The Portland daily press., 1877-01-13
WASHINGTON.
Pacific RailrOad Sinking Fund.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12.-The bill introduced
by Senator Gordon to-day TO provide for the
creation OF sinking fuud to lIquidate the
Y nion Pacific and Central Pacific Railroad
Companies indebtedness to the government
requires each of these companies to pay into
the U. S. Treasury $150,000 per annum for the
period of "a years, commencing Immediately.
Interest at per cent. is to be allowed and com
pounded at the end of each year, by which
means the sinking fund at the end of the "a
years will, it is stated be sufficient in amount
to liqui1ate the outstanding Indebtedness of the
companies with single interest added. The
subsidy bonds will be due twelve years pre- vIous
to that time.
Cabinet Meeting.
Official telegrams received to-day present no
new features in the New Orleans troubles
There was full Cabinet council to-day and a
brief session. Nothing of importance was done
regarding the affairs in the South.
The River and Harbor Appropriation.
The President to-day sent message to the
House OF Representatives in reply to the reso-
luton respecting the expenditures of certain
moneys appropriated last session in The river
and harbor bill, and enclosing the report from
the Secretary of War on the subject The Sec
rotary says: The act was signed on the 1Ith of
August, and on the same day the P esldeut
sent special message TO the House stating be
did not consider 1t obligatory upon him to ex-
pend all the money appropriated in the bill;
that during his office no money should be ex-
pended on works not clearly national, and ow-
lug to a contemplated loss of revenue it might
BE- inadvisabe. The principles enumerated in
this message have governed the Secretary's &C
ton on this subject in every case presented to
hin The Secretary suggests that the Presi-
dent had authority for his action under the law
and the authority found in the river and harbor
bill itself. The bill was in no way mandatory
on the President to expend the full, amount of
no ariu
else of his discretion was influenced by the
condition OF the treasury and tue nature of the
appropriations for other public works of quite
as much Importance as the river and harbor
Improvements.
The Electoral Count.
The committee of the TWO houses of Congress
on the counting OF the electoral vote held their
first joint meeting this afternoon, when the
Senate committee desired time for considera
ton, and there will be another meeting tomor-
row. The members OF the committees saw thew
are bound to secrecy as yet
Various Matters.
Receipts from internal revenue to-day, 1853.
711.S3; customs, 1860 9S9O1.
Commander Milton Haxtuu is ordered to
command the Vandalia on the European sta
ton, vice Commander Robson, who is ordered
home.
The Senate has confirmed Stewart L. Wood
ford as Y. 3. Attorney of the Southern District
OF New York, and John D. Hopkins collector
of Customs at Frenchman's Bay, Me.
The Attorney General has come to no con-
clusion IN the Louisiana matter yet, and official
DISPATCHES contain nothing new.
Mrs. Grants first afternoon reception to day
was largely attended.
Col feton telegraphed Senator Herman last
evening asking HIM if the committee on priyi-
leges and elections desired his presence in
Washington, and saying that the statement in
the New York journals charging that be was
endeavorlng to avoid investigation did him
gross injustice. Senator Herman replied that
he did not know that the committee wanted
him. The colonel, however. will undoubtedly
be summoned.
The House appropriation committee have
nearly finished the executive and legislative
appropriation bill. Mr.. Holman again brought
forward his proposition reducing the salary of
the President 10 $25 900; also for the reduction
Ut the salaries of Members of Congress to $4,000
Which was carried