The Portland daily press., 1876-03-11
WASHINGTON.
Equalization of Soldiers Bounties.

Equalization OF soldiers BOunt1es.
WASHINGTON, March 10.-The House Com
mittee on Military Affairs today decided to re-
port and recommend for passage bill to equal
ize the bountes of all United States soldiers
and sailors who served for any time in the late
civil war. The measure agreed on by the COM
mittee IS substantially the same bill that pass
ed the House and Senate, but failed on amend
ments last year, as it provides for making all
bo1lties equal to So per month for the whole
time of service, taking into account, however,
all local payments of bounty.
Compulsory Pilofage.
The House Committee on Commerce today
agreed to report Representative Hale's bill to
relieve certain ships ana vessels from cempnl'
sorry pilot fees, but with an amendment contn'
ing its provisions to licensed and enrolled YES
SelS
Trial of Treasury Robbers.
The trial of B. B. Hallock, one of the parties
indicted for larceny of $47 097 IS from the treas
ury in June last, was com menced yesterday.
A Deputation Of Distiliers.
A deputation of gentlemen interested in the
distillation of whiskey appeared before the
Ways and Means Committee this morning and
bad hearing through Mr.. Tracy, representing
the Wine and Spirit Traders Association of
the United States in advocacy of plan for the
reorganization of the internal revenue service.
The proposition is to reduce the tax of 20
cents gallon to 30 cents to require the pay
ment of the tax at the distilleries and thus dis
pense with the present cumbrous system OF
attempting to trace spirits from the distillery
to the retail dealer, to reduce the number of
officials, but to make their positions permanent
with the annual advance of pay for meritorious
service, and to require frequent changes of sta
tions SO as to guard against fraudulent combl-
nation. The abolition of special clauses in the
law in regard to rectifers is also proposed, and
that the producers of grape and cider brandy
shall have the right to sell it either by whole
sale or retail. These points were elaborated at
length.
Mr. Hendricks, MIR. Pendieton aud MIR.
Randall.
Rumors have been privately circulated to the
effect that evidence has been discovered OF cor
ruption on the part of Democrats of national
publicly made known with all their startling
particulars. 1t is mysterously said that the
parties are Geo. "a. PendletoD, Thos. A. Hen.
bricks and Samuel j. Randall. As to MIR.
Pendleton, he will appear before the Commit
tee on Expenditures in the War Department at
his own volition next week to answer the pub
lie statement concerning him in connection
with the payment OF money by the Secretary
of War, claimed to be due the Bowler estate,
of which Pendletou was trustee This gentle
fiuence was used by him to procure settle.
ment of the claim. A witness to be named by
Gen. Boynton will testify on this subject be-
fore the Committee ON Expenditures 10 the
War Department, and Mr.. Pendleton will be
heard in his own behalf.
The charge against Gov. Hendricks has also
been denied by himself and friends who say he
had nothing to do with Calling gun contracts
as has been charged. While a Senator he
merely insroduced one of his constituents, Gen.
Love to Seey Stanton, and there the matter
ended so far as he was Concerned.
With regard to Mr.. Randall the charge is
improper connections with matters affecting
the Philadelphia navy yard, but there is moth
st,r hnfN tI,A NnuQ oil in
the shape of charge or even an intimation of
wrong doing against him. He has asked the
committee to thoroughly exam inc the matter,
although he and his friends utterly deny that
he has done anything whatever on which even
suspicion of dishonesty can rest.
Various Matters.
The Committee on Judiciary today consider
ed the bill to amend the act relative to the Gen
eva award distribution, and will report it next
week. About $10,000,000 will remain after the
payment of the award of the Court of Com
mssoners of Alabama Claims.
The committee have summoned the witnesses
in the safe burglary investigation.
Gideon Welles and his son will be examined
by the Naval Committee tomorrow.
The Senate Committee on Privileges and
Elections have agreed to report joint resolu-
ton favoring the election of President by direct
vote of the people, Several members, however.
reserve the right to oppose it in the Senate.
The House Committee on Appropriations this
morning decided to report favorably on the de-
ficiency appropriation of $780, for the Sioux
Indians at Red Cloud agency, this money to be
available Immediately.
The Adjutant General today telegraphed the
commanding General of the department of
Texas: "The Acting Secretary of War directs
that YOU prevent any revolutionary move
ments from our side, and also military expedi-
tons in aid of the revolutionists and violations
of neutrality" Also to arrest, disarm and re-
turn any troops who cross from Mexico. Ac-
knowledge receipt.
In regard to the proposed transfer of the
Indian Bureau to the War Department Senator
Allison, Chairman of the Senate Committee,
| will not favor it even if the House of repre-
| sentatives pass said measure. He also has
| the opinion that the Senate will be adverse to
| proposed transfer.
Gen. Rufus Ingalls, SAYS in regard 10 the
| watch he presented Mrs. q. S. Grant, that its
cost was only $3.50, that it lay in Tiffany's safe
| in New York for two years and never did keep
| good time.
A suit has beer ordered by the government
| in the United States District Court against the
New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad
Company for 100000 for unpaid taxes.