New-York tribune., 1875-02-15
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL.

THE PACIFIC RAILROAD ADS-SECRETARY BRISrOW.
WASHINGTON Feb. IA. 1873
II is said that the plan for getting rid of the pro-
tracted and Improbable litigation with the Pacho
Railroad Companies by inducing them to mako an
annual contribution of half to three-quarters OF q
million to a sinking fund to defray their Indebted
ness to the Government, originated IN the far
sighted policy of Secretary Bristow himself, and
that on an intimation of his views, which III some
way reached the Union Pacific, they finally
decided to respond to them in the proposition which
has already been made public. The general view
among public men is that if the Government can
secure the amount of money now offered, 1t VIII be
vastly more satisfactory settlement than any
which the constant litigation and quarIeling with
the companies have promised, and will
rebound greatly to the Secretarys credit
Such settlement of the vexatious questions
between the Company and tho Government, in the
friendly, honorable manner proposed. would soon
allow the roads to become remuneratlVe 10 their
shareholders As soon they have thus become
financial success capital may more reasonably be
expected to undertake the Southern and Northern
Pacific Railroads without Government ald ana thus
relieve the Treasury from further Efforts 1or SUD-
sidies and Congress from further demorallzlng
contests like the one now going on III behalf OF
the Southern Paclhc.
NOTIFICATIONS OF THE HAWAIIAN TREATY
Action on the Hawaiian Reciprocity Treaty has
been delayed by the Senate Foreign Relations Com
mittee in order to consult with Secretary Fish about
the possibility of other governments claiming the
right to take advantage of its PROVISIONS under the
most favored nation clause in several existing
treaties With q view to obviating all difficulty or
controversy on this point, Senator Hager has sug-
gested to Mr. Fish that tobacco might be ID
cluded in the list of articles OF American
production which the Sandwich Islands shall
admit free of duty Ii this done. it is believed
that no other nation would have any desire to be
pI1cpd on the same footing Mr.. Fish Will submit
The matter to the Cabinet 1t is also suggested that
the treaty would gain strength II an amendment IL
made by the Senate pledgng the Hawaiian Govern
ment against making any foreign alliance, or allow
ing any other nation TO acquire nayal stations or
other footholds on the islands. Ii thus amended by
| the Senate no complaint could be made by other
nations against its ratification by Hawa, the latter
| not proposing H.
PROSPECT OF JErTIEs FOR THE MISSISSIPPI
| Tho Sub Committee of the House Committee on
Commerce selected TO consider the Eads bill for the
| Improvement of the mouth OF the Mississippi River
intended to report that bill back to the full Com
| mitttee tomorrow favorably The members Of the
| b-Committeo were Messrs. Hooper, Stanard,
| and Bromberg. The death of Mr. Hooper may cause
a DAYS delay in the report but the bill Will prob
ably be agreed upon by the full Committee within q
day or two and if possible passed this week
Mr. Stanard intended to move tomorrow 10 suspend
the miles and make it in order TO report this bill OF
Thursday for tho consideration Of tho House, and |
be can pet the floor he will do so. The bill as 1t VIII
| be rcDOftrd will DO only slightly amended IL WI
ur,viie f,at bonds nav be C1rd Ia payment tOi th'