The New York Herald Newspaper, December 18, 1872, Page 3

WASHINGTON. Credit Mobilier’s Investiga- tion Stock Inflated. Inside Report of the Committee Meeting and Pewwow. BROOKS IN A DEFENSIVE ATTITUDE. Presidential Backdown on Civil Service. General Spinner on the Distribution of “Currency Through National Banks. OLD:;” "ES SPREADING HIMSELF, Whiskey and Tobacco Internal Revenue Stamps as Aids in the Late Campaign, DINCOMVIFED SMUATORS IN THEIR SEATS. Unpaid Postage Matter—Internal Canal Jobs— American Inventors and the Vienna Exposition. WASHINGTON, Dec. 17, 1872, Debate in the Investigating Committee Sehuyler Colfax and Oakes Ames on the Stand—Evident Intention to Smother the Evidence. The love feast of the Credit Mobilier disciples bas been commenced, and we shall now have explana. tions, accusations, recriminations and replications from the ten or @ dozen Congressmen whose names are in circulation here as having been en- tiched by the mighty Ames. It having been pretty well established that each share of this stock, the par value of which was $100, has since netted be- ‘ween nine hundred and one thousand dol- lars, in currency, accurate calculations can soon be made as to the amounts that were pocketed or paid to men’s wives, or accepted as loans, or vir- tuously refused, Some of the promised explana- tions will be very funny, especially those of the men who, when candidates last Fall, asserted in the most soiemn manner that they had never re- ecived a dime, directly or indirectly. Even the President and the future Vice President will have _%0 tell what they know about the Credit Mobiller, When the House special committee met this morning the venerable Poland submitted to his associates this conundrum:—‘What shall we do with the lawyers?’? Even Judge Merrick was obliged to give it up, and there was no one on the committee who would attempt to answer a serious question, unless, perhaps, it was the Judge him- self; but modesty forbade, Again he propounded im the most solemn judicial manner, “What, gen- tlemen, shall we do to get rid of the lawyers? Here is Judge Back, with his inquisitorial tongue, on one side ana Caleb Cushing on the other. Where ‘will this investigation end if a legal quarrel is sanctioned by this committee ?? Nivlack, of Indiana, suggested that it would probably end as the Kilkenny cat fight ended—only the tails were left, and in this case they would be the legal disputants. “But,” replied the grave and venerable Chair- map, "it is tne taile we most desire to avoid. Just tet Black and Oushing commence to wrangle and a Senatorial term would not be long enough to in- vestigate the Credit Mobilier.” Here entered Schuyler Colfax. Everybody was glad to see him; for his smile was as broad as his responsibility. He was asked what he knew about farming out the Crédit Mobilier stock, Schuyler said he was not a farmer, but the Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate, and he thought such a question impertinent. He then explained that he had no explanations to make, whereupon the committee, while acknowledging that he occupied an exalted position, yet did not not exempt him from some troubesome questions, “Did you, or did you not,’ asked Judge Poland, “accept, receive or take into your personal posses- sion certain shares of the Credit Mobilier 7” Answer by Schuyler Colfax—“I never owned or received any Credit Mobilier stock, nor had I ever any transaction with Mr. Oakes Ames involving stocks or credits, or anything else in the way of money matters.” Question—“Are you not interested in the prosperity of the Pacific Railroads generaily? Answer—"I am, for the reason that I believe that all the railroads constructod to the Pacific toast will be so many highways of inland com- merce.” Question—“Do you own any stock in any of the Pacific railroads 7” Answer—‘I do; but I acquired them in the ordi- weary course of business transactions,” Question—''Then you know nothing of the work- ings of the Crédit Mobilier 7” Answer—“'I have not the slightest knowledge of any ofits operations, and a specific answer to the charge was made by myself during the recent cam- paign.” It was here concluded to allow Mr. Colfax to re- sume his seat in the Senate, and the Vice President, after a cordial handshake, made his exit. Then cometh into Court the aforesaid McComb, with Judge Black as legai protector, and one, and only one Oakes Ames, also legally protected by the ven- erable Caleb Cushing. The antagonistic counsel looked at each other, and the venerable Judge from Vermont looked at them both. They all looked at each other, and when decorum was procured Judge Black said that he wanted light in regard to the infamous allegations against his client, Oax Ames smiled quizzically and peered through his spectacles at a volume of papers, which con- tained all his testimony concerning the Crédit Mo- bilier, prepared in advance by himself, with the aid of the learned Caleb Cushing. This the com- mittee was requested. to hear. It was partially read, when Judge Black interposed, and, assuming an inquisitorial air, asked Oax Ames to answer fome of the conundrums he was about to pro- pound, Ames, at this interruption, looked more quizzical. He said;— “Iam under no obligation to answer any ques- tion asked by you, The examination, as I under- stand, is to be conducted by the committee. You are here mercly on sufferance.”’ “Tut, tut,” said Caleb Cushing; “don’t be too hasty.” Judge Black waxed wrathy. “Ihave as good a right here to represent my client as Mr. Cushing has to represent you.” Judge Poland here intertered. “Do not quarrel, gentlemen; let us have no wrangling. Mr, Black, you have no right to cross-examine Mr. Ames. The committee will do that, You are here mercly to watch the interest of your client, not to take eny part in the examination.” Caleb smiled approvingly, and the Chairman, eeinforced by this legal recognition, stiffened his back and deciared that only facts felating to the inet members of Congress testimony. The committee bad no time to extend tho investigation, and did not wish tomake the committee room the-battle ground for the suit pending between Ames and McCombs, Just here it was announced that James Brooks, of New York, had”arisen to a personal ex- planation in the House in regard to the Credit Mobilier, and the committe adjourned until to- morrow, When the lawyers will resume their wrangle, unless expelled by the committee. Following the wordy defenge of Mr, Brookes NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1872.-TRIPLE SHEET: ‘The Speaker inflicted an assault upon his desk with his ivory gavel. Blow after blow fell in rapid Members got into that he House as to conducted with open doors, Mr, Young, of Geor- gia, had his resolution read asking for an ex- tended and public investigation, which was published in this correspondence yesterday. Mr. Sargent demanded the regular order of business, but when appealed to by Mr. Wood, of New York, the latter offered @ resolution at the suggestion of Judge Merrick to test the sense of the House as to whether the committee should eit with closed doors. On the republican side of the House this resolution was a dilemma, To accept it would be to expose themselves; to reject it would show fear of a searching investigation. In a hurried and excited manner Mr. Perce, of Mississippi, the parrot of the republican side, exclaimed, ‘I ob- ject,” which was sufficient to kill the resolution. It is now well established that the republicans in the House wiil not venture upon @ fair investiga tion. Undes the rules the Resolution offered by Mr. Wood cannot be entertained except by unani- mous consent of the House until the 6th of Jan- uary next, when Congress will meeton & Monday. It is well understood that the present committee will do all in its power to smother investigation, and toward the close of the session may make a Teport which will be printed by order of the House and see daylight in the Summer of 1873, when this Congress is as dead as the tombstones in the Con- gressional cemetery. Comgresaman Brooks in Self-Defence—A Manly Statement—Light om His Assail- ant’s Transactions. As foreshadowed in the HERALD’s Washington correspondence of yesterday, Mr, James Brooks re: pliea to-day in the House to the allégations of Mc- Comb before the Credit Mobilier Investigating Comuntttee. The members were prepared for tho explanation and were largely imattendance, for the Credit Mobilier is now the theme of all absorb- ing interest. As Mr, Brooks made Dis opening re- mark the noise and confusion usually prevailing in the House yielded to a silence almost solemn in ite intensity; Members wont to lounge about in @ listless Manner became suddenly attentive. A great number of democrats and repablicans vacated their seats and stood in a semicircular group around the here of the sensa- tion, The Speaker’s mallet, which usually comes down with a thump on an average every five min- utes, remained inactive for nearly an hour, for the occasion of Mr. Brooks’ remarks caused the mem- bers to put themselves ip his place. Brooks arose, with a copy of the HERALD in his hand, saying 1 f find a report in the New YORE HERALD to the effect that I have been charged before the Committee of Investigation, by a person named McComb, with having received fifty shares of the Crédit Mobilier as & bribe, in order to influence the democratic side of the House in fa- vor of that company.” Brooks wasevidently in the vein, He was at times discursive and given to flights of rhetoric, but his speech wae regarded by many as a blow to McComb. He gave a detailed account of his past and present connection with the Union Pacific Railroad and MeComb’s dealings with the same, the substance of which account was contained in yester- day’s despatch of the HeraLp. He also alluded to the records of McComb’s fraudulent transactions in the War Department and to Bis fraudulent ac- quisition of the Jackson Railroad. Im the latter transaction both Warmoth and Pinchback played a part, According to the report of am investigating committee McComb bought the whole Legislature of Louisiana for $80,000, paying $600:for 6ach mem- ber, except Pinchback and two or three whose price appears to have been fixed at $2,000 each, Mr. Brooks not only denied McOomb’s alle- men that he never used his influence in the House of Representatives for the sake of moncy. With reference to the allegation that his son-in-lew (Mr. Neilson) had received afty shares of Credit Mobilier as a bribe for his (Mr. Brooks’) account he produced a certificate for filty shares, registered in the name of Charles Neilson, and a receipt showing payment therefor at a price above premium, This made quite asensation, The spectators, who had heard so much about Credit Mobilier, were gladdened for the first time with the sight of actual stock. Of this simple transaction McComb is said to have woven his charge of bribery against Mr. Brooks, Bills "Offered in the HousemAmerican Inventors and the Vienna Exhibition. General Banks offered a number of bills to-day. He asked for appropriations for the survey of the boundary line between the island of San Juan and the British possessions. He also presented a bill to appropriate $100,000 for the official representation of the United States at the Vienna Exposition. This called forth an animated discussion. Mr. Shellabarger said that the law of Austria and the practice of that government is such that the ex- hibition of American inventions will result injuriously to our people, because the Austrians would filch the American patents. General Gar- field again urged his objection to the appropriation of money in a loose way, and asked that the bill be referred to his committee. It went over, and will probably pass, although there is bitter opposition to it on account of the unjust patent laws of Aus- tria, Postmaster Eastman, of Chicago, to-day ten- dered his resignation to the President, to take effect on the 14th of February next, Senator Logan and Congressman Farwell have asked the appointment of General McArthur as Eastman’s successor. Notwithstanding the recommendations in favor of the promotion of Chief Clerk Squiers the President promised to disregard civil service regu- lations in this instance and appoint McArthur. It is well known that Senator Logan isa bitter oppo- nent of civil service reform and believes in reward- ing those who stood by the government during the rebellion, Hence his support of General McArthur, A Shrewd Election Fraud and Trick. One of the most important bills passed at the last session of Congress in the interest of jobbers was one authorizing the Commissioner of Internal Rev- enue to select such device or devices as in his judgment were best adapted for the cancellation of whiskey, beer and tobacco stamps. During the campaign immediate action was essentia) to secure large sums of money for political purposes. Fifty thousand doliars were alone promised by Penn. Sylvania. Day after day the agents of the job including Senators and Representatives—vis- ited the Treasury Department to see what progress had been made, The Commissioner of Internal Revenue and one of the deputy commissioners were threatened with removal if they did not push the matter, Brewers and distillers in the ring presented arguments demanding the adoption of some device to protect them, as they ciaimed, from the tricks of dishonest dealers, Nothing, however, was done, and the wonderful spectacle is presented to-clay of the very members of Congress who acted in the capacity of agents of what was intended asa gigantic fraud denouncing the scheme. Spoliation Claims in the Senatc—Dis- comfited Senators on Hand and Nervy- ous. The Senate devoted the day just passed to a re- hasn of those good old arguments for and against the payment of the French spoliation claims which have been heard in the Capitol scores of times, In vain did Cragin endeavor to get the House bill for building new war vesse's considered, or to se- cure a night session for discussing this important measure, Cameron is bound to have the Senate again pass the French Spoliation bill, and he will, doubtiess, get it through to-morrow. What the House wili then do with it no man knoweth, but the prospects for its success there are not brilliant, Nye made his frst appearance for the session on the floor of the Senate to-day, and seemed deter- mined to laugh over his prospective defeat for re- election, Schurg Js also back ip hig peat. endeavor- gation, but swore before God und cis country. | tly nerv- to ait quietly and listen, but ously agitated. Colorado’s Ambition—Opposition to the Tem War Ships Bill. The House Committee on Territories has unant- mously agreed to report a bill .admitting Colorado ae. State. The bill will undoubtedly be deleated when it reaches the Senate, ae the sentiment in that body is against increasing the number of their associates, The bill for constructing ten sloops-of-war will meet with opposition when it again comes before the House, and will result in the appointment of a conference committee, New Plans of the Weather Prophets— Postmasters and Postmistresses to Learn How the Wind Blows. on 9th inst. the Secretary of war enclosed to the PoScmaster General a letter from the Chief Sig- nal Officer, and asked his co-operation in the mode Indicated for the distribution of the daily weather reports. The Chief Signal OMcer says the plan sug- geated seems to offer a more immediate and exten- sive method of reaching the whole interior and agricultural populations of the United States ‘with information in which each citizen bas an in- terest than any hitherto put in-uee in apy country in the world, The plan of work is to divide the territory east of the Mississippi into districts of about two hundred miles in diameter, each district having @ distributing point at or near ite centre, from whieh two copies of the reports will be matied daily to all post offices accessible by rail or mail coneh by six P, M. of cach day. At each post office the postmaster is to post one copy of each report a8 soon as received in @ frame, to be furnished by the Signal Office, which frame will be put up in a conspicuous part of the office where it can be seen and the bulletins read by the public without dim- culty, The second copy is intended for the personal use of the Postmaster, and may be disposed of in the manner he thinks best calculated to diffuse the in- formation it contained. The Postmaster General, heartily approving of the plan, has issued the following order, and says apy further assistance that may be desired from his department will be most cheerfully given :— Post OFFICE DEPARTMENT, } WASHINGTON, Dec. 10, 1872. Arrangements have been made between the Post Office and War Departments by which one or more of the daily weather reporte issued by the Signal OMice will be furnished daily to all it oMiees that can be reached from the several points of distribu- tion daily by mail. As these reports are designed for the benefit of the agricultural as well as the commercial interesta of the country the Postmas- ter General instructs all postmasters receiving them to post them immediately in the frames sup- plied for the porpose by the Signal Omice. JOUN A. CRESWELL, Postmaster General, The Great Internal Canal Jobs—A Bill to be Reported in the House. The House Committee on Commerce to-day heard the argument on the question of the Atlan- tic and Great Western Canal to unite the Missis- sippi with the Atlantic, The room was filled at an early hour by members of Congress from Alabama, Georgia and Virginia. Colonel B. W. Trobel, a commissioner appointed by the Governor of Georgia to mect commissioners from other States, of whom twenty-one are already appointed, expressed his views in favor of the project, showing the great need of this interior line of commerce to the South and West. Colonel Price also made remarks arguing that this outiet would have a beneficial effect in regulating the money market of the country. Colonel Whitely and Generals Dubose and Young, of Georgia, took part in the proceedings, The committee will re- porta bill atan early day to carry the project into effect, Postal Telegraphy. The House Committee on Appropriations having net apart this evening for the consideration of the subject of the postal telegraph, they had before them, by invitation, the Postmaster General, Wil- Mam Orton, President of the Western Union Tele- graph Company, and Mr. Prescott, ite electrician; ‘Mr. Thurston, Président of the Pacific and Atlantic Telegraph Company; Mr. Sweet, Superintendent Of the Atlantic and Pacific Telegraph Company ; Mr, Brandon, President of the Franklin Telegraph Company; General Myers, Chief of the Signal Service Bureau, and Mr, William Whiting, ¢oun- selfor the government ia telegraph matters, to- gether with ovhers, Mr. Orton addressed the committee for about two hours against postal telegraph, criticising the report of the Postmaster General on the subject, and showing his statistics were erroneous and his conclusions not reliable. In this elaborate argument he examined the Postmas- ter’s statements in detail, contending, among other things, that the estimates as to cost of tele- graph lines had no proper foundation. The report of the Postmaster General was written by a gentle- man named Lines, who was ignorant of the sub- ject and presented a mass of erroneous statistics, Alter Mr. Orton concluded his remarks the other Tepresentatives of telegraph companies corrobo- Tated his statements. The Post Master General made a brief reply, say- ing he employed Mr. Lines to assist him in the preparation of his report, and as he bimseif had no Personalacquaintance with telegraph matters he had necessarily to rely onthe knowledge of others, His intention was to present a fair report, If such was not done it was altogether unintentional on his part. Mr. Lines made some remarks in defence of the report, when at eleven o'clock the committce closed the conference, The Appropriations. The Senate Committee on Appropriations to-day considered the recommendation made by the Secretary of the Interior and urgéd by the Wiscon- sin delegation in Congress, to appropriate $50,000 for the removal of the Winnebago Indians of Wis- conein to the Indian Territory, but the proposition failed to receive the committee’s sanction. It is understood that it will be urged in the Senate by Wisconsin Senators as an amendment to the Indian Appropriation bill, A number of other proposed amendments to the bill were rejected by the com- mittee, Distribution of Currency Through Na- ttonal Banks. Previous to the distribution of the $354,000,000 of the national bank notes provided by law, national banks, in a few instances, were authorized in the Eastern and Middie States, and currency issned, upon the condition that the circu- lating notes of the banks which have closed business should first be returned to the Treasury Department for destruction. The whole amountof national bank currency having now been Issued, the Comptroller of the currency will hereafter de- cline to organize banks in the States which are in excess, thns giving the States which are deficient in the distribution of Currency the privilege of re- turning the notes of the banks which have closed business for the purpose of organizing banks in ac- cordance with the spirit of the law. Sherman’s Coinage Bill. The amendment to the Coinage bill, as reported by Senator Sherman, Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, increases the weight of the existing silver coinage about one-half of one per cent, making these pieces equivalent in weight to one-half, one-fourth and one-tenth of tie silver five-frane piece of France and other European countries, as recommended in areport of the Treas- ury Department to Congress in 1870 and more recently by the New York Board of Trade. The present silver dollar is abolished and a trade dollar of 420 grains is authorized; in weight it is slightly in excess of the Mexican doliar, and it is intended for circulation in China and Japan. Spinner on Fractional Carrency. Treasurer Spinner has written in response to the question whether any national bank has aright to refuse on deposit any national currency when presented in small denominations, say ten dollars in ten cents, assuming that the inquiry relates to United States fractional currency and to payments of private demands as distinguished trom debts due the United States, that fractional currency ig not a legal tender in any amount in payment Of private debts. A national bank, there- fore, has the legal right to refuse to accept it in payment of debts owing toit. If the deposit in- tended is a deposit to the credit of the depositor’s account for the purpose of drawing against it the Treaaurer thinks that the receipt or refusal of such deposit te discretionary with the bank, irrespec- tive of the kind of money tendered, Notice to Ultra-Marime Sculptors. All sculptors proposing to present models for a statue of the late Admiral Farragut must forward them by the lat of January, 1873. The northeast corridor, under the reception reom of the Senate wing of the Capitel, has been designated by the committees ef the Senate and the House as the place where all such models will be received and examined. Unpaid Postal Matter. ‘The House Committee om Pest OMces and Post Roads to-day agreed to report a bill declaring the true intent apd meaning of sections 160, 151 and 182 of the Post Office act passed last session are that where One full rate of postage has been paid on mail matter it shall be forwarded to ite destination charged with the unpaid rate, to be collected on delivery, and that no double rate of postage shall be collected where such partial pre- payment has bech made. Nominations. ‘The President sent the following nominations to the Senate to-day :—George Bliss, Jr., to be United States Attorney for the Southern District ef New York; Leander Colt, Postmaster at Suspension Bridge, N. Y.; Enoeh Jacobe, ef Ohio, Consul at Montevideo; George A: Jaeger and Eugene Cush- man, of Pennaylyania, and Robert T. Lyone, of Delaware, to be Second Lieutenants in the army. An Amusing History for interested Parties, CONGRESSIONAL PROS AND CONS. Bad Whitewashing Sneered At by an Ob- servant Letter Writer. Wasnineron, Deo, 17, 1672, ‘To 118 EpiTor OF THe HERALD :— A Washington despatch of the 13th Inst., in Speaking of the investigation before the Committee of the House relative to the alleged use of the stock of Crédit Mobilier for purposes of bribery, says :— McComb’s recollection was very obscure and he could positively swear to little. John B, Alley, the Boston leather dealer, who used to ald in g:- curing proper railroad legislation when he was a member of the House, was blisstully ignorant, and #0 was J. M. 8, Williams, another Boston merchant, interested in the railroad, who secured his elec- tion to the next Congress when it was found that Oakes Ames? constituents vowed that they would not vote for him again, INNOCENCE OF THE WRITER, The writer of the above paragraph misstates the facts relating to some of the matters of which he speaks. First—Colonel McComb’s recollection was not very obscure, as his testimony will show when printed, as the HERALD correspondent has learned ere this, Second—John B, Alley, when @ member of Con- gress, never aided “im securing proper railroad legislation.” On the contrary, he was constantly working with Oakes Ames in schemes that would enable them to drain the people's treasury and fill their own pockets. Ali the railroad legislation for which they voted was in the nature of public plun- der. So notorious did they both become in Con- gress that they were denounced to their face as dangerous men by gentlemen who were in the fame Congress with them, Jon B, Aliey will not soon forget ‘THE DENUNCIATION HE RECEIVED in Washington in 1867 from a gallant Genera) of New Hampshire, an ex-member of Congress, the same of which Ames and Alley were members, ‘The General said to Alley, ‘‘You and Oakes Ames have done more during the tast two years to Anfiuence Cor than all other men put together, whether in 88 Or in the lobby.” For rea- sons which may be developed, Alloy has eontrolied the votes Of certain New England Sena- tors and Representatives whenever he required them for nis NBFARIOUS AD AND LAND GRABBING He ein Tyan. Mass., in Butler's district, It was until thé General crowded him out of it, Last year Alley struck hands with J. M. 8. Williams, another Union Pacific Railroad contractor and Crédit Mobilier stockholder; and the two, Wi aia of & powertul lobby decided to create, ana did create in the State Keyed an ‘additional Comgressional dis- trict in the State, with the intention of securing Mr. Williams’ election to Congress, ‘That new dis- trict embraces Cambridge, @ portion of Mr. Hooper's present district aud a portion of Banks? present district. From this district Mr. Williams, through the influence of railroad and Crédit Mobilier stock companies, was cliected a member of the next Congress, according to programme. By this fact it will be observed that Mr. Oakes Ames’ constituents had nething whatever to do with the election of Williams. Meantime Oakes Ames, not daring to run himself in his own (Second) district in the face of the excitement existing at the time about his distribution of Crédit Mobilier stock, obtained the nomination of his particular friend, Wiliam B. Harris, who was elected. The priviionse of the Honge give Ames the rigitt to the floor hereafter, which will enable him, like Alley, to usurp them and violate the rules, In this way Harris WILL 800N LEARN THR ROPES, and will handle and haul them, undoubtedty, to the satisfaction of Ames, While a part of the job in the Legisiatare lar Winter was successful in securing @ seat in the Forty-second Congress for Williams, that part of the programme intended to put Alley into the same Congress dic not succeed so well. Know- ing he could not beat Butler, Alley’s legislative surgery consisted in cutting off Lynn, _ the lace in which he re- sides, from utler’s § (Fifth) district, and attaching it to Banks’ bed district. He then purposed to defeat Banks in repubiican caucus by throwing ‘nto ita large namber of his own employ¢s and friends in Lynn, who had never voted for Banks, Alley’s immense money power and the Crédit Mobilier imfiuence to back him would undoubtedly have secured his nomination, which would have been equivalent to an election, Suddenly Banks espoused the liberal cause, and the workingmen of Lynn were the first to invite him to address them. Great enthusiasm was aroused in the General's behalf, Next came DHE CREDIT MOBILIER EXPOSE, presenting Alley in bold relief as one of the ope- rators of the stock with Oakes Ames, Both of these worthies then decided that they had rather not run for Congress. Ames disposed of his dis- trict to Harris, as related above, and Alley decided to permit ex-Congressman D. W. Gooch, an expert lobbyist, to rum in his place, Gooch was one of the notorious Committee on the Conduct of the War, the assumptions of which body often embarrassed the President and retarded operations in the field. Gooch was elected, and Alley, with nis privilege te go upon the floor, will companion his successor through the Forty-second Congress. ‘The above facts are said to be well known to Gen- eral Banks, @ member of the House Committee now sitting to investigate the McComb exposé of Crédit Mobiller corruption. To what extent the Ames- Alley-Williams manipulations were carried in other districts in Massachusetts, New England and the other States it is impossible to state. But that the same money power was operating in other districts in different parts of the couatry is con- sidered pretty certain. DISTINGUISHED WITNESSES. The following are among the distinguished per- sons who will probably be subpoonaed as witnesses betore the House Crédit Mobilier Corruption Com- mittee, if they have not already been. Thomas ©. Durant, John A. Dix and Oliver Ames, ex-Presidents of the Union Pacific Railread Com- pany; C. 8, Bushnell, Director of the Union Pacific and stockholder of the Crédit Mobilier; Brigham Young, ex-Director; John J. Cisco, ex-‘lreasurer ; General G. M. Dodge, ex-Chief Engineer of the Union Pacific aud stockholders of the Crédit Mo- bilier, H, M, Hoxie, ex-contractor on Union Pi cific and stockholder in the Crédit Mobilier; 8, C, Pomeroy, United States Senator, of Kansas, and Chairman of the Committee on Public Lands and member of Senate Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads; James Wilson, ex-Congressmpan, of Towa, and subsequently government Commissioner of the Union Pacific and stockholder of the Crédit Mobuiiier ; J, M. 8. Williams, Congressman elect, ex- Director of the Union Pacific Railroad Company and imember of the Orédit Mobilier corporation, who, in behalf of the latter company, ‘attempted to secure a contract to butid 267 miles of the Union Pacific, but was deleated by President Durant, who obtained an injunction by showing that it was @ Crédit Mobiller job; General Gilman Manston, Sioa of New Hampshire; John Bonner, of New York, banker and broker and Union Pacific Railroad etock speculator; William Claflin, ex- Governor of Massachusetts and stockholder in the Union Pacific Ratiroad Company; HL. Rol- lins, of New pets, ex-Congressman, Chair- man New Hampshire State Republican Committee and Treasurer of Union Pacific Raitroad Compaty ; Mr. Thurlow Weed, of New York: Moses H. Grin- nell, stockholder Crédit Mobiller; Josiah Bardwell of Hoston, stockholder in both’ corporations and ex-director in the Union Pacific; Samuel Hooper, Member of Cengreas and Union Pacific stock- holder, Senators Fessenden and Grimes and ex- Congressman John Covode were hoklers of a con- siderable amount of Crédit Mobilier stock at the ‘me of their death, PLACK REPUBLICAN, LOUISIANA JOCKEY CLUB. Third and Last Day of the Fall Racing Meeting—Three Spirited Conteste—Nick Baker the Winner of the Consolation Purse, Vandalia the Sweepstakes for Fillies and Village Blacksmith the Mile Heats. New ORiEans, Dec. 17, 1872. ‘The third and iast day of the Fall meeting of the Louisiana Jockey Club of 1872 did not prove more briltiant im peint of attendance than the second day. The weather was less auspicious, how- ever, being suggestive up to noon of a heavy shower. This did not visit us, but through the whole afternoon there was a heavy fog, which enveloped everything in its damp @mbrace, and made each event of the day @ matter of mere surmise between the start and the finish. Only half-a-dozen ladies were present, and while the racing was good, although ona heavy track, the whole affair appeared like a Fall dress rehearsal where a few people had been invited rather than a regular meeting. The following was the programme of the day’s sport :— THR CONSOLATION PURSE—ONE MILE. ‘The first race was the Consolation Purse, for horses that had run and not won during the meet- ing. Horses beaten once allowed seven pounds; twiee, ten pounds; three times, fifteen pounds— one mile. Club purse $500, ‘Firat horse, $350; second horse, $100; third horse, $50. ‘The starters for the first race ‘comprised all the entries, E. Harrison's gray gelding Tom Corbett; }» B. jtam’s chestnut horse John McDonald; A, Bonmabel’s bay perslag Pelham; H. Lioyd’s par core Regulator; J. W. Weldon’s bay m ora ec ; J. M, Reynola’s bay colt Nick Baker; Rush Hobson's chestnut gelding Wille Jenks. | Nick Baker was the favorite. e horses got off well ther with Pelham first, Corbett second, third, with Nick Baker fourth. The tatters ‘won the race by about half a length, in Soman: New Onawans, Dec. 17, 1872—LovrsiaNa JOCKEY CLUB—THInD AND Last DAY OF THE FALL Mxer- 3N@.—Firgr Racs.—Consolation P urse, for horses that have run and not won during the meeting; horses beaten once allowed 7 lbe.; twice, 10 Ibs. ; three times, 15 lba.; one mile; club Seay $500; first horse, second, $100; third, $ S. M. Reynolds’ b. c, Nick Baker, 4 years old, by Zero, dam Ada Leonard,........... +1006 1 R. B, Cheatham’s ch, h. John McDonald, 6 years old, by Brown Dick, dam Lady Ciffe...... a Rush Hobson’s ch, g. Willie Jenks... 3 KE. Harrison’s gr. g. Tom Corbett, 5 years old, by Lightning, dam by imp. Knight of St. GOONRG, ia, ct aecieow tet Mitecielacehdeteates, © A. Bonabel’s b. g. Pelham, 5 years old, by Don- eraile, daM SOvETCIAN......... esse eesereegeees O P. Lloyd's b. c. Regulator, 4 years old, by imp. Bonnie Scotland, dam Easter. 6 T..N. Weidon’s b, m. Flora Mclvor, aged, by Lexington, dam Fioride......... secsssee ¥ Time, oy SWEEPSTAKES FOR FILLIRS—ONE MILE. ‘The second race was a sweepstakes for fillies, two years old, one mile; $50 entrance, play or pay, with $700 added; second to receive $200, third $60, For this there were five nominations, but only two contestants came to the post, these being George Cadwallader’s chestnut filly Vandalia and C, T. Howard’s bay. filly Sunrise. ‘The fillies carried three-year-old weights and the race, which was won by one length by Vandalia, was regarded as the best of the day. ‘Time, 1:52%. BUMMARY, SAME DAy.—SECOND RACE—Sweepstakes for fillies, two years old, $60 entrance, p. p., with $700 added; second to receive $200; third $603 one mile; closed with five nominations, George Cadwallader’s ch, f. Vandalia, by Van- dal, dam Alert, y Lexington, 87 lbs...... pease ©. T. Howard’s b. f, Sunrise, by Planet, dam Ul- thma, by Lexington, 87 Ibs... .. i Time, 1:62, CLUB PURSE $600—MILE HEATS. The third and last race was fora club purse of $600, mile heats, for all ages; first horse to receive $460, second horse $100, and the third horse $50, There were nine starters in this event, these being R, B, Cheatam’s bay colt Repeater, FE. Rarrison’s era ceiing ton Corbett, A. Bonnabel’s bay geldin; Peliam, J. W, Weldon’s bay mare Flora Mclvor, FE. M. McGee's bi horse Restless, 8, M. Reynold’s bay filly Venus, ush Hobson's chestnut gelding Willie Jenks, T, Clark’s chestnut horse Village Blacksmith and A. W. Sibell’s bay horse Pilgrim. Village Blacksmith was the favorite. Atthe start Black- smith led, Restless secona and Venus third. The fog at this hour was too dense to admit of any observation from the grand stand of the progress of the race, but the horses soon made their tes ance on the homestretch in the same order, Black- smith winning by nearly a length, in 1:5234. On the second heat Blacksmith, Venus and Rest- lees were the only starters, the others having been distanced. This heat was again handsomely won by Blacksmith in 1:51. SUMMARY. Same Day—Tnarp Race.—Club Purse, $600; mile heats; for all ages; $460 to the first, $100 to the second and $50 to the third horse. T. Clark’s ch, h. Village Blacksmith, 6 years old, by Vandal, dam Cholera............... », M. McGee's b. b. Restiess, 5 years old, Voucher, dam Ringlet. sovccccepeee B 8. M. Reynolds? b. f. Venus, 3 years old, by Judge Leonard, dam Elien Sayle... 3 R. B. Cheatam’s b. c, Repeater, 4 years old ye Brown Dick, dam by Bulletin. ee E. Harrison’s gr. g. ‘'om’ Corbett, 5 years 5 by Lightning, dam by imp. Knight of st. Cetin tas kin iusg; ds, case e discs Pore. 4 A. Bonnabel’s b. g. Pelham, 6 years old, by Doneraile, dam vereign......... Pri J. W. Weldon’s b. m. Flora Mclvor, Lexington, dam Floride.. A. W, Sibell’s b, h, Pilgrim, 5 years old, by Le: ington, dam imported Cairn Gorme. Rush Hobson’s ch. g. Willie Jenks. . ‘Time, 1:62 %4—2:51 4. SOUTH CAROLINA. 2 ee Patterson and Worthington Both D: charged=—The Charges of Bribery Al- heged to Have Been Falsely Made. CoLumar, 8. C., Dec. 17, 1872, ‘The alleged bribery cases against Colonel John J. Patterson and General H. G. Worthington in con- nection with the recent election of Colonel Patter- son to the United States Senate, was heard to-day before Justice Richmond, The testimony was fully taken and tke proof was overwhelming and conclu- five that ho attempt at bribery by Colonel Patter- son or his friends had been attempted. some of the witnesses upon whose affidavits warrants were igsucd against Colonel Patterson and General Worthington in open Court repudiated their afti- davits and swore they had been imposed on in making the same, One witness, named Miller, admitted the falsity of his aMdavit, and that it was made to compel Colo- nel Patterson to pay $1,000. Alter an elaborate examination ali the cases against Colonel Patter- son, General Worthington and the member, For- tune Giles, who was also accused, were instantly dismissed, amid the applause of a large crowd in attendance, THE PACIFIO SLOPE. The Shipping Maddie in San Fran- ciscomJack on a Strike for Fifty Dol- lars a Month=—Severe Shocks of Earth- quake in Oregon, BAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 17, 1872. The steamer Senator arrived this morning with the passengers and treasure from the wreck of the steamship Sacramento, All well. The contest between the United States Shipping Commissioner and the sajlor boarding house- keepers continues, The gatlors themselves take sides in the contest. There are five ships now awaiting crews through the shipping ofice. A meeting of sailors was held last night in opposition to the Commissioner, There were 400 seamen present. Resolutions were adopted deprecating violence and pledging the men to demand $50 a month wages on all vessels bound to foreign ports. At the close of the meet- ing the sailors formed in procession. The seamen who are shipped by the United States Commissioner are protected by the city posice, Ata public meeting in the Chamber of Commerce Hall this afternoon a special committee was ap- pointed to report at an adjourned meeting next ‘Thursday @ plan for the prover representation of California at the Vienna Exposition, At nine o’clock Sunday morning smart shocks of earthquake were felt at Portland, Oregon ; Seattle, Washington ‘Territory ; Victoria, Vancouver's Island, abd at other points on the Northern Coast, at Sneed three series of shocks. No damage reaulted, WEST VIRGINIA. Efforts to Have Wheeling as the Capital. Cincinnati, Ohio, Dec, 17, 1874 The bill ta remove the capital of West Virgiula from Charleston to Wheeling passed the House of Representatives of West Vir; tals yearn bya vote of 33 to 30, It is believed the bill will not pass the Senate, ’ A fair will be opened this evening im the parish Church of the Immaculate Conception, Melrose, on Gouverneur street, At the hour of opening, half. past seven o'clock, an address will be de- livered by @ prominent lawyer of New York, and some lively and sacred music rendered in concert by the band of the newly-erected church, who have oifered their services gratis during the fair, The faly will be conducted under the management of the ladies and members of the various societics of the congregation, and under th f the Rev, Father Stampe, pastor of the park: All de- nominations have contributed their donations roe coe | towards its success, the object being to defray the expenses inourred by building the neat BOUTWELL, SYNDICATE & CO. The Secretary of the Treasury’s Ex planation to the House. Jay Cooke Cock-Sure of His Position—Touching! Remarks on Unauthorized Bsues of Legal Tenders. WASHINGTON, Dec. 17, 1872, Secretary Boutwell and Mr. Jay Cooke were bee fore the Committee of Ways and Means this morné ing in reference to the funding loan, Mr. Bout« well’s explanation of the two hundred million hegotiation of last year was full and complete. Hi showed that the alleged loss of interest growin; Out of the necessity of giving ninety days noticd to the holders of the called bonds was practically* unavoidable under any plan that could be adopted, since even with money on hand to meet the call it must first be realized from the sale of bonds whicly would bear interest from the date of issue. He further showed that the amount of interest so pala, together with the whole cost of the negotiation, including the engraving ana printing of the bonds, was reimbursed to the Treasury in the saving of interest by the new issue up to the ist of Jung Jast, and that there has been since saved over a million of dollars in the reduced interest, THE ANNUAL SAVING / from that negotiation amounts to two millions of dollars, with interest annually accruing and com- pounding thereon during the ‘terms of the debt. The Secretary consider! this plan the best that’ could be devised, involving the least cost to the government, while it did nop interfere with or in the least derange the ordinary operations of the moneyed or commeretal Interests. Mr. Cooke satd be had little to add te the Secre- tary’s statement. He would refer, however, to the fact that when the government was @ bor4 rower at high rates of interest all other borrowers, asarule, were ebliged to pay still higher ‘The lower the government rate the better it for industrial and commercial enterprises of kinds, which were relieved of taxation to the exs tent of the reduction and of the competition of government at high rates. His firm conviction, was that the attempt to sell the new five per cents and to retain the proceeds of such sales in old until the called six per cents could be bought in would create a drain of py from its ordinary: channels which would speedily check the sales and thus effectually deprive the government of the means to redeem the five-twenties. By THE PLAN RECOMMENDED Ms the Secretary this difficulty, as shown by expe-' rience, would be avoided, and the conversion into the new honds would be effected without the slight~ est monetary or commercial disturbances, THE SECRETARY TO THE HOUSH. The following letter was forwarded to the House of Representatives to-day :— Treasvry Derarruxnt, } Wasmrvarox, D. ©., Dec. 17, 1892. To the How. Jaurs G. Biaixx, Speaker of the House Sir—I have the honor of acknowledging the receipt of the following resolution. adopted by the House of Reprew sentatives on the 3d of December instant:— j -y be and he ts herewith directed to inform this House at the earliest time ectnenia under what law authority ia given to the cretary of the Treasury to make an in Creased issue of the legal tender notes, as was done im October last, or at any other. time, by the Treasury De- artment, and whether such issue was made inthe lega¥ nder notes heretofore retired, or whether new legal tender notes were printed for the purpose of said issue. If of the retired legal tender notes uncancelled then ig Inform this House what portion of the retired legal tender notes of $44,000,000 or thereabouts heretofore re- tired by the operations of the law has been actually can< celled, and what amount remains uncancelled; anc further, it is requested that he communicate to this lou: all information he may possess of the manner and moda, of issuing such increased amount of legal tender notesg by Whose orders and for what purpose such Issue Wad in reply thereto I have to say that the amount o: United Siates notes in circulation was increased_in Octo ber last, upon the order of Assistant Secretary Richard< son, then acting Secretary in the absence of the eprarsel of the Treasury, in the sim of about five millions of dole lars over the amount outstanding when the act of Feb- Tuary 4, 1868, became a law. THE OBJECT OF THE J88UR ; was the relief of the business of thé country, then suffer+ ing from the large demand for currency employed im the crops from the South and West. ie condi. then existing in the country seems to ms nted the fsste Upon grounds of publi thority for the issue ts found in acts o chapter 33;,of July 11, 1962, chapter 142, ter'73. "At the’ December term, moving larch 3, 1863, neh of the Supreme Court of the United States, th: Chief Justice, in giving the opinion of the Court in th case of Bank va, Supervisors (7 vol, Wallace, 26 p,) sai the act of February 25, 1862, provided for the issue of the: Notes to the amount of $150,000,000, The act of July 11, 186: added another $150,000,000 to the circulation, reserving, however, $50,000,000 for the redemption of a’ temporar loan, to be issued and used only when. necessary for tha purpose. Under the aot of March 3, 1968, another tem of vas authorized, making the whole amount aut 000,000 and cbntemplating a permanent circulation until the resumption of pa ment in coin of ,( At the December term, ), of the Suprem Court the same view was again expressed by the Chied Justice in the case of the Vesil Bank vs. Fenno (8 vola Wallace, 85), This opinion is in accordance with the unifos OPINION OF THE THEASURY DEPARTMENT, and with the practice of the department as well, sinc the act of the 4th of February, 1868, as previous thereto. The cancellation and destruction of notes that have beeny issued by the Treasury Department has no legal effec upon the power of the ioe dae to reissue notes in their stead, as is apparent from the language employe: in the act of 1863 already referred to. In that act it ts vided thay in lieu of any of said not ny, States notes returned to the Treasury and destroyed there may be issued equal amounts of States notes such as are authorized by this act. a Stateg rod to the 4th of March, 1869, large sums of United State: notes were held in the’ office of the Treasurer a! Washington as a surplus fund in excess of the $356,000,00K reported in circulation for the purpose sudden demand upon the Treasury, ever since been continued. Notes are not printed for any} special issue. On the Ist of March, 1869, there were out standing more than $57,000,000 of three per cent certifi= cates, payable in legal tender notes on demand, and th surplus in reserve was the only meansat the coinmand o the government for MEKTING ANY CALL ON ACCOUNT of this Hability. From this surplus the issue of October last was made, and all new notes put in circulation arg drawn from the same source, Very respecttully, GEORGE 8, BOCTWELL, Secretary, SUMNER AND THE BATTLE FLAGS, The Resolution Before the Massachus setts Legislature=The Senator Quictly Snubbed. Boston, Dec. 17, 187% In the Massachusetts House to-day Mr. Lincoln,’ of Boston, from the Committee on Federal Rela« tions, reported ina draft the resolves relating ta Senator Sumner’s proposition as follows :— Resolved, By the Senate and House of Representatives’ in general Court assembled, that whereas a bill has beet introduced Into the Senate of the United States by a Sen? ator from Massachusetts, providing ‘that the names ot battles with fellow citizens shall not be continued in th Army Register or placed on the regimental colors of th United States; and whereas the passage of such a bill would be an insult to the loyal seldiery of the nation an depreciate their grand achievements in the late rebellion ¢ herefor Resolved, That such legisiation meets the unqualified) condemnation of the people of the Commonwealth. Resolved, That the Governor be requested to forward t our Senators and Representatives in Congress copies of these resolutions, Messrs. Thompson, Smith and Heard, of thef House, dissent from the report of the majority Mh the Committee, believing that it is inexpedient for the Legislature to pass any resolutions concernin the action of the Hon. Charles Sumner in the Senati of the United States relative to the Army Register and regimental colors. Mr. Winslow, of Newton, oifered a motion that the rales be suspended in order to allow their con< sideration at once. Mr. Phillips. of Salem, opposed the motion, o1 the ground that it was unprecedented legistatio: and should be fally considered; and the motiow was withdrawn, CONFLAGRATION IN BALTIMORE. Almost Another “Hoston”=The Lumbed Region of the City Happily Saved~ $100,000 in Lumber Lost. : BALTIMORE, Dec. 17, 1872, Ataquarter past ten o’clock this evening tha’ Planing mill of Otto Decker & Brothers, situated Opposite the Philadelphia depot, was discovered om fire and an alarm was turned in from the bo: near by. ‘The Fire Department was soon oj hand, but the flames spread so rapidly tha the large building occupied by this firm was s00n enveloped, and the fire caught in the lumbet yard of Wilson & Co., directly opposite, and for time it seemed that that portion of the city was i reat danger of destruction, a8 @ be) number of juraber yards were situated in the vicinity of th pt Toe Een ee their ecard t the bua | jurround ut ceeded in heepin the fire within Toot bounce, Anally extinguished it after a despe: Thore was a it deal of excitement tn the and many expected another Boston co! ‘atioi The Commandant of Fort McHenry sent a squad of men te act as guards in case of necessity, an: every preparation was made for combatting great fre. It is very fortunate that the wind wi not blowing, else there would have been serio’ loss. Decker & Brothers are the principal 1 losers, and their loss will not exceed seventy thousan: dollars, and thoy have $30,000 insurance, most): in the Alps, Black River, Exchange and St. Nich lag Companies, all of New York. There are 801 other lo and the whole amount may be s¢ down at $100,000, Cause of fire is unknown. Seven thousand five hundred dollars of the ir surance ts in the Royal Liverpooi and Londo: and $2,000 in the North Missouri, of Macon, Mo. The obstruction of the streets by the hose ani engines on the track will delay the through trai from Washington to New York to-might sever ode