The New York Herald Newspaper, December 16, 1878, Page 3

WASHINGTON. Opposition to Resumption Becom- ing Quiescent. SCHEME OF WALL STREET SPECULATORS. A Bill to Prevent the Lock- ing Up of Gold. WAR ON THE NATIONAL BANKS. °. The Unexpended Balance of the Geneva Award. FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. + Wasutneron, Dec. 15, 1878. FINANCIAL QUESTIONS BEFORE CONGRESS. ‘The silver and greenback people are generally agreed that they will offer no obstruction to the ac- complishment of resumption. Mr. Ewing thinks it ‘would not be wise todo so. He and those who think ‘with him profess to believe that the experiment will certainly fail, and they say'that if they let it have a fair trial they will be in a better position after it has failed than if they should now place difficulties in the way which might make them responsible for fail- ure. The numerous foolish silver and inflation bills will, therefore, in all probability rest quietly in committee. Mr. Buckner, the chairman of the Banking and Currency Committee, has called a wmeeting of that committee to which he means to submit Mr. Hewitt’s excellent bill making silver exchangeable at the Sub-Treasury tor gold or greenbacks and, allowing the mints to coin so much or little of the silver dollar as the public msy demand. Mr. Buckner has some tolerably crude notions of his own which he may try to incorporate with the bill, but it will probably be reported to the House in its original form, as nobody who really be- lieves in silver can well oppose a measure which per: mits the Secretary of the Treasury to coin all that the people will take without limit. Aside from this bill the Banking and Currency Committee ex- pect to ask the attention of the House to only three other measures affecting the finances and currency— the Postal Savings Bank bill, the bill by Mr. Buckner calling in national bank notes and substituting Treas- ury notes in their place, and the Silver Bullion Cer- tificate bill, and the last two cannot pass this Con- gress. No bill from the committee will come before tne House until after the holidays. It is not impos- sible that the session may yet see an interesting and valuable currency debate, but it is regarded as certain that no measure injuriously affecting resumption can become a law between now and the 4th of March. , THE WAR ON THE NATIONAL BANKS. It is yet undecided whether there will be, after the holidays, a determined attack on the national banks. It begins to ‘be understood here that while several Tespectable Senators and Representatives may begin such a movement it is inspired and pushed really by speculators in different parts of the country who fiad the safeguards of the National Bank act irksome to them and itch to have them repealed in order that they may set up real estate and other wildcat banks. ‘With these are united brokers who foresee that with the national banks out of the way and a multitude of State and local banks under full headway handsome Profits will accrue to numerous exchange brokers. Finally there is .reasan to belicve that some Western and Southern managers of national banks are them- sdlves quietly pushing the movement, for the reason that they too would like to launch out. into more ex- tensive business, the national banks having made but little money in the last year or two. If ever the attack on the banks is begun the debate will make very clear the motives which in- spire it, and that it is a scheme, not for the protec- tion of the people, as is mildly pretended, but in the interest of speculators and brokers of various kinds, whose real complaint against the national banking system is that it guards the rights and interests of the people too securely and leaves no chance for ille- gitimate operations and profits. THE GENEVA AWARD BILL-—OPPOSITION DE- VELOPED—FEELING IN FAVOR OF RETURNING ‘THE UNEXPENDED BALANCE. The bill referring the claimants under the Geneva ward to the Court of Claims is not certain to pass. The arguments for it are very strong, but it is op- posed because it is admitted that the reference would recognize the insurance claimants and none others. The exculpated cruiser claimants and war premium people oppose it vigorously on this recount+ ‘There are certainly some hard cases among the ship owners, who suffered losses not made good, but left ont of account by the Geneva tribunal. For instance, that of the ship Delphine, which was captured and burned by the Shenandoah only two days before the latter reached Melbourne. All losses inflicted by this ship after she sailed from Melbourne have been paid out of the Geneva award, but all previous are ex- cluded. The sufferers naturally think they ought also to be made whole, and they and their friends pertinaciously oppose the bill referring claimants to the courts, because they know they would have no standing there, and they hope if the money is not divided, but kept within the control of Congress, they may some day be able to persuade that body to order 8 division, not in accordance with the limitations of the Geneva award, but “according to justice,” as they say. On the other hand, there is an increasing feeling in ‘both houses that the whole sum which may remain ‘efter all strictly entitled under the Geneva award are paid shall be returned to Great Britain, and that the exculpated cruiser claimants shall be allowed to make their claims against our own government. If it were not for the rank injustice of the Halifax Fishery award this mode of settling the matter would have a numerous support. As the case now stands a good many men say, “The English took fiveand a half millions out of us wrongfully, and wo will not be particular as to the money we got from the Geneva award.” If the present bill should reach the Senate it is possible that an amendment may be offered pro- viding for the return of any money which may re- main after the strict letter of the Geneva award has ‘been carried out. —e- FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT. WASHINGTON, Dec. 15, 1878, SENATOR CONELING IN CONTRADICTION OF CER- TAIN FALSE REPORTS—HOW HIS ATTENTION WAS DISTRACTED DURING MR. BLAINE’S SPEECH, Senator Conkling, having been asked to-day if there ‘was any truth in the report that in his argument ina certain case in the United States Supreme Court to- morrow ho intended to let all the Supreme Court Judges get an insight into the manner law is inter- preted in Alabama, answered quite emphatically as follows: — That ia the first Lever heard of it, and I can form no idea where such a report ay ay I am to arguo the case to-morrow, but the only thing 1 have ever said regarding the subject was to some Senators, whom I told that if my name should be called Monday in the Senate I should be in the Supreme Court room. It is very sin- gular how reporters make assertions of that kind which are without foundation. That is like the re- port made about me and telegraphed all over the country that T treated Mr. Blaine with contempt while he was speaking on tho Southern election out- rages Wednesday. ‘This was a prose injustice to me. Thad no intention of offering disreapeet to the Sen- ator, Far from it. About the time Mr, Blaine his remarks I received the manu- script of an argument IL made before the Circuit Court of the United States for the Southern district of New York, December 2, 1878, before Judge Diat-uford, in the clectro-nickel plating cases of the United Stetes Nickel Company vs, Harris & Weston and Richardson, Boynton & Co., and Mi Brass Cot pany and William H. Jackson ot manuseript I was revising for the printe: deavored to avoid rattling the leaves as I turned them, and was particularly careful not to in the least attract the attention of any one. I was even so particular as & wie & lead pencil instead of a pen in making cor- NEW YORK HERALD, MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 18 rections. The paper on which my argumeat was written was vel in, and as @ consequence there Was no noise ‘in handling it. But some reporter saw me reading and circulated the story that I had re- sorted to this mode of evading listening to Mr, Blaine’s remarks, which I pronounce incorrect. Had not that manuscript been brought to me at that time Mr. Blaine would not have had a more attentive lis- tener in the Senate Chamber. LOCKING UP OF GOLD—-A MOVEMENT TO HEAD OFF WALL STREET SPECULATORS. Mr. Buckner, chairman of the Banking and Cur- rency Committee, intends to introduce to-morrow a bill to prevent the locking up of gold, his object being to defeat a conspiracy reported to exist in Wall street for the locking up of gold by speculators as soon as resumption is begun by the Treasury. Mr. Buckner says he is no friend of the Resumption act, but he thinks the measure ought to have fair play, and hence he intends to prevent anything like obstruction or mischief by unscrupulous speculators or gold gam- blers., It will be remembered that in the days of the Erie ring a Wall street clique were in the habit of locking up greenbacks whenever it suited their plans to make money stringent and induce a fall in stocks. ‘To checkmate this game Congress passed a law making it a misdemeanor to lend money on the collateral security of greenbacks or national bank notes, and the locking up scheme was killed. It is now reported that as this law applies only to paper money the game could be played by locking up gold and that a combination of specu- lators has been organized to lock up gold, and by borrowing greenbacks on it and presenting these greenbacks in turn to the Treasury for redemption, and repeating the process indefinitely, to drain the Treasury of its gold and make a demoralizing effect upon the national credit and upon trade and business in general. Taking the cue from these reports, Mr. Buckner proposes to amend the act referred fo in such a manner as to in- clude gold and silver coin and certificates among the forms of money which it will be unlawful to employ or receive as collateral for loans of money or credit. He hopes to put the bill upon its final passage imme- diately and to ask the earliest attention of the Senate also, in order that it may become a law before the Ist of January. THE YELLOW FEVER COMMITTEE. The special committees of both houses on the yel, low fever epidemic will hold a joint meeting to-mor- row to agree upon the experts to be employed under the respective resolutions adopted by Congress. GENERAL WASHINGTON DESPATCHES. ‘WaAsHINGTON, Dec. 15, 1878. FALSE APPRAISEMENT OF IMPORTED GOODS— HOW THE GOVERNMENT IS DEFRAUDED. The Department of State, at the request of the Sec- retary of the ‘Treasury, some time ago addressed a circular tothe Consulur officers of the United States in Great Britain, France, Switzerland, Belgium, Italy, Austria and Germany, showing the desirability of supplying the appraisers of the principal custom houses in the United States promptly and regularly with trustworthy information respecting the prices of the productions of their several districts. It is stated that of some classcs of staple goods no sales are made in foreign markets to merchants in this country, but that all such goods are consigned by the foreign manufacturers to their agents in the United States for sale, and that in such cases where the goods pay an ad valorem duty it is believed to be the practice to invoice them below the true market value abroad. This mode of consignment, instead of actual sale, is reported to be increasing an- ually, and the revenue is defrauded of largo” sums by manufacturers, who thus escape the pay- ment of the lawful duties and at the same time inflict serious injury upon American industries. In the case of staple goods, such as black silks, ribbons, velvets, gloves, woollens, &c., statements are re- quired to be made giving full information respecting the value of raw materials, the cost of labor and the whole cost of manufacture, CHINESE LABORERS IN CUBA—-TREATY FOR THEIR PROTECTION—GOOD OFFICES OF THE UNITED STATES REQUESTED BY THE EMPIRE. The treaty between China and Spain with regard to the immigration of Chinese to Cuba provides partic- ularly for the appointment of Chinese Consular offi- cers in Cuba and the treatment to be accorded to Chinese subjects resident in that island. They can leave the island or travel within it at pleasure, and are entitled to “the most favorable treat- ment accorded to the subjects of the same class of other higher Powers.” Those entitled by contract to be sent back to China are entitled toclaim the enforcements of their contracts; but contracts not fulfilled must be carried out. Chinese detained in labor depots will be released. The courts of the island are open to them, as to the subjects or citizens of other Powers. Prince Kung sent acopy of the treaty to Minister Seward, asking him to request our government to in- struct its Consular officers in Cuba to assist the Consular officers which the Chinese government will send to reside in that island, in case questions af- fecting Chinese laborers shall arise, to the end that there may be no failure to carry out the provisions of the convention. FAVORABLE OPPORTUNITY FOR A TREATY WITH PERSIA. Minister Kasson, in a letter to the Secretary of State, from Vienna, after speaking of the late recep- tion of the Shah of Persia by the Emperor of Aus- tria, says if the United States desired a commercial treaty with the Shah it is very probable a favor- able one could now be obtained, which might be of especial advantage to our cotton manufacturers and to some other branches of trade. The whole ex- ternal trade of Persia is considered to amount annu- ally to from $18,000,000 to. $20,000,000, INDIANS SHOT BY A MOB. MURDER OF A CITIZEN AVENGED ON THE SONS OF CAPTURED HOSTILES, Wasninetox, Dec, 15, 1878, Indian Agent Jobn A. Wright reports to the Com- missioner of Indian Affairs, under date of Lemhi Agency, Dakota, the 2d inst., the particulars of a riot at Salmon Gity on the night of the Ist inst., in which two Indian prisoners (hostiles), who were in charge of the agent to be conveyed from Salmon City to Fort Hall, 200 miles ‘distant, were captured by a mob and shot to death, The agent writes that on the date mentioned (Ist inst.) the funeral of Jesse McCab, who had been murdered by hostiles in August last, occurred at Salmon City and the greater portion of the citizens attended it, DETAILS OF THE SHOOTING, The people of that section have been very much exercised over McUab’s death and the inconvenience of having had to leave their homes for safety ever since the summer. There was much excitement after the tuneral. Many of the attendants had been drinking: whiskey very freely, und there wore appre- hensions by the agent that he would find it dificult to get away from the place with the hostiles under his bee He started with them, howover, in @ buggy after nightfall, the Indians’ being securel ironed to prevent escape, but finding he was fol- lowed by several horsemen the agent returned to Salmon City and asked for protection for his charge. This he could not obtain from the authorities there, and the result was that about forty rioters sur- rounded them, took the prisoners to the suburbs of the city and riddled them with bullets, ‘THE LEADING RIOTERS, The rioters were headed by Mark E. Bray, J. 8. Johnson, David Hier, J. 8. Gardner and C. E. Witsett. ‘Agent Wright says he has procured the names of twenty-five other participants, including Charles Price, a former sub-contractor for beef at the Lemhi Agency; Egbert Nasholds and Dr. George A. Kenney, the late agency physict MUTINY ON SHIPBOARD, Boston, Dec, 15, 1878, The British bark Onaway, Captain James W. Wik mot, now at this port from the Mediterranean, reports that on the ist of August last, on the voyage from New York to Trieste, when the vessel was near some small islands in the Grecian eye , two Greek seamen, named Nicholas Peter afi’ Manuel Margin, attacked the mate, fatally wounding him, and aiter- ward attempted to kill the boatswain and a man, both of whom had their skulls fractured. The cap- tain fired upon the mutineers, wounding Margin, when both he and Peter jumped overboard and were probably drowned. The wounded men were left at Malta. The mutineers probably intended to capture the veasel and run her in among the islands, DEATH OF A HOTEL KEEPER. Watertown, N. Y., Dec. 15, 1875. William Howell, late of Lowvillesproprictor of the Globe Hotel, dropped dead last night of heart disease, PER- ROBESON'S INDICTMENT. Report of the House Na- val Committee. REVIEW OF TESTIMONY TAKEN. Enormous Expenditures of Money and No Navy. PROVISIONS OF LAW DISREGARDED seneceneeseeienrmeenseerens Responsibilities Shared by the Chiefs of Bureaus. PROSECUTION RECOMMENDED. Wasntncron, Dec. 15, 1878, Under the general resolution of investigation adopted by the Houso last session the Committee on Naval Affairs made an investigation of the ad- ministration of the Navy Department by George M. Robeson, the late Secretary. The investigation was completed and the report prepared a few days before Congress adjourned, but it was not pre- sented because objection was raised. The report was adopted by only the democratic. majority of the Naval Committee, the minority members all withdrawing from the committee room when the subject was brought up on the ground that they had not been given notice of the intentions and plans of the majority. Early this session Chairman Whitney informed the committee that he purposed presenting the report to the House at an early day, but before doing so he would like the minority to take some ac- tiow in the matter. A copy of the report was given to Mr. Harris, of Massachusetts, the senior member of the minority, with the under- standing that the republicans should read it and inform the committee at its meeting next Tuesday what line of action they will adopt, The purpose of the majority is to present the report to the House next Tuesday, with the recommendation that it be printed and recommitted. The minority members will, it is said, present a minority report dissenting from the conclusions of the majority. REVIEW OF THE TESTIMONY. The review of the testimony taken by the commit- tee and the summing up of the majority presenting Mr. Robeson for indictment are as follows :— Your committee has also more especially to call the attention of the House to the expenditures made in the period of time commencing with the close of the fiscal year, June 30, 1870, down to June 30, 1877, which were as follows: (These were tho eight yeara of Grant's administra- tion.] Years. Amounts, 1874 $20,859,347 46 187 21,400,055 43 1876 18,919,970 69 1877 14,959,935 36 . seees ++ $178,674,170 36 Add to’ this the deficiency sppropria- tions for fiscal year 1877. deswees 2,008,861 27 And then add amount to pay approved bills....... . + 3,217,738 76 Contingent liabilgties se — 3,600,263 09 For our navy there has been expended the very large sum of over $960,000,000, of which the sum of 416,785,272 01 has been expended since the year 1864, and the sum of $182,496,033 48 in money—to which is to be added millions of accumulated ma- tevia!—within the last eight years. It would be natu- rally expected from this vast outlay of public money that we should have a navy in its condition commen- surate with and responsive to the sums of money so expended. But is such the fact ? CONDITION OF OUR Navy. In comparison with the leading naval Powers of the world we occupy a very apiatioe, and unsatis- factory condition, but we had better know and ap- preciate it now, and, if possible, provide the remedy, than be startled by the revelgtion at a period of im- pending danger. Confronted with this exhibit of the navy and a demand from the Secretary (ex-Secre- tary Robeson) for an appropriation of $2,003,861 27 to meet certain deficiencies, together with a state- ment from the present Secretary of the Navy that there existed an actual indebtedness of various bu- reaus of the department amounting to the sum of 17,738 76 and contingent liability of $3,600,263 09 more arising from certain agreements made by his predecessor in oftice, for which he had found no adequate appropriation, and hence had suspended, your committee undertook the work of investigating the mode and method by which this unhappy state of affairs and condition of. the navy was brought about. In doing so they asked of the present Secretary an exhibit from the bureaus so indebted, of the manner in which contracts had been made since 1870, the manner in which this in- dobtedness had been created, and the manner in which public property and money had been disposed of, and at the same time asked the Secretary to detail certain officers who should be charged with the duty of inquiring aa to these inatters and how far the interests of the government had been guarded and protected by the agents of the government. ‘Tables were prepared #0 ua to formulate the information fonght from the reconts in the Navy Department under these heads, to-wit :— “Contracts, kc., other than those included in the annual lettings, and submitted to Congress in the annual reports of the bureau, &c.”” “Statement of indebtedness of burean to January 1, 1878,” “Disposition of public property by bureau other than that: reported in the annual report—namely, that disposed of by sale, barter and exchange since 1871 in part payment for work performed or material furmixhed or to be furnished.” sale of ships and destraction of ships.” ‘Theso ax well as other essential tables being so submitted were answered fully and mimitely by officers of the department and appear with their testimony, as do the reports of the officers desig- nated to perform the duties requested by this com- mittee, THE TABULATED TESTIM This tabulated testimony shows a ant and al- most ceaseless disregard and violation of sections 3.709, 3,718 and 3,722 Revised Statutes, which provide that ‘all purchases and contracts for supplies or services in any department of the government, except for personal services, unless iinmediate delivery or pertormance is required by the public exigency, will not be allowed, and that the same should be let to the lowest bidder who ts ulae dealér in of manufac- turer of the article whi he offers to supply. And under these contracts, agreements or orders it is shown by these tables that a very large amount of public money has been expended in violating these sections, reaching over $20,000,000, And let it be membered this does not include the equally large amounts expended by open pnirchases made by pas masters, The effect of this disregard of the law is to drive from among the customers of the department regular dealers and manufacturers and to encourage the production of middle men and favorites, at the same time depriving the government of the benofits and advantages of healthy competition. It is argued that the discretion of the efficer in making purchases is the best safeguard of the public treasury. This may be so if the officer is faithful, prudent and honest, but if not the treasury has no wafeguard. But, without argument, it is safe for your committee to say that the law does not admit of such discretion or argument. Provisions of the law in harmony with the letter and spirit of our constitution, and which were in- tended to prevent the use of public money unles: first and specially a capa by Con- gress, and to keep public officers from in- volving the government in any liability over and beyond such appropriations, have been flagrantly and constantly disregarded, as is shown by the testimony ab ly referred to and in the facts exhibited in the rt made to the House at its present session from this committee, and sub- mitted by the Hon. Mr. Goode, in regard to the diver- sion of the League I 1 appropriation, so termed; and but recently this House was called upon to vote over $3,000,000 to pay certain claims of indebtedness in which the government had been involved by the acts of certain officers, to whom special reference will hereatter be made, DETAIL OF TRANRACTIONS. Itis shown that thirty-one ships, whose original cost was $13,775,897 52, were sold for $542,524 47; and twenty ships that cost the government $12,614,390 45 were broken up and sold for $541,831 16, from which take the eum of $101,847 44, cost of destruction. Ma terials, whose cost is not ascertainable, have been sold, bartered and exchanged for heme igh trifling sums, and these sums have been ap- lied without being first appropriated by law. From “allthis i€ is submitted by your committee that it is shown thata large amount of the public money and public property has been unlaw- fully disposed of. Before inquiring as to who are the parties responsible for this condition of things your committee deem it proper to refer to certain other testimony taken before them, which makes it manifest, in their opinion, t due regard for the protection of the public interests dia not mark the administration of the trusts committed to these parties nn- der whom was created this indebtedness. In thia respect they refer to the testimony taken connected with the sale of the Delaware and Severn; with the contracts made with Hatch, Lond & Co.; with the suapicions accumulation of red oak knees at mouth (N. H.) Navy Yard, where only the books of the inspector can tell what has been received or re- jected (no construction careful of the interests of the government would allow this); with the contracts made with the American Dredging Company; with contracts made with certain parties (shown in the table before referred to) in the expiring months of the administration of Chiefs of Bureau Wood, Hans- com and Watmough, and payments made to certain parties in these same months for bills of recent date over other parties holding bills of longer date and other matters of which they are compelled from want of time to omit further mention. But more expe- cially does the committee ask a reference to the full report made by Mr. Lenthall, late chief of the Bureau of Construction, and Mr, Isherwood, late chief of the Bureau of Steam Engineering, upon the building of the Puritan, which shows that in the contract made with’ regard thereto by Mr. Hanscom the interests of the government were not duly guarded and protected, and by the testimony of Mr. lanscom it would appear that the responsibility of his actions in regard to said yessel is not his alone, but that it is to be shared with the late Secretary of the Navy, Mr. Robeson. An examination of this report, an extract from which has been quoted, in con- nection with the following official tables, to wit—the first showing destruction of yessels and disposition of their proceeds; and second, showing the amonnts paid on the double- turreted monitors heretofore, their original cost and the amount that will be taken to complete them—ex- hibits painfully the cost of these vessels of war, and in the particular instance of the Puritan warrants your committee in the expression of the opinion that the interests of the government have been most sadly neglected by those whoxe duty it was to protect them. COST OF FIVE VESSELS, Your committee cannot pass from this branch of their inquiries without calling the attention of the House to the fact that these fine vessels—double-tur- reted monitors—have, as it appears from the tables above referred to, cost in property for which the government paid over $10,000,000, and in money over $1,500,000, and that’ by resent estimates it will take’ the sum of 2,500,000 to complete them, exclusive of machinery, making their cost, on an’ average, over $4,000,000 each, But in making this estimate let it be credited by 4 the ships destroyed were valued as old ma- terial. But, again, it is suggestively questioned that the Secretary had no legal authority to destroy a ship or rebuild in the name of repairs, and after being built the question of their value in these cases is one of doubt; indeed so much so that your committee feel warranted in recommending to the House that before any further steps are taken toward their completion the propriety thereof should be submitted to a board of experts. The law requires (see sections 1,541 and 3,720 Revised Statutes) reports of sales and contracts to be made to Congress, ‘This has not been complied with, and by section 1,780 this failure is a misde- meanor. Repeating for one moment the facts shown by the proof taken by your committee, the large body of which, and that mostly relied upon by your commit- tee, is taken from official records and reports, and which are submitted with and made a part of the tes- timony, itis shown that all of the protective and prohibitory enactments of the law made for the security and preservation of the public moneys and property in the naval service have been violated, whereby it is a result that the people of the United States now have comparatively ‘no navy;” that vast sums of the public money and amounts of public property have been illegally wasted, expended and posed of without any compensuting benefits. PROSECUTION RECOMMENDED. In face of these millions of dollars of wasted appro- priations with the number of ships and material dis- appearing trom the service, as shown by this testi- mony; with the law disregarded atevery step almost; with the treasury of the government involved in the payment of liabilities of from three to seven millions of dollars created by agents of the government, can we hesitate to pronounce their acts illegal and crim- inally wrong, and to call upon that department of the government clothed with the execution of the laws to arraign and bring these parties to the con- demnation which these laws may visit upon them? Your committee deem this to be their duty and in doing so call attention to section 5,439, which is as follow: A39.—Every person who steals or embezsles or knowingly applies to his own use, or who unlawfully sells, conveys or disposes of any ordnance, arms, ammunition clothing, subsistence st or other property of the Unitod States furnished or to be used for the military or naval service shall be punished as prescribed in the pre- ceding section (describing the penalties for such offences). THE RESPONSIBLE PARTIES And in further discharge of their duty your com- mittee say that for the existing indebtedness of the Navy Department and that for the unlawful sale and dispositign of large amounts of valnable property belonging to the naval service and the ‘unlawful dis- position of large sums of the public money appro- priated to the naval service, George M. Robeson, late Becretary of the Navy; W. W. W. Wood, late chief of the Bureau of Steam Engineering; Isaiah Hans- com, late chief of the Bureau: ot Construction, and repair, and James H. Watmough, late chief of the Bureau of Provisions and Clothing, are chiefly responsible. There are other agents of the govern- ment whose conduct in the public service deserves to be inquired into by the Executive Department, and they are Chief Engineers Stewart, Fithian and Henderson, whose hasty examination of material at the Boston Navy Yard does not evince a very high interest or regard for the public service; and Pay Director Russell, as hereinbefore referred to, and aleo the conduct of the late Paymaster General Bredfard, : PLEAS IN EXTENUATION. It is claimed ‘and urged that the abuses for which these parties are arraigned existed with their prede- cessors, and that precedents should extenuate their It is re- plied by your committee that it is not shown that conduct or form an excuse for their action. any of their predecessors involved their government in’ liabilities in excess of appropriations reaching from $3,000,090 to $7,000,000; and. since the acts of 1872 (these ‘acta required all’ naval property that used advantageously in the servico could not be to be sold at public sale after public - notice by advertisement, and prohibited any in any other way; also that all moncy derived trom sale of old material: by such public sale should be covered into the Treasury and not used for the nayy until specially appropriated by Congress therefor) these and but these parties (those arraigned in the report) have been in power. under any former administration of the government, nor can it be, that so large an amount of public prop: erty has been disposed of at private sale and ter and exchange and the proceeds ap) th ernme disregard of its authority. v1 thority of law; nor at any time under any gov- and respect for its man- ‘d, it is the duty of the House to mark its condemnation of the illegal practices of these for- officers of the Navy Department, and to re end to the Ex: the arraignment before the naval and criminal tribunals of the coun- try, to the end that, if upon such trial they are found guilty, they may be punished, and accordingly your committee submit for the favorable consideration of the House the following resolutions :— Resolved, Tl oft invy, ( Bureaus of and Provisions and tion of public jeorge M. Robeson; of the late chiefs of tho in the sale aud disposi. tracts, and in involvin, rnment inf yr and beyond the appropriations mude by support of the navy, deserve and should soverest censure and condemnation, ond that thereto, suid partios, us well ax all others’ aiding and abetting therein, shonld be punished to the extent of the be the a deliver l_ copies af At of the United Sta "y recommendation of this House that th this testimony to have violw pecintly in regard to the ful sale and disposition of public prop- rty and movey, shall be tried and punished as prescribed y law. with the shown by STRIKE ON THIRD AVENUE. The counsel of the Third Avenue Railroad called at the Central Office last night dd had a long interview with Superintendent Walling. ‘The object of it was to sceure assurances of protection from the police in the contingency of tho threatened strike being determined on by the road employés. Ho stated that the company had determined to put on a bold front and maintain their position at all hazards, As conspiring underlings had intimated that they would procecd to extremes in case their demands were not favorably received, the company thought it prudent to provide for any emergency that might afise, The Superintendent in his turn promised to give all calls upon the force due consideration, and assured the representative of the railroad that adequate measures would be taken to fe, cure life and property slong the route and prevent any breaking of the public peace, In consequence of this & general alarm was issued at half-past nine last night instructing all the police captains to hold their reserves in readiness to act incase of any outbreak, ‘These instructions were at once obeyed, and arrunge- ments were made in each station house for distrib- uting the men should their services be required, Detectives who have been detailed to wateh for the opening of the strike and report in reference to it expressed an opinion last night that the employés have determined on beginning operstions as speedily as possible, and that they might be heard from as carly as at five o'clock this morning. At the stables every one was discharging his tune. tions as usual at a late hour last night, and the drivers and conductors were attending to business as though a strike was very remote from their thoughts, ‘They were @ trifle uncommunicative, though, when addressed in reference to the action they proposed taking, and were naturally averse to revealing what plans they have in view. WESTCHESTER HARE AND HOUNDS. The second meet of the Westchester Hare and Hounds will take place on Christmas morning, at ten o'clock, sharp. The start will be from Schroder’s Hotel, near the entrance of Woodlawn Cemetery, and the run is arranged to be across the country and of three hours’ duration. The hares will be Messrs. Frank Banham and W. 8. Vosburgh; the master of the hunt Colonel Delancey Kane, and the first and second whips Mosers, J. B, Haviland and James Lowe, The run is expected to be more interestin and exciting than the oj os ta the club, which took place om ving Day. 78--TRIPLE SHEET: vale It is not shown that by bar- plied without t claiming the protection of law such an utter in the opinion of your committee, that utive Department of the government di trial of the parties herein named ‘hat tho nets and conduct of the late Secrotary team Engineering, Constrnetion and Repair « of the Clerk of rtifi VALUABLE TO NAVIGATORS. HOW A SHIP'S POSITION MAY BE DETERMINED OFF SANDY HOOK TO GEORGE'S BANKS BY SE- GUINE'S TEMPERATURE CHART. New York, Dee. 8, 1878, To THe Eprron or THR HrraLp :— During the summer months the heavy fogs that prevail on the North Atlantic, and particularly on that part of it lying north of the Gulf Stream, and extending from the Banks of Newfoundland to Sandy Hook, embracing within its limits uncertain currents and dangerous shoals, occasion the navigator no little anxiety. The captains of steamships especially ply- ing between Europe and our Northern ports, and who, to satisfy the demand for quick passages, must make no delay, have their judgment, skill and en- durance often put toa severe test. The large num- ber of steamers passing over this dangerous route, bound east and west, and the compara- tively few accidents by collision or strand- ing, is the best evidence of the watchfulness, skill and care of their officers. Notwithstanding all their care, however, occasionally the captain finds his ship among the dangerous breakers on George's Banks or Nantucket Shoals, with the sand boiling up around her, a peril from which only a thorough sea- man can extricate his ship. At such atime, when made aware of his true position, he is surprised to find himself perhaps fifty miles north of his supposed course; and in one notable instance the steamship City of Washington was wrecked at least 150 miles north of her proper course. But would he not have kept his ship afloat if the lead had been used? is asked, Perhaps he would. Idon't know that the lead was not used, Itis true that the soundings would have warned him of his dangerous proximity to the bottom ;, but he had lost his way, and consequently knew not in which direction to turn his bow. And even had he sheered off and avoided the particular place where his ship was wrecked he would have gone on and no doubt have run her ashore somewhere else, for no soundings would have convinced him he was so far off his course. If Iremember rightly, a few years ago the captain of one of the Liverpool steamers, finding himself among breakers, and thinking that his only safety lay in sheering off to the southward, did so and ran his ship plump upon the shoals off the east end of Sable Island, from which he extricated her only by the greatest good fortune, leaving behind him an officer and boat's crew, who had gone to the island for assistance. On another occasion this same captain would have run his ship ashore on Nantucket , Shoals had not the fog providentially lifted, disclosing to his astonished gaze the light on Sanckety Head. And very recently the steamer Sicilian, less than twenty-four hours out from New York, ran ashore on Nantucket Shoals, fortunately escaping with only a bad leak, which necessitated her return to port. Many other instances of narrow eseape from shipwreck could be mentioned, were it neces- sary to prove that with all the admitted good judg- ment, skill and care of the officers of steamships, they often find themselves far astray in their latitude during thick weather, when observations cannot be had. In view of these facts it is obvious that any- thing by which the latitude may be determined within ten miles, without slowing the speed of the ship, is of great importance. This Iam confident is possible along the route from Sable Island to Nantacket (a very dangerous part), where, durmg the summer months, heayy fogs are so prevalent. My observa- tions have extended no further than this. SURFACE WATER TEMPERATURE CHART. ‘The water reaches its highest temperature about the middle of August, for which time the chart is marked. For each month before and after substract as follows:—May, six degrees; June, five degree: maximum 15th of August; September, one degri October, three degrees, and November, six degrees. The symbol U denotes tide rips, where the tempera- ture varies from one to two degrees. LATITUDE 3 N oO Qaim ‘subeev ous use ses x LONGITUDE 1. Bey $4U us’s6u U_s4-Ph. Us6 | Sg Light For several summers T have carefully observed and noted the surface temperature of the ocean (while cruising with our pilot boat in the track of steamers) from Nantucket as far east as longitude 64 deg., trying the water every two hours, Compar- ing theso observations, I made for my own use o small temperature chart, which, after repeated trials as to its correctness, we found to be of such service that when no other observations could be had we confidently used it for ascertaining the latitude and seldom found ourselves ten miles out of our way Confident that this little chart will be of service to those who may need it, and will try it (using a good thermometer and drawing the water in the wake of the ship), I willingly give it publicity, feeling as- sured that if its directions are followed and the ship kept in water tho surface of which is not below 60 deg. Fahrenheit, they will not run aground on George's Banks or Nantucket Shoals, much less the coast of Nova Scotia, HENRY SEGUINE, New York Pilot Boat Isaac AVebb, No. 8 Andrew Case, a waiter in MeLennen’s restaurant, No. 193 Atlantic avenue, Brooklyn, while at work fetes on Ane i to a oe at the Lo: af College Hos to w institution he was Femored, declared him to ke insane, A KING FOR THE BULGARS. Another Galaxy of the Old Availables, SOME FINE SAMPLES, Brains, Blue Blood, Close Fists and Open Hands Well. Represented. THE CHOICE OF THE CHARIOTEERS, To THE Eprtor or THe HERALD: — If you want aking for the Bulgarian Atrocities, I can give you one, and so can more of us. It isT have no doubt a tough job, and no apprentiss will do. Them Bulgarians are “too fresh;"’ they have been ground down by the Bashi Bizooks and such galoots, and cannot be trusted with wild freedom at first. They will want to be kept down to starvation wages for years to come; they will want a king that caa make promisses and break them; they will want to be. kept at work fourteen hours out of twenty-four, and “bounced” if they growl. 'Take Phillips, of the Third Avenue Railroad. I have been a Bulgarian on the cars under him for years; he can give the biggest Boshi Bizook there is three spotters, two car-hooks and one “indicator,” and still go him one better. I can give King Phillips a character that will make the Roosians grab for him. He is the man for the Bul- garian Thrown, and we are ready to chuck him over. He is my first choice, but if you think he is not close enough take that nice old Bulgar, old Hart himself. CAR DRIVER, ANOTHER CALL FOR KING ANDRUGRENE. To tae Eprror or THE HERALD:— Your nomination of Andrew H. Green for King of Bulgaria is the very best that could be made. He is the right man in the right place, No other man that I have heard of is so eligible. He understands the langnage; at least, if he cannot speak it fluently, he can write it elegantly. His throve and crown will'be secure after the Bulgarians have read his letter of ac- ceptance. They will say he is their cowntryman; that he can write in their own beautiful language (he cannot write in any other); thata born Bulgarian could not write any better than he the language of the country. Wecan spare him. Such men as he can always be spared. I once got acard of his to put in print; it took me two days and three nights to read it and set it up. When I first got it the foreman told me it was a card from Mr. Green in relation to a controversy that was going on between Mr, Green and Mr. Martin, of the Park Commis- sion. If the foreman lad not told me who it was from I never could have told what the name was. I asked some of the men who were work- ing with me if they could read it; they gave it up and asked me if I would not please ask them “an casier one.” One fellow said he thought it was Russian; another said it was Hebrew; still another said it was ancient Sanscrit, and so on and so on. After they all had passed an opinion I saia I thought it was Bulgarian, and was going to ask the foreman for the necessary type, &c., to set it up in that language. I understand the language. Ilearned it in Hoboken. The foreman gave me leave to take it home and read it at my leisure. Ho said if it took a week to do it, it would be all right; that Mr. Green would probably dispute the bill and take it to the courts, and then get ‘judg- ment against himself, with costs for plaintiff, &c. Now, Mr. Editor, as you have, in my opinion, nomi- nated the right man, I second the nomination with all my heart. ButI want you to tell Mr. Green that when he becomes Andrew I, I want a good position for my service. M. F. DONOVAN with an “0.,” Printer. New Yonx, Dec, 14, 1878. A RIVAL TO ‘“ OWNEY.” Mr. Heprror or THE 'ERALD:— I see some writer in the "ERALD ’as nominated my hold and yalued friend Howney Geoghegan for King of Bulgaria. Howney ’s a good 'un and would keep a bang hup shop hout in Bulgaria, but hits my hopim ion has McGlory can beat ’im at the throne game hall ‘ollow. Send hout McGlory by hall means, and let ‘im ‘ave it hout with the Bashy Bezooks. “ARRY 'ILL, A KING WELL WORTH THE HASKIN’, To tH Eprror or THR HEerap:— If yon will cast your eye toward the Twenty-fourth ward you will find one who never refuses a good ! thing—one who can get up a jovial dinner to catch mayors, “never misses,” and who, having held innu- merable offices, naturally seeks for more food of the same kind. Sir, let me name one who is every inch a political king in tone, looks and on a still hant. It is J. B. Haskin, the honorable, Asa Bulgarian I ask him to accept. MICKY McFEE. WHY SHOULD NOT THE COUNT WHO ALARMED Us AS KING RICHARD DELIGHT THE BULGARS AS KING JOHN? To tHe Eprtor or THE HERALD: How is it that you cannot name the proper person for the Bulgarian crown? I am sure that s mul- titude of politicians would be only too anxious to receive the nomination. Apparently you have not called for the right man yet. Grant thinks he is wanted for another crown; Ely must attend to other duties; Foley knows how indispensable he is to the committee of municipal reformers; Green, if rom- inated, would be defeated, because he would be grcon in Bulgaria, afd, besides, “King Andrew 1’* don’t sound royal enough in that climate. Talmage would evidently talk his subjects to death before the interpreter could get a chance to explain his wise words, Ohio is too tar off; the Bulgarians could not afford to transport a king from that region. Cherieg Francis Adams would not agree with the climate, Bulgaria, still, must not despair, If they want nobles over there, I'm sure the only plan is ‘To send the Count Johannes, LEB ANOTHER VOICE FOR THE COUNT, To THe Eprtor or THE HeraLy:— In your desire to procure a king for the Bulgarians you have entirely oyerlooked one whom we would ald wish to send off to that country; one who, if the question was placed before the people, would receive a unanimous vote. I refer to that nobleman, scholar, “of the Supertfor Court,’ Count Johannes!! Are you not obliged to me for the reminder? I will look to see a double leaded leader in to-morrow's issue of the Henatp culogizing “my candidate.” You will know what to say of his fitness for the position, He, @ nobleman by birth, no not by birth, but by purchase, the next best thing, if paid promptly. He who mado Richard IIL and Ham- let known to us all by his inimitable personation of those heretofore unknown princes, Let us by all means send him to Bulgaria, “Tis sad to say fare- well.’ Nevertheless, I enclose my subscription of one cent to start a fund to send him in a becoming manner. If the President was approached ho might order a man-of-war, d la Grant, to take him, If not, the Street Cleaning Department will lend their Bare ren Island scow, PUR SANG, HAS HE DUN-LAPPING HERE? To THe Eprron or tar Hrrawy:— You have neglected my old and amiable friend, Tom Dunlap of the public service, in your sugges tions of a king for the Bulgaria Surely this is an oversight, for there never was an office and never will be an office for which “Tom Allsides” has not been or is not willing to be a candidate, and no doubt he has had his eye on Bulgaria since the Commissioner of Jurors’ salary has been threatened with the paring down process, Colonel Tom has military fame, being colonel by brevet of tho fae mous Pewter Mug brigade, and he would be @ valw able civil ruler as well, for he would be sure to make friends both with Russia and Turkey, if he hed to rnb all the fur off the Emperor's coat and to tear out all the buttonholes in the Sultan's robe, In your, nominations for the Bulgerian throne do pray req L.zmamnber poce Zoms _ en !