The New York herald., 1878-02-06
GENERAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.

WARRINGTON, FEB. b, 1875
TEE CHA10Is AGAINST MINISTER SEWARD AND
CONSUL 'oENxRAL BRADFoRD-AcrIoN OF THE
HOUSE COMMITTEE.
The House Committee On Expenditures, at their
meeting to-day In the STATE Department received tho
specific charges Of NJ Myers late Consul General at
Shanghai with request for iull Investigation OF
the Official conduos Vi Minister seward while formerly
occupying the position Of Consul General and that OF
Mr. Bradford, whom the President appointed as
Mr. Myers successor. in that ONCE, after
suspen ding the last named gentleman. The commit
toe also receivsd from the House the letter OF Mr.
Phoenix Marshal OF tho Consular Court At Shanghai
on the Same direction. Tho committee instructed
the chairman (Mr. springsr) 70 transmit the papers
above mentioned 70 the President, informing him
that 10 the duty Of The committee under tho reso-
luton OF the House, to inquire the truth OF tho
charges. aad that they will Rive the accused an
opportunity 10 appear before them either in
person or By counsel Tho Precedent will, IN pursu-
Of custom II cases. transmit the papers to
tho Secretary Of state. The committee also instructed
ther chairman 10 call the State Department. for all
papers containing charges against Messr seward and
Bradford, including Ksims Official report to the Treas
ury Department alleged abuses Shanghai
LONG BONDS FOR THE INVESTMENT OF SAVINGS.
Mr.. wallacs's Long Bond bill amended and re-
ported from the Senate Finance Committee to- day,
directs the Secretary Of the Treasury to issue
500 Of coupon bonds OF the denominations Of
$25 $50 and $780, and Of equal sums zach OF said
dsnominatiops, rsdeemaole in coin after nny years
from the date Of their ISSUE and bearing interest pay
able semi-aunuay. In coin. at the rate OF e5-loo
per cent per annum These bonds be In lieu Of
the same amount OF tour per cent bonds authorized
by the act OF July II, 1870. and, like the arc to be
exempt from taxation. Tho new bonds are to be
ara anlo ~ a Suh. .Troa nd
United States depontoriss par accrued interest
for coin or for United States legal tender the
current market valuation, and the proceeds to be
applied 10 the redemption OF any outstanding United
States bonds bearing higher ratio of interest.
THE GREAT QUADRxSNIAL NAIL LETTING.
The commission engaged in opening bids for the
great Quadrernal mail stiing OF the Mississippi
River gave Attention. to $500 bids yesterday, at
which rate II will take ten days open all the bids
Tho bids simply opened and stamped by tho Com
missioner, aftor which they will bs referred to the
Second Assistant Postmaster General Tor comparison
and award. It Is understood that the. bids
this year are greatly under those made
under any previous advertisement, whereby tho
department expects reduce tho cost of mail trans
portaon In the next four ycars these great routes
by quite . large figure. Many OF tho contractors
whose contracts will terminate the 30th OF June
next express the opinion that the bids this year are
low that II will be impossible Tor the successful
bidders 10 execute their contracts without loss par
ticulariy on the Southwestern border, whore tho
transportation OF mails is subjected to obstruction BY
hostile Indiana
INVESTIGATION OF EXPENDITURES.
The House Committee on Expenditures to-day ap-
pointed three sub committees. the first consisting Of
Messrs Springer. Walker ana Dunnel to inquire into
the contingent expenses OF tho State Department At
Washington; tho second, consisting Of Messrs Tur.
and Bundy to investigate the subject OF expenses
Of the Oriental consulates and tho third, consisting
OF Mcssrs. Mayham and Bayne. to inquire into the
contingent expenses OF the European and othcr con-
their Investigations.
THE NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILRoAD-BILL TO
EXTEND THE TIME FOR COMPLETION.
The bill reported to-day BY Representative Rice OF
Massachusetts,, from the Committee on Pacific Rail-
road extends for years tho time for :ho compile.
tion of tho Northern Pacific Railroad. II provides
for tho construction OF not less than ono hundred
miles ycar. and that the main limo between Portland
and point far east Umatilla, Oregon, shall be
located and constructed tho south sido
OF the Columbia River. Actual settlers on
surveyed land within the limits OF tho
railroad grant arc secured In their rights
by paying 81 so per acre. Preomp;ors OF homcseads
are also protected. Tho company is authorized 10
issue bopds and secure tho same by mortgage on tho
whole any part OF its road and properly. The bill
docs not extend tho time to build tho branch road
through Washington Territory from tho mouth Of
Snake River Puget Sound, but only gives tho COM
pany the land earned By IL on the thrty.one miles
already builg.