Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-05-24
WASHINGTON.

WASHINGTON, May 22.-The senate
committee on transportation have heard
Captain Eads make his argument in IA
vor of a modification OF TIE terms OF
the jetty contract. as to the width Of the.
thirty.foot channel, and Of making easier
terms of payment. The committee is
inclined to favor the latter request, aud
will probably agree to let halt a million
or one million OF dollars be paid him to
enable him to 90 on with the work, but
they are not inclined to modify the con.
tract as to the width Of the channel,
until fully satisfied by reports Of tie gov
eminent engineers. Generals Wright
and Barnard, who have been supervising
this work, are to be heard before the
committee tomorrow morning.
THE INVESTIGATION,
The Democratic members OF the com.
mittee 90 investigation have had some
conferences to day, but nothing final has
been resolved on in respect TO allowing
counsel TO appear before the committee,
or as to SEEDING subcommittee to the
S)uth. The com mittee is to organize on
Friday next. The plan OF operation
will be settled in :be meantime.
LAMAR ON H TEXAS PACIFIC.
Mr.. Lamar's speech to day in favor of
the Texas Pacific railroad bill will raise
bis reputation, which is already high, in
congress. 1t was altogether cut OF the
common order Of discussion, and pre-
scented the subject in a new and attrac
tive light. A very interesting part Of
the speech was devoted to a historical
review Of the movement for a Pacific
railroad connection, which began long
before the war, and then commanded
the support Of the frat minds of the
country, and of the political conven
tons Of both parties. The building Of
the road at hat time by congress, Mr..
Lamar showed, was prevented only by q
small msjoriiy, and the scheme would
have easily prevailed, if the friends Of
the measure had sgreAd upon the route,
but il a bill had passed, it would GER
tainly have included a road on the
thirty. second parallel. Mr.. Lamar com.
mended the wisdom OF congress in build.
ing the present road, but said that it had
d~enationslized the measure and made it
a merely sectional connection.
The material and business arguments
for the bill we're presented in a very
strong and suggestive light, and the srgu.
ment as to the new opening it would give
to commerce with Mexico was strongly
presented. Mr.. Lamar, as a sincere
friend Of the Texas Pacific bill, is Of
course opposed to the impudent demand
of Huntington, that the land grant made
TO the Texas Pacific shall be Transferred
to his Southern Pacific monopoly. He
is equally opposed to all the insidious
counter schemes, devised by the cunning
Of Huntington, to divert the support OF
the friends of the bill from the only bill
which has a chance Of passing congress.
The people OF the South ought to under.
stand that the ouly measure which
stands even a chance Of passing is the
bill for a truLk line to the Pacific, re.
ported by the senate and house commit
tees. The other bill, offered by Senator
Johnston, would be = death blow to the
hope Of a competing line TO the Pacific.
IL Southern senators would give a cor
dial and uaited support to the Texas
Pacific railroad bill, there would be no
sort Of difficulty in getting eaough
Northern votes to pass IL.
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE.
Inc national Democratic committee
are to meet 10 this city tomorrow. 1t il
presumed that they are called together
partly for the purpose Of making ar.
engagements for the fall campaign. 1t ia
doubtful if this meeting will be produe.
tive Of benefit. There is talk Of their
passing some resolution 10 reference to
the pending investigation Of the Presi.
dental frauds by the house Of represent
Atives. This will be most strongly CD
posed. Two New England men, Messrs.
Barnum and Prince, appear to be run.
ming the committee, although New Eng
land is almost wholly Republican.
MORE LIBERAL ORGANIZATION.
There is talk Of a more liberal organ
i%zation. Mr.. Barnum, the chairman, il
an able political manager, and will prob
ably be retained. Prince, the secretary,
has nothing whatever to recommend
him. His treatment Of the representa-
tives OF the press at the two n%ationa
conventions Of 1872 and 1876 shows hin
to be devoid Of evtry attribute OF a gen
tleman. His retention in Office is simply
an insult to the entire press Of the coun
try.
Governor McCreary, General NucholI
and General ]. NJ. Wright will leave 70.
/. Q. W.