The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1877-11-08
BY TELEGRAPH.
WARRINGTON.

WAsHIEoToH, d. G., November 7.-Th
Committee on Privileges and Election
held another meeting to-day on tn
Spotiord-KelloRg case. After some fur
ther discussion as 10 the proper scope o
the proposed investigation the committe,
adjourned, subject to a call Of the Chair
man. The poStponement Of action to
day was owing 10 the absence Of Messrs
Hoar and Hill, together with the fac
that the vacancy on the committe, caused
by the death ex-senator Morton, has no
yet been filed.
A Democratic caucus is announced fOl
tomorrow night,
The Committee on Appropriation,
considered many deficiency estimates and
interrogated the Fourth Auditor and
several Of his assistants touching the
manner in which the transfer OF funds
from ono bureau TO another wsB effected
THE DEFICIENCY BILL.
The deficiency bill, introduced to-day
provides for the amount due 10 the of.
cera and men Of the Navy for the quarter
ending June 80, 1877, which Is 81 ,448, ,6SS
amount due Selignan & Bros, London,
SSll 1858; for miscellaneous claims, aris.
ing upon the arrears Of pay, $50, 900; for
amount due the Naval Hospital fund
$50, 900; for the pay Of the officers Of the
Marine corps and enlisted men for the
quarter ending June 80, 1877, S45,2l9
for the Ralaries Of the Eve United States
districts for the quarter ending June 80
1877, So, ,2S7. These items and the sum
for repairs TO the Interior Department,
ETC., make n total, recommended by the
bill, Of S2,24O664. The bill authorizes
the Interior Department TO secure Ere
proof building at rent not exceeding
$500 per month until the repairs are
made.
LAND OFFICE REPORT.
The Commissioner OF the General aud
Office in his annual report says the sales
Of public lands for cash are about 100 900
acres more than previous, while the mum.
Der entered under the homestead and tim.
Der culture laws is 7sj, 1923 less. There
were certified for railroad purposes 7CO,.
70l acres; total disposals ol public land,,
47S ,S22, ,4j2 acres; public surveys have
been extended over 7lS, S,572, 1877 acres; to-
tai OF unsurveyed lands l,l0l, 49,, ,lS3
acres. There were surveyed during the
past year II, 1928 acres, at q cost OF
S2l6,042. The consolidation OF all the
offices Of Surveyor Generals into one ia
recommended, also the abolition Of the
contract system and the appointment Of a
Surveyor General who may appoint the
assistants required 10 personally make
the surveys. A large number OF
grants for railroad have expired by limi.
tation, and it is regarded that impO rtanl
action should be taken by Congress either
10 enforce the forfeiture Of grants or force
the completion Of roads. Should the lat.
ter course be pursued, the claims Of bona
6dc settlers on lapsed lands should be
protected. 1t is recommended that Con.
gress withdraw all lands chiefly valuable
for pine timber from the operation Of tue
homestead and pre- empIion laws and from
sale, except Tor cash. Also that the Sec
retary Of the Interior be authorized to
sell timber from public lands in the min.
ing districts; also to sell timberon any
unsurveyed land not mineral when needed
for actual settlement before public sur.
veyt; algo, that law be enacted, proyid.
ing for the care and custody Of timber
lands, unfit for agriculture, and for the
gradual sale OF timber, and for the per.
petuation Of the growth ot timber on
such lands. Legislation, authorizing the
seizure OF timber, cut from public lands,
without resort to the tedious process Of
the courts, is also recommended. United
States Marshal for the Southern Distric.
Of Mississippi, has seized in three coun.
ties, bordering on the Gulf Of Mexico, in
the suit OF the United States vs.. John
Manning and thirty.eight others, a large
amount Of timber, principally pine logs,
estimated over 10000 in number. There
ia also to be seized a large amount OF
charcoal and turpentine. This action
stops trade which has employed many
vessels in carrying timber to the foreign
and domestic markets.
Supervising Architect Hill, in his re.
port, Gays: The granite contracts, known
as the 10 per cent contracts, have been
modified for the government buildings at
Cincinnati, ST. Louis and Philadelphia.
The following are the balances credited
to appropriations September 3Oth, for
different works: Chicago Custom House,
Sl99, ,2S4; Cincinnati Custom House,
s2s9, 1876; Coytngton Court House, $l44,.
$50; Evansville Custom House, $40,S74;
Grand Rapids Court House, $368lO;
Lincoln, Nebraska, Court House, $40, ,74O;
Little Rock Custom House, s39, Sol; Par.
kersburg Court Houae, 5000; ST. Louis
Custom House, S6,795. Expensive alter.
ations have been completed in the Gus
tom Houses at Louisville and Pituburgh,
Estimates for the ensuing year will be
included in the report of the Secretary Of
the Treasury.
REroRT OF CUSTOMS.