The New York herald., 1878-01-16
GENERAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.

WASHINGTON, Jan. Is, 1873
THE PRESIDENTS EVENING RECEPTION
soUTHERNERs IN ATTENDANCE.
The 1rst public evening reception OF tho President
and Mrs Hayes at the Executive Mansion this evening
was largely attended, many foreign Minister'S mem.
bers OF tho Cabinet aud Senators and Represen
In Congress, with ladies', being PRESENT. among
hundreds of private citizens Tho Marine Band
furnished Tho music. feature that at
tracled attention the largo ATTIC ndanco
OF Southern citizens who werc invariably introduced
as "of Virginia" ''of Alabama" ''of Georgia. &C.
This is the FIRST time tina. such general social calls
have been made by the Southern people since tho
beginning Of tho war
COLLECTOR OF CUSTOMS AT NEW ORLEANS.
George Williamson win be nominated al Collector
OF Customs at New Orleans.
THE NOR HERN PACIFIC RAILRoAD-ARGUMENr
FOR AN EXTENSION OF TIME BEFORE THE
HOUSE CoMMirTEE.
A sub committee or the House Committee on Pacific
Railroads gavo bearing this morning to those IN
terested in the OF the Northern Paclnc Rail
road. The company was represented by hr Frederick
Billings. chairman OF Its Executive Committee; Mr.
Roberts, its engineer-in. .chcf, and Mr. Grey, It's
counsel Senators Mitchell and Grover, Represent IA.
two Williams Of Oregon, and several of the Reprcsen
and Territories present md part IN the pro.
ceedings
The discussion was opened by Mr.. Billings, who gave
narrative OF tho origin and history Of the company
and oil the prosress made in building The road (b55
miles having been completed when the work stopped
under the financial pressure OF 1873 while under It's
charter 1t was only required TO have 6Oo miles com.
peted In 1s7s) related tho crcums auces of tho fore
closure OF the mortgage aud of the reorganization OF
the company ts former bondholders being its present
stockowners and stated the legislation which the CON-
pany now asked for, being morsly an extension
for ten years of tho time for tho construction
and completion Of tho road. The company was will.
ing TO obige itself to complete 100 miles year, and
would probably complete l5o miles It was also will.
ing TO agree To the requirement OF Board OF Trade
Of Oregon that tho lines should be located on the south
side OF tho Columbia River although the limo has been
surveyed Tor the north sido of tho Columbia at least
tor some distance.
Senator Mitchell and Sir. Williams stated their views
and wishes In regard other points, one Of which was
to secure lho interests Of those settlers who in ad
vance Of surveys should happen TO settle ON the rail.
road lands instead OF on tho government lands.
Mr.. Billings immediately offered behalf OF tho
company to agreo to clause by which such settlers
should have their lands at the mnim um government
rates, 81 SO an acre Mr.. Williams also insisted ON
provision that would insure the building OF branch
limo to connect the Northern Pacific road
with the junction ot the Union and Central
Pacific roads az Ogden. 10 which tho repre-.
sentatves OF the Northern Pacific Company
were not 80 willing to accede, as such branch
line would be in some measure rival and competing
road. Finally, on tho suggestion of Mr.. Hewitt, OF
New York, conference was arranged In which tho
various interests might be concilia,ed US for as pos
sbe, leaving points OF disagreement TO be settled by
the committee, and on motion OF Mr.. Rice, OF Massa
chusetts, the further hearing was postponed till Sat-
urday next, the arguments 70 be in the meantime re-
duced TO the form OF briefs. which be submit
ted to the committee.