Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-01-20
The Telegram Trouble.


The Telegram Trouble.
The committee on powers, privileges and dute.
of the house met this forenoon, when the mem
bers of the executive committe of the Western
Union Telegraph Company appeared in answer &c
the subpoena of the house.
The counsel Of the company read paper sign
ed by Orion, to the effect that the company in
view OF all the circumstances think it would not
be night longer to postpone compliance with the
subpoena.
A subcommittee was authorized to receive the
kilograms
The executive committee was then discharged
Two telegraph Officials from Augusta, Ga, anC
Tallahassee, Fla were examined, but could recol
lect no kilograms promising troops.
Pelton testified before committee on election,
this morning that he did not ecollect teegraphug
senator Kelley on the Sh of November last thai
IIlden must have one electoral vote from Oregon
and that Kelley would be depended upon to see
that he obtained it. While he tPeltonl would
furnish the means Necessary for procuring The
same.
The Senate Railroad Committee.
Senate railroad committee have had under con.
slderslion to-day GoIdon's bill for settlement a
treasury accounts with Pacific Railroad, and
have so amended it as to require companies to
start the sinking fund at once, with 81 900 09C
paid in and not less than $4,000 annually until
the whole amount is paid with Interest at pei
cent. This plan requires companies to commence
paving bonds % years before average date Of
maturity under the supreme Court decision ano
extends time II wears beyond maturity of las,
issued bonds. This is an amony settlemen
which restores 10 the treasury every dollar it ha,
paid or may hereafter pay out, and it is under
stood that 1t will be presented by the committee,
in place of the land and money proposition here
tofore reported. 1t is not known whether the r
X Companies will accept plan as they hold tina
under law they are entitled to the whole thirty
years time Of bonds 10 which TO meet them.
Arrived.
Augustus Wheeler, manager of the Western
Union telegraph office at Salem, Oregon, arrived
here to dav to give testimony relative TO anv tel
egrams, which may have passed connection with
the Watts electoral case.
Investigations
The Senate committee on privileges and cleo
tions to-day continued taking testimony in rela
ton to the conduct OF the election in Mississippi.
Norman L. Howard. cololed, testified to nu.
meroUs instances in which intimidation had been
nsed to prevent colored republicans holding polit
zeal meetings, and threats made upon their lives
by armed democrats. Witness left Mississippi
four days before the last election he consider ec
his lie in DANGER
Nh. Richards, colored, lawyer from ClaibonC
county testified that fully one thhd of the voter,
IN claiborne county were denied registration bS
fraudulent means, the republicans Of that county
being thoroughly intmidated.
W. ~ OloO- a lawyer from AGO county, les
tilted that he was candidate for presidential
elector at the late election in Mississippi on the
democratic ticket He canvassed ten couutie,
making political speeches in them all. lie claimee
that the great change in the vote of Mississippi
since 1872, was caused by a change of pnlitica
sentiment among the colored voters. lie hac
heard that intimidation had been resorted to IL
that State TO influence voters, but never saw any
thing OF the kind himself
The Presidential Question.
The plan OF the joint committee for the deter
mnation of the Presidential question continues. t
be the prominent theme of conversation IN al
quarters. Apart from the gentlemen comprisins
the committee the plan is not enthusiastically lie
ceived, though number of members say they
will vote for IT as seeming necessity while 9th
ers do not appear to have made up their minds OF
the subject, wishing first to give it further con
sderatlon.
The Revenue Frauds.
The Commissioner of Internal Revenue ha
called the attention of the Sec'y Of the Treasury
to the increase of frauds upon the revenue by il
hcit distIl aton of spirits and to the difficulty
enforcing the internal revenue laws in several O
the Southern States. His letter was made tn,
subject Of consideration at the Cabinet meeting to
day, having been presented by the Sec'y of tn,
Treasury, and received the following endorse
ments
Referred to the Sec'y of War, who will pleas,
have the commander of troops in the States re
ferred to, instructed to give all aid necessary t,
enable revenue officials to perform their duties
and TO arrest the yiolators of the revenue laws.
(Signed) L. 5. GRANT.
who " i'll issue such instructions to the commando
of the department OF the South as will carry on
the purpose of the Presidents endorsement.
(Signed j. w. CAMERON. Sec'y of War.
MISSOURI.