New-York tribune., 1875-02-24
THE RAILROAD COMPROMISES OPPOSED IN THE
SENATE.

THE RAILROAD COMPROMISES OPPOSED IN THE
SENATE
At the meeting of the Cabinet to-day the subject
of the proposition made by the Union Pacific and
Central Pacific Railroads for the gradual extin-
gushment of their debt to the Government,
through the operations of o sinking fund.- was dis
cussed at some length Secretary Bristow said he
had carefully considered the proposition made by
the two companies, and he was forced to OPPOSE
its acceptance. He thought that the Government
was doing better under the present arrangement,
and that, while be was in favor Of compromise as
the safest and quickest way out Of the difficulties
between debtor and creditor, in this case he did
not think the offers made were advantageous to the
department. Secretary Bristow further said that
he had prepared q statement which he intended to
send to Congress with the offer referred to.
Other members Of the Cabinet intimated that
there was no occasion to refer the question to Con-
gress, since the Secretary was opposed to it, and
that the time Of the session was too much ex,
hausted. The Secretary however, said that he had
promised to refer the matter to Congress, and he
thought he ought to do So The sentiment of the
members was against the proposition. and he aban-
do2ed it.
THE CAUCUS FORCE BILL IN WAITING.
Mr.. Coburn of Indiana makes two or three frantic
efforts every day to induce the House to take the
Caucus Force bill for consideration, but the House
thus far has avoided it as an unpleasant subject.
Although his Special Alabama Investigating Com
mttee has the right to report at any time, motion
to 90 into Committee of the Whole on the State of
the Union is question of higher privilege that
when Mr.. Dawes or Mr.. Garfield takes him off his
feet by such notion and the Democrats clamor
for the regular order he is generally left waving his
bill in the air in useless protest. After the passage
of the Tariff bill this evening, Mr.. Co
burn moved an evening session for the
consideration of his bill but he was
sustained by less than onethrd of the Republicans
present. If the bill gets into the House within
few days one of the warmest contests that has
occurred within the Republican ranks may be an
ticpated On the one side will be Gen. Butler and
Mr. George +. Hoar on the other side Messrs,
Blaine, Dawes (if he retains his ccnrage), Phelps,
and half dozen more Of the strongest men Ia the
the BILL upon which he has bestowed great care, and
its delivery will be Of the great events OF the
session in the House,
OBSERVATIONS ON THE TRANSIT OF VENUS.
The Navy Department has q dispatch from Capt.
Chandler. commanding the Swatara, dated at Port
Chalmers, New-Zealaud. JAN II, at which place he
arrived the day previous from Chatham Island.
The party at Chatham Island were in good health.
The observation was not very successful at that
point although several photographs were taken,
and some micrometric measurements. The Swatara
expected to leave Port Chalmers Jan. IA, stop at
Ruff Harbor and take on board the Queenstown
party. and then proceed to Hobart Town. Tele-
grams of Feb reported her at the latter place. Dr.
Peters during his stay in New-Zealand, received
every hospitality and railway aud telegraph iacili
ties were freely and generously rendered without
cost. Capt. Chandler reports similar welcome
aud assistance from all the British colonies visited
Dir Peters's party observed both contacts, and
ceeded in getting 237 photographs