The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-11
GENERAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 10, 1875.

SOUTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD INTERESTS.
Colonel Thomas A. Scott ana Judge Baker ap-
peared on Friday last before the House Committee
on Pacific Railroads, and presented reasons why the
bill pending to aid the construction OF the Southern
ROAD TO the Pacific should pe passed. Prominent
among the reasons given were the great advan.
tages that would result 20 at present. depressed
Industries by the demand for material and labor
consequent upon tue construction OF the road and
the increased taxable values that would be
created to furnish revenue to the government
The beneht to the South by giving all her cities
and Atlantic ports Direct Connection with the
Pacific was dwelt upon, as alsQ tie advantages to
hSr entire railroad System, as Wen as that OF the
Eastern States. It was claimed that the govern.
ment would save millions Of dollars yearly,
now spent Iii the transpor Iatioh and subsistence
OF troops. The governments guarantee OF In
terest in the company's bonds was SHOWN 10 Dc
thoroughly protected, even should the roads only
earn one-half Of the sums now earned by the
Nnaon and Central Pacific; so the governments
wofssa never have to advance one dollar; ana. as
tho IN ,1os were the bonds OF the company and not
Of tne UNITED states, and would be held by third
parties. the nrst mortgage which secured them
could never be released and the lien impaired "a
hod heen dona IN other cases. The protection to
the government was ~icecy = y 4-,ppro.v a..a
ample. Judge Baker sta ea saat, under the pro-
visions OF the BILL 10000, oOO o. acres OF land,
largely enhanced In value by the .oQstSQction OF
the roads, would revert to the United States. The
committee requested that the statements should
be printed for their use and appoint ted sub.co ~
mittee to consider and report at an early date,
INJUSTICE OF THE LAW FoRBIpD1NG STAFF
PROMOTION IN THREE OF THE ARMY CORPS
GENERAL sCHoFIELD URGES IT'S REPEAL
The Secretary OF War has transmitted TO the
Senate communication from Major General T.
NJ. Schofeld respecting the repeal OF the law
which lorplds promotion In the staff OF the army
The President in his annual Message of this wear
recommended to Congress the passage OF an act
to repeal the law in question, and as 1t is under.
stood that bills have already been introduced in
congress opening appointments and promotions
IN the Adjutant Generals and Pay departments.
the Secretary recommends that general meas
ure be passed on the subject which shall include
also the Quar- termasters Department..
MILITARY DIVISION OF THE PACIFIC,
SAN FRANCISCO, Cal, Dec IL, 1874.
DEAR SIR beg your favorable consideration of
the question OF inviting the attention OF Congress
to the effect OF the oct, now in operation nearly
five years, forbldding promotion in the stan OF the
army. This act, stopping advancement in rank.
has been repealed in i've corps, Yet still bears
upon three-the Adjutant General's the Paymas.
ter's and the QuarrermaSter's-directly affecting
at tRis time twelve officers-three in the Adjutant
Generals Department., two In the Pay Department
and seven IN the Quartermasters Department
The act as 1t stands to-day, mas been reduced, you
VIII observe, to nearly personal measure.
therefore solicit, MIR. Secretary, your tnterven.
ton IN behalf OF the officers concerned and or
their corps and the military service in genera BY
recommending to Congress the repeal Of an act
which stops the advancement by promotion OF
omcers VINO are, In consideration OF their long
and useful pupic services and excellent Guar
acter. entitled TO the reward the country |
holds out to military men, and which the few !
whose advancement has been SO long stopped
deserve.
beg to suggest the question ofreorganizing the |
corps Is quite different from, ana should properly /
promotion. When Congress decides there are TOO |
many officers In any grade OF corps and limits
the number, the question OF promotion IN tnat |
corps is no longer an open one. But in the corps
referred to tue number OF officers now Is and for
years has been, below the organization allowed |
by law; nevertheless, the law OF promotion is IN
orce and exists, except for those VINO are entitled
10 It's Dement'S IN those corps. PRAY Mr. Secre- !
AIRY, use your influence to have repealed thar pro-
'ision OF q law which for a long time has borne |
lardiy upon some very talented and merItorious
'filcers, the question OF reorganzng the corps ,
)elng LETT Tor the after consideration of Congress-
cry respectfully your obedient servant,
J. M. sCHOFIELD Major General.
20 the Hon. SECRETARY OF WAR, Washington.
u. c.
THE CONGRESSIONAL TEEToTALLERs.
The usual winter series OF temperance meetings,
inder the auspices OF the Congressional Temper.
'nce Society, was commenced this evening. In
he absence Of Vice President Wilson, who is
president OF the society the Secretary, DR.. Chick.
'rlng, made statement as TO the progress OF the
work. Able addresses were made by Dr. Rankin,
dessrs King, Drew and others.