The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-04-08
WASHINGTON.
The NIcGarrahan Claim.

nv AACUdHEhnhM OAaAtMs
WASHINGTON, April Gin the McGarrahan
examination today Armstrong presented a
copy of the letter from the Attorney General,
dated March r. 1868, to the Secretary of the
Interior, John 2. Usher, asking him to forbid
the issue of patent to McGarrahan, also a
letter stating patent would not be issued:
also produced the original patent to McGarra-
han. 1t was unsigned, and is the celebrated
one that McGarrahan claims was seized, but
that subsequent to signing the last two sheets
had been mutllated, also the record containing
the completed patent entered before its execu-
ton was suspended, and also the original
plot showing that Gomez had attempted to
locate his Mexican grant upon two distinct
tracts.
Mr.. Chester, formerly of, the General Land
was to record patents sometimes months in
advance of their issuance. He was handed
the original unsigned patent to McGarrahan,
and he testified that instrument was all in one
handwriting, on the same kind of parchment,
and was not mutllated. Patents were univer-
sally recorded before sent to the President for
his signature We were in the habit of mark
ing "Exd" on the record, which indicated ex-
amined
Adjourned till next Saturday
PostofHce Matters.
The House Appropriation Committee has
agreed to the posloffice appropriation bill as it
was reported back by the subcommittee. The
D
which is So, PSI, 1893 below the estimate sent in
by the POstotfice Department. and about $685.
600 less than the amount appropriated for the
present year.
This bill reduces the compensation of rail-
roads five per cent and changesthe methods
of paying postmasters of the fourth class back
to the old system, that is, to pay them COM
mission on stamps that they cancel. instead
of on those they sell, as at present.
Pensions of CoIored Soldiers.
The Secretary of War has transmitted to the
Senate communication from the Adjutant
General, wherein the latter recommends the
appropriation of $4,000 to continue the work
of collection and payment of bounties due
co'ored soldiers and sailors, to January LIST,
1879.
Commercial Treaty with France.
WASHINGTON, April 7.-As there is no treaty
of commerce between France and the United
States, commission for the purpose of stipu-
lating basis upon which such treaty should
be drawn has been formed at Paris and an APP
peal is made to organize in this country
similar commission. The cooperation of these
two commissions might then, according to the
loss of time to combine their efforts, prepare
the way for the Franco-American congress to
be held in Paris during the exh bition.
Our Mexican Relations.
Accounts from the Texas border show that
recently there has been but few, If any, incur
sions from the Mexican side. The members of
Congress who have the subject of our relations
with Mexico under consideration say che delay
of our governments in recognizing that of Mex
leo he's produced an improved condition of af-
fairs on the border, bat that that govt rnment
has not yet done what is required by our own
as prerequisite to recognition. One of the
most serious causes of complaint is that our
while the British and French subjects residing
in Mexico are not, it is said, subject to such
illegal transactions.
The Pacific Railroad Funding Bill.
1t is thought very probable that Senator
Thurman will secure vote on his Pacific
railroad sinking fund bill tomorrow night, as
he will ask the Senate to sit it out. The gen.
eral impression is that it will be passed BY the
Senate with some amendments. The first
question will be on the amendment offered by
Mr.. Blaine in the concluding section of the
Judiciary Committees bill in these words:
$50 long as the Central Pacific and Union Pacific
Railway Companies shall faithfully comply with the
provision of said acis of 1852 and 1854 of this act
relating to payments of the United States on ac-
count OF )nds advanced and Of the sinking fund TO
be established as Aforesaid, such complain shall b.
deemed and taken sufficient to meet the obliea-
tons OF such companies on account of such bonds
prior to maturity thereof'
1t is believed that this amendment will be
adopted Iu Offering it Mr.. Blaine indicated
that in the event of its adoption he would sup
port the Judiciary Committees bill. Senator
Sargent has the floor at o'clock tomorrow to
finish hiE speech and it is expected he will be
followed by Senators Blaine, Edmunds and
Conkling
Various Matters.
The Indian Office has ordered the transfer of
the Apache Indians to the southern Ute agen-
ey.
The British Minister Thornton has officially
expressed to the Secretary of State the high
sense which the Queens government enter
tanned of the honor paid to the government of
Canada and to Her Majesty's representative,
in the courtesy shown to the Governor General
OF Canada, Lord Dafferin, by the President, on
the occasion Of his lordship's recent visit to
Washington.