The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1876-03-30


ate committee on Pacific railroads yes
terday discussed the Texas and Pacific
bill and other propositions in regard
to the construction Of trans.conti.
mental railroad on or near the thirty
second parallel, but arrived at no con-
clusion and postponed further consid-
GRAFTON OF the whole subject for two
weeks.
The nomination of Mr.. Dana was
called up at executive session of the
Senate yesterday byCameron who open
ed the debate with speech against
confirmation, denouncing with much
bitterness Dana's criticisms of the ac-
ton of the Committee on Foreign Re.
lations In his case, Senators Boutwell,
and Dawes spoke in Dana's uehalf, and
the Senate then adjourned after an
hours session. Cameron intends to
move to 20 into executive session Mt
three o'clock to-day afternoon, and
it is believed decision will be reach.
ed. The best information obtainaUle
is that to-day's debate has perceptibly
lessened the probability of coniirma-
ton. Dana's opponents declare posi-
lively that he will be rejected. They
exhibit determination to push the
matter to u vote tomorrow. 1t is I'M
ierstood that about two-thirds of the
Democrats will go against confirma-
lion.
Evidence of the fraudulent character
Of the Bridges contract for furnishing
headstones for national cemeteries con-
tinues to transpire, although no further
testimony is needed to warrant the an
nulling of the contract, which will be
done on the return of General Meigs,
some time in the latter part of this
week. The firm OF Sheldons e. Slason,
Of Rutland, Vermont, have been fur
the material for Bridges. A
member of the Military
Affairs Committee says that the further
of money on this contract
ought to have been stopped week ago.
One hundred and forty thousand head
stones are yet to be furnished, and sew
sral responsible parties stand ready to
Jake a contract to furnish them at a
saving to the Government Of about one
hundred thousand dollars over present
price.
The impeachment subcommittee of
the House Judiciary Committee held a
private meeting yesterday evening at
General HuntOn's parlor. General
Hedrick was examined, but not fully.
and he will be called again. This man
appears to have had control, not of one
post leadership like Marsh, but of
dozen, and his testimony, though kept
entirely secret, is undoubtedly very
The subcommittee de-
cided at this meeting to make their re-
port to the full committee this morn.
ing, and it is still probable that articles
of Impeachment will be presented to
the House Ia the afternoon.
Action will be taken this week by
the House on the bill regarding the
substitution of silver in place of frac'
tional currency, and its adoption is by
no means certain. The soft-money
element is against it, and some of the
hard-money members are inclined to
oppose it OH the ground that 1t will not
result successfully, in which event in
Jury will be inflicted on the policy OF
early resumption of specie payment.
Upon inquiry among Senators as to
the probable fate of the bill there, If 1t
passed in the House, 1t is ascertained
hat not many are prepared to say how
hey will vote, not having given the
subject at this time much considera-
ton.
Unless Congress directly expresses
the OPTION that the time has come
to begin paying out silver for frac
tional currency, 1t may be regarded as
certain that Secretary Bristow will
not assume the responsibility of Sign
ing an order for this to be done in
pnrsuance of authority already con-
ferred upon him. Persons who have
talked with the President lately say
that he Is very decided in the opinion
that the resumption act should not be
repealed, and does not hesitate to say
that if Congress should repeal the act
he would interpose his veto. There Is
no PROBABILITY of the Senate agreeing
to a repeal act, even II the House
should do so.