The New York herald., 1876-02-08
FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT.
WASHINGTON. Feb. I. 1916.


THE INQUIRY INTO THE MANNER OF PROCURING
THE TEXAS PACIFIC RAILWAY CHARTER.
The subcommittee Of the Judiciary Committee met
to-day to take testimony under the resolution intro
duced by Mr. Holman requiring the Judiciary Commit
tee ascertain whether corrupt had been used
to procure the charter OF the Texas Pacific Railroad
Company, granted on tho 81 of March, 1871.
When the committee met the. question was
asked whether the session should pub
lie private. There a general feeling
in favor OF a public sitting of the committee, the
matter concerned the public and that will probably
be the result But for the meeting OF to-day and
probably the next one, 1t thought best not to
make public whatever might occur. AS matter OF
fact, however, nothing occurred which required any
secrecy Mr. Charles Morton the only witness
examined and he had personal knowledge OF any
improper application OF money to influence the action
of Congress in granting the charter
The committee adjourned to continue the taking of
evidence on Wednesday next There was conversation
before the committee to what It expected would
be proved. This conversation gave information
beyond what has already been said public. The
allegation outside is that s., 900 900 in bonds
have been used in influencing the action OF Congress
but there proof upon that subject before the
committee
It has been stated outside OF the committee that
Richard c. Parsons OF Cleveland; r. ~ Corwine OF
Washington and one or two other gentlemen OF this
city were the lobby agents in procuring the charter
but 50 far as the testimony given there evidence
upon tho subject II understood outside Of the
mittee that Morton has judgment against
the Trans Continental Railway Company, which
was a corporation organized prior to the
Texas Pacific and afcrward consolidated with the
Texas Pacific. There is now a controversy between
Morton as judgment creditor and the consolidated
Texas Pacific Company to its liability for his claims
General Fremont was here to-day, but was not ex-
amined He will be examined at a subsequent meeting
| but probably not at the next one. This mornings
meeting was rather preliminary in its nature than
otherwise.
THE APPBAIsEMENT OF GOODS IN THE CUSTOM
HOUSE, BILL TO ABOLISH THE NAVAL
OFFICE AND AUDITORS OFFICE IN coNNRc-
T1oN WITH CUSTOM HOUSES.
Mr. willis has introduced bill directing that the ap-
prasement OF goods at the Custom House shall be
based upon the original purchase price all imported
goods and upon the price thereof at the time Of
entry into port withdrawal from bonded warehouse
The same gentleman introduced another BILL which
has for its object the abolition Of the Naval once and
Auditors once in connection with the custom houses
OF the country The establishment OF a Naval ONCE
was copied from an old English regulation and became
a Law in 1799 but should have been abolished when a
United States Appraisers Department established
In the city OF New York and all large ports
OF entry the Collector and Naval Onicer never see
the merchandise, and hence cannot estimate the cor
rect duties. The apprsising department is for this
purpose. The act Of March 3, 1863, provides for an
Assistant Collector at the port Of New York This law
is disregardcd and the Office is filled by deputy, for
the reason, II is alleged, that Deputy Collector is
more pIiable in obeying the Collector When certain
objects are to carried the Collector has only to
bo absent and avoid responsibility, and the deputy be-
comes acting Collector, contrary to existing law No
provsion exists in law for the Authorship in the New
York Custom House in any other The Secretary Of
the Treasury could therefore. abolish 1t without egs
lation; but IL is thought better TO do by law. In
Boston the Deputy Collector performs this duty.
THE ALABAMA CLAIMS AWARD BILL
Much qualification viii be Afforded large number OF
husness men throughout the country by the that
tho Alabama Claims Award bill, amended by the
senate has been concurred in BY the House and will
hecome law Just as soon the President signs II.
Mr. Scott Lord OF New York, who has been
,ndustrious in urging the bill 10 It's hnal pas
SAGE was the mover Of the vote which to-day con
cnrrcd in the amendments. II has been said
that a surplus OF over t1O,OOOoOO remained
which would be at the dismissal of nongross either io'