Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-05-06
The Indian Territory Question in
Cabinet Meeting.

The Indian Territory Question in
Cabinet Meeting.
In the Cabinet meeting this afternoon the
Treasury department was represented by AS
sistant Secretary Hawley. The only subject up
for consideration was the condition Of affairs In
Indian Territory. growing out OF the invasion
OF squatters and the further invasion
that is threatened. Secretaries SchurZ and
McCrary both have had advtces from
the. the =. territory: err The information conveyed
was TO the erect that the squatterS were coming
into the territory = struggling bands, not in
large bodies. The troops are stationed, or are
being stationed, to prevent their entrance; and
are considerably embarrassed and hampered In
the use OF their men on account Of the restr1c-
tive legislation as to the manner and pur-
employed The posse consitatus clause in the
last army bill is the principal legislation
that embarrasses the military arm of the SER
Iaat CLAUSE e. s. op being
An existing law authorizes that they may be
used upon the call OF an Indian agent for them.
The Cabinet discussed whether each Indian
agent In the territory would have to call for
troops for use In the confines Of his agency, or
whether general call from the Indian service
would be sufficient. It was decided that the
call from that service for troops to be used as
posses ceraitati, and the troops Will then be al-
thorized to act in that capacity in preventing
invasion and In etecting those who have already
invaded Indian territory.
AMENDMENTS TO THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS
BnL.-The Senate judiciary committee at
special meeting this morning took action upon
the bill introduced by Mr.. Eaton yesterday, "to
by a party vote decided to recommend its pas.
sage with two amendments. The first provide ,
That the b1ll'S prohibition against bringing to
the use OF military force when necessary ITO
protect state against INVASION" The other
amendment inserts the words "when the legiS-
lature cannot be convened" after the clause
which exempts from the prohibition the en-
ployment OF the army or navy as to the fourth
section OF article four OF the constitution and
the laws made 10 pursuance thereof 'upon the
application OF the legislature or the executive
OF the state"
AGAINST CoRBIN's NOMINATIoN.-The Senate
judiciary committee at its meeting yesterday
afternoon considered the nomination of D. T,
chief justice of Utah territory, and decided to
report adversely thereupOn, unless the PreSt-
dent should withdraw the same, which he VIII
have an opportunity to do.
THE Patent Office Gazette has been brought
up to date for the first time in its history. The
patents granted and bearing date to-day are
published in to-day's issue. This result, which
Will prove great convenience to inventors
to the efIciency and executive s IL y ability 9 Of Mr.
j. w. Babson, who has charge Of the Gazette.
REPRESENTATIVE ATKINS, of Tennessee, chair
man of the House appropriations committee
left for his home last evening, to be absent two
weeks. He Is paired with Representative Baker
OF Indiana, who will be away for the same
period. THIS indicates that no measures OF i'm
portance will be reported from the approprla-
tions committee during the next fortnight.
NAVAL ORDRRs.-Commodore Thomas II, Ste
vens to examination for promotion. Cadet
Midshipman II. H. Hooke having reported his
return return home from the European station. is
DICKSON from the New York naval hospital and
placed on sick leave. Assistant Paymaster e.
w. Allen from duty at the Navy department
Office, New York navy yard. Assistant Pay
master M. c. Mcdonald from the Wabash and
ordered to duty on board the practice ship May
Lieut.. Theodore Porter to the Vo- ..,.oa AZ
revoked and he wifi continue on duty va at the the
Annapolis experimental battery.
THE PACIFIC RAILROAD CASES, involving the
validity OF what is known as the Thurman fund
Ing bill, were decided yesterday in the Supreme
Court Of the United States. In these cases the
court, Affirming the Judgment below. The
opinion will be rendered at the next term, the
declsi0n only being now announced. Mr.. JUS
SaSO fAOiu utoocuIS, uOluluS LlldJ C0c ACT OF
Congress OF May Z, 1878 (ThuSmans act), which
II susta1ns changes the contract between the
United States and the railroad companies, and
the contract between those companies and the
holders OF the first mortgage bonds; that the
decision In effect declares that the United
states are not bound to keep their contracts,
and whether they shall do so In any
case is a question of policy and not
Of duty, doctrine which will, in his judg-
ment. subject the government to just reproach,
and bring only evil upon the country; that
the act tnterferes with the right and power OF
the state OF California to control its own cOrpO-
rat1on-the Central Pacific Company-created
under Its laws In 1861, before the railroad acts
OF congress were passed. The act In question
being declared valid, Mr. Justice Field Is unable
to perceive any limit to the powers Of Congress
t1On by state with which, under some pre-
tense, Congress may not interfere. When the
opinion of the court Is read next fall Judge
Field Will file dissent celebrating these views
Justices Strong and Bradley also dissent, hold
ing, In addition to the views OF Judge Field, in
which they concur, that the law Is unconstitu-
tional In that it is taking OF private property
without due process OF law. They also will file
dissenting opinions.
A BILL APPOINTING GEN. SHIELDS state agent
OF Missouri for the prosecution OF claims against
the United States, which has been defeated in
the Senate, was recOnsidered the next day. and
passed by vote OF 20 to 8, with the emergency
clause.
SENATOR SAUNDERS telegraphs to the Omaha
(Neb.) Bee that the assertion OF the democratic
paper in that city that he contracted to support
the Union Pacific Company on condition that
its friends supported him for the Senate, is q
alsehood.