lieutenant Charles H. Randall Is detached from
the Plymouth and ordered to the Colorado; Lieu.
tenant Z. G. Houston Is detached from the Benicla
and ordered to the naval rendezvous at San Fran
cisco.
The United States steamer Franklin, Commander
Case, sailed from Cadlz January Is, bound to Lis.
bon.
ARKANSAS AND PINCHBACK,