Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-04-13
DOMESTIC NEWS.
The Debris Question and the Approaches
10 Mare Island.

Inc DeDrfs question and the Approaches
TO Mare Island.
| Especial to the REcoRD-UNoN.l
| WASHINGTON, April h-Representatives
Davis and Berry were before the House Naval
Committee to-day, by invitation, in regard to
| the debris question, as brought up by Secre-
tary Thompson's information concerning the
shoaling of the approaches to the Mare
| Island Navy Yard. Calvin V. Brown, civil
engineer of the navy, recently stationed at
Mare Island, was also present There APP
| peared to be some doubt in the minds of the
committee whether, in view of the rapid
shoaling of the channel reported by Secretary
Thompson, it would be judicious to make
any further appropriations at present for the
permanent improvements of the navy yard.
| Brown assured the committee that there is no
danger of having to abandon Mare Island for
this reason. showed how, with a proper
straight wall in front, the channel can always
be kept clear. Berry and Davis cordially
conceded in this, and earnestly took the
ground that the Government should
make liberal appropriations to con-
struct sea-wall, and provide for
other needed Improvements, especially the
completion of the stone rydock Davis
pointed out the advisability Of harmonious
action on the part of this committee with the
Committee on Commerce and Mining. and to
this end suggested that all three should ap-
| point sub committees to confer together on
| the various subjects involved in the debris
question. The committee asked many ques-
| tions, which were promptly answered by the
! California Congressman, and it is believed
that good results will accrue from the con-
ference
The Pueblo OF San Francisco.
| Especial to the REcoRD-UYIoN.l
WASHINGTON, April 12th.-The Secretary
of War to day transmitted to Congress let
ter from General Wright, Chief of Engineers.
in relation to the pending bill to confirm the
survey of the pueblo Of San Francisco, and
suggesting certain amendments thereto, which
are deemed important for the protection of
| the interests of the United States General
| Wright says: The Generals in command of
the Division OF the Pacific and the Depart
ment of California have at different times de.
nounced the survey in question, so far as it
relates to the Presidio reservation, as fraudu-
lently incorrect. General Halleck, in 1866,
said of it: "It appears that certain notori-
| Gus land -grabbers of this city had formed a
conspiracy with some employees of the United
States Surveyor Generals Office for the pur-
pose of getting possession of some 200 or
more acres OF the military reserve at the Pre-
sidio." General Ord, in 1868, wrote "This
| land which would be lost is worth at least
! 81 600 an acre, and recommend an earnest
protest against a survey that would deprive
the Government of land so necessary and
useful, which it has always had and which
the existing laws and decisions, if adhered to,
would undoubtedly give it." General Nc
Dowell, in strenuously objecting to the same
effect in January, 1879, said 1t is difficult
for me, even at this late day., to write of this
matter and use only the language of an off,
| cial document.
Decision in Telegraph Suit-LOng Lit.
CATION Promised.
OMAHA, April 12th.-United States Judge
McCrary to-day filed in the Court here his
decision in the cases of the Atlantic and Pa
cifc and Western Union Telegraph Compa-
nies against the Union Pacific and American
Company, in favor of the former He de-
| cides that all the lines recently seized at the
instance of Mr.. Gould must be restored. The
only recourse of the railroad company, he
says, is to establish its claim in Court, and
sets forth that the ,7S0 shares of stock re-
ceived by it from the Atlantic and Pacific
| Company, when the contract was first made,
must be returned before the proceedings are
begun, as these shares were of small value
when taken by the railroad company, and
are very valuable now 1t is considered
great victory for the telegraph company. A
| long litigation is promised
| The Chinese Question-Evarfs' Report.
| Especial to the RECORD UHIoN.]
| WASHINGTON, April 18th. - Secretary
Evarts' report concerning the progress of the
negotiations with China turns out to be Just
what was expected, both in its excuses and
delay, and its predictions of success in the
future; but there is considerable comment in
| Pacific coast circles concerning his disin-
geniousness in laying stress upon the fact that
the joint resolution referred to by Willis
resolution was not passed, while at the same
time he makes allusion to the similar resolu-
| tions which were passed by the same Coa-
| gress, and is equally careful to say nothing
about the passage of the fifteen passenger
bill, which had been sent to the President
and vetoed before he gave his first instructions
to Minister Seward on this subject.
The West Point Outrage.
WEST POINT, April 12th.-In the Whitta-
ker inquiry to-day, cadet Burdette testified
that his suspicion that the affair was a hoax
originated when he saw that Whitaker had
control of his eyelids, although apparently
| senseless. On cross examination he confessed
that he knew nothing as to the normal posi-
| tion OF persons eyes when in position like
Whittakers. He mentioned other small
matters which confirmed his suspicion.
Superintendent James Gaylor, of the New
| York Postofice, is comparing, as an expert,
the note of warning in Whittaker's room
with that of different cadets, including Whit
| taker.
| Recorder Sears stated that Whitaker is
not kept in Court continually, for the reason
that his standing in the class is such that he
cannot afford to lose any time. He said he
had no theory or opinion as to Whittaker's
guilt.
Superintendent Gaylor, the expert in writ
| ing. testified that nine of the twenty-five
| specimens were written by the same land as
1 <I g xI-t