The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-03-25
washington.

cEESs-TnE PUBLIC BUlLDlNGS--A PROPOSE
TroS 10 ABOLISH TIRE OFFICE OF SURVEYOR
GENERAL. FOR EIGHTEEN STATES AND TER
rTToR,Es-A MONUMENT TO THOMAS JEFFER-
soS-THE TARIFF BILL-GXCURSI0S OF
NORTHERN CAPITALISTS TO vlRGINIA-VA-
GGOrS ITEMS.
FFrorn ouv Regular Correspondent
WtsuINGroN. March 23.-The TeNas-Pa-
cifc railroad question is now lsha condition
IN be brought before Congress, the Rail-
road Committees Of both houses, as already
stated. having reported in favor CT it. The
House bin differs from the Senate bill only
in the concluding section, the two bills
being with this exception identical III IAN
.,nace. The last section OF the House bill
nroyi0rs that the TeXaS-Paciic Railway
COMPANY shall have the right to purchase
the charter. franchises, and property OF
any existing line, If any there be-,
on the selected route or construct a
new oac Of the option Of said COM
ual1r. 50 says the Senate bill, and
her, the Senate bin ends; but the
House bill goes on further to say: And that
q failure 10 50 purchase or construct at the
rate herein provided OH the eastern extern
sion shall work an absolute forfeiture OF all
RIGHT TO the guarantee OF the Government
on the interest OF the bonds 10 be issued for
50 much OF the line rs may remain uncon-
strl,cicd ut the time OF such default.
The COMPROMISE PROVISIONS OF THE BILLS.
The main trunk line is from San Diego to
Fort Worth. Texas. An impartial commits
sion IS TO determine the point on the east
bank OF the Mississippi which is to be the
terminus OF the road. This point cannot
be north OF Memphis. The company may
cross the river to the eastern bank by boats or
br,drcs. senator Johnston's bill provided,
il will he remembered, for one terminus at
Njcksbur" and another at Memphis, so as
70 rive connection with the Danyille and
Atlantic, Mississippi and Ohio railroads.
Richmond people are evidently taking in
tcrest in the details OF the scheme, as saw
a letter from one prominent citizen to-day,
proposing in amendment that the rates for
freight for two hundred miles or more shall
not be higher than from one terminus to
the other. upon Il penalty OF $50 for each
offence, and n letter from another asking
for copies OF the bills.
THE ZEAL OF ALEXANDER STEPHENS.
The Texas-Pacitic has no more earnest
friend in either branch Of Congress than
Alexander Stephens, and when he talks OF
il he shows as much enthusiasm as II he
were twenty years younger and in the en-
joyment OF robust health. He says he has
fol ha InyI.n rs
route since 1851, and but for the war it
would, in his opinion, have been built. 1t
offers the shortest route, and Will never be
impeded by snow and bad weather. 1t is
Indispensable to the South and the country
and the commerce OF the world. In every
possible respect he regards it superior Ia
facilities for successful operation to any
other lire. Being shorter than any rival,
the Oriental and Pacific trade would seek it
in order to save fourteen hundred miles.
lie grows eloquent in depicting the I'M
mensc advantages which Norfolk, Charles
ton, Wilmington, and other southern sea-
ports would derive from its construction,
especially when the other Pacific roads are
blocked up with snow and ice. When the
bill CONES before the House, his speech IN
advocacy OF it will doubtless surpaSs in
ability and eloqucnce any he has delivered
in Congress in late years.
Mr.. SHERMAN AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
Secretary Sherman addressed letter to
Mr. Cook, member OF the House from
Georgia, to-day, in which he said there
should not be more than $5,00G,000 appro-
priatcd for public buildings this session,
and yet the applications already before the
House Committee on Public Buildings
amount to SlQ,0Oo,000. There is wisdom in
the position Of Mr. Schleicher, Of Texas,
who says that liberal provisions should be
made fer public buildings. His reasons are
that the Government could sell bonds, the
interest On which would be no more than is
now paid for rent. We would then have
suitable public buildings, and work would
be given to unemployed citizens.
ANOTHER APPROPRIATION ELL.
The subcommittee has agreed upon the
legislative, executive, and judicial appro-
prialion bill, and their action will be con-
CURED III by the full Committee on Appro-
priations. The report Will be made to.;hc
House on Tuesday, and it is expected that
this important appropriation bill will be
disposed OF by Friday. 1t appropriates
about 100000, and this is 100000 less
than was appropriated TO these departments
OF the Government last year. The House has
already passed the West Point appropria-
ton bill, the fortiications appropriation
bill, the naval appropriation bill, and the
consular and diplomatic appropriation bill,
which shows an earnest purpose to get
through by July il possible.
THE RESUMPTION ACT.
Mr.. Hereford's resolution requiring the
Senate committee to report on the House
bill repeating the resumption act will pass,
1t is thought. But this will not indicate
how the vote will stand when the question
OF resumption is squarely presented to the
Senate. For example, Dir. Davis OF West
Virginia viii vote for the resolution, and
yet he is not regarded as in favor Of repeal
ing the resumption act. So Of other sen.
ators who will vote the same way on Mr.
Hereford's resolution.
TO ABOLISH THE OFFICES OF SURVEYOR
GENERAL IN STATES AND TERRITORIES.
The bill abolishing the Office OF surveyor
general for the eighteen States and Terrific