The Portland daily press., 1883-11-02
WASHINGTON.
Pension Attorneys.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 1.-The Secretary of the
Interior has modified the order by which PEN
sion attorneys are suspended during the inves-
tigation of charges preferred against them, and
they will be permitted to practise before the
bureau until their cases are disposed of.
General Sherman ON the Indian qnestiO ON.
The annual report of General Sherman says
l am convinced, after having seen many of
the most celebrated military schools of the
world, that ours are the BEST / now regard
the Indians as substantially eliminated from
the problem of the army. There may be spas
modic and Temporary alarms. but such Indian
wars as have hitherto disturbed the public
peace and tranquility are not probable. The
army has been a large factor in producing this
result, but it is not the only one. Immigra-
ton and occupation by industrious farmers
and miners of lands vacated by the aborigines
have been largely instrumental to that end,
but the railroad has been greater cause. On
the eve of Withdrawing from active participa-
tion in public affairs, beg to emphasize much
which have spoken and written heretofore
The recent completion of the last of four great
transcontinental lines OF railway has settled
forever the Indian question, the army ques-
tion and many others which have hitherto
troubled the country.
Sheridan Takes Command of the Army.
The formal transfer of the command of the
army to General Sheridan took place at noon
to-day. General Sheridan spent the forenoon
in making himself acquainted with the bust
ness of this office. Shortly before twelve the
two highest officers of the army called on the
Secretary of War General Sherman to take
his official leave and General Sheridan to re-
port for duty.
The transfer was accomplished quietly and
without any ceremonies whatever, beyond the
issue CT general order notifying the army of
the change of commander.
Gen. Sheridan has issued general order, re-
linquishing the command of the division of
the Missouri. Gen. Schofeld has also issued
an order succeeding Gen. Sheridan.
Shortly after the transfer Generals Sherman
and Sheridan held an informal reception
which was largely attended by officers of the
army on duty in Washington and Baltimore.
They all took official leave of Gen. Sherman
and were presented to Gen. Sheridan. There
was no speech making. Subsequently Gen.
Sherman and Gen. Sheridan accompanied by
the Secretary OF War made call upon the
President.
The Five Per Cent. Gases.
Arguments were begun in the Supreme Court
today in what are known as "Fiye Per Cent.
Gases" These are petitions for writs of man.
damus to compel the commissioner of the
general land Office to furnish the statements of
of Iowa and Illinois respectively, for the pur-
pose of ascertaining what sums are due those
States under the five per cent. clauses of the
acts admitting said States to the Union and
other acts of Congress. 1t is set forth by the
petitioners that on lands which have been pur-
chased with military warrants, the per cent.
which the United States agreed to pay them
on sales of public land within their limits, has
been persistently and wrongfully withheld and
that they are legally entitled to have state
ment of their account with the United States
in that their claims may be paid. The princi-
pie involved in this litigation affects the pro-
ceeds of more than 63,000,000 acres of public
land in 10 States.
Reduction of the Public Debt.
The debt statement issued to-day shows re-
duction of the public debt during October, Of
SIC, ,304 1883. Cash in the treasury, 1864,
347 ,501.93.
Miscellaneous.
The members of the Darlington court of in.
quiry ordered Wednesday, are Brig. Gen, Ben
ct, chief of the ordnance bureau; Gen. Ayres
colonel of the second artillery; and Col. Poe
of the engineers, lately member of Gen
Sherman's staff. Major Henry Goodfellow, O
Gen. Pope's staff, is to be judge advocate.