Arizona citizen., 1878-03-22
THE CITIZEN.
Forts Worth and Yuma Hail
 Service Awarded.

WASHINGTON, March 10.-The con test over bids for mail service between Fort Worth, Texas, and Yuma, Cal ifOrnia, the longest $ ar service route in the United Stales, has been finally terminated by the Postmaster-Gen who refuses to allow an appeal to be taken to the Attorney General from his decision sustaining the legality of the United States Senators being bonds men, and awardIny the contract to the lowest bidder Jon F. Chidester, at $l34,0 ,000 The Postmaster General, however, b, fore making the formal award, ann Ounced to Chidester that he would never allow an increase of pay for increase of speed. on this route, and if Chidester's extremely low bid was based on any such expectation it could be withdrawn, and he would re- advertise the route. Chidester replied that he was satisfied that he could per- form the service for the amount of his bid, anu was very anxious to receive the award, even with the distinct understanding that no increased pay should be asked for or granted. Sev- eral of the California and Texas Con- gressmen, and Delegates from Arizona and New Mexico, have expressed to the Postmaster General considerable uneasiness concerning this matter, as they fear the service cannot be per formed at so extremely large a reduc- tion from the present cost, which is about S32O, ,O0O per annum.
 Arizona Laws.
 WASHINGTON, March 12.-The House Judiciary Committee today approved the body of laws passed by the Legis- lative Assembly of Arizona with the exception of the act granting special privileges to the Southern Pacific Rail road Company of California. The vote was six against three, Stenger and Butler being absent. This motion in regard to the railroad act was on the ground that under the organic law of the Territory, the Legislative assem- ply has no power or authority to| grant special privileges. Both ma jorlty and minority reports will be made to the House
 The bill in aid To the Polar Expedi- ton designed by James Gordon Ben net passed unanimously without de- bate.
 General Howard ExOnorated.
 WASHINGTON, March 13.-In the Criminal Court yesterday, before Judge Wylie, the case of the United States against General o. O. Howard, late Commissioner of the Freedmen's Blu reau, was taken up. The defense was that the subject matter of this case had been subject of inquiry by the army, and he was exculpated; that the funds in question were in the hands of G, W. detailed officer, and that the defendant was not responsible. Under of the court a verdict was found for the defendant.
 Going to Liberia.
 NEW YORK, March S.-The Herald's l Charleston programme of the Liberian Exodus Association is now completely | and the sailing of the ship AzOr, which is to convey the first in 'tallment of colored emigrants, is eX- Dected here daily, having left Boston ! week ago. She is already loaded with provisions of different sorts, agri- cultural implements, dry goods, boots, hoes, etc, the property of persons intending to take passage. There are .lsO a quantity of provisiC ms and seeds tored here, the whole being amply ufficient to last out the voyage and or some time after arrival at Mon ovia. Three hundred and fifty color d men, women and children from arious portions of the country are low quartered in this city. awaiting he time for their departure. The AzOr will carry about two hundred nd fifty of these which is her full apacity. Only those will be taken rho hold stock in the Liberian Joint tock Steamship Company and haveI leans to support themselves for sixI lonths in Liberia without assistance. Ifter landing her passengers, the eSsel Is to return immediately for lore emigrants, bringing back q cargoi f African products. This method off is to be established be- veen this port and Monrnvia for car yilg over emigrants and bringing ack produce. It is stated that Onel undred and sixty thousand colOred len are willing and ready to go. Nol Thite man is allowed to accompany , he expedition.
 'hree Blocks of Buildings Destroyed
 Loss S5OO,OOO.
 NEW YORK, March 9.-The Pacific iail Steamship Company has received
 dispatch from Panama stating that buildings were burned. No amage was made to either the rail pad or Pacific Mail Steamship Com any's property. Another dispatch avs that three blocks in the principal art of the city are destroyed. The Ifferers are Lansburg, Wilson & ship chandlers; Isaac Brand 1n & O., grOcers; Scherber Brothers, Sternburgh, Cook & olander Many residences were also urned. The total loss is $500,000. lsurance, $230,000, in German com anies. The Grand Hotel was also urned. It cost S1O0,OOO and was in- lred for SS0,000
 Trouble in San Domingo.
 NEW YORK, March 12-A Norfolk ' spatch states that the United States eamer Plymouth, now under repairs, IS orders to put to sea as soon as out the machinist's hands, deferring all her reDairs until her return. The