The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-02-19

OF SALE &C. and before such sale exchange take
place the recommendation OF the commission must be
ratincd by Congress-
The Committee Naval Affairs, in reporting the bill
to sne Senate submitted lengthy report. In which
they express opinion as to the sale OF this land and
unless the amount TO be realized its full value. and
can be appropriated TO the Improvement OF the remain
ing part OF the yard would not be considered for the
best interests OF the naval branch OF tho service to
part with 1t. The cob dock, called, Is important
part Of the Brooklyn yard. and is great need OF
repairs II Is artificial island in wallabout Bay,
and contains about thirty-6ve acres twelve of which
in the centre are already partially dredged and we'll
calculated for wet basin. II Is entirely surrounded
BY navigable waters the East River front has
twenty-one feet Of water at low tide Ships can be
moorcd on the East River front out OF tie tide and
free nom the risk Of Ice, and Of the way Of the
navigation OF the river. On the wallabous Channel
there Is also large water front entirely out Of the
tide. This front will need dredging to any
required depth. Tho present piers, wharves, &c,
around this island In rotten condition, entirely
unit for use and discredtablc to the government
With tho money expended upon It which would arise
from tho proposed sale to the city OF Brooklyn, II
Congress should hereafter authorize the same could
be made the most valuable part OF the Navy Yard.
having large water front and basin capable Of
tanning at timo from twelve to twenty ships In
perfectly position. Tho importance Of improv-
ing the cob dock is great that tho committee
willing TO recommend the sale OF the land mentioned
In this BILL provided the purchase money can be wholly
applied to said improvements.
THE LOUISIANA GUBERyAToRIAL QUESTION.
Tho administration has not as yet taken action re-
gardng tho Louisiana gubernatoral question. Tho
President said several weeks ago that he would not do
SO pending tho investigation by committees Of Con-
gress the election that State but Is supposed
that after tho shall be counted In the joint meet
Ing Of tho two houses he viii to determine
ton as to Louisiana, we'll as TO South Carolina in
relation to the Governorshin
A number OF Southern members OF Congress, to-
gcihcr with representa- mon from the South, will
call on the President tomorrow TO request him TO
take action on the eubernatorial questions In
Louisiana and South Carolina but to leave II 10 tho
determination Of hts successor.
Mr.. LoaANs SILVER BILL-rTs PROSPECTS IN
SILVER COMMISSION.
Mr. Logan's bill for tho issue OF silver coin and
make the silver dollar legal tender last Friday
made, in the Senate, the special order tor o'clock
tomorrow; but tho probabilities arc that the two
houses will be in joint meeting at that time 10 count
the electoral VOTE II separated they Will DO discuss
Ing tho Louisiana vote, under the law which allows
each house TWO hours for discussion the Silver bill
must take place calendar Of special orders
II very doubtful tho bill would be considered II
legislative business should be In order at o'clock
tomorrow and the appropriation bills wore out of the
way, large number OF Senator'S adverse 10 TAX
ing up prior 70 the report OF tho Silver Commission
which will be submitted Saturday next the oath
inst The report Of that commission Will be volum
nous they have examined large number OF witnesses
this country and have propounded nterrogatories
correspondents, distinguished dnanciers and business
abroad They aso through the State Depart
mcnt, sent ,nterrogatores touching the various prop
ostions TO the representatives Of the United States
the different countries OF the world Numerous
answers received, all Of which have been properly
dgested and arranged.
THE PACIFIC RAILROAD INDEBTEDNESS,
IL ia probable that the bill TO amend the Pacific
Railroad acts TO create sinking fund for the
liquidation Of tho Indebtedness due the government by
the Pacific Railroad companies will be laid aside when
the Senate resumes legislative business This bill has
been thoroughly discussed during tho past two weeks
and comes up again rs unfinished business. but tho
Committee Appropriations havo several bills ready
and they will press their consideration as soon as
possible.
THE PROPOSED TREATY WITH THE SAMOAN
ISLANDS.
Mr. G. W. Griffin, Consul at the Samoan Islands, who
has been in Washington for several weeks, having
been empowered by the government OF that country
negotiate a treaty OF friendship aud commerce with
tho United States, will return to his post early IN
March, lie did not ask to be received 10 the character
OF Minister, with which no was accredited, but ply
made representation Of the subject hts capacity
United States Consul Much interest Is taken In the
object OF his VISIT especially by sojourncrs from tho
Pacific Coast, as, apart from securingfa profitable
trade, the Samoans would by treaty, DO incidentally
protected from the injustice now inflicted upon them
by the representatives subjects Of European
Powers
FOREIGN MINISTER'S RESIDING AWAY FROM THE
NATIONAL CAPITAL.
Attention having been drawn to tho absence from
the OF government Of several OF the foreign Min
listers accredited here. and Professionally reside In
New York, It is rumored that tho Secretary OF State
Ia about call tho attention OF their to
their constant absence, and TO request instructions
to the Ministers to be at their posts that others
may DO appointed who will remain at tho seat OF
government.
THE TEXAS PACIFIC RAILROAD BILL.
The friends of tho Texas Pacific Railroad have deter.
mined TO mako further effort to pass their bill this
session. Tho electoral complication and the pressure
OF appropriation bills preclude the consideration
which It's Importance demands and which It's friends
dcsirc 1t should have. They think hcro Is no doubt
whatever that tho bill would pass could a vote be
legitimatciy reached.
EARTHQUAKE.
SAN FRANCISCO, Cal, Feb. IS, 1877