New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-02-20
GENERAL PRESS DISPATCH.
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL
MAJOR MCLEAN EXONERAfED.

of Maior n II. Mclean of Cincinnati. Tie report 10
the result Of an Investigation ordered by the House.
arising out of developments IN connection WITH
the Hurtt frauds After careful examination OF the
case MIR. Gunckcl reported 10 the Committee that
10 doubt whatever existed OF the fact that MAJOR
Mclean was a loyal. faithful, competent and ener-
retc officer and he had been most unjustly treated
by the War Department. This was caused IN part
by false reports in regard to Lis loyalty and IN part
by secret Vaccinations of those involved III the
Uurtt frauds The report made by NJ. Gunckel
was unanimously agreed TO by ING COlnIut'ce' anu
he was instructed to report bull To tie t.Se M
stfuctiup the President 10 reIppCnt Major Mclean
20 the first vacancy occurring III the low 81 giadc IN
the Generals Depa ;Inent; prov 80 ing
attached to the bill that this restoration shall hoI
affect the rank Of officers now III the corps
THE SUCCESSOR TO JUDGE DUEELL
The Senate Judiciary Committee are now engaged
in considering in advance Of the presenraion Of ms
name to the Senate whether Judge Billings is fit
man Tor the vacancy caused by the resignation of
United States Judge Durell in Louisiana. Judge
Billings was the attorney and conidant OF Norton,
the notorious Assignee in Bankruptcy in New-Or-
leans, aud he has been the legal adviser of Kellogg
before and since tho Darrell midnight order Now
he IS represented to the President very fit person
for the place. and there ia general belief that he
will be Appointed if Mr., Pardecs name is with
drawn. Jadge Billings is here on his own behalf
and he is seconded in his efforts By Cen. HabcCck
While no accusations are made affecting Mr.. Bill
linCs's personal character, his intimacy with the
whole Kellogg Packard Casey set Of politicians in
New Orleans has greatly impaired tho confidence OF
the people of the State Of Louisiana IN him. Mr.
Pardee on the other hand while he has been a Re-
publican ever since he set lied in NewOreans at tho
close of the war has not been mixed mp in politics
and will be respected by all classe The only point
of weakness his case is he fear Of the party that
they cannot depend upon Inn III times OF political
emeTsency At the same lime bis coIIlrua on IS
urged by Gen. sheridan, by the meli bers CT the
Louisiana Sub-Commitee. by the united delegation
IN the House from louisiana, ana by the most prom
IL Il men ia both parues: IL Is understood" that
20 Comm "a - lido ." repent hnn taVor
NV fnr continuation within day or tw, lis friends
Will dsk the President 90 withdraw Ia uI.nG.
TIE WRONG Mr.. cox.
The Horse escaped long political debate on the
Army bill to-day by an absurd blunder Ct Mr.
Wheeler. Mr.. Cox introduced amendment to
prevent the of any money appropriated IN the
bill until the army was withdrawn from Louisiana
Mr.. Wheeler, VINO prepared for som, such res0-
luton as tins, first asked Mr. Cox If ne had approved
of the interference OF troops with The Kansas Legs
Iature. Mr. Cox replied that lie did not then ard
docs not now. Then Mr.. Wheeler sent to the Clerk
to read what he said was a speech BY Mr. Cox at
that time. Mr.. Cox tried to get in n word Of ex-
PLANTATION, but 50 Republicans drowned lis voice
.'Aead! Read The speech i'll question
supporting the use of the military in over
throwing tho Kansas Legislature. The
Republicans were in high glee, and made
AZ much noise that it was several minutes before
Mr. Cox could make his voice heard. lie then said
that made that speech, ana that lie was not
A member Of Congress when 1t was made. lie au-
thor OF that speech was Leander NJ. Cox OF keIl-
tncky. This explanation was received By the DEM
ocrats with elappIng Of hands and shouts On De
TtI,. I{au lipI DGl nf
n little sharp sparIIng between Mcssrs. Cox and
Wheeler the latter withdrew what Les had said, but
before order had been restored the ameNdinenl hdd
been disagreed TO before many knew II, and tue
political debate that was expected dld not take
place. $500 ..1, ..,.o,,
COST OF PACIFIC MAIL INVE5rldATioN
It's the opinion of members of the subcommittee
who are engaged in the PREPARATION of the report on
the Pacific Mail Investigation of the Ways and
Means Committee, that tho document will be ready
10 present to tho House next Tuesday. IL is SO
nearly COMPLETED nov that it is thought it will he
considered by the full Committee on Monday. The
Committee this morning considered the plopuesy OF
d,scharping Mr. Irwin AZ a witness Dnt the s'tp
was regarded as 70 important that further time for
ael,herstiop was thought necessary. Mr. Irwin has
beeu an extensive witness The fees OF witnesses
before anv committee OF Congress ale 81 day.
MIR. Irwin was subpenaed Dec. |, and had he been
discharged this morning, his bill against the Com
mttee would have been for n days, SIS. 1t has in
addition been ascertained that the discussing officer
OF the House has paid on account OF the same WIZ
ness nearly SC0 for Subsistence While IN Jli and IN
charge of the Sergeau tat Arms. Add 10 thls mlIe
age attendance, &c. aud the cost OF Dir. TWINS
testimony will not fail much short of sl,VO. II
IL estimated that the wnole Investigation Whch
done will have cost nearly SoJ,CoV
THE UNION PACIFIC PROPOSITION ACCEPTED
The Cabinet to-day considered tho proposition OF
the Union Pacific Railroad Company. which mas
been amended IN the following particulars;
go "a 70 make sinking fund commence ID 1877 np-
plying the amount now due the Company Iion wv
Government; then the company begnhnR ~ 1910 py
$500 900 per year semanuna payments for ten YEAR,
.fteTtus tT50Oo0 semt annually Tor ten years. tnsn
OOOO0 per uutil the aggregate sums iDeet he
and interest Also to allow the GoVeInmep'
10 apply all Transportation ana mali dues AZ as Nc TO
ceiyed TO sums. Any deficiency between INC
amount due by the Government aud thu obligations OF
the Company 10 ~ DO made w Wy tue Company seIy
months.
The Cabinet decided TO send this proposition TO
Congress with q recommendation that action be.
promptly taken. 81 that the Government could be-
gin to realize its benefits July 1875 The Secretary
of the Treasury agreed to this heartily, and mes
sage is likely 10 be sent in few days The proposi-
| ton of the Central Pacific Railroad Company will
also DE submitted 70 CongIess at the same time Tor
similar action.
DEPREDATIONs ON THE MEXICAN BORDER
| Col. +. =. Robb of the Mexican Border Commits
| sion, met the House Foreign Affairs Committee to-
| day. at the request of Members. for consultation
with reference TO the outrages tho Rio Grande
| by the MeXicah border rutians. Many affidavits
| were submitted showing that tho outrages were