The Portland daily press., 1877-01-20
WASHINGTON.
The Western Union succumbs.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 19.-The Committee on
the Powers, Privileges and Duties Of the House
met this morning, when the members of the
executive committee of the Western Union
Telegraph Company appeared in answer to the
subpoena of the House. The counsel of the
company read paper signed by Mr.. orion to
the effect that the company, in view of all the
circumstances, think it would not be right long
er to postpone compliance with the subpoena.
A subcommittee was authorized to receive the
kilograms. The executive com mittee was then
discharged. Two telegraph officials from Au-
gusta Ga, and Tullobossee, Tenn, were ex-
amined but could recolect no kilograms prom
Using troops
The Oregon Fraud.
Pelton testified before Committee on Elec-
tions this morning. He did not recollect tee-
graphing Senator Kelly the 9Th Of November
last that Til6en must have one electoral vote
from Oregon. and that Kelly would be depended
upon to see that he obtained it, while he
(Pelton) would furnish the means necessary for
procuring the same.
Augustus Wheeler, manager orrhe Western
Union Telegraph office;at Salem, Oregon, ar
rived here to give testimony relative to any
kilograms which may have passed in connection
with the Watts electoral case.
The Pacific Railroad Funding Bill.
The Senate Railroad Committee have had
under consideration to-day Gordons bill for set
Element OF the treasury accounts with the Pa
chc Railroad and have SO amended it as to
require companies to start sinking fund at
once, with million dollars paid in, and not
less than $4,000 annually until the whole
amount is paid, with interest at six per cent.
This plan requires companies to commence pay
ing bonds twenty-five years before the average
date of maturity; under the supreme court de-
cison extending the time twelve years beyond
the maturity OF the last issued bonds This is
an all money settlement, which restores to the
treasury every dollar it has paid or may here
after pay out. and it is understood will be pre-
scented by the committee in place of the land
and money proposition heretofore reported. 1t
is not known whether the railroad companies
will accept the plan, as they hold that, under
the law, they are entitled to the whole thirty
years time of bonds in which to meet them
Members of the committee say they might ac-
cept this settlement in its present shape as the
best they can obtain from this Congress.
Measures TO Collect the Revenue in South
ern States.
The Commissioner of Internal Revenue has
called the attention of the Secretary of the
treasury to the increase of frauds upon the
revenue by Illicit distillation of spirits and to
the difficulty of enforcing the internal revenue
laws in several of the Southern states. His let
ter was made the subjsct of consideration at
the Cabinet meeting today, having been pre-
scented by the Secretary of the Treasury and re-
ceived the following endorsements:
Referred to the Secretary of War, who will
please have the commanders of troops in the
oeoeoc AcIeIIcu vs. iuStruCIeu W give all ala nee.
essary to enable revenue officers to perform
their duties and to arrest the viola!ors of the
revenue laws.
(Signed, U. S. GRANT.
Respectfully referred to the General of the
Army, who will issue such instructions to the
commander of the Department of the South as
will carry out the purpose of the Presidents
endorsement.
(SignedO j. D. CAMERON,
Secretary of War
January 10, 1877.
Washington Opinion.
The plan of the joint committee for determ-
aation of the Presidential question continues
to be the prominent theme of conversation in
all quarters. Apart from the gentlemen COM
posing the committee, the plan is not enthu-
siastically received, though number of men,
bers say they will vote for it as seeming
necessity; while others do not appear to have
made up their minds on the subject, wishing
first to give it further consideration.
Murtagh's Resignation Accepted.
1t is positively asserted tonight that the re s.
ignation OF W. j. Murtagh, as member of the
police board has been accepted by the Presi-
dent, and Ira G. Kimball appointed in his
stead.
Cabinet Meeting.
Though the cabinet session to-day was of
considerable length and fully attended, there
was little of interest beyond the roatine aft airs
which have accumulated within the past week.
the most important matter considered was the
subject of frauds upon the revenue in the
hnr Stnfn