The New York Herald Newspaper, April 13, 1876, Page 3

| wy WASHINGTON. Statements of Whitley and Hayes: Re- garding the Safe Burglary. FURTHER IMPLICATION OF BABCOCK. The Cardinal Point in the Defence of General Belknap. PRESENT TAKER AS GOOD AS ANOTHER. Republican Fear of Establishing an Un- pleasant Precedent. PENUSYLYANIA AND ‘THE CINCINNATI CONVENTION. FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. Wasainarox, April 12, 1876 GENERAL BELENAP'S DEFENCE—AN OFFENCE AGAINST PROPRIETY SIMPLY—REPUBLICAN FPRARS OF AN INCONVENIENT PRECEDENT— WILL THE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT BE ENTERTAINED? — It is understood that the chief points which will be Made in defence of Belknap by his counsel on the im- Peachment trial will bo:—First, that his resiguation placed him beyond the reach of impeachment, on the ground that this process is designed te removes crim- (nal from office and not to punish one who has already abandoned his piace; and second, that the charges in the articles of impeachment, even if tully proved, do aot constitute a high crime or a misdemeanor, It will be contended in behalf of General Belknap what all that is charged in the = arti- cles of impeachment is a mater of taste and propricty, not of criminality, and that the Benate has no jurisdiction to try acitizen for an in- traction of mere decorum or official propriety. Arepublican alarmist remarked to-day that the con- sequences of submitting Mr. Belknap to trial by im- peachment might become very serious, as, he said, the democrats could and perhaps would in that case go on and impeach other persong.. He said:— “Lr they can induce the Senate to hold that a citizen may bo impeached after he is out of office for malfeas- ance in office they will impeach ex-Atiorney General Williams and several other ex-oflicials; and if they can induce the Senate to bold that the articles of impeach- ment against Belknap are sustainable thoy will impeach General Grant.” He addod:— “The articles against Belknap, when carefally ana- lyzed, amount simply to this, that he, as a superior officer, accepted presents from an inferior subject to bis removal. Ifthe Senate shall hold this to bean Impeachablo offence then the House could impeach the President for tho present of a gold watch from General Ingalls to Mrs. Grant, and it remains to bescen whether the Senate will decide that receiving a present under these circumstances is a high crime and misde- meanor within the meaning of the constitution. If not Belknup must be acquitted; but if the Senate decides this question in tho affirmative the demo- trats can impeach Grant. What are high crimes and misdemeanors the constitution does not declare, but all comtemporary history end all commentators upon the constitution declare that the high crimes and misdemeanors contemplated by the constitution are those flagrant and enormous offences which endanger the life of the government ind the security of the community, and it may well ve yontended that the offence charged against General Belknap does not rise to the magnitude and import- mice to justify an impeachment.” But it can be safely suid that nothing is further from dhe thoughts of the democrats than to impeach the President, no matter how good a case they might be able to make against him. They hold thut he is a burden upon the republicans, of which thoy do not mean to relieve them, and that, for this and higher causes, they would regard it as a calamity even to have to discuss the propriety of impeaching bim, THE CURRENCY QUESTION—GROWING FEELING IN FAVOR OF A FOUR PER CENT LONG BOND. The currency question is not likely to be settled until late in the session, but there is good reason to believe that a bill substantially providing for the issue of a four per cent long bond, with which to extinguish the greenbacks, at avery moderate rate of a million or perhaps two millions per month, will become a law at this session. There is a growing feeling in tavor of such a measure, and a belief that, while it would be very successful and cause no monetary derangement, but the reverse, the enactment of such a law would at once restore confidence all over the country anda do very much to revive business and industry everywhere. There is no doubt that the planie approved by promi- nent business men all over the country, a great many of whom are writing here to urge its adoption on the grounds above stated. They urge that such a measure mild, yet effective, would improve our credit at once, sive confidence to capitalists and lead them to begin new enterprises and thus give employment to labor. fHE NEW TARIFF BILL—USELESS ALARM OF MERCHANTS AND IMPORTERS. Importers and other merchants from different parts of the country aro showing agood deal of anxiety about the tariff, and so many inquiries are made here about the shape in which this measure is likely to pass that it is evident commerce is already disturbed by the fear and anticipation of coming changes. These fears aro needless, It is not probable that any Tariff bill will be passed at this ses- tion, Ivis quite possible that the bili reported from the Committee of Ways and Means may, with turther amendments, pass the House, but the republicans in the Senate are not likely to act upon it this session, They will provabiy lay it over until next December, when they can take it upas unfinished business aod then do what shall at that time seom expedient to them. There is but little cause, therefore, for’business men to make thetnselves uneasy about tariff changes, for it is not likely that the new Tariff bill can become a law. FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT, Wasutscrox, April 12, 1876, (HE SAFE BURGLARY CASE—CAREER OF THE CONVICT MILES—INTERESTING INTERVIEW WITH COLONEL WHITLEY—BRITERATION OF | THE STORY OF BABCOCK’S GUILT—MIKE HAYES’ STORY. ‘The confession of the convict Miles in this morning’s ‘Heeatp was deeply entertaining reading here in Wash- ington, where the safe burglary case possesses such great local interest, and the account was de- foured irom begining to end Miles is ao tharacter in his own way, outside of bis con- nection with the safe burglary conspiracy. He is a wealthy man, according to report, and 1s said to own sbout $100,000 worth of real estate in New York, in- Huding a brown stone house on one of the uptown bshienable avenues, He 1s known to fame und the police under the five different names of Miles, Bliss, White, Witson and Williams, Under the name of 8ilss he was convicted of complicity in the Ocean Bank robbery in New York a good many years ago, and was serving his time in Sing Sing when Whitley ba bim pardoned out to go to Washington and operate the safe burglary. This pardon was procured from Governor Dix, who was moved to grant it on a letter of | Whitley and indorsed successively by Solicitor Bantield and Attorney General Williams, Whitey telling Gov- ernor Dix that Miles was wanted as a witness in sume governm: cases of great importance war- tenting «the exerciso of clemency, Whitley ‘dad the pardon sent to himself and held i, as alleged, jo stimulate Miles to perform the safe burgiary. He fot away from Washington, bat was not fong at liberty, one of his confederates in the Barre Bank robbery, in Fermont, giviog him up as the principal in the trans- action, abd Whisk led to bis arrest and present incur. eration. Whiticy was interviewed at the St James Hotel to-night and made the following statement:— By 'Hafea'la the tov place, ad ho Wil way tbat Be | can back it up; ‘but I will break it down by document- ary evidence. My papers are not here, but I will get them. T want to say that I never keep dates, but in this case {t is'a matter of record and can be proved. never saw Hayes in New York to my recollection. I only met him once and hardly knowhim, and do not_ know that I would be able to ize him now. I did nut come to Seenente ee tories. 1 nae 9 att the tru ve no rin keeping anything vac! Allthat he asserts about Lat 4 being in Now York with him is an intentional mistake, The dinner referred to by Collector Simmons was given by me at my house in Cambridge, and 1 was not in New York at all at that time. At first I did mot remember about it, but when | went to work and got the acts and refreshed my recollection, as any detec- tive would, I tound there could be no doubt about the dinner and m: ev at it, The guests must have stayed late the dinner and it was utterly um- possible for me to have gotaway, IfIhad taken the Rest trai Weaves Boston im tho morn- ‘ng I could have reached New York at five o’clock in the afternoon, do not remember of megting Mr. Hayes, but if I did it was later than five o'clock and could not have beca in the ashesays. Bat, to tell the truth, I do not remember of mecting him at all. Whitley then went on toexplain the diflerence be- tween his statement of two years ago and tho one made the other day. He said:— ‘ My testimony in 1874 was 2 technical ovasion, witha menial reservation made whilo I was under actual duress. I could not have testitied to anything 1 wos threatened that if came oat I would be mi safler th as T did j the balter, I thought was in Shepherd’s 1 got that idea from some of bis connections. but not from Shepherd personally; and it was on this that I had ground for evasion, sothat when they avked me in re- gard to the burglary I could save myself by tebnically evading it. Whitley was asked in regard to Miles, the burglar, now in prison in New Hampsbire, and whose state- ment implicating Babcock appeared in the HeraLp yesterday. Whitley said:— I know Miles, 1 believe that his statement is mate- rially true. Of coarse I do not reroilect his coming into my office in Bleecker street, New York. Thero !s no use in hi vhe facts, Babcock has been playing a double game all along. My testimony can de corrobo- rated in more than twenty different ways. I want to say that the Hxnatp hus been the friend the Secret Service ever had, una it 18 the only paper that has recognized it. 1t will make a great mistake if it thinks that Babcock is innocent. I know what I am talking about, My record is good and can be sustained. I dined and been intimate with the leading mem- re, and. they all know to. n I worked forthem they called me an honost man and I was feasted and made much of, but now that I am telling all the truth thoy call me a_ States’ Prison bdird. I made more than 300 arrests while 1 was in New York, and the Herarp repeatedly published lists of them and ac- knowledged the vaiue of my services. Babcock was ‘ono of the chief leaders of the safe burglary enterprise, Bluford Wilson came in, and I told Babcock that it ‘was a dangerous thing to let new men come aronnd; he might make damaging discoveries. Babcock gaid:— “You (Whitley) throw sand in his eyes and I will work behind him, You work him in front and 1 wil hug bim to death, I think that can handle him.” In tact, said Whitley, they did take Bluford Wil- son to Long Branch, if I am not mistaken. I won’t say that they wined and dined bim but I will say that whon he came back from Long Branch he told me that Babcock had a good many friends, strong friends, and must be all right and that he could not be in the safe’ burglary conspiracy as was alleged. The truth is Babcock and _ his friends at Long -Branch pumped Bluford Wilson clean ont, and 4 have no doubt if you go to him now he will confirm this. I do not care particularly about abcock. I don’t want to hurt him but ! shall tell the truth and I have, your honors, and I have done so be- fore the committee. Mr. Whiticy was asked it the burglar Miles was pardoned so that he could be used in the safe burglary transaction. Mr. Whitley said:— Viles was pardoned a year or eighteen months be- fore the safo burglary was committed ; his pardon was a fair, square, straightforward transaction ; he was par- doned at my request; the facts are these:—In 1869, or 1870, *°$.90,000 had been stolen froin the United States bien mnt A I worked up the case and traced part of it down to Miles; I don’t mean that ho | stole the money, but I knew that he had it in his por. sion; part of the money was in the Stuyvesant Bank in New York and I got out an estoppel; it was doubttul whether 1 could bold st; finally Miles, through his coun- sel, explained to me that he did not steal the money, but received it from another party and was willing to ‘giveatup, and also to give me the mformation that id Joud to the detection of the parties who did steat it; recovered $8,500; Miles agreed to turn the guilty 2 party over to justice and to get tho money; then at my ‘suggestion the man was pardoned. In conelusion, Whitley repeated that Babcock was not only deeply and personally implicated in the safe burglary, but he was guilty of the other offences of a similar nature and in each caso he was the chief conspirator, Colonel Whitley said that the tacts concerning them would be brought out sud corroborated by docam. y evidence in due timo, showing that a plot was {dnap not only Dana, but other well knowp! wore-notifriendly to General Babcock’s management of District affairs, MIKE HAYES IN DEFENCE OF HIMSELF AND HIS STATEMENT—THE BOSTON ALIBI EX- PLAINED. Mike Hayes, who claims to have been employed by Whitley to conduct the safe burglary, was found to- night at a smail hotel in Pennsylvama avenue, and in- terviewed on the subject of the great conspiracy. By mistake be has Deen confounded with Miles, in the represontations mado to Proctor Knott's commitgee, and is very indignant ut the statement which appears in the papers, and states most positively that he was never convicted ofa crime in his life and never was in any Penitentiary, and consequently was not pardoned out. The only difficulty Hayes was ever mixed up with was on account of a charge of murder in 1872, during the spring of that year in New York city, from which he was promptly acquitted by the jury, who never left their seats. Hayes further says that in the charge | Recorder Hackett stated that tho only doubt in his mind Was whether such acrime was ever committed atall, ‘Tho great rogrot of Hayes now is that he ever had any connection with Whitley, as he was doing a lucra- tive business in No. 80 Henry street, New York city, keeping a respectable public house. He says that ho has ample corroborative evidence to prove that what he has heretofore stated in bis testimony in re- gard to Whitley and the important telegram of April 7, 1874, is true, and that in due course of time, at the proper moment, he will show the integrity of his position so, far as he has made declarations, Bo matter what construction may be placed upon them. He has nothing at stake but his reputation, which he can take care of, but he will show that Whitley, in view of his perjury and faléifications, if justice is meted out to bim, will have great diffi. culty to keep out of the Penitentiary himself He reiterates in a ¥ clear) manner that everything he has done heretofore in this investiga. tion, coupled with his statements, have been cont nt, He does not desire to go into the merits of the case technically now, as it may Interfere with the successiul conduct of the imvestigation by the Grand Jury here and the Congressional committees. He avers that the action of Whitley i« inspired by the hope of saving himseit from going to the Peniten- tiary by making some one else & scapegoat. Further, he argues that tho point which is made by Whitley’ that, on account of his having been at .» dinner with Mr, Simmons and his friends im Boston on the Sth, he could not therefore be in New York to receive the tele- ‘am of the 7th of April ia simply absurd, as he could readily in the meantime be in Now York. Hayes exhibited his diary showing that the telegram was sent at 3:45 P. M., charges forty cents, on the 7th of April, which was directed to Hiram C, Whitley, No, 66 Bicecker street, New York, and which ne reccipted for, as shown by the messenger's book of the Western Union Telegraph Company at the Motropolitan Hotel, which wag exhibited on the witness stand daring the trial, 0 mber, 1874, When asked what he thought about the statement of Miles, the burglar, now ina Vermont prison, as pub- | hshed in the Heratp of to-day, he said in reference to his interviews with Babeock previous to the burglary | it is mot so. * “I do notkeek to exonerate Babcock in the matter, but I do not lke to see people covered with dirt I bave no doubt that his statements 1m regard to other persons mentioned are correct, bat 1do not, of my own knowledge, know such to be the case," Ale closed in a firm, apparently frank and straight. forward manner by saying :— “I make this statement to you the same as if I was under oath, It does not do fura man to make state- ments in an affair of this kind which be cannot sub- stantiate. . THE TAXATION OF NATIONAL BANKS—A REDUC- TION SOUGHT FOR BY REPRESENTATIVES FYROM VARIOUS PARTS OF THE COUNTRY— THE EXISTING INJUSTICE A8 STATED BY THEM. . A uwmper of bankers appeared before the Committee, of Ways and Means to-day, representing national banks in diferent sections of the country. The follow- ‘4pg uamed gentiemen appesred:—Messra, Joba Kk Williams, of New York; E. G. Spaulding, of Buffalo; William H. English, of Indianapolis; Charles B. Hall, of Boston; D. J. Fullis, of Cin ;R. ©. Calhoun and George F. Baker, of New York; F. B. Judson and Andrew G, White, of Syracuse; 8, J. Norris, of Balti- i more, and F. 8. Loomis, of New London, The tirst { five named gentlemen adaressed the committee on the Subject of reduction of tho government tax on deposits of banks. ‘The points of the argument they submitted were as follows :— ‘The taxation of war times is still imposed on the banks, while taxation on all other business was removed years ago. The banks are fecling the burden of taxa- tiom heavily, on account of the several reasons of the Panic of 1873, the prostration of business, the shrink- age of values of stocks, of goods and of almost all kinds of property; 1 amber of failures all over the country, entailing vy loases upon the banks, and tho great loss of interest by the banks in being com- — to keep twenty-five per cent of all deposits locked up without interest. ‘The committee went on to suggest that if the bank acts were amended as asked for the banks would still have to pay on circulation $3,000,000, more or less, Bank franchises, under the present burden of taxation imposed by the federa! government and the States, are Belting to be of little value, About 600 banks had vol- untarily wound up or bad deposited equivalent legal tenders for the purpose of retiring their circulation. It will bo seen that the commuttce’s views of the na- tional banking business are not what tho publicin general entertain of it E SENATOR CAMERON ON THE REPUBLICAN CAN- DIDATES FOR THE’ PRESIDENTIAL NOMINA- TION—PENNSYLVANIA FOR HARTRANFT &N EARNEST—A GENERAL GOOD FRELING TOWARD BVERYBODY EXCEPT GRANT. Senator Cameron, who has just retorned from Penn- sylvania, where he has been looking over the political field, in a conversation to-day expressed himself somo- what guardedly on the subject of the candidacy for the next Presidency. He said that of course his State was for Hartranft solid, and that this was a sincere and positive expression of the political feeling of Peunsyl- vania, as was manifested in tho unequivocal instruc- tions given to her delegates to the National Conven- tion, Hartran#, he added, was a very shrewd, cau- tious and sensible man; having made no mistakes, he had given great satisfaction to the people of Ponnsyl- vania, and, added Mr. Cameron in positive terms, Tam, of course, therefore, for Hartrapft. But it is wonderful how much strength Senator Conkling has been sovsennt within the last few days, and so does Governor Morton display strong evidences of a hearty support. I like Morton very much; ho bas ~ stood =u so handsomely and done so woll, I have admired him a great deal and so do my people; of course, Senator Conkling will make an excellent President, and if he has the support of President Grant and tho White House influence, of course it will give him a good, strong start. But Lam not satisfied that Conkhng has yet fully and unequivo- cally secured the jotluence of President Grant, I, of course, expect nothing of Grant; he has behaved su badly to my State und acted so indiflerently in my own relati with him, ‘Blaine has some friends also in Ponnsylvania > fife about equally divided between him and Mr, j4e%, but I am tor General Hartrantt and as he is of my State and her people I am bound to ‘@ over the field, then, of general political Tm |) Bich were discussed and commented on in pip Sy “with your correspondent, the aged states- % \ Md freely. Senator Cameron is quite alive to , } @ af the various candidates and being in ex- NEW YORK HERALD, THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 1876—TRIPLE SHEET. Baged in the coastwise trade is about 350 tons each, $35 to $45 each timo” a vessel enters or leaves a harbor. depressed condition of the shipping interests, bears heavily upon aciass of people who are specially de serving of consideration and encouragement, and it is | sufficient in many cases to change the adventure from | one furnishing a moderate return on the capital in- vested to ono in which thero is a posi loss, From the statements presented in the report re- garding the unnecessary charges upon the coasting trade for pilotage when no pilots are taken and nono required, the Commissioner says it is evident the time has arrived for the government ‘to again tnterpose its authority aud remove the restrictions and burdens which have been imposed upon commercial inter- course between the several States. Its certainly time for Congress to interfere when thousands of dollars are | annually collected at Heli Gate trom vessels merely passing through Long Island Sound from ports south of New York to ports north, or vice versa, for which no service whatever is rendered. POSTAGE ON THIRD CLASS MAIL MATTER. The bill xing the rato of postage on third class mail matter passed the Senate to-day in the following form :. Boltenacted, &c. That mail matter of the third class sbail embrace all pamphiets, occasional publica- tions, regular publications devoted primarily to a/ver- tigibg purposes, or for treo circulation, or for circula- | tion at nominal subscription rates, prices current, c logues, annuals, handbills, posters, prospect scripts, proof shoeis, waps, prints, engravings, blanks, flexible patterns, samples of merchandise, sample cards, photographie avelopes, postai. envelopes and cards, plein | and orpamental paper, photographic representatio:.s, seeds, cuttings, bulbs, roots, scions and all other mat- ter which may be deciared mailable by law as third class matter, and all other articles not above t eight prescribed by law which are not from their form or | ature Ilable to destroy, deiace or otherwise injure the | | contents of tho mail bags or the person of any one en- | Beged iv the postal service, Ail liquids, poisons, glass, xplosive materials and obscene books or papers shall be exciuded from the mails, Smerion 2 —That packages of matter of the third class shail not exceed four pounds in weight, and shall bo subject to examination and the rato of ‘posiage herein- after provided. The postage on matl matter of the third class shall be at the following raté:—For all dis- tances one cont for each ounce or fractional part thereof. Every package of the third class of mail mat- ter shall bear the post mark of the office at which tho | game shall be ma led for transportation. Src. &--That postages on third class matter shall be prepaid by stumps, If, however, the postage on third class matter mailed at an oftice shall be less than the full amount above prescribed in cases where the | sender is Known, such sender shall be notitied of the fact, and the amount of postage due shall be collected from such sender before the sume shall be transmitted | by ma'l, In case the seuder is not known and it has | not been the evident intention of the party so deposit. | ing the package tu place less than the full postage thereon, such package shall be forwarued and-doublo the amount of the deticient postage shail be collected from the party to whom it is addressed or delivered at its proper destination. Ske, 4—Thut the sender of any article of the third clas# of mail matter may write bis or her name on the outside thereof, with the wor rom” above or pre- ceding tho same, or may write briefly or print on any package the number und names of the articles en- closed. Publishers of newspapers and periodicals may print on the wrappers of newspapers or magazines sent from the office of publication to regular subccribers bo Oop to which such subscription therefor has been paid. . Sec, 6.—That transient newspapers and magazines shall be admitted to and trausmitted in the mails at ‘oak, weighing forty pounds more than he , We weill undoubtedly take a lively part in the pend. prtyess for the selection of a nominee. THE (0) MOBILIER CASE—THE INTERESTS or = . TO BE LOOKED AFTER. Whe Créd}i Mubilier matter is to be revived and an effort will by fade to ascertain and secure the interests of the govert «st in its inferential claim againat the Union Pacific “s\jway Company. A resolution to this effect was oferta to-day by Mr. Hoar, the Judiciary Committee, of which he is a member, being 1- structed to advise what action 13 necessary in this directivn, as well as to report whether the charter of the road has not been forfeited. Some proceedings in the Crédit Mobilier suit on the part of the United ‘States were taken in one of the courts of New Haven a year or two ago, but the caso appears to have been dropped or gone to sleep. Mr. Hoar’s resolution will give the democratic House a chance to order a prosecu- tion of this suit to a conclusion of some sort, THE RECEPTION OF THE EMPEROR OF BRAZIL, As Dom Pedro, Emperor of Brazil, has positively de- clined any pubiic ceremonies or rcceptfon in his honor the rate of one cent for every three ounces, or trac- tuonal part thereof, and ono cent for each two addi- tional oances or fractional part thereof. Src, 6.—Thac this act shall take effect on and after the lst day of July, 1876, THE SILVER BILL 13 PASSED BY BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS, ‘Tho Silver bill having been passed by both Houses of Congress now awaits the President’« signature, It is as follows:— , That there be and hereby is appro- y money in the Treasury not ot! the sum of $163,000 to provide for engraving abd printing and other expenses of making and issuing United States notes, and the further sum ot $48,000 to provide for ving and printing national bank notes, to be disbursed under the Secre- wary of the Treasury. Section 2—That the Secretary of the Treasury is hereby directed to issue silver coins of the United States of the denominations of ten, twenty, twenty-tive and fifty cents of standard value in redemption of an equal amoust of fractional currency, whether the same be pow in the Treasury awaiting redemption, or when- evar it may be presonted for redemption, and the Secretary of the Treasury may, under regulations of the Treasury Department, provide ior such redemption aud issue by substitution at the regular Sub Treasuries on his arrival in this country, the government has de- cided to make no demanstration beyond. a mere recog- nition of bis rank and presence. Tho Secretary of State, tho Secretary of War and the Secretary of tho Navy will go to New York and await his arrival. After he has rested a few days thoy will return with His Ma- Jesty on a special train composed of the finest drawing room coaches on the Continent. The only ovation to be tendered him here will be a dinner, given by the President, at the White House. THE HOSPITALITIES OF THE NATION TO THE PRESIDENT OF PERU. Aresolution was introduced in the House today and referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs to consider the proper measures for receiving and enter- taiming the President of Pera on his visit to these shores. General Banks says that he has conversed with several leading democrats to-day about the mat- ter, and ho finds that they are inclined to be liberal, and he has no doubt that Congress will authorize tho committee to use the junds necessary to pay the ex- penses of extending the bospitalities of the government to both its distinguished guests. LECTURE ON THE CURRENCY QUESTION. President Andrew D. White, of Cornell University, lectured to-night at Willard Hall on the currency question, to a very select audience, e a GENERAL WASHINGTON DESPATCHES. Wasuixatoy, April 12, 1876, COMPULSORY PILOTAGE—-AN ADVERSE REPORT YROM THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE—IN- JUSTICE OF THE PRESENT SYSTEM. Representative Pierce to-day submitted a report from the Committee on Commerce on the severul-bills and memorials which had been referred tu it relating to compulsory pilotage. ‘The report discusses at length the powers of Congress under the constitution to legislate on the subject, und cites existing State statutes to show there is a great want of uniformity in the laws and to which sailing ves subject, iu the matter ot pllotage. the States the Jaws still continue to dis- criminate in favor of vessels sailing between certain ports, which is clearly contrary tv tha provi- sions of the United States statute of 1866. In New York, although there 1s no law on tho subject the pilots have an understanding by which vessels owned in Sul- fotk county aro exempted, from the payment of fees unless for sorvices actually rendered. in sume States there is a discrimination agamst national urmed ves- sels which is also contrary to th bill now before the Assembly of New York, revising | the charges for pilotage at Sandy Hook, national armed | vessels are charged $6 per foot for draught. The principal, in fact the only, argument upon winch the opponents of any change in the present system or want of system rely is that the pilot organizations | which at present exist at the principal ports cannot be matntained in @ stat sory paym' themselves in rendiness for service when called upon, aod th quired the services o! a pilot coatd not depend on hav- ing their requirements met, and navigation would bo attended with greater riaks to life and property than it is at present. Bul it has been shown by the experience at New York during the period between 1545 aud 1853, when vessels entering by the way of Sandy Hook were not subject to any regulations, concerning the employment of pilots, that the compui- 1% not needed to secure efficiency in the experience on the coast of Maine, the most dangerous on the Atlantic seaboard, has also demonstrated tho fact that even in the less frequented Ports itis not necessary to tax vessels which do not | require pilots in order to maintain an organization for those who do require them, The vessels engaged in | the coastwiso trade and the Asheries are owned largely _ by persons of moderate means, i tho master generally has an interest in tho vesso, or the carga Where there is any doubt on the part of the insurers as to the capacity of the master to judge of the expedioncy of employing a pilot on entering or leaving a barbvor, they can insert a provision in the policy of imsurance requiring the vee sel to take a pilot. ¥ f It be stated that cho average capacity of vessels on- the regulations | is entering our ports aro | In many of | act of 1906, and ina | Of efficiency uniess the compul- | of fees is continued. That there would | not be a sufficient inducement for trained pilots to hoid As A consequence, those vessels which re- | an public depositories of (he United States until the wyre ammount of fractional currency outstanding shall be redeemed, and the tractional currency redeemed under this act shall be heid to be part of the sinking tund provided tor by the existing law, the interest to be computed thereon us in the case of bonds redeemed under the acts relating to the sinking fund, GENERAL BABCOCK ON THE CRACKSMAN’S STORY—POSITIVE DENIAL OF 173 STAT~- MENTS. General Babcock referring to the story of White or Miles published this morning, in which he seeks to connect bim with the Washington eaie burglary, au- thorizes the statement that he is not aware he ever saw the man; never had such conversation with him and Mr. Harrington or anybody else about the burg- lary, as White alleges; never met him‘on the cars between Washington and New York, and therefore could not hi conversed with him on that subject. General Babcock knew nothing about the man’s trial except what he saw in tho newspapers. In brief, General Babcock characterizes the convict’s story as unqualifiedly false from beginning to end. SECRETARY ROBESON ON THE VYOREIGN NAVAL ACCOUNTS—A TARDY RECOGNITION OF THE LAW, ‘ The Committee on Expenditares im the Navy De- partment to-day examined Secretary Robeson con- coruing the fivancial transactions of the department abroad through its agents, Seligman Brothers, Representative Beebe, the chairman of the commit- tee, directed the Secretary's attention to section 1,550 of the Revised Statutes, chapter 7, under the head of “General Provis ons Kelating to the Navy,” which reads as follows:— No person shall be employed or continued abroad to receive and pay money for the use of the naval gervice | on toreigu stations, whether under contract or a | wise, who has not been or shall not be appointed by and With the advice and consent of the Senate. | Although this provision was originally passed by Congress in June, 1844, no instance ts known wherea | special fxcal agent abroad for this departmeut or any other has been appointed by the President concurrent with the Sonate, as required by law. Secretary Robe- son informed the commitioe that Seligman Brothers had been nominated to the Senate by the President | within @ week past as special fiseal agents at London. ‘This is true, but the Senate has not yet acted upon it, | ALABAMA CLAIMS—PAYMENT OF THE AWALDS OF THE COMMISSIONERS. The awards of the Court of Commissioners of Ala- bama Claims are now 1n process cf settlement in the ' Yreasury Department. Interest will be computed | thereon to May 1, and the drafts made payable to tho | order of the claimants, it is expected, will be reddy for transmission to the attorneys of record on that day: | The award may also be collected by persons authorized by transfers, assignments or powers of attorney duly executed by the claimants after the issuing of w: rants for their payment, which transfers, assignments and powers of attorney must recite the warrant of pay. UNFORTUNATE FOR BRISTOW. [From the Detroit Free Press.) It is unfortunate for Bristow that | devolve upoa him of annoancing to ti unpleasant results of republican stupidity and mm | managemont—to call it by no worse name—in respect to the appropriation for fuel, light and water in the | | public balldings, It may be that Bristow ts not to | blame personally in this matter. It may be that the | entire amount of the appropriation has been honestly applied tothe purpose named, and that no portion of it has been diverted into political channels or used for carrying elections in the interest of the ad- mioiatration, Buteven though these facts should be clearly established, the “bottom”! fact will still remain | that @ republican Congress is responsible jor the ‘usuiliciency of the appropriation; and the man whose duty 1t is to apprise the public of that insuiliciency, and to point out the unpleasant consequences thereo!, will always be connected, in the public mind, with those juences, Tho fat jona, with time to give attention to the joct, will look bebind Brew | tow to the meally + on dd gl will regard < They will be all the more likely to ities where the custodians o i On that basis the charges for pilotage would be from | lt is a tax which, inthe present | unhesitat:ngly condemned not only by the masses, but by \inking men as well; for (hero are few, even among the most violent of partisans, who caro to ha their business interests interfered with for the obtali Ang Of a possible partisan advantage. It is to be regretted on many accounts that Bristow Nas put himself in this unfortunate position. —Hereto- Jore Bristow bas stood remarkably wel! with men of all partics, being obnoxious ouly to extreme adminis- tralonists ih and out of the Whiskey King. Now, by what may be the mere accident of tis position, he has suddenly become obnoxious to business men of all par. ties, whose interests be seems to have t with. He may show, perhaps, in time, that be hus done nothing more than his duty; but he bus lost his hold upon poy ular favor, and it is doubiiul if be cua ever tuily regain it, LITERATURE AND ART. THE ROYAL COPYRIGHT COMMISSION IN ENG- LAND—NAMES OF THE COMMISSIONERS— NOTES ON THE FORTHCOMING ACADEMY— WHAT THE ARTISTS HAVE ACCOMPLISHED. Loxvox, April 1, 1976, The moeting of the Royal Copyright Commission still continues to be postponed, chiefly on account of a dificulty in selecting properly representative men to Roseberry, Mr. Bourke, Sir Louis Malet aud Mr, Far- rer. AS furas regards the discussion of any project having reference to an international treaty with the United States, the fucts of any interest up to the pres- ent would appear to be these:—If the commission was tobe of any material beneiit in altering the present unsatisfactory state of things between English authors aud American publishers, it was clear that it was of the osted in securing an American copyright should present their own case, This, lam given to understand, they expressed an intention of declining to do, because, as they alleged, of the non-representative character of the commission. In effect they declared that no one literary matters to understand the complications of the present copyright law, and that to all intents and Purposes the commission would prove a dead letter so far as they were concerned. Hence the recent resigna- tions made, I believe, in response to urgent remon- strances laid before Mr. Disraeli. The PRESENT CONSTITUTION OF .THE COMMISSION 1s as follows:—Lord John Manners, chairman; Sir Henry Holland, M. P.; Sir John Koso, Sir Churles Young, Sir Julius Benedict, Sir Drummond Wolff, M. P.; Mr Daldy, Mr, F. Herschel, Mt. P.; Mr Jonkins, M. P; Mr. Fitajames Stephen, Q U. and Dr, William = Smith, with Mr. Ley- Dourne Goddard, barrister-at-law, as secretary, The four vacancies will be filled by gentlemen more intimately connected by actual work with literatu from such class men of suflicient influence, position and business capucity to be of any practical use on the commission. In the whole rango of dramatists there ig probably no better man than MR TOM TAYLOR, but his appointmont would not altogether concillate dramatic authors; nor would Mr. Reade’s nor Mr, Wilkie Collins’ appointment be acceptable to Enghsh authors, And so the matter stands, Lord Carlingford bas been offered a seat at the commission in place of Lord Rose- berry, but for what reason no one precisely knows, As adispenser of magnificent hospitality His Lordship is best known to English society, and, as the third hus- band of the Countess of Waldegrave, he no doubt pos- sesses strong claim to recognition as a liberal patron of science, literature and the arts. Besides which he was once Chief Secretary for Ireland. Waile theso complications have arisen to the duc assembling of the commission it seems not unlikely that the London publishers will VORCK’ AMERICAN PUBLISHERS into suing for an international copyright treaty against their will, and before English authors are made awaro ofit, Ithas been acommon practice for years past for the publishers in America to arrange with the pub. lishers in England to take a set of stereotype plates of an author's book at cost price, the publisher in America paying to the author or publisher in England a royalty on the retail American sales of the book of ton per cent, The English publisher has just found out that he can drive a better bargain than this, and has in- sisted that tho American publisher shall pay not only the cost of plates, but half the cust of composition as well, Itis easy to foresce where this rather clever move is likely to end. NKOKSSITY OF REPORM IN CorYRIGHT, ‘What with the protective American duty, cost of piates, balf cost of composition and ten’por cent or re- tail sales, the New York puplisher will find bimself in a better position dealing for the author’s work in manuscript than in elec- trotype; and, consequently, in self-protection, will be driven to recognize English autnors’ rights without consideration of avy collateral issue arising between himseif and the London publisher. Any one versed in book making and book printing can easily sve that if “bull the cost of composition” is made to involve ‘authors’ corrections” and ‘authors’ uddi- tions,’ an international copyright treaty betweea England and the United States willbe broaght about ‘without the interposition of any English royal commis- sion, The only alternative will be for Americun pub- lishers to open printing establishments in England. ACADEMY NOTES, ‘The last day 18 past for sending in pictures for the forthcoming exhibition of the Royal Academy, and [ um onablea ‘to send you the following fow particulars Ot the art prospects of the year. On the whole, the exbivition, which opens at Burhngton House on tho firat Monday in May, Veda this year to be beyond the average. Mr. Leighton, who probubly stanas first amoug the academicians tor sebolariy culture in art, high retuement and bold departure from the accepted traditions of the English scugol, sends a mag- nificent offering in the shape of # processional picture representing the Daphnephoria, or festival in honor ot Apollo, celebrated at Theves in every uinth year. ‘This picture is certain to be one of the chief coutres of interest im the Academy. A long train of maidens and children, models of Grecian grace and beauty, accom- pany the chosen young noble, who ucts as the high priest of Apolio, tu the temple where the services in honor of the god are to be held. Mr. Leighton’s great learning and academic skill bave enabled him to paint a classical picture of rare beauty, abounding in evi dences of careful siady and masterly ability in depict- human figure, destized, 1 bear, 10 serve as a mural decoration at the country seat of Mr. J, Stewart Hodgson, at Lythe Hill, Haslemere. In fit company with the above is another charmiag classical piece, from the studio of MR, ALMA-TADEMA, representing “An Audience of Agrippa,” one of tho Dest of the many good works which thw ‘aftist has nus. In this painting, asin allot Alma-Tadema’s ork, one’s attention is absolutely riveted to the ex- traordiuary imitative dotail displayed ia the drawing of the marbles, The painting of stone colum: steps scems to bo an especial forte of the artist most wonderfully natural are the results of hi with the pencil in this direction, There is no story told in the painting, which is simply a truthful repre- sentation in oil of an everyday scene at the the Rotwan King of the days of Paul and the Aposties. I building at Poiiadelphia. Millas contributes, besides one of lia usually charming studies of child Scotch landscape piece, teliow to his last year’ of the Moor.” Mr. Herkomer, whose **Last Muster’? (pensioners in Chelsea Hospital chapel) must have be- come lamilar to every one through the admirable sull- page illustration of the Loudon Graphic, sends to this year's Academy ‘At Death’s Door,’’ representing scene jn the Bavarian Alps. The afflicted tamily of some sick person are assembled on their knees outside a poor looking Tyrolese hut, while a priest who ascending the road js preparing to adminiater the sac. rament of extreme unetion, Leslic turnishes this season another study from girl Iii wholesome discussion by governess and childret of duty toward one’s neighbor. Mr. Yeumvs, oue of the most rapialy ris of English artists, sends a scene suggested by the old days of English Meera yp red in the occupants of two sedan chairs, a lady an tieman, are discussing “THK LAST MIT OF SCANDAL" opened tops of their primitive conveyan “A Year Alter Saarbruck”’ is the subject of Mr. Fildes, sends a picturo which will draw tears trom the eyer ol many a persun who Views ii—a rough labor ou we eee an deg with a ie purati eee dying child. Tho mother elully at rost under ae tt tee browwers the turf in the churchyard, and sister, e im theie occupations al the homely dweli- ny, show DO ry¥mpathy for the anxious iather, whose look plainly tells of the irre bie lose he has sustained in the death of the taithiul aud loving wite, There is dig and alfvetionate heart humping under TY} rough ws long to offer him our consetation and sympathy, THR NEW LANDARER, Mr. Briton Revere, on whom the mantle of Land- | fill the vacancies created by the resignations of Lord | | very essence of the inquiry that the authors most tater. | on the commission was sufficiently well versed in | and tho drama, The difficulty seems to be in selecting | | palace of } , bearing on tbe | | POLITIC THE BLAINE. SCANDAL The Record in the Union Pacifie Railroad Books. MD. ROLLINS’ EXPLANATION TO —————— REASONS FOR TARRISON. SILENCE, Positive Denial by the Ex-Speaker of the House. HIS FORMER EXPLANATION A Little ‘Transaction For a Mythical Constituent, pets Bostoy, April 12, 1876, A communication to the Herald from New Hamp» shire states that the telegrams in the morning papers concerning the alleged payment of $64,000 to James @. Blaine by the Treasurer of the Union Pacific Raitroad Company naturally create a sensation in Concord, where, for some time past, MYSTRRIOUS MINTS have been thrown out that Mr, EF, H. Rollins, the present Treasurer of the Union Pacific Railroad, was in possession of information concerning a money trans- action to which Mr. Blaine was a party, and which, if it became public, would render his defeat as a candidate for any oMice absolutely certain, Latterly these hints have been given out with more freedom, and a few days ago it was positively stated by a prominent re- publican that Mr. Rollins bad it m his power to KILL OFF MK, BLAINE whenever he might choose to do so, The circulation of this remarkable statement among a few promivent republicans and the vague suspicion which has become general that Mr, Blaine had in some way compromised himself accounts for tke reluctance to send Blaine sa delegate to the Cincinnati Convention which is se manifest in this State. It will be observed that the letters of Mr, Rollins and of Morton, Bliss & Co, in sup- port of Mr, Blaine’s denial sent to the Associated Presa last night are worded with extra caution, The NEW YORK BANKERS STATE that Mr. Biaine was no! “known or supposed to have any interest of any kind,” in any transaction with them, which would not preclude the existence of some transaction in which Mr. Blaine had acted as agent nominally for somo other party. Mr. Rolling states that so far as he knows, Mr. Blaine has not been inter. ested in any transaction with the Union Pacific Rail- road company since April 8, 1871, but he does not say that there is no transaction recorded on the books of the Company previous to April 8, 1871, in whick Mr. Blaine’s name appears. There is nothing whatever in Mr. Rollins’ denial that affects the truth. fulness of the statements made on the authority of Mr. Harrison, of Indiana. That they are true will be undoubtedly shown in due time, A history of the transactions which Mr. Rollins was so eager to cover up will show that he felt anxious about it, and further- more that Mr, Blaine’s denial and Mr. Robling’ guarded letter of March 31, 1876, don’t fit at all. A VERY LONG #TORY is connected with this Union Pacific Railroad transac. tion, the details ‘of which are known to very few pr sons, The record in the books of the company shows the purchase of a number of bonds of the Little Rock and Fort Smith Railroad Company in Arkansas by the company for no explained reason from Morton, Bliss & Co, some time in 1870, or early in 1871. Mr, Harrison, of Indiana, the government director, and J. F. Wilson, of Lowa, another government director, found this record in the books of the company, and could not wnderstand why the Umon Pacific Railroad Company shu. | have paid these bankers $64,000 for a lot of valueless, ur nearly valueless, Arkansas Railroad bonds, At the annual meeting in 1872 Mr, Harmsos asked for an explanation, and was told by Mr. Rollins that Mr. Blaine got the money, and that for political roasons that mattet should not be inquired into at that time Now, the mmportant fact which lies back of all that, ag published in the Indianapolis Sentinel, ia that an in- vestigation was afterward made and it was found thag the bonds purchased from the bankers by the railroad company were obtained by tho bankers from Mr, Blaine; that Tom Scott, who was president of the com- pany before Jay Gould got possession of the road, tnduced tho bankers to take tho bonds from Blaine and gave them his note fos $64,000 us security; that Scott did not pay this note, but allowed it to becomo overdue und afterward that he caused a vote to be passed at a meeting of the Union Pacttic Railroad Company to pay Morton, Bliss & Co, $64,000, The transaction, tnerefore, appears to have been simply a payment, under cover by the Union Pacific Company, to Mr. Blaine of $64,000, the bonds being of very slight vaiue, if any at all, So much for the transaction as it 1s understood here. MR. ULAINE’S EXPLANATION, Mr. Blaine has recently been East, arming himself with data to meet this charge, as appears by the date of the letters of Mr. Rollins and Morton, Bliss & Co, The question will at onee be asked, “What has Mr. Blaine to way to charges so grave?” ‘It 1s understood thut he does not deny that he sold the bonds to the Vankers, but that be claims that his trausaction was with the bankers alone, and that he was merely an agont in the matter, A short time ago he gave the following explanation of the matter to a friend:— He said that on one occasion, being at his home in Maine and about to visit New York city, a constituent of his asked him to take $75,000 of Fort Sinith and Little Rock Ratiroad bonds and sell them for bim in New York. When he reacned New York he wont around among the bankers and brokers in Wall street and tried to sell the bonds, but failed to find a pur- chaser, as there did not seem to be much demand for Arkansas railroad tonds im Wall street. While in the city he aceientally met Tom Scott, who asked him what he was doing there, and he tou bim about these railroad bonds he was trying to sell, but for which be could not tind a purchaser. Thereapon Scott told hin he thought be could find him a pur- chaser, and immediately after Scott arranged the mat- ter, and all that Mr, Blaine know was that Morton, Biss & Co. took the bonds and he took the $64,000 home and gave it to his constituent. Mr. Blaine asserted, in taking this explanation, that he had no interest whatever in the tranagaction, THRER QUESTIONS. ‘There are three questions esp ye suggested by this explanation ;—First, who was Mr, Blaine’s constituent for whom he made such a profitable sale? Second, tah | was Mr. Thomas Scott so willing to pay Mr, Biaine’s constituent $64,000 for a lot of worthless railroad bonds? Third, why was the purchase money charged to the Union Pacitic Railroad company ? ‘ A STRONG EXPRESSION FROM THE MAINE STATES: . MAN ON THE SUBJECT. Waatixorox, April 12, 1876, The following ina copy of the letter written by Mr, Blaine toa friend {m Michigan, a short time since, touching the story made public in the Indianapolis Sentinel, and telegraphed over the country yester. day :— Wasninatox, D. ©. My Dean Fuiexv—Yours reco! M. Ward’s chief contribution, Mr. Marcus Stone | not be disturbed by Washington rumors respecting paints the story of an incideot in the Reign of Te story of my ever havi mouey ror, Mr. Calderon turnishes some pretty sketches | or anything else of value from the U: Pacitio Rati- i e lite recollections of a recent visit to Arles. | road Com i) OF ay of its officers or agents, Ww. chapter of some | is not only false it famil his subject, and depicts | the ‘squire Thornbill’s Morning Visit to the Primrose | ceive that any one would be credulous enough Family,” from the “Vicar of Waketield.”” And that | believe it, It bas been circulating im Washington tor very excellent and most pathetic of pamnters, Mr. SL. | some weeks past in am indefinite, irresponsible and in- . Whenever it shall iss ne form aud ive answer by ries of this kind. ian y stor 8 oe LAINE ‘WHAT MORTON, BLIS6 & CO, SAY, A reporter yesterday called at the banking house @ Merton, Blisa & Co., in the Drexe) Building, and meed ing one of the firm questioned him as to certain tumors as to transactions between Colone! Tom Scott ‘and his house. On being informed that it was asserted in Washington that Coloncl Scott on one occasion gave doen a dan tna from Ll aan Kenn NO svOH Vs ate Colonel Scott Dever