The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1878-03-15
CURRENT NEWS.


port q bill for the payment OF >i5o,V1 10 the
Book Agency Of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, for the occupation Of its
building M Nashville during the war.
The President has nominated Mr.. A. w.
Beard for Collector At Boston. A strong
pressure was brought TO bear TO secure the
denomination Of Simmons, the present in
cumbent, andall New England took sides m
the controversy. Senator Hcar supported
the successful candidate.
The silver bill became = law without re-
eeiving the Presidents signature, both
houses OF Congress having promptly passed
the bill over the Presidents veto by the
requisite two-thirds majority. 1t Is an
nounced that the Secretary Of the Treasury
will at once issue the necessary orders to the
minis to begin the coinage Of the old silver
dollar.
Judge Leonard, Representative In Con-
gress from the Fifth Louisiana District, has
been sent on special mission TO Cuba by
President Hayes, to inquire into the alleged
kidnapping OF colored citizens Of Florida
for the purpose of selling them into bond
age in Cuba, and also to ascertain from per-
sonal observation the actual condition Of the
instruction In that island.
The public debt statement issued March I
shows decrease in the debt for the preced-
ing month Of 8, go. 2s7, and the follow
ing balances in the Treasury: Curren-
cy, 5000. 765; special fund for the redemp-
ton Of fractional currency. Sl,Oo0,000; spe-
cisl deposit oflegal-tenders for the redemp-
ton OF certificates OF deposit, S2S,555, 090:
coin, $1sl, 31s, $50; including coin certificates,
SIS, $4,000; outstanding legal-tenders, S34S, :
6lS,024.
The Commissioner OF the General Land
Office on the LIST gave notice TO IS OF the en-
ployees OF that bureau, 20 OF whom are la
dies, that on account Of want Of appropria-
ton, the Secretary Of the Interior had been
forced to present 10 them the alternative Of
resignation or forced leave Of absence with
out pay until such time as funds might be
provided.
The House Committee on Pacific Rail-
roads, by a vote Of ! TO 8, have finally decided
to recommend the passage Of the Texas Pa
ciic Railroad bill. The bill reported
Is virtually that introduced by Alexander III.
stephens. II authorizes the company 10
execute and deposit with the Secre-
tary Of the Treasury construction bonds
at the rate Of $4,000 per mile for
1,ij0 miles, and at the rate Of
So, 900 per mile for 80 miles through the
mountainous portion OF the route, said
bonds TO mature in 80 years and to bear 5
per cent. interest The Government j. to
guarantee The payment Of the interest on
these bonds, but such guarantee is in no
event to extend beyond the period Of the
maturity Of The '.onds. As an indemnity,
the Government is to have the following
guarantees: A first lien on all the franchises
and properly; the retention Of all
dues from Government from trans
portation; reconveyance TO the
Government Of all the lands Of
the road, and the transfer to the Govern
ment, "if the same should be necessary OF
all net earnings. The report argues at
length i'm favor Of the bill; cndeayors 10
show that the guarantees are ample, and
that the National Government, instead OF
losing money. will actually make money by
every year; and also emphasizes the consid-
GRAFTON that aid for such an enterprise il due
TO the south and Southwest.
The River bill introduced in the House by
Representative Gibson subsequently intro
duced In the Senate by Senator Cockerell),
provides that the President Of the United
States shall appoint five engineers, designas-
ing one OF their number for President OF
the Commission, who shall prepare plans
and estimates, which will secure channel
for sea-going vessels at all seasons OF The
-. tLn - n.
When these plans are approved BY the Pres
ident Of the United States, the Sec
rotary OF War Il to cxpend such sums
a. may be appropriated by Congress 20 car
~ on the construction under the direction
OF the Commission, which Is also TO have he
direction Of such surveys as are now in
progress below St. Louis. The Secretary Of
War Il to give the Commission all boass
which shall be needed. After the approval
Of the general system Of works, detailed
plans are 70 be prepared, majority OF the
Commission 10 decide upon them.
The Commission Is 10 furnish the
Secretary Of War with all these plans,
and he Il 70 advertise for bids for the work
IN parts or a. whole. One section OF the
bill provides for the salaries Of the members
OF the Commission, which amounts are left
I'm blank. The last section provides for an
appropriation Of S2,5Oo,0O0 for the speedy
construction Of the general system contem-
plated by The act. The bill Is based on the
well grounded opinion that Capt. Eads win
be selected President Of the Commission.
speaker Randall gives II as his opinion
that Congress can adjourn July 1, the aver
age duration 81 long sessions. He says the
impression that the Appropriations Com
mittec Is behind is q mistake, that the work
OF that Committee Il as far advanced as usu-
al, and that no extension Of the session will
be necessary on that account. Others are
confident that there can be no adjournment
before August.