Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1878-06-19

IMroRTANT DECISIONS.

eases were NcCluCA V-u"v III viz Oultcu
States court Of claims. The Union
Pacific Railroad Company brought suit
in this cour. for half Of the transport
tation moneys withheld by the govern
ment, and the latter set up in an offset
claim for per cent. of the net earnings
Of the road since its completion. The
init raised two questions: First. rs to
when the road was completed; second,
aswhat constituted the net earnings.
The decision is that the road was COM
pleted Nov. 6, 1869, the time when the
commission of eminent citizens made
their report, and net earnings are to be
computed by deducting from the gross
receipts operating expenses only, and
not interest on the floating or bonded
debt, or any other expenditures. Judg-
ment is rendered against the company
for s774,OS9, against which the com.
pany holds a prior judgement for trans
portation earnings of about the same
amount. The case goes to the United
States supreme court, on appeal
THE OTHER NOTEWORTHY JUDGMENT
rendered by the court was one in favor of
the Pacific mail steamship company
and against the United States for SAL
666 for the trip of the Civ of Picking
from San Francisco to China and Japan
and return in March, 1875. This deci-
sion afiirms the validity of the ten-year
contract of the company for carrying
the mails. which was terminated by
congress after the Picking sailed, in con-
sequence of the disclosures of r. B.
Irwin relating to the expenditures Of
money by the company to procure a
subsidy.
THE RAILWAYS.
The committee of conference on the
post-ofiice appropriation bill have
agreed. They will recommend that the
senate concur with the house in provid-
ing for a reduction of 5 per cent. in the
present rates Of compensation for
railroad mail-service, and that the
amounts in dispute, aggregating about
$250,0OO for various branches of the
postal service, shall be about equally
compromised.
FEDERAL APPOINTMENTS.
The president has appointed Ernst
Dichman, Of Wisconsin,, minister resi-
dent to the United States of Colombia,
s. A.; Benjamin F. Potts, of Helena,
governor of Montana; Peter Neglcv,
United States assistant treasurer at Bal
timore.
TIE LEGAL GROUNDS.
Washington advices under date of
June 18th state that the judiciary COM
mittee Of the house has instructed one
of its members to prepare report on
the Kimmel Blair bill. The report, it
is understood, will be adverse to ques-
tioning the validity of the presidential
title, and on purely legal grounds.
THE MATTHEWS COMMITTEE.
Mr.. Edmunds, chairman of tie select
committee recently appointed, on mo-
ton OF Stanley Matthews, reconsidered
his intention of asking to be released
from service, and will act rs chairman.
Representatives Davis Qll.), White and
Jones (Fla.), will also remain on the
committee. 1t is probable that the SEES
sons of this committee will not con-
tlnue more than four days after the adj
Journment of congress. The committee
will organize tomorrow, but owing to
the pressure Of public business in the
senate, there is very little probability of
an investigation being commenced till
congress adjourns.
THE POWER OF THE 44TH CONGRESS.
Inc House Judiciary Committee to-
day, by vote of to l, decided to re-
port resolution asserting in substances:
That the 44th Congress was properly
constructed body to count the votes
and declare the result of the Presiden-
tai election, and no subsequent Con-
Sress has the power to revise the
action thus taken, nor can Congress
confer power on the Supreme Court, or
upon any other tribunal. to reopen the
question which has thus been settled.
Inc committee meet tomorrow to con-
slder the preamble to the resolution.
Inc vote was as follows: in favor of the
resolution, Observation-Disclosures Harris,
Hartrldge, Singer, Mcmahon, Culber-
SON.; Republicans-Frye, Conger and
Lapham. Mr.. Knott, Chairman, dis
Sented. Messrs. Butler, Republican
and Lynde. Democrat, were absent.
THE INTERNATIONAL SILVER CONFERENCE.
Washington advices under date of
June 18th, state that Secretary Evarts
has received cable dispatches announc-
ing that France and Italy have accepted
ihe invitation Of the United States to
be present at the International None
ary Conference. Secretary Evarts says
mat this settles beyond doubt the ques-
uon OF holding the Conference. The ac-
ceptance of France, Russia, Greece. and
Italy Will possibly cause all the Great
fowers Of Europe to participate.
Austro- Hungary is expected to accept,
ana, while the cabinet in England Is d.
lylaed, Secretary Evarts says tonight
ne would not be SURPRISED Il Great Brit