The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1876-02-09
WASHINGTON NOTES.
The Memphis and HI PasO and Trans
continental Railroads OF Texas.
Scott Probes the Old Scandals and
Strikes u BIackmaIlcr.
-
The Admission of New Mexico as u
State Very Strongly Opposed.
Bills Observation-Disclosures J udgcshlp
and Senatorial Matters.

| lowing dis were introduced in the
House: To establish bureau of archi-
lecture, by Mr.. Hewitt to aid the
Washington and Ohio railroad Compa-
ny in the construction of its road to
the Ohio river, 10y Mr.. Hunter to es-
tablish at Atlanta post of delivery,
by Mr.. Chandler; resolution of the
Louisiana Legislature for an approprl-
alton to construct the levees of Missis-
sippi river, by Mr.. Moore; to substitute
legal tender notes for national bank
notes, making the duties on imports
receivable on half in legal tender notes
and to repeal redemption act of Jan
uary l4th, 1875.
There are no new features In Bill
lings' confirmation or the Pinchback
Senatorial contest. Thes stock of Pinch
back is daily depreciating.
Commissioners Pratt, of the Internal
Revenue Department, Is before the
Appropriation Committee, arranging
details tor the reduction of his force.
He will have further hearing at the
next meeting of the committee.
A resolution calling for the investi-
cations of the old Memphis and Ell
iaso and Trans-continental railroads
OF Texas, and intended to implicate the
Texas and Pacific railroad, which was
referred to the Judiciary Committee,
has turned out to be water-haul. The
resolution was introduced ut the sug-
geston of a man named II. w. Morton,
who pretended to have most damag-
ing facts in his possession relative to
the alleged connection of the Texas
and Pacific road with the frauds in
the inception and execution of the two
first named projects. Morton and Cen
eral Fremont were summoned to APP
pear before the Judiciary Committee
last week, but of course the latter could
not be found. The Sergeant-at-arms
returned Morton not found also, but
he has been about publicly all week,
and il must be that he kept conven-
iently out of the way of the Sergeant
at arms when that officer was seeking
him.
IL seems that he was one of FIRE.
monts lobby when the charter of the
1ranscOntinental railroad was procur-
ed from the Texas Legislature. Nor
ton claims to have rendered certain
valuable services to Fremont at this
time, and was one of the stockholders
of the Transcontinental road. When
the Texas and Pacific bought out the
Transcontineutal, including its track,
stock and such other property as was
worth anything, one million dollars
was paid, and the Texas and Pacific
was provided with u specific schedule
of such liabilities as it was to assume.
The Transcontinental railroad made
settlement with all its stockholders, re-
tanning certain per cent OF the
amount of cash on hand to pay any
Indebtedness not included in the sched-
nile of debts assumed by the Texas and
Pacific.
Morton gave his receipt in the set
Element made with him, thus ac-
knowledging that he had no further
claims against the road. Two years
AGO he began suit for $1,000 in New
York court, and had notice served by |
A LAWYERS clerk on a freight agent OF
the Texas and Pacific named A. b.
Hart. whom Morton claimed was sec
retary of the Transcontinental rail-
road. Hart was not the secretary ana
of course no attention was paid to the
suit, so judgment went by default
Armed with this Judgment Morton
came here to Washington and before
nrocuring the introduction of the reso.
Imtion already faserred to, he sent word
to Colonel Bond, vice president OF tne
Texas and Pacific road, that ne woulu
withhold his resolution II the amount
Of his Judgment" was paid. That
smacked too much of blackmailing,
and Bond peremptorily refuses to have
ANYTHING to do with Morton. The res,
omtion was then introduced ana
nassed and the result is as already
stated. The committee VIII make
another effort to get at Morton's 6usl-
meas this week If they can procure his
attendance. =, .,., .hou,
in the House last week in respect 10
free-trade in ships, the prospect Is sun
for Mr.. kehr's bill author
iyinq The registry of foreign bottoms
whan owned and manned by Amer
teams The bill has been referred 10
suh. committee of the Committee on
Tommerce, consisting OF Ward, OF
Now York, Pierce, of Massachusetts,
and Kehr. of Missouri, but as warn
and Pierce both represent districts ln
tarested in ship.building and 10 tne
American bottoms now enjoying
n,ononoIy OF our carrying trade, II Is
Thought that there is small cnahce VI
getting report from the suo-com'
mittee. -. an ca,ota Com.
IT. on Territories will report the
Xii admitting the Territory OF New
M o1,i as State, either this week or
the next. The bill passed the Senate
i iast wear wear, but was killed in the House.
There Is very strong opposition 70 Wv. .he
admission, upon the ground =, .sas , ad