The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1882-01-21
rier system, to be delivered at the regular
rate Of two cents per pound instead Of pay
ing extra postage. The advantages to
newspapers can be readily seen.
WASHINGTON NOTES.
Capital Cuttings and Gossip Of National
aud General IHierest.

/
WAsHiNGToS, January 20-The resolu
ton introduced by Senator Blair on Wed
nesday, directing the Public Lands Com
mission to inquire into the operations o
the land laws and report any Legislation
tending to improve them, Ia intended b.
its author to cover the matter Of lane
grants to railroads; also 1t includes anon
others the Northern Pacific grant and tht
decision Of Secretary Schurz, which affirm
ed to that company the right TO the lane
granted it after the time specified by The
grants had expired.
Mr.. Blair Is a member Of the Sub. Com.
mittce on public lands which has been In.
quiring into the workings Of the General
Land Office here, and the necessity for
giving It more room. In the course Of ia
inquiry the subcommittee obtained infer.
nation which leads them to believe that
some of the land laws arc defective, and
that some OF the land granted to railroads
has been forfeited, and now the property
belongs to the Government. TIE Blair
resolution was to enlarge the scope Of this
inquiry so us to include matters pertaining
70 the public lands and the disposition Of
them.
Mr.. Brentz, Delegate from Washington
Territory, has just got in a bill and had II
referred to the subcommittee OF the House
Committee on Territories, for the adnis.
sion into the Union Of the State OF Wash.
lngton, to be composed Of Washington
Territory and three counties OF Northern
Idaho. Mr.. Ainslee, Delegate from Idaho,
IS lighting the bill, because 1t takes in part
OF his territory, and he is backed by the
other territorial Representatives, who don't
like the precedent this bill would establish.
They fear, should this bill pass, other ter
rltories wanting to become States might
endeaHor to capture portions OF adjoining
territories in order to increase their popu.
latiou. Hence determined fight will be
made against the Brentz bill, which has
been referred to subcommittee consist.
ing Of Messrs. Aidrich, Van Voorhees, and
Richardsou-two Republicans and one
Democrat The Republicans are desirous
OF getting part Of Dakota admitted as q
State, and therefore 1t is not likely they will
embarrass that movement by taking up the
application Of Washington to become a
State.
AT to-day's session OF the National Board
Of Trade resolution was adopted urging
Congress to appoint commission, which
shall have supervision over all interstate
traffic in the interest OF all parties con.
cerned, both the general public and cor.
porntiOns themselves. This resolution was
reached after lengthy debate, and the
question otshipping was then taken up for
consideration.
House Committee on Foreign Affairs au.
thorized Mr.. Belmont to report to the
House, with favorable recommen-
datioh, his resolution, calling for diplo-
matte correspondence in regard to Chill
and Peru.
The principal cause OF the delay in the
straw bond Star route cases thus farhas been
from the defense insisting upon the identi-
tication OF every bid and contract intro
duced as evidence. The prosecution, by q
clever manoeuvre, had all these papers ex-
amined and identified privately by Notary
Webster, who originally witnessed them,
and this morning created rather sensa.
ton in court by calling Webster and Black
.A's.t " ShS DAaAAA AAN plONllIS LlS pdlSlb III
bulk. Strong objections were made by the
defense to this action, but they were over
ruled by the Court. The examination, in
consequence, promises to be much short
ened. The defense denounced this private
examination as Star Chamber proceed
ing, and manifested much feeling on the
subject.
A rumor iscurrent that ex-Attorney GEN
eral Taft will next week be appointed
Minister to Germany. Judge TAFT is in
Washington now.
The War Department has official infor.
nation OF the arrest of Col. Carr by order
OF Gen. Wilcox, on charges Of mismanagc-
ment Of the Chihuahua engagement.
The Executive Committee Of the National
Board Of Health this afternoon declared
small pox epidemic in the United States,
and directed the inspection of several OF
the most important quarantine stations 10
determine if the rules and regulations arc
properly enforced. An appropriation OF
$1,000 has been made for the purpose Of
preventing the introduction OF the disease
in the District Of Columbia.