Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-03-19
GENERAL wAsHINGToN NOTES.

Appropriation for River Improvement.
The House Committee on Improvement of
the Mississippi River agreed TO recommend
an appropriation of $3.50 900 in addition to
the sum already appropriated, the gross
amount to be devoted TO the Improvement of
the river from St. Paul TO its mouth, instead
OF from the junction of the Ohio with the
Mississippi river, as provided in the first APP
preparation.
Ffnk's Argument Concluded.
Commissioner Fink concluded his argu-
ment to-day before the House Comm-rce
Committee against the Reagan railroad bill.
In concluding his remarks he urged upon the
committee the Importance of putting good
men upon any commission which Congress
might create. The Reagan bill would sim
ply disorganize and destroy the system it is
supposed to be designed to perfect. The best
plan OF all, perhaps would be to have Com
gress give to the existing railroad commits
sion the power of assigning penalties. These
would, in his opinion, settle the matter at
once.
The House Committee on Foreign Affairs
met this morning for the purpose of centiuu-
ing the examination OF ShIpherd, relative
to the Chilli Peruvian correspondence. Chair
man Williams read the following letter from
Shipherd:
RICHMOND HI L, L. l., March i, 1882.
sIR-All copies of the correspondence
called for by the committee were finished and
packed last evening, and my tickets purchased
for limited express this morning. l regret
to say, however, as soon as | left my office L
was Frustrated by very acute attack OF
malarial fever, and feel nothing like travelling
to-day. l shall rejoin the committee mere
the members of the committee INDUCED in
hearty laugh the moment my physician will
allow me to do SO, and my present hope is
he To Hav
present 1 am barely able to dictate this note.
RI sHIPHERD.
Several members of the committee ex-
pre- ssed the opinion that Shipherd had been
trifing with and evading the process OF the
committee. Mr.. Orth moved that the COM
mittee report the matter back 10 the House
and ask for a compulsory process. Mr.. Wal
ker favored positive and prompt action.
After a pretty general discussion as 10 the
best course for the committee TO pursue, MIR.
b, lnont moved that the committee send a
messenger to New York TO ascertain the true
facts in the case. Tie motion was carried,
and the committee adjourned until Monday.
Col. Cook Further UnbOsoms Himself
Colonel Cook in resigning counsel of
the Star-route Cases, says that up to the time
of the assassination he had frequent inter
views WIN rresIueuI Vrarnelu and aIr1IUsu
evident that his relation to the cases now
becomes essentially changed; still this was
| to be expected, as ne was chosen by the late
administration. Attorney-General Brewster,
| in cepting his resignation, gays: 81 did not
| think, and do not now believe, that the pO-
| sition of counsel in these cases has the re-
| motest connection with any question of a
political administration. They are public
| cases, not political cases. They are pro bono
pubiico. They were cou6ded to all of us a.
| lawyers, not as politicians. Hence, since
| have had control of them atIorney-gen-
eral, l have treated them as pablo
| cases, and | have been instructed by the
| President to give them my vigilant atten-
| ton, and to see that they were prosecuted
with diligence and with earnestness 10 a
practical result, and these instructions | have
before this as an act of public duty and OF
personal duty TO him, made known and had
| announced. | cannot permit the implication
| you appear to raise by your reference 10
your having been retained by the late adj
ministration TO pass without objection. You
were not responsible TO any particular adj
mnistration a political responsibility, nor
were these cases; or are they to be confounded
or associated with any idea Of the policy
supposed 10 be connected with any admins
| tration. They are instituted Tor the purpose
of justice, and justice only. They will be
| conducted by counsel upon the princi pies
| that regulate the admlnistr ton of Justice
and not with reference to the wishes or poll.
cies of any president, no matter what his
| name be.
| Minor Mention.
Secretary Hunt has been confined TO the
| house since Thursday.
Ex-senator Dorsey says that he is anxious
for a speedy trial, and is confident OF his
| ability to dispose of all evidence that car
| be produced, in short order.
Tie counsel for Sergeant Mason is conf
dent that he has discovered points in the
proceedings of the court-martial that will
| invalidate its findings and sentence.
| A handsome sum has been subscribed by
the various departments for Sergeant Ma
sons family. Petitions for executive elem
| encv are pouring in from all quarters