The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-18
GENERAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.

The questions to be argued before Judge Near.
thur on Monday involve the substantive point
whether the House has parted with its jurisdlc.
tion In the case Of Richard B. Irwin by the act Of
the speaker in complying with the section OF the
law In relation to contempts. as 1ollows:-
SECTION Sand be 1t further enacted, That
When Witness sna a to TESTIFY provided in
be reported to the House, 1t shall be the duty OF
the Speaker Of the House or the President OF the
Senate TO certify the TACT, under the seal OF the
House or Senate, to the District Attorney Tor the
District OF Columbia, whose duty IL shall be to bring
the matter before the Grand Jury for their action.
The District Attorney admitted yesterday that
he had received such notification. and therefore
Irwin claims that the Jurisdiction OF the House
over him has ceased, and he Is therefore entitled
to be released on bail. The result OF the issue is
awaited with much interest
AN INDIAN APPROPRIATION.
Several days ago the commissioner OF Indian
Affairs, through the Secretary Of the Interior, In.
vlted the attention OF Congress to the twelfth
article OF the treaty concluded with the Table
quashe, Muache, Capote, Weminuche, Yampa,
Grand River and Uiuta bands OF the Ute Indians
IN Colorado, March 2, 1868, which provides "that
an additional sum sufficient in the discretion of
Congress (but not to exceed $4,000 per annum)
to supply the wants OF said Indians for iood shall
be annually expended. under the direction OF the
Secretary Of the Interior, In supplying said In.
dams with beef mutton, wheat, -four, beans and
potatoes until such time as said Indians shall be
found to be capable Of sustaining themselves"
This sum OF $4,000 has been appropriated an
nually by Congress until the present fiscal year,
and although regularly estimated for in accord.
ance with the provisions just quoted, 1t does not
appear in the Appropriation bill Tor the fiscal
year ending June 80, 1876, as reported to the
House OF Representatives..
1t is respectfully submitted that these Indians
are not 'capabe OF sustaining themselves" and
that the appropriation should be continued, as
provided in the provision OF the treaty above
quoted, "until such time as said Indians shall be
found to be capable OF sustaining themselves"
The articles OF agreement concluded with these
Indians by MIR. Brunot and ratified by Congress
(see act OF April 20. 1874, pamphlet edition, Stat
utes at Large, page 3e) stlpuates that 'all the
provisions OF the treaty OF 1868 not altered by this
agreement shall continue in force" There IS
nothing IN said agreement which alters the twelfth
article OF the treaty Of 1865 providing for this
appropriation OF S3o,Coo nor is there anything
known to this oilce which would relieve the gov
eminent from the obligations incurred thereby.
On the contrary, IL was expressly understood by
the Utes, when consenting, alter long dissent, to
the agreement Of cesslon OF q portion OF their
reservation, that the compensation named In the
agreement was q sum additional to that they
were then receiving, aud 1t cannot be made to
appear to them in any other light than that the
government has taken large and valuable Dor.
ton OF their reservation and now declines to pay
them for 1t. 1t should be stated, iurtner, that
these Indians have al distant day to be taken up
and supported entirely to keep them from depre-
dating and lighting, as the Sioux are now fed I'M.
less they can receive such aid as will enable them
to begin their self-support In herding sheep and
cattle.
THE DEMOCRATIC CONFERENCE.
The time Is not yet fixed for the proposed con.
sultation OF leading democrats, numbering In all
between thirty and forty. Ex-Governor McGonn.
Reverdy Johnson. jeremiah NJ. Black, Mr.. Herman.
OF New York, and Mr.. Eaton, OF Connecticut, are
named as among them. None OF the present
members OF Congress have been invited to tho
Conference. The object Is to consider the present
condition OF political AFFAIRS, and what should be
done by the democrats In the event OF a called
session OF Congress Their action in the way OF
suggestion would then be reported to the demo.
cratic members elect
THE NEW ORLEANS COMMITTEE.
Representatives George F. Hoar, Frye and
Wheeler, OF the Committee on the Affairs of the
South, Will not start Tor New Orleans till tomorrow
night PtncAback Is expected here on Tuesday.
A prominent republican Senator says PinchbacK
will re admitted TO seat In the Senate, according
70 the determination OF the recent caucus.
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA GOVERNMENT.
Owing to the shortness OF the session and the
pressure OF other business 1t Is not supposed
Congress will definitely act on the bill OF the Sc
lcct Committee providing government for the
District OF Columbia, but continue the present
temporary arrangement with such necessary
Legislation as It's financial affairs require.
THE VALUE OF THE FRANC.
No intimations have been given by any of the
Supreme Court Judges as to how they viii decide
the question concerning the value OF the franc
piece. Conclusions on all questions are held BY
them as confidential until publicly announced
Whatever Treasury ofrclals may say on the sub
jcct Is supposition.
TIE ALLUvIAL BASIN OF THE MISSISSIPPI
The commission OF engineers on the anuviN