New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-12-09
CURRENT TOPICS AT TIE CAPITAL
WASHINGTON, "Wednesday, Dec. g. 1886

Reprcsentatlye Hurd, OF Ohio. who was defeated
for reelection, is Democrat who stands by the
Cincinnati platform Of tariff for revenue only"
In the House Monday Mr.. Hurd offered stump
speech in the form of joint resolution on the suo-
ject Of the tariff. This resolution is divided under
eight heads and recites al the evils which, free
traders assert flow from the tariff laws Mr. Ilurd
wants import duty imposed on tea and coffee and
taken of all articles of general consumption and
articles from which the amount of duties received
is small He says that his resolution crysiallizes
the views of about fifty Western Democrats and Re-
publicans with whom he conversed on the subject
before he came to Washington. He expresses the
belief that the time has come when there should be
tariff and anti-tariif parties MIR. HuTd has cvi-
IDENTIFY concluded that il is not worth while 10 night
any longer TO nullfy the election laws and at The
time has come when the Democrats must depend
upon something else Tor their hopes OF 1utufe po-
lltica success.
VALUE OF DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE.
A special agent sent 10 Oregon by Com
missioner Williamson. of the General Land
Office, to investigate a claim of the Will
laInette Valley and Cascade Mountain Military
Wagon Road Company" for some 100000 acres Of
land alleged to have been earned under an old act
of Congress by constructing road from Albany.
Ore to the eastern bOundy of the State, reports
that no such road LAS been constructed as the
land grant act provided for, and that, in fact
there are scarcely any traces of road except at the
western end ou which about 100000 acres were
patented to the company n number Of years ago
Complete documentary evidence OF compliance with
the law was presented 10 the Department in support
of the present application but of course, in view of
the results Of the investigation, 1t Will not be
granted.
DIsPOSING OF CLAIMS.
Mr. Pendleton of Ohio, introduced bill in the
Senate to-day TO provide for the transfer of claims
from the Departments To the United States Court
of Claims. 1t empowers the Secretaries Of the sew
era Departments TO refer to the Court of Claims for
trial all claims now within the jurisdiction OF such
Departments involving important disputed ques
tions of law fact. 1t directs the Court to docket
and examine such claims. subject to the provisions
and regulations winch have been established for
the examination and hearing of cases originally
brought before the court. Mr. Pendeton also intro
duced bill to limit the time for the prosecution Of
claims by or against the Government of the United
States.
SENATOR BLAINE AND THE CABINET.
Senator Blaine speaking of general press dis
patch sent from Washington yesterday, in which it
was announced that the position Of Secretary of
State in General Garfcds Cabinet had been offered
to Mr. Blaine, and that he was consulting with his
friends in regard to It, said to TRIBUNE CORE
sDon1cnt to-day. " The first and only time ever
saw that report was in TIE TRIBUNE to-day, and
have never heard of the offer from any other
source"
HONORING GENERAL GRANT
Representative Arson G. McCook, OF NewYork.
chairman OF the Sub Committee of the Military
Committee. to which has been referred the bill to
place General Grant on the retired list with the
full pay Of General says that he has submitted the
draft Of the bill to President Hayes, aud the latter
approves 1t. and is Of opinion that 1t would be
preferable 10 the adoption of the recommendation
of the Message that he be made Captain-General
THE CONGRESSIONAL, LIBRARY
The Joint Select Committee on the subject of ad
ditiona accommodations for the Congressi onal
Library to-day unanimously decided that it is in-
practicable to provide the desired accommodations
by any proper extension of the Capitol Building.
The jOInt committee adjourned to meet again
next "Wednesday, with the understanding that the
selection shall b. made then of a plan and site for
a separate building
RECLAIMING TAXES on BANK CAPITAL
The bill introduced In tue Senate to-day by Mr..
Herman, of New-York, directs the Commissioners of
Internal Revenue TO refund all taxes collected upon
:" the capital employed by any person in the busi-
ness of banking which come within the principles
of the decision by the United States Supreme Court
in the case of Bailey. collector agt. Clark and
OtberS.