New-York tribune., 1875-05-17
WASHINGTON.

WASHINGTON.
THE GOVERNMENT BADLY woRsTED IN ITS
OWN COURT.
PROBABLE LOSS OF MILLION IN THE COURT OF
| cIAIMs-THE PACIFIC RAILROAD LITIGATION.
| WASHINGTON, May 16.-The decision of the Court
of Claims in the suit of the Union Pacific Railroad
against the Government, for half the Government
transportation is likely to be rendered within few
| days.
The suit is probably one of greater magnitude and
Importance than has ever before been decided in the
Court. If decided in favor of the Company, it will
put into their treasury about million dollars, be-
sides securing the steady revenue from subsequent
Government transportation, amounting now to
something like four hundred thousand doarsa year.
The was argued and submitted about three
weeks ago. The Judges have taken ample time to
consider it, and the general belief is that they have
arrived at conclusion adverse to the Government.
The Company base their claim upon the language of
their charter. The act of 1864 provides that only
"onehaf Of the compensation for services rendered
for the Government by said companies shall be re-
quired to be applied to the payment of the bonds
issued by the Government in aid of the construction
of said roads, There are some who stOutly deny
that this prevents these sums from being offset by
the interest which the Government claims from the
roads. But most lawyers here take different view,
in which it has even been said that the law officers
of the Government sympathize; and it is generally
thought that the decision the COurt has reached will
be adverse to the Government, and unanimous.
BALTIMORE AND OHIO CONTROVERSIES.
WORK SUSPENDED ON THR SHENANDOAH BRANCH
THE ISSUE OF COUNTY BONDS PREVENTED
CONTEST OVER WASHINGTON DEPOT.
WASHINGTON, May 15.-The work of con-
sruct:on Of the Shenandoah Valley Branch of the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad has been suspended
between StanntOn, Va, and Salem. Mr.. CARROTS
object in building this branch from Harper's
Ferry TO Staunton and thence Salem, was tap the
Chesapeake and Ohio Road the former place and the
Virginia and Tennessee Road at the latter, thus drawing
away ON Richmond to Baltimore portion Of the trade
OF the Middle Southern States that goes to the Capt.
tai Of Virginia the two roads mentioned and over
the Danye and Richmond Road The Valley Road is
already finished and in running order from Harpers
Ferry staunton and the most OF the grading is done
az miles beyond that place II ia on this latter portion OF
the road that the troubles have occurred which have
suited in suspension Of work
The counties through which the south western portion
OF the new road was to extend lad voted to contribute
certain in county bonds 10 aid in its construction,
but this strong opposition has arisen, which has been
encouraged by OF Mr. Garretts enemies and proba
bly, also by those interested in the trade Of Richmond and
tie business OF the roads whose lines were to be tapped
The result has been that nncons have been obtained to
prevent the OF the county bonds and these npc
tons have finally been sustained by TIE Courts Aid
which expected in Baltimore also to have failed
Work was stopped about months ago. but Satur
day last Engineer Daudridge was sent up TO remove
tools, &C., and make final closing up
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Is having continual
with the cities and counties through which
it extends. Here in Washington it purchased several
years ago square Of ground adjoining its present depot
during the administration OF the shepherd Ring permit
was granted by Board OF Public Works for the erection
Of tho building. few days ago the Commissioners
tho District learned that the Company 10
break ground, and forbade the erection Of depot On the
site proposed The ground OF this action IL twofod In
the first place. the site selected Is too near the Capitol
and the people of s city have lad too much experience
OF the difficulty Of getting rid Of nuisance Of this kind TO
allow multiplication Of them In the second place, II
the depot is placed the proposed sitc makes 1t nee
essry for the road to Observation-Disclosures with its
almost nnumerable tracks, thus dividing about in the
center the finest avenue IN Washington, and making each
half Of it almost inaccessible from the other This
nue., which Is I.0 feet wdc extends from the western
boundary OF the city Rock Creek, TO the City Asy
lum at the eastern branch of the Potomac, passing the
circles in the western part Of Washington in the ador
ment OF which the Board OF Public Works spent such
enormous and bsectfng Lincoln Park and several
other beautiful public squares east Of the Capitol the
Commissioners have informed te Company that perInis
sion will be granted to build depot anywhere north OF
Massac Lusetts-ave
This determination OF the District Commissioners wil
no doubt meet with popular approval 1t would proba
bly, be diicuit 10 find member OF Congress who, three
years ago. voted TO allow the Baltimore and Potomac
Railroad TO the Mall east OF the Smithsonian Inst
tuition who s convinced of the mistake he made
AT that time the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad the
only avenue Of communication between Washington and
the North and West, and the iberal policy it pursued
made its management very unpopular in this city. Con
gress was therefore, ready to do almost anything TO aid
rival road and made the fatal mistake OF allowing the
Baltimore and Potomac Company 20 lay its tracks across
what will eventually be the finest park in the city. OF
course, when this park is laid out and beautifcd the
tracks will have to be removed from Sixthst and the
Commissioners OF the District already considering
how this removal can be accomplished The most feas
bic plan that has been suggested for the Government
to purchase the depot which has been erected on the
corner Of sixth and B-sts by the Baltimore and Ohio
Company, and which is really fine building and use 1t
the Offices OF the District Government permanent
provision having been made for them since tie half OF
the City Hall which belonged to the District sold to
the General Government Then the railroad company
could build new depot south OF the park
The Baltimore aud Ohio Company is also engaged in
several controversies With the local authorities Of the
places through which it passes about the payment Of
taxes Here in Washington it IL indebted to the District
Government for the taxes Of several years. and suits will
probably be begun by the Commissioners the
amount due In several the county authorities in
Virginia nave attempted to collect the taxes due from
the Company, but have met with success In one
the Sheriff stopped train, but Mr. Garrett obtained
injunction ordering him not interfere with the opera
ton Of the road.
RING METHODS.
TIN PER ClNT TAX LIEN CERTIFICATES ISSUED on
PROPERTY On WHICH TAXES HAD NOT BEEN
PAID--A LARGE NUMBER PUT UPON THE MAR