The New York Herald Newspaper, March 10, 1876, Page 4

4 "THR NATIONAL SCANDAL prints 's Misdeeds and Shortcomings Indus- triously Brought to Light. Belkni Enormous Profits of the Post Traderships. THE GRAVESTONE INIQUITY Early Life and Temptations of the Tom- linson Sisters. ——= THE WASHINGTON DELILAH. PuiLapyLpuia, March 8, 1876, Tho lobby of the Continental Hotel in this city is an | ominium gatherum, Like the Fifth Avenue Hotel in New York, it is by common consent the exchange tor gossip and the news of the day, and the genera! meet- ing place after office hours for many busivess men, politicians, and especially for strangers of note, who, whether they put up at the hotel or not, invariably spend an evening in its corridors to see who is in town. It was at this place the Henap correspondent encountered a veteran army officer who has long been attached to the Tenth United States cavalry, the regi. mont stationed at Fort Sill, the army post whose name will forever suggest one of the most disgraceful pages in American history. WHAT ARMY OFFICERS HAVE LONG KNOWN, In the course of conversation the Captain sald that he knew all about Fort Sill, 1t was his regiment whieh ‘was first garrisoned there in June, 1868, when General Grierson located the post, Its location and character, as the officer described them, corresponded with the descriptions given in the Hxnatp on Tucsday. He had also been stationed all along the frontier at various military posts and knew the general character of all of them. “Were you surprised by the revelations concerning the sale of the post tradership?’? tho correspondent asked. “No,” smiling, “I am sorry to say that, like all other officers who have served on the frontief, the fact that post traderships have been farmed out was no revelation to me, Butit is avery sad thing that Bel- knap should be so directly implicated, Every army officer who has been stationed in the West must have expected that this thing would come out sooner or later. In fact, it has been published before. ’’ “Of course Fort Sillcannot be considered an excep- Mon in this regard?” ALL ROTTEN, “By no means. There are nearly 200 posts on the frontier, and every one of themi which is of any tonsequence has beon sold to the traders as Fort Sill was told to Marsh. Of course the amount of business fone varies at different posts. It depends upon the aumber ol troops stationed there. At some few, I dure say, the tradership Was not worth enough to ‘di- nde’ with a Washington official.’’ “How does Fort Sill compare with others if the business importance of its tradership ¥’? “Weil, Fort Sill is only a two company post, as it is talled. ‘Others have larger garrisons and some few amailer. ten company posts. Fort The trader’s gross re- teipts at Fort Sill | should suppose to be about $200,000 per annum, of which 150 per cent is profit, Taking the posts altogether I think this might be considered an average. THESE ENORMOUS PROFITS have only been permitted since the law was passed giv- ing the Secretary of War control of the appomuments, This was done by the Congress of 1870, for Belknap’s benetit, it 1a said, as he was appointed Secretary of War in the latter part of Uctober, 1869."" Vhat was the former system of appointing post traders !’’ THR OLD SYSTEM. “Every army post had what was called a council of administration, composed of the three senior olticers ou the station.’ Their duty was not only to look aiter the quarters, the barracks, the library, &c., and ex- ercise a general control over the minor affairs of the garrison, but to look sharply after the trader or sutler, ‘a8 he was then called. An applicant tor tbis position had to present himself before this council, and if they recommended him the commanding officer appointed bim. The council had the right to prepare a scale of prices for all articles of ity or convenience—ia lect -ything that the private soldiers might require. This scale allowed the trader @ reasonable prodt, and be Was not permitted to go beyond it On articles of luxury usually purchased by the officers, such as Wine, Whiskey or cigars, there was no limit, but for the common soldier's beer the price was Uxed. It asutler did not carry out bis agreement, took ilie- fa! liens on the soldiers’ pay or overcharged, all we had to do was to license anuther who would undersell him and break down his trade. There was no opportunity bery, even bad there been any officer who would have accepted such considerations, because the cou cil mevevery month and no officer knew whero would be trom month to month, On account of the transfer of troops the personnel of this council was frequently changed. The old system worked with per- fect satisiaction to all parties and was vigiantly con- siderate of the mghts of the soldiers. There was no good reason for ever changing it, and, as au army of- Beer, | hope the proposition bei Congress to restore the old law will succeed, OLD AND THE NEW, “The sutlers were generally a good class of men, The jdered them their social equals, and inter- them was pleasant and amicable, while it was possible at the same time to maintain strict dis- ciphme, But these post traders—bvab! They are 8 set of scallawags, many of them, and give constant brouble. They are as extortionae as they please, aud | cheat soldiers and Indians shamefully. After the new law passed giving Belknap control some of the old autlers managed to retain their places as Evaue did his—by paying a ruinous sum to men like Marsh, who, baving received Beiknap’s appointment, bad to be bought otf, The traders were usually willing to do this tooner th deny Jomo the buildings they bad put opand the stock they owned. The post counci bo longer having any power over them they vould charge ts extortionately as they chose, and were torced to do it to pay the assessments from Washington. Of course the poor soldier and the indian were the real suflerers. RVANS’ CHARACTER, “Evans had been the old sutler at Fort Sill. He is an honest man and a good jeilow. 1 don't think be knew money went to Belknap when be bought off Marsh. Lam very sorry if the President has removed him, as they say. How has Grant the right to do this? Tne law plainly puts that power in the hands of the Secre- sary of War, and it looks like an outrage to summarily put Evans out” “Are the profits from the post tradership the only revenues of these men?” SWINDLING THR INDIANS. “By po means. They often make much more by swindling the ludians. 1 bave known a trader to buy $0,000 buifalo robes from the Indiavs for three cuptuls ot sugar each—pints they call them. The dealer would tend (hese same skins to New York and the 60,000 tor $9 euch, Lately the indians are get- ting wiser and the hides scarce they pay about twenty-one cups o! sugar for them.’” A number of ex- cellent letters irom the indian country in the Hemap sone Months ago went into this subject thoroughly, Abd It is DOL necessary to repeat the similar stories | what were told. ) e Baltimore, who rmy because ere je history im the Capt Robinson, of e been casbiered irom the 'S persecution, rome interesting facts learned trom one who knows bis | wmy, To do Belknap justies, he was not the cause of Robinson's dixmissal, and it he were be would have bad good cause. ‘The court martial that tried bim was properly organized, and the testimony on which ue was convicted damning. Robinson borrowed moncy from bis subordinates, it 1s charged, aud did uot re- pay it His adventures of thts kiud have been ail ever the country, At least two gentle shis city have vivic, if mot pleasant, memories of bim ae a lawyer pamed Carpenter, be borrowed $200 & visit to Philad OU recruiting service, th of kuowing his brother, who was an in, & well binson borrowed a larger sum on anotuer visit. im both cases he gave rrants for bis pay as security, and in voth cases when the drafts were presented beg @ were found vo be less, Robinson baving drawn bis pay in advance, anecdotes of this person might be given if neces- y, the reg her Robin: ent he disgraced, sincerei bor Armes will reinstated rmy. One of pair, at least, is evidentiy on riding tuto posi- bon again om the wave that ulted Belknap. THE GRAVESTONE STORY. (From the St. Louis Republican.) It appears from information obtained from Mr, Will- | jam Patrick, of this city, President of the Knoxville Marble Company, that the House Committee on Ex- penditures in the War Department are likely to dnd a fast mountain of corruption to be examined in relation to the matter of furnishing gravestones to mark the last resting place of the soldiers who gave their lives in defence of the country. In September, 1873, proposals for furnishing these stones were advertised for, bids to be forwarded to the Quartermaster General, at Washington. In answer some forty or Ofty bids from ditt it persons w forwarded. The amount of the appropriation was $1,000,000 to secure this work. Mr. Patrick, as President and acting for the Kaox- ville Marble Company, pat in three separate bids ‘The Urst contemplated ‘urniehing the stones for all | the graves in all the cemeteries at $2 65 for the blocks to be placed over the graves of the unknown and $3 50 | forthe gravestones for the known, with name and regiment, the total bid amounting to $797,000. | The second bid contemplated supplying the stones | for all the cemeteries separately at a price ranging from $2 60 each to $10. This price for the most dis- tant cemeteries, ‘The third bid was for cemeteries situated in the Mid- die States—those most convenient to the quarries. | Say for one half or two-thirds of all the graves at the price of $2 60 for the blocks for the unknown aud $3 40 tor the known . Among the other bidders was one Mr. Jones, who made a bid for all the cemeteries, amounting in the aggregate to $860,000, Mr. Morgan bid for all the cemeteries at an aggregate price of $863,000. Mr. Sage, of New York State, bid an estimate for Rutland marble at $242 for biocks and $5 for the Gravestones of the known, the whole bid amounting to & little less than $1,000,000. Mr. S. G, Bridges, of Keokuk, handed in a letter slip, making a lump bid to furnish all the stones at the ag- gregate price ot $900,000, AS was subsequently de- yoloped, Mr. Bridges secured the contract, sharing with Messrs, Sage, Morgan and Jones, Mr. Bridges, as |} may be | Protits gentiomen owned or controlled quarries, At the time the bids were opened not one of these bidders, as required by the rules of the departinent, bad placed on exhibition any specimen of the stone which they proposed to use. More than a mcnth after- ard they Were required to forward such specimens. On the morning before the bids were opened the bid- ders were furnished with the following modification of the original specitication :— } Wan Deranrurst, — ) } QUARTERMASTE NERA! Orricr, Ae Wasurxurox, D. C., Aogust 18, 1873.5 | Miniestiioeaaiiel | Sin—In addition to the formation contained in the y be made in t also in his rank, H. Walk m. +» Mass. Sam. er, Li. Col., Pa. the stone in a curve, with the rank and name of the State below. By order of the Seeretary of War M. C. MEIGS, Quartermaster General, But as subsequently developed these modifications | were not ail which the coutractors obtained, and right | here comes in the place forthe steal, in the speeri- | cation white stone was called for, Subsequently the word ‘nearly” was inserted before the word “white” as 4 moditication of that, This would muke a di:ter- | ence im the value of the stone of at least | twenty cents on each, or in the aggregate | $29,600, This modification was secured after the con- tracts had beep aws de “rubbed stone”’—that 18, stone dressed alter being sawed. Subsequently stone was accepted just as it hud been sawed, making a difference in price of six cents | ‘on each stone, or @ total of $8,850. The specification called for the rank in the army of the deceased, as fur exumple:—‘Jonn Jones, pvt, Mass.’ This was so The specitication called tor modified alterward as to save the cutting of the 3 letters The cost of cutting these letters—nine cenis— amounts in the aggregate, estimating 100,000 privates, to $9,000. In the original specifications the letters were required to be two inches long, afterward changed to one and a half inches, there being an average num ber of twenty letters on each stone, The uggregate | sum saved to the contractor at two cents each stone—a | very low estimate—amounts to $2,960, The specitication called for square corners. Mr. Patrick’s bid included the cost of boxing, ut eight cents for each box, making in the aggregate, on the stones for the known, $11,840, It was required that each stone should be perfect, measuring three feet by ten inches. This requirement ‘was so modified that one-sixth of the stones might be chipped and broken at tho bottom. This would make a diflerence in the value of at least ten cents a stone on the geveral average or iu the aggregate $14,800. The contract calls for the letters to be one-third inch deep, and was modified to one-quarter of an inch, which, at ten cents per stone, would amount to $14,800. | ‘These changes, us will be demonstratea by adding the various sums saved to the contractors on account of | them, amount to a total of $91,880, A nice little sum for contractors and oilicials to play for. These figures apply only to the stones to be placed over the graves of those who were known. The blocks tor the unknown were estimated to re- quire four figures each. ‘These figures were to have been two and a half inches in length, Subsequently they were accepted with figures one and a half inches in length. This difference secured to the contractor or some one else interested in the contract four cents on each block, a total of $4,160. The figures were to have been cut to a depth of a half iach. But this re- quirement was modified to make it one quarter of an inch, This lessened the cost by two cents on each Wock, making un aggregate of $2,080. By allowing | the corners to be rounded, which is advantageous to | the stone cutters, the saving in boxing amounts to $6,240, One-wxth of the whole number might be broken at the bottom, lessening the general cost by $8,320, making a total of the advantage secured by the modification on the blocks to set over the graves of unknown defenders of the country, $20,800. It will be seen by adding these two sums together that the amount made through these modifications foots up the large sum of $112,680. When it remembered that Mr, Patrick's bids we first class work, the stones rubbed, square at the top, and tn all respects to be Sniahed according riginal specification, and was yet 000 oF . the bid on which the Pring was: we can draw a pretty clear inference as to the fature of the whole unsavory and scandalous trans- action by which the government paid $215,680 more than was necessary. In 1874 Mr. Bridges, of Keokuk, the imtimate friend of Secretary Belk: to whom the contract was Awarded, opened communication with Mr. Patrick in regard to bis turnishing headstones. Mr. Patrick pro- ceaded to Keokuk to confer with Mr. Bridges. Some proposition were made, and Mr. Bridges partly accepted one, but said he would nave to go to Washing- ton and see about it. He promised to communicate with | Mr. Patrick from that place, But Mr. Patrick heard no more ot it, On the Monday after the bersrypoag, Bh September, 1873, when the bids were opened at Washington, Mr. ick being there, Mr. Jones, one of the bidders, came to him and said:— “Do you wantto make some mo} Mr, Patrick replied, ‘Certainly I do, “Well,” said Mr. Jones, ‘your bid is not accepted yet. It is the lowest, but it has not yet been acted | on. You withdraw your bid, I come in noxt. A few | ‘thousand dollars will satisfy me, and you can make the stones as [have no quarry. But 1 will have to draw the money, and you must pay me a monthly anlary for attending to the business.” Mr. Patrick declined to do iso came to Mr. Patrick and sought to th him, He wanted a job, he said, and would go outto Mr. Patrick's quarry and al business there for him. At that time Mr, Patrick was in Washington, ing to the besiness connected with his bid. He carried letters to Secretary Belknap, with whom he was not acquainted. Calling on General Sherman he procured from him a card of introduction to the Secretary. This le presented, and talked with him about the bid, | General Belknap told bim that his labors were all for | nothing; that the appropriation was not suflicient; that be had talked with the marble workers, and that the stones could not be made for $1,000,000. Mr. Patrick Secretary that he would like to | undertake the job and do it up nicely for a much leas sum than $1,000,000, The same day Mr. Patrick callod on General Belknap again. He asked the Secretary if | he had decided about the bids, He replied that he had | for out of this ”” interred, securing the lion’s share of the | It may be proper to state that neither of these | Where the name of the deceased is long {t must be put on | NEW YORK HERALD, FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 1876.—TRIPT | lation to the matter, but would do so and give an opin- | fon on # request from the proper authorities, Mr. Allen had learned, by the way, that | CLAYTON AND DORSRY, | the two Senators from Arkansas, had intimate rela- tions with Belknap, and were at the bottom of the op- | position which the latte ollered te his bridge project, | they being interested in a charter for another bridge. | In proof of vhis these parties and those with whom they were associated subsequently offered to fell out their franchise to Mr, Allen for $30,000. He determined not to pay one cent of tribute to this Ring, and hence rejected the proposition. So, after visiting the Attorney Geueral with the re- sult above stated, Mi. ALLEN CALLED ON MR. BELKNAP, calling attention to the proceedings inaugurated by him to prevent the building of the raiiroad bridge. Mr. Allen inquired by what law or authority the War | Department assumed the right to take this action, or any action whatever in this matter. The Secretary said the law was plain enough. Mr, Allen defied him to produce it, This the Secretary failed to do, and then fell back on the constitution as bis general authority. | Mr. Allen said that he knew no such authority uniess possibly it might be found in some of the numerous | recent amendments to that instrament, Mr. Allen then procured the proper signatures to & | request asking the Attorney General to give an opinion | on the bridge question, atter which he left for home ‘At New York he was followed by the Ring agents offer- ing to sell out their franchise, On arriving at Pitts- | field, Mass,, he saw by the Wasnington despatches that | the Attorney General had decided that the building of | a rauiroad bridge across the Arkansas River at Little | Rock under the restrictions named would be no “‘ob- | struction to navigation” within the meaning of the | laws of Congress, While at Pittsfeld Mr. Allen was | again plied by the Ring agents with an offer to sell out | their tranchise for $5,000. In addition to these an- | moyances, an attempt was made to enjoin aim from | crossing the Little Rock and Fort Smith Railroad, but the | case was decided in bis favor without putting any mouey | into the pockets of the Ring. Ho knew that a portion of the bonus paid for getting a renewal of his charter went into the pockets of Rice and McDonald, the two | | paying any more tribute to this set of corrupt ring- masters, ‘All of which facts are very reliable straws in indi- cating the course of the wind. BELKNAP AT KEOKUK. WHAT IS SAID BY AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE, [From the Quinoy (Ill.) Whig.) Kuowing that Senator Arntzen had at one time been In a position to learn something of the ex-Secretary, a Whig reporter called upon him at bis office, on Hamp- shire street. Mr, Arntzen expressed great sorrow at the sudden downfali of Belknap, as his acquaintance with him had led to @ very favorable opinion of bis abilities, The least that could be said was that it was a sad affair, In reply to a question asto his early acquaintance with the ex-Secretary he said:—‘'My acquaintance with him began about 1855, as 1 now think, He was an e: ceedingly pleasant man. He was then engaged in the practice of law to some extent and in the insurance and laud agency business at Keokuk. In his real es- tate speculations he was not fortunate, and, like many others at that time, be involved himself in debts that hung over him for several years.” In the practice of jaw it Was Understood that he was not very successful, 1t was told that, in a certain lawsuit, be had attempted to address the jury and made so signal a failure that, being a modest, timid map, he had not the courage to attempt speaking again, though in conversation he was &man of good address,’ Up to the war, and even later, he was an ultra democrat, In the year 1861, perhaps, he was made a Major in the volunteer service, He ‘had influental trieuds and family connections, among them General Hugh T. Reod, a brother-1 ite who aided him materially in his aspirations, and\ it was probable that they were largely instruinental in pushing him forward in his first steps toward a prominent position, Mr. Arntzen never knew anything derogatory to | Belknap’s business character, though, considering the fact that be had gone into the war poor and heavily in debt, on account of his real estate transactions, there were many who had expressed some surprise that he was able so soon to come home and pay up what he owed. In the minds of some there was a little surpri» expressed at his financial comfort even during th time he served 1m a government position after the close of the war; but, so far as he knew, Belknap had been singularly fortunate in escaping imputations trom the press, the only instance of suspicion being in connec- tion with the arms /urnished to the French during the Franco-Prussian war, a transaction which was sup- posed to have foathered the nest of some oné on this side of the Atlantic. In regard to the Belknap downfall, Mr. Arntzen said the ex-Secretary was proud, fond of display and IMPROVIDENT IX EXPENDITURES, and if he has fatlen, as seems wo be true, it may have grown out of these traits of his character. As before Stated, of his sudden ability to pay up his old debts and assume a gorgeous style of living, tuere may bave becn cause for suspicion, and so of the requirements of his | social position in the more exalted station of Secretary of War, there may havo been temptations to practise indirect methods of obtaining money, but, to conclude it all, Mr. Arntzen was particular to say that, person- ally, he never knew anything suspicious of Belknap. “MRS. BELKNAP’S EAR.” THE FORT GRIFFIN (TEXAS) CASE--BELKNAP NOT PERSONALLY INTERESTED. (From the Quincy (IIL) Whig.) A roporter called upon Mr. James Adams, 8: ascertain some facts concerning the appointment to and discharge of Mr, Jaines Adams, Jr., from the posi- fon of post trader at Fors Griffin, Texas, his associates had just been discussing the question and’ endeavoring, in the light of the developments in the Fort Sill matter, to arrive at a satistactory conclu- sion asto the superseding of bis son. It has always been a mystery to which heretofore there seemed no | explanation. James Adams, Jr.. was appointed to the place by Secretary Belknap in February, 1872. The pe- tition in his aif was circulated and signed exclu- sively in Quincy, the officers at the post unanimously concurring tn tt, and the commission was sent directly here. therefore evident that Belknap knew nothing about trading for or buying places of that nature, or he wouid | have given Mr, Adamsto understand that be must make satisfactory agreement before he could have the oilice. But uo such requirement was made, and the commission was issued solely upon the repre sentation of his character and ability to fill the lace, In addition to this, in order that he might make all the necessary preparations {or a permanent residence in Texas, he was given three months’ time to reach Fort Griffin, He entered upon his duties early in June, and was heartily welcomed by the army olficers. Being taken seriously ill, he obtained leave of absence, and in the September following came home, expecting to re- main a month. His malady continued, and the Secre- tary of War was asked to extend’ his furlough. Finally, however, be was ordered to be back at the fort within a specified time, which be managed to do, | although still quite il; but upon his arrival there he found that a man named Fisk bad been appointed to the position and had taken possession. H It appears that this man Fisk was a democrat an a strong Southern sympathizer, and Mr. Adams’ friends ut these facts prominently before Secretary not. He said he believed he would refer the whole | matter to General Ingalis, Mr. Patrick asked him when he could call again. The Secretary said the lat- | ter part of the week. He called on him again atthe time specified, when he was informed that no decision | had been reached. Mr. Patrick told him that his bid | was the lowest. The Secretary replied that he saw from | the synopsis that such was the fact, bat t | bid was | too low and he could not do it forthe money. Mr. | Patrick said that he was ready to give a good and suffi- | cient bond to pertorm the work according to the spect- fication for atount of bis bid. The Seeretary then told Mr. Patrick that he had a sick child and must leave. It would be about three weeks beiore he would | return, when Mr. Patrick could see him again and they | | would fx the matter up. Mr. Patrick came home to St Louis and waited till he heard of the Secretary's return to Washington, | Sometime in October, 1873, Mi ‘atrick again went to Washington. Mr. Sage met him at the trata and in- formed him that the contract had been awarded. He jied ou Secretary Belknap, and that fuuctionary in- deceased soldiers de- | should be the best to be | ca formed him that tb proy ‘was not white stone, and that | consequently he could not give him the contract. So | ended Mr. Patrick's experience in dealing with the | Secretary of War. BELKNAP AND FREIGHTS. (From the St. Louis Repubiican. } A Republican reporter yesterday morning called apon Mr, Thomas Allen, of the Iron Mountaia Road, who bas reeeatiy returned from bis Southern trip. Mr. Allen stated that he bad long tod found out what mauoer of inan Belknap was, and he bad given his per- sonal opinion to that gentleman 10 writing. About the ireight ja, he desired to say that since his irom the south mind was occupied with other bus ness, and he bado’t bad time to look over his papers, to ix precise dates, names, &c, of transactions, Therefore, he was not prepared to sive any detailed in- formation at this me. He would siate, however, in a eneral way, that bis road, in connection with the ‘exas Pacitic, put ina bid to supply the Southwestern posts ata figure two-thirds less than that on which it ‘was Mnally awarded to the Missouri, Kansas and Texas r D m was mad depot in accordance with this scheme, although it was stoutly opposed by Gen- eral Sherman, Mr. Allen satisfied that Mr, Stevens, the then general manager of the Missourt, Kansas and Texas Toad, was in collusion with Secretary Belknap, else Mr, Stevens, now of Hanni- bal, among the first to telegraph bis congratulations to General Babcock on his acquittal? What did Stevens know about Babcock excepting through their ring relations ? Mr. Allen mentioned, however, that the prineipal rievance for which be had complaint to make agaiust powers in con! at Washington was th ‘hich was offered to his propositi across the Arkansas Rivor at Little Roe! tion with the St Louis, [ron Mountai Railroad, He was oyed and \hreateped with suits, and blackmail was mpted in Yurious shapes. He received a notice from Landaulet Williams, writ- ten under instruetion of the Secretary of War, warnin bim against the building of that bridge on account o: its being an obstracti tion of the Arkansas RP repaired to Washington and saw the Attorney Gen- 1. whe aid Hai be hat nol exemined the law in res | Feason, as Belknap 1m order to again obtain the appoint. | ment for Mr. Adams. Fisk had formerly beld the post and conducted it for other parties, and was evidently acquainted with all of the secret manw@u- vring necessary to get Mr. Adams ousted. He was in Washington nearly all of the time during Mr. Adams’ leave of absence, and in view of what has already transpired, it is ved that managed to get the ear of Mra Belknap and have her present to the Secre- tary satisfactory reasons why he should be selected and Mr, Adams be removed. anything that is known that Belknap was person: interested ip the matter of Fisk's appointment, because the prompt manner in which Mr. Adams was commis- sioned would preclude that idea, But the fact remaius that Mr. Adams was superseded without the shadow of rges were ever brought ag him, and the officers at Fort Griflin—one of the most im- portant posts in the Southwest—strongly protested agains! chang progress is continued, perbaps we shall have all ot the particulars from an official source hereaiter, “PUSS TOMLINSON.” A NEIGHBOR'S OPINION —BELKNAP’S IGNORANCE OF THE AFFAIR. [From the Quincy (Ill) Whig.) In the further pursuit of facts regarding the per- | sons connected, either directly or remotely, with the Belknap affair—now the uppermost topic of talk—a re. | porter this morning waited on a prominent citizen known to have considerable knowledge of the Tomlin- son family, The subject was introduced, when the gentleman stated that he could not consent to talk on | any other condition than that his name should not ap- pear, as he was totally averse to being published as an authority on anyvhing; particularly anything con. nected with either social or official scandals. The gentleman was assured that, while his name would un- doubtediy add importance to any information gathered from him, it was merely the Whig’s desire to gather whatever it could for the gratification of the public, and that his request should be scrupuiously res} The gent 0 then proceeded :— bad kvown the Totmlinson girls very well, as far back as 1568, in the Vicinity of Harrodsburg, Ky. His collection now was that there were ouly three of them. The oldest one married a young man Emmett Garvin, son of « prominent merchant of Loursville, Ho afterward lost sight of them and learned that the did not know then that she married Belknap, for, in | fact, he did not know there was such a man on the face ot the earth tll he heard of his being appointed Secretary ot War. The other sister, “Puss Tomlinson,” as she wat fa- m da tera, She marneda man by the uame of Bowers, connected with some cantile firm im Cincinnati, Before her marriage was one of the foremost belles of Kentucky society. She was proverbially amiabie and prevty, and dtted im an Unusual manner to attract a host of friends, Iv was sate to say she was one of the most | Popular young women in Kentucky. Ho could not tell just when she beeame a wi time after the death of her hus live with her su Mrs. Berk after the death of her was by [ar the prettiest of the former Arkansas Senators, and be set his tace against | Belknap, as the public knows, The story thats he brought Belknap a large private fortune cannot be true, unless she had it from her former husband, Bowers, cor her father was # pnysician im ruther moderate cir- cutmstances. There was certainly nothing in the farlier history of the girls to suppose that they, or any of thom, were liable to’ reel off into a whirl of wrong- doing. ‘They were simply active, lively, handsome and ambitious. It was plain that the transaction in the post tradership affair bad advanced, at least, past the period of Mra Belknap’s death before the Secretary knew anything of them, and the | testimony would probably show that they bad gone on much longer before he knew it. Indeed there ‘was considerable ground to believe that, unless further investigation showed similar frauds to have been com- mitted at other posts, the whole thing had gone on without his knowledge and that he simply chose rather to accept the total ruin of his own character than di grace the names of his wives dead and living. That Would be acharitable view of the case. He thought no | one wanted to screen the guilty, but everybody | cowards and mere partisans could afford to be just had not heard any one express apy other wish than to see Belknap go to the penitentiary if he is are but it was great folly to cry a man down when he {8 com- pletely at our mercy and can only wait the course of the law. The criminal proceedings against him would give him achance to clear himself if could; it he could not, there would be no apologies for him. At | present we could do no less than hang our heads in humiliation and shame, Decency requires us to do no more, AN OLD FRIEND SPEAKS FOR HER. {From the Louisville (Ky.) Commercial} Puss Tomlinson was a kind-hearted, pretty little girl, favorite Sabbath school scholar, and by aid of | age a faithful teacher, united herself while yet young | with the Presbyterian Church and became an example | of piety to her village associates. Dr. John A. Tom- | limson, her father, and as honorable a man as ever | lived, was a native of Connecticut and married a Miss ‘Thompaon, one of our Srst families for both wealth and | | respectability, and though a Yankee and doubtless taught to avoid vulgar combats, when the high-toned | and flory young Hoe came out from Virginia and called | him to the field of honor (so-called) he showed his | revolutionary Yankee pluck and returned his assail- ant’s shot with success, He stood among the first physicians in Kentucky, and, though not a politic: served his county with ability in the Legislature, He dispensed old Bourbon freely, and entertained with cheerful dollar dinners | good enough for saints, but which would at Washing. | ton, where dinners cost $500, be called vulgar and old fogy. This was Puss Bolknap’s maiden and happy | | home, where she was very popular with us all till the approach of our civil war, in which she took sides with the North, and, making a Union flag with her own hands presented it with an appro- | priate speech to Colonel Landrum’s regiment, This was the first and only charge against her, which, though opposed to the wishes of myself, her friends and her own family interest, her father owning some of the handsomest and best trained servants in the hould not be called a crime, showing that prin- If-interest governed her acts, This was 's early Ed x Rared the tempter came and Tigh life (so called), when she was drawn | ted her into into the irresistible maelstrom of regal snobbery and corruption, where the eager grasp of pelf and power becomes the ruling passion of the soul, and when am- bition hurled Satan and the fallen angels from their high estate, what better can we expect from tho aping taint of poor mortals? Vive-hundred dollar dinners, five-thousand dollar establishment, with pages and coachmen in hvery; fine houses, ‘with costly furni- ture; yes, and gorgeous costumes and glittering dia- monds require money, and so much of it that but few can with an homest income sustain it, and yet, if not, they must sink im the estimation of the vain and os- teniatious society into which they have been drawn, THE WASHINGTON DELILAH. To Tux Eorror oy rae Heraup:— This isthe way it happened in Sorek. Her name was Delilah. And the lords of the Philistines came up unto her and said:—“Eatice him and see wherein his | great strength lieth, and oy what means we may pre- vail against him that we may bind bim to afllict him, and we will give thee every man of us 1,100 pieces of silver."’ The woman yielded to the temptation, and bargained to betray her lover to his enemies. The story of her importanities to get from him the secrete of his strength ts thousands of years old. Thrice he baffled her quest while scemirgly yielding to her seemingly simple woman’s curiosity. The seven green withes that never were dried, with which she beund him, snapped under the giant's strength when she awoke him to capture by the Philistines, who were secreted in her chamber. ‘The new ropes, which were the confessed secret and condition of his power, he broke like thread when De- lilah roused him from sleep with the traitorous signal, “The Philistines be upon thee, Samson!’ She wove the seven locks of the dreaming warrior’s head with the web, and awoke him again to betrayal to see the terrible warrior, in full possession of his forces, tear out the pin of the beam with his hair, and scatter the Philistines with the mere show of his manhood, The sorrowful Sorek story continues:—‘And sho said unto him, ‘iow cans’t thou say I love theo when thine heart is not with me? Thou hast mocked me these three times, and has not told me wherein thy great strength lieth." And it came to pass when she | In response to the question Mr. Adams said he and | | | man’s secret, she sent word of her success co the lords | | | | one of his enemies to come and shave off his locks, | It came’ in ap incredibly short time, and it is | | and to see him easily prevailed against, | government loses nothing by the sale of them. | Itis not supposed from | ally It the investigation now. in | pressed him daily with her words, and urged him so | that his soul was vexed unto death, that he told her all | his heart.” Possessed at last of the great, loving | of the Philistines, They came up with the silver price of her treachery in their hands, She fondled her lover | to sleep with his head on her knees, then beckoned to Twas done, and ‘she began to afflict bim,”’ and roused | him with the old disturbing signal, ‘‘The Philistines be ' upon thee, Samson!” to see bis strength go from him “The Philis- tines took him and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza and bound him with fetters of brass, and he did grind in the prison house.”” So it happened im Sorek. This 1s the way it hap- pened in Washington, She was the wife of a Cabinet officer of good blood and honorable fame won in the war. Her husband was not rich, He had only his offi- cial income to live on, The temptation to dress mehly, to give elegant entertainments, to be a queen of s0- city, enticed her, This hfe requires wealth, and she did not have it, ard he did not have it, And the Phil- istines of vanity and foliy whispered in her ear: ~“‘The money you need can be got out of the sale of appoiht- ments, There is no wrong in such sales, Post tra- ders’ appointments are not government property. The In the | regular course of business the appointments must be made, and if they are so valuable that men are willing to pay for them there is no wrong in your sharing the benetit which their bestowal will confer. Use your husband's appointing power to increase your | income, The money he will get by the sale of offices | does not belong to the Treasury. He has the right to appoint, and if the appointee pays it is but the expres- sion of bis gratitude for a favor conferred, and does not concern the public at all.’ And she made a bargain with the Philistines of ‘vanity and folly, From each of them she has received | her 1,100 pieces of silver. And ashe has gleamed and | littered a queen of society. And her husband's strongth has gone from him, and be is bound in fetters | of brass and will grind in the prison house of dis- | honor and shame till the gates of death mercifully open | release to the strong man betrayed by a woman's ac- cursed love of fashion aud show. NESTOR. Wasuinetox, March 9, 1876. THE NEW WAR SECRETARY. JUDGE TAFT’S MANNER AND APPEARANCE, [Interview by the Cincinnati Enquirer.) “I have not yot thoroughly considered the matter,” | replied Judge Tait, “and I desire to speak to my son for | afew moments, after which I will have some conversa. y ed expect any such mark of confidence from the adininis- ster bamed Carrie was married, but | | tion with you.’ | The two accordingly withdrew to the corridor adjoin- | ing the court, where they engaged in an earnest con- | guitation for five minutes or more, At the end of that | time they started down town, accompanied by the Bn- | quirer representative, Judge Taft opened the conver- sation by saying that he did not wish to be “inter- viewed," as the torin ff professionally understood. | "f do not wish to interview you in the sense in | which you would cross-examine a witness, but I do desire all the facts of interest connected with this nomination,’’ was the reply. “‘Aa an indication of the | Information desired, are you on such terms of tnti- | macy with President Grant as would bave led to. tration ”” jo, sir,” was the answer, jor with the members of his Cabinet ? ‘No, sir. “Had you any intimation that the position was to be | tendered to yout” | “No, sir, Tt was ASURPRIGR TO ME. | The President | before it reached me, | had vo premonitiou—oo juti- mation of what was coming, and I was probably more surprised than anybody else.” Just at this point m the waik the Judge met two or three members of the Bur, who stopped to congratulave him upon the honor which had been offered. “What are you going to do?"’ inquired one. “TL bave not yet decided positively," answered Jud, Talt i have not even answered the President's ton,” he took from bis pocketbook three despatches— am Goneral Grant, whien he allowed the renorter | | pened or steel | of the Finance Comm | wrote a letter to the committee making a similor | | giving him such a letter as would induce the Japanese | Ambassador to take him to Japan!" deapajch had been here some time | | accordingly found, when only sixteen years old, teach- sR SHEET, rmit to be copied, and ti others—one signed “R, H. Bristow,” and the other Bignature not seem by the reporter, Judge Taft ex- plained that the two despatches which be kept private ere from members of the Cabinet, who desired to to see, but would not Personally ex; their urrence in the sentiments contained im Geueral Grant's despatch. Judge ‘Taft rather deliberately answered, after @ moment’s hesitation, nk 1 shall accept,” Further congratulations followed this expression, and the Judge passed on. He stated to the report ‘that he did not know how soon bis presence Wa: sired in Washington, nor how soon even bis private affairs could be so arranged as to permit his departure. At the earliest he thought not sooner than next week. ‘The corner of Fourth and Vine streets having been reached Judge Tals bade the irer man good day, entered the Western Union Telegraph office ana de- spatcbed to Washington bis message of acceptance. Throughout the enure conversation he was exceed- ingly cautious, and the newspaper men of the capital will Gnd in him an oyster not to be opened with a lead pen. To the people of Cincinnati Judge Talt needs no in- troduction, For those who do not know the man a brief descriptive sketch may be of imterest. He ts of straightoat New England Puritan stock, and was born in Townshend, Vermont, November 6, 1810 Hig father wus 4 man of much native force, who filled several terms iu the State Legisiature. He was a well- informed, butan uneducated map, and his son Alphonso inherited his father’s mental keenness, with an added desire for the advanced branches of learning. He is ing @ district school, at such times as bis lavors could be spared from the farm, in order that be might accumulate the means with which to give himsel! a collegiate education, When nineteen he entered the Freshinan class in Yale Coil passed through the full course of four years, graduated with houor, After graduation he taught @ high school at Ellington, Connecticut, for two years, and subsequently for two years filled the position of tutor im Yale College. his Alma Mater. addition to bis duties as tutor Mr, Taft studied in the Law Scuool, and was admitted to the Bar in 1838, being then twenty-eight years old. In $1839 «6he = removed §=6to §=6Cincinnati, entered into the practice of his profession, and in 1841 returned to Massachusetts for a wife, whom he brought back to his Queen City home. From that time Mr, Taft’s record becomes that of @ pains-taking, hard-working lawyer, bis success being not less due to his great nat abilit than to bis industry and integrity He has been twice elected to the Beticl—once without opposition—and was once ap- pointed by the Governor to Hil @ vacanc; Among the rising young lawyers of the city more than one learned their lessons in tis school. He has been engaged in some of the best known cases, involving disputed ee of jaw, which have in the last twenty years en brought before the State and United States Su- preme courts, In person Judge Taft is nearly six feet high, and woighs not far trum 220 pounds, His cleanly shaven face beams with kindliness. He is approachable, unassuming, and, to use a homely phrase, as honest as the day islong. There need be no fear of sutier trader- ships under his administration, INTERESTING FOR SENATOR SPEN- CER. ALABAMA REPUBLICANS WISH FRAUDS EXPOSED. MonTaomeRy, Ala., March 6, 1876. ‘The true republicans of this State rejoice at the Bel- knap exposure, because they now hope that investiga- tion will go further and will not cease until the Spencer Ring in this State has also been exposed. Senator Spencer is now on trial at Washington, before the Sen- ‘ate Committee on Elections, on charges made against him by the democratic Legislature of this State, of fraud and corruption, which charges are indorsed by every honest republican in Alabama, The Senate com- mittee’s decision is anxiously awaited here; but it seems to us down here to move very slowly. Can It be, in view of the Belknap affair, that the republican Sen- ate will make the blunder of trying to hush up the charges against Senator Spencer? For the sake of our party we Southern republicans hope not, In order to hurry up these lagging Spencer investi- gations, and to show the country what sort of man Spencer is, 1 send you the following authentic story of a recent occurrence before the Finance Committee of the United States Senate, while it was considering the nomination of J. M. McGrew as Sixth Auditor, a place trom which Spencer’s favorite and chum, Sheets, of Alabama, was dismissed last year, because of total incapacity. Spencer filed written charges with the Finance Com- mittee against McGrew, and was summoned before the committee to testify in support of them. The principal charge was that in January, 1871, at the time when the Chorpenning claim was pending in the Post Office Department, McGrew, who was then ehiet clerk of the Sixth Auditor’s office, sent a third party to Spencer with a corrupt proposition—viz., that Spencer should induce Martin, then Sixth Auditor, and au pagers ot Spencer’s, to hold up the settlement of the Chorpenning claim, with a view to levying black- mail upon Chorpenning, for yy “deri Kr third party agreed to men 000, taking the same amare tor nimeelt, jpencer testified that McGrew admitted this to him in aconversation in the office of the latter at the time m: ; + from that time he bad no doubt of MeGrew’s dishonesty, and that he at once notified Martin, the Auditor, and Governor Boutweil, then Secretary of the Treasury, of the ad- mission made by McGrew, and requested his immediate removal !rom oilice as a corrupt and dishonest oilicial. Subsequently he stated that he nad also advised Mr, Bristow, the present Secretary, of McGrew’s dishonest proposition, and requested his removal. | Unluckily for Spencer, Mr. Boutwell was a member ites, and was present when Spencer made his stavement. Mr. Boutwell promptly and emphatically denied that Spencer had ever made such a statement to him, Judye Martin followed suit, and stated positively that Spencer had not made to him any such communication. Secretary Bristow denial. McGrew testified thay no such conversatian took place between himself and Spencer, The most decided and ludicrous set back to Spencer, was the production by McGrew of a letter written by Spencer nearly a year after the aileged con- versution, introducing McGrew to M. Mori, the Japanese Ambassador, as follows Unrrep States Srxare, Wasuixatox, D. C., Ni Uberty of presenting tk of the Sixth Auditor's Sin—I take the f ol d officer in our government in pos fairs, bis bureau being the only one which di res money independently of the supervision of the Comp- srollors of the Treasury, He will explain the workings and minati@ of our goyern- | mont postal service, its plans, operations, sources of rev- | &c., whicl re re ly as perfect as uch of the success of this service ments, integrity and superior auil- ities of Mr, McGrew, and I bespeak lor him your active in- terest, as well ns your most close and searching scrutit Thave the honor to be, with semciments of high, consider . sr tion, very respectfully, 5 3 His Excellency M. Wont, Ambassador from Japan. Upon being asked how he could write such a letter | | after being satisfied for nearly a year that McGrew was | corrupt and dishonest, he replied that ‘he thought it | would be a good method of getting rid of McGrew by Does not the United States Senate suffer an indignit; by having among its me:nbers a man thus conyicte before bis and by his own handwriting, of fal hood? Senator Morton 1s Chairman of the Committee | on Elections. How long wil be take to settle Spen- cer's case? | DEATH OF AN ADIRONDACKS TRAP- PER AND GUIDE. {From the Saratogian, March 4.) William Nash, trapper, hunter and guide in the Adjrondacks, died yesterday at ten o’clock in the fore- noon, at the residence of his brother, Ham. Nash, at Bowland’s Mills, about three miles from this village. The cause of his death is somewhat famous in local surgical history. Wiliam Nash was a man vot far from torty years of age. He spent his life afver he was fifteen, except a vacation im the army, as a hunter and guide in — the Adirondacks His services and companionship up io the wilderness will be remembered by many who | bave-profited by the former or enjoyed the jatter, About three years ago Le met with a painful and com, plicated physica! misioriune, in consequence of which he was vot only held back from pursuing his chosen career of trapper and guide, but also afflicted with am great deal of suffering, By an over effort in some of his exploits Im the woods or on the lakes be ruptured a biood vessel in his chesi. The case Was treated by the late Dr. Armsby, of Albany, The breast was cut open in such a manner as to reveal the vital organs at work at their various duties The artery of the lett arm was cut and closed up so that alterward that arm was almost lifele: He was ad- vised not to be betrayed into any excitement or over exertion On account of the danger of again rupturing biood vessels. He returned in time to the woods, Where. the temptation being irresistible, be one day fell to throwing a line for trout and became so excited surgeon's fears, the biood vessels of nraptured, From this jast aifiic- tion he suffered 4 great deal, more than once coming hear to death, Once or twice be has been reported as dead, which reports have given occasion for interest- ing bewspaper articles on bot his life in the woods and also on the famous surgical operation that was performed upon him. THE BROOKLYN ABDUCTION CASE. Lieutenant Howard F. Moifatt, United States Navy, or Curtis, who was arrested by the police of the Third precinct, Brooklyn, on Monday aight on charge of abducting and abu: two little girls, taking them from their homes in that city, was brought before Judge Neilson yesterday in the City Court on a writ of Babess Motion to admit the prisoner to bail, vi veen in the Ray- mond Street Jail since his arrest, was granted by the Judge. The bail was dxed at $2,009, his brother, a weil known physician, becoming his bondsmas. {n @xienuation of bia crime it is sad be bas been ona anroe since Janaary last node " eeiai scceemmecicner eect POLITICAL NOTES. “Genoral Belknap is not a candidate in New Hamp- shire,” oracularly affirms a republican organ. Henee all the republican old women in the Granite State, as tounded a4 the iuformation, may exclaim—‘Marcy oD ust’? New Hampshire State election March 14 Person B. Cheney ts the republican candidate for Governor, and Daniel Marcy the democratic. There was no elec+ tion by the people last year; therefore this, the initia- tive struggle in the current Presidential year, is wu- usually lively in that always politically excitable State. A contemporary Leads aa article on the Washington corruptions “The Belknap A ent’? If the warlike Sioux should make another bloody raid on a frontier or trading post we suppose the account of it would ba headed, “Buy a Policy in the Travellers’ Accident Company.” The Butalo Commercial (rep.) endeavors to make it appear that the government is bot robbed by the Bel- knap bribes, Buthow 18 it with the poor United States soldiers, who have to pay 600 per cent more for their commodities in consequence of these fraudulent transactions, the buik of the proceeds of whieh findg its way into the pockets of the greedy managers of the War Department at Washingtoa? “Belknap was once a democrat,’ says a republican paper, So was Grant, for that matter, But this is way party papers are keeping the Belknap scandal “out of politics.” Robert T. Turner is the democratic candidate for Mayor of Elmira. ‘The Detroit Post (rep.) draws this unique parallel:— “The people of the United States are paying interest to-day on bonds stolen by Buchanan's Secretary of the | Interior, amounting in value to over $800,000, Yel the democrats in Congress and on the proas deciart with ridiculous solemuity that Belknap’s crime ts un” precedented in the bistory of this or any other coun- try.” ‘The democrats-bave sent Congressman Tarbox into New Hampshire to help the democratic cause. The next thing they will do, the democrats think, will be ta send tar barrels into the State to evlebrate a demo cratic vietory. “Even the very stones cry out against them’’—es pecially soldiers’ grave-stones. ‘The Chester (Lll.) Clarion raises the name of William R. Morrison, of Monroe, for Governor, and William Hartzell for re-election to Congress, It is about time for the country to speak the truth about the President, He has been kept up by the silly flattery of the republicans for party purposes until the country calls tor relief, —Saginaw (Mich.) Courier (dem.) The lowa Legislature is emulating Belknap, or at least encouraging Belknapism. It refused to investi- gate the management of the Anamosa Penitentiary, even in the face of the declaration of Representatives Shaw, of Anamosa, and Ure, of Linn county, that $20,000 had been expended for work not worth $6,000. — Davenport (Iowa) Democrat (dem.) 1s isan interesyug coincidence that the resolutions impeaching Belknap were adopted on the anuiversary of the adoption of articles of impeachment of Andrew Johnson in the same hall, The latter occurred March 2, 1868, While wo scrupulously decline to enter upon the business of “President” making at this stage, we caa- not fairly omit the remark that there seems to be in thiscommunity a growing preference for Secretary Bristow. Individual expressions of a desire for bu nomination at Cincinnati have come to our attention from ail classes of republicans within the last tes days.— Wilmington (Del.) Commercial (rep.) Congressman Clymer has so cleverly managed his in vestigations that the plough has ancovered oue demo- cratic candidate for the Presidency and created alarm as to the safety of another.—Boston Traveller (rep.) Secretary Bristow docs not want to be called general, “learned the title of colonel, I trust, in defending my country,” he said, recently, ‘but I never was a eral, and I can’t see why my friends, who know me bet» ter, persist in calling me general,” “As the interpreter of public sentiment,’’ says the Indianagolis Journal (Senator Morton’s home organ), “the republican party should demand that the law of the land be enforced against this faithless and dishon- est official who bas made use of his high position ta bring disgrace on the party, the administration and th¢ national character,’? The national conveation of colored people (before mentioned) will be held in Nasnyille on the Sth of April Delegates from ail parts of the country are ex pected to be present, : It ts discussed in private circles whether the Presi- dent himself will not be liable to impoachment in case Belknap slips off scot free in consequence of the hasty acceptance of his resignation, especially if it appear that such acceptance was to enable the War Minister ta escape the penalty of his crimes, “The presumption is certainly against him in the light of certain particulars of the evidence presented, and yet, as we have intimated, his wife may be the chief and perhaps the only culprit,’’ 1s the rather ungallant way for a Western paper like the Quimcy (UL) Whig (rep.) to put the Belknap situation, GONE TO THE FRONT. The political caldron 1s boiling uneasily In Now York. ‘The republican leaders are in a state of consternation bordering on frenzy, and are even now catching at straws in the hope of saving themseives and the party from annihilation, The Custom House branch of the party is particularly nervous, bat active and watchful withal While Mr. Jackson S. Schultz, Mr. Joseph | Seligman, Mr. Joseph H. Choate, Mr. David Dows, Governor discussing ways and Morgan, Judge Emott and others were at Delmonico’s last Wednesday night means for the purging aod purification of the general —_ administration, Collector Chester A. Arthur, Surveyor Georgé H. Sharp and Mr. Thomas Murphy were whirling away toward Washington, there to confer with President Grant and others of the powers that be. The Custom House presented a deserted and disconsolate aspect yesterday, and, while all knew the bosses had goue somewhere, few were aware of their exact where- abouts, During the afternoon a report to the effect that Messrs, Sharp and Arthur had gone down the bay in quest of Marsh, the ‘discloser,” gained considerable credence, but was subsequently authoritatively denied, A BOGUS NAVAL OFFICER. To tae Epiron or raz HerRatp:— In these periloas times, when it becomes the duty of every man to hold fast to the reputation he may bave | acquired by good conduct and honest dealing, it wily | not do to let such a tale as was told by Mr, Howard I. Curus pass without contradiction, Howard is not 9 retired heutenant drawing three-quarters’ pay, nor is naval officer drawing any pay. Howara’s story is out of the whole cloth, ‘There is but one Curtis in the navy, or on the mavy list, and his name is C. K. Curtis, a young gentleman of the rank of master, of unim; character and attached to a sea-going vessel. Will you kindly show up Howard and oblige, A NAVY OFFICER. ‘THE NICKEL COUNTERFEITERS. Judge Benedict, of the United States Circuit Court, yesterday rendered a decision upon the motion and argument of counsel for defence in the case of the nickel five-cent piece countorfeiters, John and Thoma 8. Longhery, in whieh he denies the application for a new trial. It will be remombered that the prisonerr were tried upon a joint indictment with Philip Lewin. ski for counterfeiting, betore a jury, in the United States Court in the early part of lust December. They were detended by Hor Cutlio for two days, bus on the morning of the third day of trial Luey were re- ported missing. Lewinsk! alove was presen lt wag found ‘that the ‘Lo ee, boys,” as they were ta miliarly termed by their jailers, had brokea out of Raymond Street Jail and made good their escape, The trial |, and they were indicted. Lewinsk! waa sentenced to the Albany ite! years, where he is now serving the State, erys were recaptured throe weeks azo in and the motion for arrest of judgme which bas now been decided. their counsel trial was had ended before the conclusion of the tral, The panel was also cha'lenged, but to no avail, The prisoners will be arraigned Jor sentence at half-past | ine o’clock this morning. ROBBED IN A HOTEL, Yesterday afternoon Patrolman Graham, of the Second precinct, Brooklym, arrested two young women, named Jennie Graham aod Tillie Frank, on complaint of a rustic named William Ray, hailing from Hastings, N. Y., om the charge of robbing him. It appears the Yietim met the -iadies’ in company with one John Thorne, who enticed him into the Franklin Hotel, No. 3 Falton street. While in their company Heved of bis pocketbook, containing t Thorne is twenty-eight years of age, inches im height, and is described as of dark com- plexion, having a sinail mustache, and is very shabby. le has escaped. In Jennie’s ‘$10 were found and recognized as the nroverty of Rav.