The New York Herald Newspaper, January 24, 1879, Page 4

4 VASHINGTO New York Appointments: Under Consideratior GENERAL ARTHUR'S REPLY 70 MR. SHERMAN Adverse Report from the Commerce Committee Indicated. attracted the attention of the House. It was his object to show that the Southern colored people lad made very important advances in education since the war, and he asserted and demonstrated, if his statistics are trustworthy, that in the States of Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama and South Caroline at this time there are more illiterate whites in pro- portion to the white population than there are illiterate blacks in proportion to the colored popu- lation. If he is correct he haa shown that the negroes have made a persintent effort after education ince they became free. His statement would prove also, of course, that what has been arid often asserted im political campaigns about the hostility of the Southern whites to the education of the blacks is false, as it undoubtedly is, In South Carolina, for instance, the attendance at colored schools has considerably increased since the democrats took possession of the State, and in Georgia, which has had democratic rulers for s number of years, the colored schools have been carefully and intelligently fostered. If the next cen- WAB CLAIMS «Of © SOUTHERN = LOYALISTS, Action of the Potter Committee on the Cipher Despatches. FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. WasatnaTon, Jan. 23, 1878, THE NEW YORK APPOINTMENTS—LONG SESSION OF THE ATE COMMERCE COMMITTEE— PROBABLE VOTZ ON THE NOMINATIONS OF MESSRS, MERRITT AND GRAHAM, The session to-day of the Senate Committee on Commerce was as much an object of curiosity to the politicians uround the Capitol as the meeting of a Masonic lodge in a country town, As the commit- tee sat for th hours with closed doors, discussing the New York Custom House nominations, the ex- pectant crowd outside were delivered to all sorts of tonjectures as to the pending fate ot Messrs. Merritt and Grabam. he friendsof Collector Merritt and those of General Arthur made no inecon- siderable throng, and when to these were added the dozens of newspaper correspond- ents it will be seen what excitement pre- vailed and what a host of people gathered at the portals of the committee room to learn the course decided upon, but their long waiting was mea- grely rewarded. ‘The most that isolated mem- bers of the committee would tell was that they were to meet again to-morrow, trom which the inference was taken that the committee had done nothing de- tisiveand had adjourned tor another day's discus- sion, But as to what took place in the room each Senator was as dumb as an oyster. It is generally understood that the letters of Messrs. Arthur and Cornell in reply to Secretary Sherman were read at length as the preliminary busi- ness of the session, and that discussion then took a wide range as to the action the committee should take. It is believed that the replies of Mesars, Arthur and Cornell will be submitted to be read in the Sen- ate before any conclusion is reached, and as it is un- likely that another executive session will be had this week the whole question will go over until next Monday or Tuesday at the earliest. Collector Mer- ritt seems to think there is no chance of action earlier than then, for he went back to New York to- night. Meantime, outside of the more enthusiastic adherents of the administration, there is a general belief that the nominations of Merritt and Grabam will be rejected by a minority vote, ranging from 30 down to 1s or 20 out of a full vote of the Senate. The calculation is that the nominations will get the votes of the half dozen professed republican friends of the administration, like Senators Hoar, Dawes and Chris- tiancy, and a dozen or so of the democrats who are opposed to obstructing the executive branch of the government with partisan hostility. SOUTHERN LOYALISTS’ WAR CLAIMS—PLAIN TALK OF GENERAL BRAGG, OF WISCONSIN—RESIST- ANCE OF NORTHERN DEMOCRATS TO DRAFTS ON THE TREASURY, To the disappointment of a good many people who ike to see a lively time in the House, the debate which sprang up yesterday on # Southern loyalist’s war claim was not renewed to-day. It will probably not be reopened at all. But General Bragg, of Wisconsin, who spoke for the Northern wing of the democratic party, spoke very plainly, and waa quietly supported by- Mr. Waddell, and some other Southern men who have inde- pendence enough not to sympathize with this South- ern loyalists’ claims business. The discussion yesterday was very warm, but it Jed to that kind of free speech which is wholesome in its results. It is the fashion to speak of General Bragg 4s a crochetty man, with an infirm temper, but he expressed the sense and will of the Northern democrats yesterday. The notable words he said were those which concluded his speech :— T have here time and again heard a threat thrown to the democracy upon this side of the House which Ihave thought for a long time needed an answer, and it came from nage sae I have heard it said here upon, the floor of the House that unless the democracy of the North is more liberal; that unless they would open their hands and give out money more lavishly from the Treasury the solid South would soon go over to the other side. I say, as one of the representatives of the democracy of the North, that if there are any men in the South who propose to belong to the democratic ‘party cimply for the reason that the doors of the Treasury are to be opened to them the sooner they go over the better for them, the better for our party; and when the people of this country see and feel, as they are beginning to do, that they can trust the interests of the country with the democratic party of the North and South, then we can make reeruits in the Northern States that will fill up our ranks to the maximuin. It should be understood that the loyalist war claims are not in this dispute the main issue, They ure the mere occasion by which the difference in opinion becomes manifest. What Northern demo- crats have felt to the point of irritation at this and several previous sessions is the extreme and pressing auxiety of many Southern democrats for large appropriations for internal improvements and tor railroad and ocean subsidies. The Northern democrats have in every way economized the expenditnres; they have saved many millions to the taxpayers by establishing a rigid and, to the lovers of the old republican liberal expenditures, a very unpleasant system of economy. They would have .cone more in this direction but for the grip which the Senate has on the appropriations and its constant habit of increas- ing them. ‘They have been very brave and persistent in this work, and have had to fight off the demands of Southern democrats for railroad and other sub- sidies at every session since they ceme into pos- session of the House. Besides this pressure the loyalist claims are a trifle, but even these are wed inan irritating way, and what Mr. Bragg yesterday, while perhaps it was plainer in its terms than many Northern democrats would ap- prove, has in tact the concurrence of the best men in the party in both houses, and it will not be un- said by anybody who has authority to speak for the Northern wing of that party in cither house. It is not probable now that the discussion will be enewed. There is no doubt that there areagood many Southern men who now act with the democratic party who would take General Bragg’s advice and “go over to the other side,” for they see that the fepublican policy in regard to subsidies, internal improvements and liberal paymente of the Tronsury in general is that which would suit them best, but the sectional spirit of the republicans repels tham and continues to inake anew alliance impos mble to this class of Southern men. If it were not for the unconcealed determination of the repub- licans to make the canvass next year with a view to secure @ solid North these words of General Bragg would have an extremely important political result. Aw it is they serve notice on the Souther democrats that their Northern allies do not intend to be dragged into an abandonment of the policy of economy on which they are determined, and for which they have risked & great deal already. ‘That is the real moaning of the debate of yesterday, which it was then expected would be reopened to-day. ILLITERACY LN TH# SOUTH—REMARKADLE STATE- MENT OF A COLORED REPRESENTATIVE—HOW sus should officially prove that the Southern negroes have a smaller proportion of illiterate persons than their white neighbors, it would certainly be @ very remarkable and an important fact. FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT. WasurNeton, Jan, 23, 1879, THE DAVENPORT INVESTIGATION TO BEGIN. The sub-committee of the House Judiciary Com- mittee, appointed to investigate the Davenport mat- ter, will leave Washington for New York on Saturday noon and begin the investigation on Monday morn- ing next. The committee has been provided with quarters at the Fifth Avenue Hotel, and the examina- tion of witnesses will probably take placethere, The members of the committee are Messrs, Lynde, of Wisconsin; Forney, of Alabama, and Frye, of Maine, the last named the republican member of the com- mittee. No programme has as yet been adopted, that matter beiig left for action when the committee reaches New York. ‘THE CUSTER MASSACRE—A CONTEMPLATED INVES- TIGATION PREVENTED BY THE PRESS OF BUSI- NESS, The resolution offered by Delegate Corlett at the last session, instructing the House Military Cominit- tee to investigate the Custer massacre, and which was referred to that committee, will be favorably re- ported when the Military Committee is called. The short time, however, which remains of the session will prevent the committee from making the investigation, which it was intended should be more general in its scope than that now going on before the Reno court of inquiry at Chicago. The resolution was ready to be reported at the last ses- sion, but no opportunity was offered on account of the press of business at its close. GENERAL WASHINGTON DESPATCHES. WasuInaTon, Jan. 23, 1879. GENERAL ARTHUR'S REPLY TO SECRETARY SHER- MAN BEFORE THE SENATE COMMERCE COM- MITTEE. Pt * The letter addressed by General Arthur to Senator Conkting, chairman of the Senate Commerce Com- mittee, and read at the session of the committee to-day, is of considerable length, as he replies to the charges seriatim, in addition to making them a subject of com- prehensive denial and emphatic general comment, With reference to the charge that he obstructed the reforms ordered bythe Treasury Department upon the report of the Jay Commission, he asserts that these very reforms were suggested by him in com- munications addressed to the Secretary of the Treasury long before the Jay Commission was created; and for specific corroboration of this asser- tion he refers to the files of the department, besides stating to the committee in the present letter the substance of his various recommendations. He further alleges that the Jay Commission conducted their investigation unfairly, giving his own wit- nesses no adoquate opportunity to be prepared; but making unlimited use of numerous witnesses, who had personal grievances against his subordinate offi- cialis and who were industriously “coached” by ‘Treasury special agents. He takes direct issuo with Secretary Sherman's assertion that the cost of collecting the revenue under his administration of the Custom House was greater than it has been subsequently, and as to the falling off in the total amount of revenue collected by him, in comparison with some other incumbents of the office, he remarks that the importers and consumers of for- eign merchandise should be considered responsible for any diminution of the imports, and not the col- lector of import duties. The reply of Mr. Cornell, though understood to be on the way to Washington, was not at hand, and the committee, without taking action upon either of the nominations, adjourned uutil to-morrow morning. INTERSTATE COMMERCE--ARGUMENT IN FAVOR “ov THE HOUSE BILL BEFORE THE SENATE SUB-COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE. The Senate Sub-Committee on Commerce, consist- ing of Messrs. Spencer (chairman), McMillan and Dennis, to-night heard arguments on’ the House bill regulating interstate commerce and prohibiting un- just discrimination by common carriers. A large number of gentlemen from various parts of the country, interested in the measure, were present. The chairman stated that many petitions in favor of the passage of the bill had been received. To- night the committee would hear gentlemen in ad- vocacy of the bill and set aside a night to hear argu- ments in opposition to it. Representative Reagan, of Texas, chairman of the House Committee on Commerce, who reported the Dill and pressed it to its passage, gave the history of the legislation on the subject and stated some of the provisions of the bill, which was intended to prevent the exercise of powers which, if arbitrarily and un- Justly exercised, would operate unjustly against com- munities; hence, the prominent features, requiring equal rates to all persons and prohibiting rebates and drawbacks. He stated that after consult- ing judicial authorities he had come to the conclusion that mo power was more clearly given in the constitution than that to regulate commerce among the States, the States themselves having no such power. Therefore his object and that of other members of the Committee on Com- merce was to impose legal restraints to secure jus- tice to the people, but in no sense to inflict injury to transportation companies. One of the leading mo- tives in the formation of the constitution was to regulate commerce among the States so as to confer uniform benefits and prevent conflicting legislation by the several States. He had no doubt that the in- terest of the country demanded the regulation of commerce on land as well a8 on water. In reply to suggestions by Senator McMillan as to the constitutional power involved, Mr. Reagan said the bill proposed to regulate commerce from its point of shipment to that of its destination, irrespec- tive of the number of corporations affected by it. Mr, M. L. Woods said he appeared here to represent some of the merchants of New York interested in transportation. As he understood the bill, it did not undertake to regulate charges, except in so far that they nay be uniform. He read a memorial uumerously signed by merchants, shippers and shipowners, saying that the passage of the bill would destroy the arbi- trary rates of transportation now exacted and confer great benefits upon the country. He read letters from California and New York merchants showing that they had been overcharged by the Pacific and other railroad lines, while others had been favored by rebate or drawback. He also read @ letter from Chapman and Flint, of New York, complaining of the unjust discriminations of the Pacific railroads, who are striving to drive merchants from clipper ships to the exclusive use of the railroads, and saying that about four bundred merchants have been forced to bow to those companies, The writers of the letter add that they ask for no protection further than that railroads shall not unjustly discriminate against commerce and compel it to use only oue channel of transportation—namely, the railroads, Ambrose Snow said he appeared in his private | pacity as ashipowner, and also as a dolegate of tho New York Board of Trade and Transportation, to show what the present effect of the railroading sys- tem has on business, The shipowners had COLORED SCHOOLS ARE FOSTERED IN THE soura, Mr. Cain, one of the colored members from South Carviine, made a speech to-day which deservedly heretofore felt but little interest in_railroading, but now they found one of the most important routes of cominerce throatened with extinction by the Union Pacific Ratiroad, which discriminates against mer- chants who send their goods by the wa: of Cave x Horn, and has established the most arbitrary rules to govern them. Thus the merchants were brought face to face for the carry- ing trade witha largely under the gontrol of those who should be subject to the government which granted its franchise, To show how the sys- tem of rebate and drawback operates, Mr. Snow said aman might engage 5,000,000 bushels of wheat in Chicago, and on this receive a rebate of three cents a bushel in the transportation, This was $150,000, The rebate enabled the purchaser to pay one cent more per bushel than the ordinary purchaser, and taking the wheat to another market, sell it at one cent cheaper a bushel than anybody else, Having one cent remaining on each bushel he would thus realize $50,000 without, perhaps, having spent a dollar. Such things might go on fora few years, when all the other great staples of the country might be controlled in transportation by the railroads and their especial friends. Some of the rajlroads are heavily mortgaged, and combinations were formed from time to time to obtain control of them. This was no unimportant matter. One Jay Gould had gained control of the Union Pacific stock at 16 cents on the dollar. One needs but little foresight to see that he would soon put up the stock to par, and the way he would do this wonld be to make the users of the road submit to extortion, Men make fortunes by bearing and bulling more than by own- ing stock. Our flag has almost disappeared from the ocean, and shippers come here toask that this interstate commerce bill shall be- come a law in the interest of ships that navigate by way of CapeHorn, If the Union Pacific could depress or destroy shipping interests why might not the New York Central Railroad Company say to the Erie Canal shipper, “If you do not altogether send your freight by our road we will charge you double rates of transportation when the canal is frozen up?’ And 80 it might be with regard to other railroads in dis- criminating against the Mississippi River and the great lakes, Additional arguments were made by Mr. Morehead, representing the Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce, and Mr, Patterson, of Pennsylvania, at the conclusion of which the committee adjourned until next Wednes- day night. THE PENSION ARREARS BILL, e entire force of clerks in the Pension Office have been engaged for two or three days in securing in- formation concerning the amount of money it would probably require to satisfy the demands of the Pen- siop Arrearages bill now awaiting Executive action. There is no doubt whatever of the anxiety of the President to give his approval to this measure if he can do so without endangering the public interests, It is believed that to-morrow’s Cabinet session will elicit definite indications as to the fate of the bill. THE ARMY BILL BEPORTED TO THE HOUSE— NEW. LEGISLATION RECOMMENDED. ‘The Army Appropriation bill was reported to the House by Representative Hewitt to-day. The total amount recommended is $26,747,300, The total estimates amounted to $29,084,500, The sppropria- tion far the support of the army during the year of 1879 was $25,778,187. The committee at their session this afternoon concluded to strike out a number of the provisions heretofore informally agreed upon in their draft of the bill, and, as re- ported to the House, the new legislation recom- mended for enactment in the bill is as follows:—. Each member of the next two graduat- ing classes of the military academy may elect to receive $750 and mileage to his place of residence, the acceptance of which shall render him ineligible to appointment in the army untiltwo years atter his graduation. The ex isting limitation of the retired list is to be repealed and every officer who has been thirty yeara in service may upon his own application be placed upon it. And on or before January 1, 1340, every officer who shall have rendered forty years’ service, or who shall be sixty-two years of age, shall be retired; but the President may extend the limit of age to sixty-five years in any case where, in his judg- ment, the officer possesses peculiar fitness for his position. It is also provided that the Secretary of War shall cause reports to be made showing what officers may, in the opinions of their superior officers, be unfit for the efficient performance of military duty, and if any such officer shall not apply for permission to appear before a retiring board, he shall be retired compulsorily; but, in case of such application, he shall be retired or continued in service according to the recommendation of the Retiring Board if approved by the President. THE KID GLOVE CASES. The Secretary of the Treasury has addressed a com- munication to the Committee on Commerce of the’ Senate and the Committee of Ways and Means of the House requesting that the petition to Congress of A. 'T. Stewart & Co., of New York, that an investigation be made into the kid glove cases be granted and that the investigation be made as soon as practicable. THE POTTER INVESTIGATION: PREPARATIONS OF THE COMMITTEE FOR AN EX- AMINATION OF THE CIPHER DESPATCHES—THE WITNESS ST, MARTIN EXPLAINS HIS LYING IN NEW ORLEANS—EXONERATION OF MR. 8! ENGER. WASHINGTON, Jan, 23, 1879. Immediately upon the assembling of the Potter Investigating Committee this morning General Butler rose to a personal explanation, and read a statement from the Washington Post to the effect that the cipher despatches were in his posses- sion all last summer, and that at one time he missed them from his desk. He said that if he made a statement such as that he must have been drunk or insane. (Laughter.) On the contrary, what he did say was tg show the impossibility that the despatches came from him, and in this statement he was borne out by another member of the com- mittee. Mr. Hiscock—Yes, and I had good reason to believe that telegrams were copied for the Tribune before they came into your hands. Mr. Zelina Moses, a clerk in the office of the Secre- tary of the Senate and formerly private secretary to acting Vice President Ferry, was then called to the stand. Hoe stated that in 1876 the electoral certifi- cates for the various States came into his hands, He remembered the burlesque certificate from Louisiana calied the Smnith certificate. It was auppreased with- out objection. He did not know what beoamne of it. He last saw it in the hands of the official tellers. He did not remember that there had siuce been any de- mand for it. At this point the committee decided to hold a secret session. The secret session lasted about two hours, at the end of which time the doors were reopened and the Chairman said:—“‘About these two resolutions we have had this morning, do you intend to keep them under the ban of secrecy or otherwise ?”" Mr. Butler—Do you mean mine ? ‘The Chairman—Yours and Mr. Reed's. hen ty Butler—You may give them, as far as I am con- cerned. Mr. Reed—I do not object either. (Laughter.) GENERAL BUTLER'S RESOLUTION. ‘The resolution of General Butler read as follows:— mittee receive from Mr. Butler which he shal nplicnt copy to, be preserved Lor the use given to Mr. Butler; shal 6 ived be that, unless of “the origi opi ton, they shall be submitted pert, to sen by thy committee, who shall be hinke 9 faithful transeription of according to hin bost knowlodye, #kill and abilit he will not the eiphor « eal ko to do. ill rotor to the committee all printed shoets and telegraias committed to him with such transla: tions as he sball make, recelving from the committee such reasonable sum for his work as the committoo may judge Proper. A ‘The resolution was unanimously agreed to. ‘MR. REED'A REKOLUTION, Mr. Reed then offered the tollowing :— Whereas Mr. Hewitt, of New York, in his place in the House, after alleging that Mr. Sainuel J. Tilden bas boen charged with the cipher despacher, ise demanded that 1 iat Me, allowed to he represent soi in the suiue manner and under tho «nino Himitations ms « pe rained under inary resolution constituting: | Mi bLee, Mr, Reed remark6d that he offered this resolution in good faith, and not in any partisan spirit, The resolution was accepted. ‘THE WITNESS ST. MARTIN, Mr. Cox moved that, in compitance with the re- quest in behalf of Secretary Sherman and contained in the letter of Mr, Shellabarger of the 11th inst., 5. H. St. Martin be called and sworn, and that an exami- nation be made in the nature of a cross-examination on behalf of Mr. Shern ' Mr. Springer proposed as a substitute tho follow- my — Whereas one 8. H, Bt, Martin hi witness and is now in sttendanes been muipenand as & and whereas an ee affidavit, signed by him, has been brought to the Srowiedgw of ‘he omawtitos by Mr. Sherman, to (sy 4 : peas hie Sostimeny beface the pete ie eae * ‘ Tews Ai ¥ Me 'Sheraniai ts recall the said St- Martin, and be has failed to do 40; therefore Resolve. Phat the witness be discharged from further at- tendance before the committee. The chairman remarked that he agreed with Mr. Cox that no one should be responsible for producing St. Martin, or for his truth or credibility. Mr. Hiscock proposed the following as an amend- ment Whereas, 8. H. St, Martin, a witness examined by a sub- comimitios of this committee (aad their employe), has wade ai: afidavit to the effect that Bis previous tostiivony oi 3 therefore. Rosoived, That he be called by this committee and ex- amined touching said atfidavit and the truth thereof. Mr. Springer asked that the preamble be divided from the resolution, but this was not allowed, Mr, Hiscock’s amendment was accepted on & division as a substitute for the resolution offered by Mr. Cox. When offered as a substitute the following gentlemen voted for it:— Potter (chairman), Hiscoc: Reed, Cox, Butler, Blackburn, Stenger and Me on, against Springer and Morrison. ‘ST, MARTIN'S TESTIMONY. The chairman then called 8. H. St. Martin, who stated that he was the deputy marshal of Donaldson- ville, eighteen miles from New Orleans. While the sub-committee were at New Orleans he gave evidence before them, but afterward repented himself of hay- ing given falxe evidence and determined to expose those who had induced him to do so, He told his intention to several parties; he never hid it. He first told Mr, Maddox and Mr, Carter and afterward Governor Habn and Mr.John Ray. Then he met with @ man named Joe, whose other name he did not know, and was introduced to Judge Marks. It was a long time before the latter would have anything to do with the matter, but at length he did so, and wit- ness drew up an affidavit which was given to Mr. Shollabarger at Washington by Mr. Marks. The Chairman—Why did you not make the affi- davit at Donaldsonville? A, I do not know; there were certainly men there who could draw up an afli- dayit; I did not expect to get anything for it; Idid not ask for anything as faras the uflidavit was con- cerned, Q. What did you ask for? A, Well, sir, my ox- onses were to Washington; I received $30 irom Marks and $10 from Governor Habn, making $40 altogether; I had $60 before I came here; I did not receive this as pay tor tho affidavit; I had no under- standing with Marks that he was to get me @ position; I did not want one; my present place. is worth $75 or $80 a month; be- fore I came to Washington I asked Mr, Ray fora letter to Mr, Shellabarger; he gave me one, and us soon as I arrived Lere 1 called and gave the letter to Mr, Pitkin, who handed it to Mr. Shellabarger; the later said he would rather have nothing to do with me; afterward [asked Marks what he had done with any’ affidavit, and he replied that he had passed it to Mr, Sherman. TESTIMONY IN NEW ORLEANS. Q. While the committee was at New Orleans were you sworn after Dula? A. Yes, and contradicted him iw everything he said; I was called by Mr, Gibson. Q. Before you were examined did Mr. Stenger — Witness (interrupting)—No, sir, Mr. Stenger never—— Q. Please hear the quaniion. Did Mr. Stenger ask ing was true? A. No, sir; no- if what Dula was body did; of course I knew it was true, although I contradicted it; I never knew anything of this busi- yess before I went on the stand; when I had been exal were handed to me on a scrap of paper; I took it then, but returned it afterward to ‘ir. Gibson and Mr. Weber; I told them I was going to expose them, and Mr, Weber tried to “tix me” to go _vetore the ‘committee at Atlantic City, but I re- tused, MR, STENGER EXONERATED. Q. Your affidavit says that you were instructed b; Mr. Stenger to report “Not found” when you hi any subpenas to serve upon republican witnesses? A, It was not Mr. Stenger, but Mr. Maddox; it is a mistake, and I altered it as soon as I saw itin the newspapers; the aflidavit was made the 2d of Decem- ber, and I did not alter it until last week; I had’not a copy of the affidavit, and did not know Mr. Stenger’s name occurred where it ought to Mr. Maddox. The witness then stated how, when acting as ser- geant-at-arms of the committee, he had returned twelve or thirteen subpcenas with the report, “Not found;” he did so on instructions from Mr, Maddox; in all these cases they were witnesses who were re- publicans or whom he was unable to “fix up” to tes- tity as Maddox desired. Q. Did Governor Cox ever complain that you could not find these witnesses? A. Ido not know that he ; [never saw Governor Cox, THE CARTER AND GIBSON TELEGRAMS. The witness was next examined with regard to the telegrams sent in his name to Carter and Gibson. Weber, he said, told him that Gibson and Maddox had promised him $10,000 in cash and guaranteed that his ulloged defalcation as treasurer of the West Feliciana School Board should be squared; the telegrams in witness’ name were signed by him for Weber, who promised to hold himself responsible for everything that occurred, Q. Aud yet you were gy te expose him all over the country A. Yes; he knew what I could say before the committee and thought that by getting me to write these teiegrams he would bind me down; I do not know that they were satistied about my making the statement that Gibson had bought me, but I know that neither Weber nor Maddox nor Gib- son would care to make an enemy of me; wey. I could get $50 or $00 from thei at any time; they kept me all the time and paid my board bills. Q. After signing these telegrams for Weber, asking for money, you never send any similar requests for yourself? A. No; I did not want anything; I had returned them $450 before that. Q. Were all the 3 placed in the envelope with your affidavit? A: All except one, which was from Gibsen; he telegraphed me that he was not to be forced into buying testimony by threats or black- mailing; this was in answer to a telegram from Weber calling him a thief and a scoundrel, and stat- ing that he onght to be put in the Penitentiary. "NO. Now, when did {¢ strike you that you had been doing wrong by giving such evidence as that laid by you before this committee? A. When Governor Cox ‘was examining me; he gave me a pretty close exam- ination, and it he had kept on a bit longer he would have found it all out; that satistied me that I should not do to go on the stand any more. Q. Su) pa hed best: aie 40" Mh perfect!; . Suppose you m able ive Iy satisfactory answers to Governor Vox fn would not have come to that opinion? A. Yes, sir, I should; I suw that when on the stand it is very easy to tell the truth, but not very easy to stick to a lie, Q. Then Governor Cox yot the best of you? A. No, I think I kept even with him; you wor not go on the stand and let any! get the best of you, would you?—(langhter)—I think if a man goes on the stand to testity to anything—why, if he goes into lying, he be He right through; otherwise be should let it lone. Q. Now, if you wanted to expose this lying why did you not write about it to omeboay to Jolin Sherman, or anybody—instead of pending & month at New Orleans trying to persuade . Morris Marks to take your statement? A, Well, sir, 1don’t know; I want nothing but what is straight; if I have done anything that is not straight I should like it to be shown up; I have got as clear a conscience as any man around this table. Caughter. Q. Now, you began by tell ‘daddox and Carter that you had perjured yourself for them and would not do it any more, and they discharged you? A. I was discharged, but cannot say that was the reason. Q. And after that they paid you $25 to $50 to keep ‘ou still? A. Yes, they did; they did not think that would expose them all. Q. You received $460 to swear to a lie, and there- upon you do the swearing but return the money; then you tell them a are going to expose them; what do you get for that? A. Nothing, sir. Q. You do it for conscience sake. en you came here did you enter into negotiations with anybody as to pene aid? A. No, sit; 1 have never thought of such a thing; Ido not remember going to @ gentle- inan’s room and saying I was out of money; that the Fes, fone sna were ps fee with me and that I was not to be played with unless something was done for me; that if they did not help me I should contradict my affidavit—no, sir; the boot was on the other leg; somebody came to me; that was Mr. Maddox; I have not received acent sincelcame here and have not complained about it. On further examination upon his affidavit witness denied that he ever in to refer to Mr. Stenger’s conduct, and said that the charges therein made against that gentleman were untrue. ‘Mr. Potter then cross-examined him upon the evi- dence tendered-by the witness at New Orleans, taking the questions almost serialim as they stood, and re- questing the witness to point out those which wero true. A great part of his former evidence was declared by St. Martin. to be entircly false and given at the instigation of Gibson aud Maddox. This part of the examination was not concluded when General Butler suggested that the examination should be adjourned. porn omy pes of the sitting was passed in secret session, The cominittee, in secret session, this afternoon decided to have the cipher despatches lithographed aud published 1m pamphlet torm as 4oon us porsivle, and to send for experts to decipher them, ‘The com: mittee expect to commence to take testimony con- cerning them on Monday or soon thereafter, Wasutxoton, Jan. 23, 1879. In the case of Mra. Hazel, formerly Mrs. O'Brien, but who remarried while her husband was undergo- ing 4 life sentence in the Penitentiary, for the cus- tody of her child, taken possession of by O’Brien after his. pardon, the Court decided in favor of the claim to the child, and remarked that after had been abandoned two years the law — her @ right to a divorce, and when O'Brien had nn in the Penitentiary two she was entitled to claim # divorce, as it was by his own act that he went to prison, MINING STOCKS. SAN Franctsco, Cal., Jan, 98, 1879. ‘The following were the official closing prices of minnug stocks to-day :— Halo & Norerons..... 1734 Julia Consolidated... 3% Justice. 4a NEW YORK HERALD, FRIDAY, JANUARY 24, 1879--TRIPLE SHEET. THE OLD GUARD BALL. Beauty, Wealth and Fashion at the Academy. THE DANCING AND TOILETTES Beauregard, Gordon and a Host of Titled Guests in Uniform. The Academy of Music presented a brilliant appear- ance at twelve o’clock last night, when, amid cheers and bravas, the gorgeously uniformed processionals formed in line and the Old Guard, with its distinguished guests, struck out boldly to tho time of that charming auld lang syne qnickstep, “Love Not,” and marched around the hall. Although official prominence has recently been given to the report of the Inspector General, in which the Twenty-third regiment is placed in the van of the State militia, followed closely by the Seventh and the Twenty-second, it may be doubted if in social eminence any other military organization can ap- proach the Old Guard, in whose ranks are men of note from every honorable grade of life. ‘The Old Guard has no colone!, but it has a major all the time, and a grand ball once a year. Iu these two features the guardsmen and their friends take pride, pleasure and satisfaction, Their major—Mr. George Washington McLean—-has a civic as well as a military record, and it may be accepted as a fact that no officer can direct a promenade, hold a reception or conduct a battalion to a funeral with half his easy grace or half his gracious ease, On this oceasion the Major outdid himself. He intended meny years ago to make the annual frecoptions of the Old Gnard the feature of the social season and he didit. This year he sur- passed himself, a6 the ball certainly outshone all its predecessors, There is none of the bluff heartiness that characterizes the Leiderkranz; none of the gush of hospitality that marks the Arion; none of the stiff Grunéyisms that occasionally disfigure the Charity; none of the professional element that makes the Elks a curiosity shop for strangers; none of the graceful abandon or abandoned graces that attract all sorts and conditions of men from Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Boston and New York to the French ball, and perhaps not quiie so extensive a menu as that provided by our culinary friends who conduct the Cooks; but for all that the Old Guard balls are a name unto themselves. There is a certain formal stateli- ness abont them—a sort of » kind of a military je ne sais quoi that represses enthusiasm and insures ab- solute decorousness even when the gas burns low and the janitor rubs his sleepy eyes at four o'clock in the morning. THE ENTERTAINMENT. The Academy was beautifully decorated with bunt- ing and flowers. The stage was so arranged as to represent a huge tent, guarded on either side by a handsome brass howitzer. The boxes were draped with flags—one of which, at a cost of $1,800, was made in Paris and presented to the Guard by two sons of a deceased member—and at the extreme entl of the:hall, on a raised platform, were seats for the nobs and na- bobs, of whom General P. T. Beauregard and General Gordon were chief. New York is gradually becoming a place of late resorts. It was quite eleven o'clock betore anything of cage was done, except in the way of reception. Major McLean. took his posi- tion on the dais and graciously bowed to the guests, who were then and there presented to him. Ata few minutes before eleven &@ procession of uniformed men and elegantly attired ladies walked upon the floor and the dance began, while the inspiring notes of Dodworth’s Band started the blood in every light fantastic toe and filled the hall with harmony. ‘THE UNIQUE ORDER OF DANCING, It will be seen by the following order of dancing that somebody's wits had been at work devising com- pliments to the quests of the Old Guard:— Overture, “La Reine d'un Jour’ Selection, “Reminiscences of Ver March, “Otd Guard Reception’ Promenade—To th poe ry fs Joo the Boston ; ye ts—""Nuont due frele try, “The Tigers.” ‘alte. Leben.” Promenade—To the Sevonth Roglment Vi rookets.” n ke: Lanolers—"'The Chimes of Normandy.” Promenade—To the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Com- ny, Boston, “Grand Polonaise. ‘altz—"Fleurs de St. Petersbourg.”” Promenade—To the Twonty-seeond Regiment uf New York, 6 Greeting. Polka—"Tipferi.” Promenade—To the Worcester Continentals, “Le Petit Duc.” Galo ‘Maat und Erute.” rn rd, “Love N 1d Guard, in tary visitors are invited to partici p—"Knall und Full.” fed Train of Artillery, Providence, jot.” whieh all mili- ipate. Polka. Galop—“Banditen.” Promonade—To the Albany Burgesses’ Corps, “Chimes of Normandy.” Waltz-—"O, Schooner Mal.” Promenade—To the Twelfth Regiment of New York,"Marche Milltaire.”” Lanclers—“Central.” Officers of the United States Army, Ika Fantasie. Gelop—"Auser Rand und Band.” Promenade—To the Troy Citixens’ Corps, “Bum, Bum” (by request). Waltr—"Traumgebilde."? Promenade—Ty the Ollicors of the United States Navy, “Morcean ala Gavotte.” Polka—"Krautafidel.” Promenade—To the Utica hindei ad Corps, “La Malle des Lanclore—"Lin N Marjol ine.” Promenade—To the Washington Light Infantry, of Charles. n, “Dixie's Lan alte, “Mit Frohem Mut oventy-firat regiment,” of New York. “American Guard.” 1 Promenade—To the Lanciers, Promenade, To the * reyim of Maryland. ‘Always Gay.” Waltz, “Bail Chronik.” Promenade, To the Lancers” of Boston, “Grandfather's Cluck.” Galop, “Spradel.”” Promenade, To the “sta Fenclbles,” of Philadelphia, Walts, “Tmmortollen.” Promenade... .. oe seeeereeee eee FIDO THE GUEST! The gorgeous uniform of the Old Guard and the seaplegsien cogaery of their military guests, com- bined with ‘elegant costumes of Gotham made the Academy a parterre of glitter: aud even the eh swallow tails ee ere ci- by cont life and beauty to the scene, In the list of were noticed the following :— Hon. Chattes 3. ‘or of Worcester; jor Pratt, General J. B. Carr and , of Troy; Hon, William Stokley, Mayor of Philadelphia; ‘Town-end Cox; ‘Troy Citizens’ Corps; Ottoman Consulate Edward Sherer; Consul General of Russia, P’de Kartchesky ; Judge G. M. Speir; Lieutenant Colonel Louis Fi id; Brigadior General Beobe and _ staff, of the Eleventh brigade: Captain N. N. Noyes, of Boxton Tigers; Adjutant General E. | W. Moise, of South Carolina; City Troop of Philadei- — officers of steamer (United States) Colorado; cient and Honorable Artillery Company of Boston; Sefior D. Hipolito de Uriarte, Spanish Consulate Gen- eral; Now 8; Uaptain KE, P. Meeker, of United. States steamship Colorado; D. W. Botussi, Consul General of Greece; staff of the First division; N.G.8.N.Y,; officers of the United States steamship Minnesota; United States Army officers from Fort Hamilton; Judge ©. H. Sloson, of Vermont; T. L. Crittenden, United States Army; Captain Thomas F, Quinn, Fourth infantry; Hugh J. Hastings; United States’ Army officers from | David's Island; William = Laimbeer and A. Duryee; ~ diev General Smith and staff of “Connecticut; French Consulate General; Second division staff, N.G.S.N.Y.; ward room officers of United States teamer Marion; hemgie Citizens’ Corps, Major Clark Bell; ward room officers United States steamer Colorado; General George W. Wingate; medical of- York Naval Hospital; William 1. Bunker, Assistant Adjutant General Eleventh bri- ude; John I, Moody, New York and New Haven irowd; Clifford A. H. Bartlett, of Governor's staff; Asa Bird Gardner, United states Army, Governor's Island; A, P. Martin, command and H. A. Company, Light Emmons Clark and staff, of the Seventh ‘iment, oflicers from the Navy Yard; Captain L. P. baker, of the Washington Greys; General Alexander L Perry, Major George 8. Merrill, of Lawrence; Wi Martin and daughter, of New York; Si | Nichols, Jordan L. Mott, Mayor Kdward j and H. A. Company, Boston, oionel Hudestit Naylor, veterans of the Seventh iment, Gen- eral Shaler and stad, Fitth le stat, General Smith and staff, Providence light infautry; army and navy officers, W. i. Connor, A. J, Dann, Jr, Second brigade staff; Colone: Allon, le staft; Mra. Townsend, General Vel- piain C. St. John, Colonel L. CO. re Moss, KE. 8, Ballin, Captain Meeker, | Lieutenant Brown, Major ©. A, Alcott, Wardroom | — i jtiliar, J, H. bg Sse tines Pi , M, Isaacs, KJ. Legyett, J. loag- lund, G. W. Carhart, A. L, Dickinwon, A. W. Foster, Mr, Heddin aud Mrs. Captein Richard shearman, THE TOILMTS. It will interest the lady readers of the Henatp to | @ beantitul princesse toilet | style, over dress of know that the display of toilets was marvellous as the toilets themselves were superb. Hard times? Mineng other abeues were noticed » pale pink sik, mong other dresses were Dt a . full train, with overskirt of pink and white damassé, elaborate with Spanish lace; a black velvet under- skirt, full train, with overdress of corded silk, the edge cut in aqnares and bound in black, the whole Pitttity deny and very effective, lace sleeves; palo ue silk, beautit trimmed with ruchings and knife plaitings of tulle, short sleeves, hair and dress ga nished with small blue tlowers; black velvet, deep! flounced with black lace, corsage of point lace, nec! lace of diamonds, hair studded with diamonds set the form of stars; Black und comnts sotincombines: it blue * with trimmingsfof cream colored id and ‘l lace, diamonds; pale pink silk, dra) with flowers of Spanish lace; a delicate rose tint satin, princesse et velvet, with garniture of geht and silk embroidery and rich Oia lace; white silk and Swiss “muslin over pink em- broidered; @ claret silk, full tran, draped with goid, pink and claret brocade, diamonds and flowers for ornaments; a full train dress of pale blue corded silk, combined with blue satin brocade trimmed with point pe os garnished with flowers, abo corsage of roses; a rich dress of o: 0 color, trimmed with light blue and Taina, ote velvet mado up with cream colored siik décollete trimmed with lace and ivory colored brocaded silk; fuil train, point lace, knife 7 and fringe, large solitaire and ‘diamond — necklace; white brocaded gil train, point lace and knife pleatings; white brocaded silk, heavily trimmed with seed pearl lace; e white silk, with Spanish lac white satin and white brocade, trimmed with point lace, lace sleeves to match, corsage und front of tho skirt elaborately embroidered, and a full garniture of roses to match the embroidery; a pale blue satin, full trail, sides draped with wide bands of brocaded silk, in colors, edged with deep fringe, dress gar- nished with knots of claret, pink and blue ribbon, and a square corsage, edged with point lace, with sleeves ot alternate rows of sutin and lace. But where there were so many elegant and gorgeous combinations of the costumer’s art and the marital purse it was nigh impossible for a mere looker-on to catch the butterflies on the wing and penpoint their fair disclosures for the entertainment of the re of the Hukanp, Suilice it to record the extreme suc- cess of the ball from a toilet standpoint. A veteran Guardsman while refreshing his inner man paused to remark-—and his language was plain—that “in all ay lite, sir, and I have lived long, sir, I never at- tended a ball, sir, and I have been to them all, sir, where the ladies’ displayed such magnificent meke- ups, such gorgeous get-ups. Demme, sir, the cos+ tumes here, sir, are worth, with diamonds, not less than a million, sir, and I know it.” Then he finished his bottle and settled his chin in his stock ero he strode again upon the floor. Nor was the Vet. singular in this opinion. The guests trom the South and East were evidently amazed at the extraordinary turnout of the wealth and beauty and style of Gotham. The beautiful butterflies of North America, so admirably portrayed in a recently published work, cannot approach within a mile of the beautiful butterflies of the metropolis. Tho Queen of Sheba was a Cinderella by comparison, aud even Solomon, in all his glory, never dared array himeelf like some of these. ‘The supper room, where Westminster Gilson pre- sided @ (a carte, was beautifully decorated and densely crowded, but an excellent system ‘was methodically followed and every one was satisfied. At this time the boxes were alive with dazaling toilets and sparkling diamonds, One pair of diamonds in the coral ears of a Baltimore lady shone like stars, und were estimated by a utilitarian expert at $15,000, On the floor 200 couples were dancing a /a mode. Major Me to-day felicitates himself and con- Gepiletes his command upon a success unprece- nted and nos: enjoyable from every point ot vieWe THE BLAINE INVESTIGATION. MORE TESTIMONY AS TO FRAUD, VIOLENCE AND INTIMIDATION IN THE SOUTH CA‘@LINA ELECS ‘TION. Cuantestoy, 8. C., Jan. 23, 1879. The frst witness before the Teller committee to- day was C. C. Hayne, a colored republican, who tes tified to the beating of Freeman, the stuffing of ballot boxes at the Palmetto Engine House and the rejection of colored voters in the Eighth ward. J.J, Young, a colored republican, who was supore visor at the Thirty-two Mile House poll, testified that when the ballot box was opened an excess of 341 bal lots was found, all of which were democratic tickets; the surplus votes were drawn out, and all but five wore republican votes, The witness saw only two tissue tickets voted, Witness testified that tissue tickets had been used by the republicans at primary elections in Charleston years ago. A REPUBLICAN LEADER THREATENED WITH DEATH. The next witness was Sam Lye (colored), repub- lican, from Sumter, who testified that early in the canvass, at a precinct meeting at Swimming Pens, he was notified that no organization of the republican party would be allowed there; witness insisted, and twenty armed white men threatened to shoot him aud then rode off. Witness described the interference of the democrats with the Republican Conven- tion at Sumter, when there was a disturb- ance, but nobody was hurt; he next described the Rafting Creek meeting, where the democrats insisted on being heard, and told him that if he did not call the meeting to order he would be taken back to Sumter; he was knocked down, taken in a buggy to Sumter and told that if he would not ‘promise not to call another republican meeting in the county,’ he would be killed; ag tie Hampton meeting he was ill- treated forasking Governor Hampton a question, but Hampton rescued him. The meeting on October 12 was described at length, the witness ciaiming that the democrats had cannon to intimidate the negroes, and that one of the guns was loaded with ten-penny nails; the election was quiet, but there were 215 names more on the democratic poll list than thera were on the list kept by witness; these votes, he claimed, were tissue tickets which had been voted in the large democratic ballots; the extra names on the list, he was told, were taken from the Auditor's books. On crossexamination the witness testified that ho was a candidate for Congress in opposition to the regular republican, ticket in 1874, and during the canvass had charged the republicans with fraud, cor- ruption and intimidating the negroes; he admitted that he was not present at the meeting of October 12, and that loaded anvils were often tired off to make noise at political meetings; he knew that it had been proposed to hold a joint meeting on October 12. ‘THE SUMTER AND RAFTING CREEK MEETINGS. J. H. Stewart (colored), a school teacher, was called, and corroborated the testimony of Lee as to the Ratt- ing Creek meeting, the mecting on October 12 and the fraudulent voting at the election with tissue tickets. On cross-examination he admitted that both he and Lee had made speeches at Rafting Creek with- out interruption, that it was known before Octo- ber 12 that 8 democratic mecting was to be held at Sumter on that day; the democratic meetin, held at the depot some distance from the republicai meeting; heard no shots fired d' the day; he that leading democrats did their difficult it to prevent a T. J. lon (white) epablicea, aged ity-si: '. J. Coghlan (white), republican, seventy-six, was called:—He spoke at the republican meeting on October 12; had ‘never recognized Hampton as Gov- ernor and co! him an imbecile; atter tho meeting ‘he called the republicans together at the Court House to keep them out of trouble; the demo crats threatened to kill him; some red shirts ap ae him and he drew his pistol and bade them cep off. The witness corroborated the testimony of Lee and Stewart as to the election, At the invitation of Collector Baldwin the Teller committee und attachés this afternoon visited the points of interest in Charleston Harbor on the Reve- nue cutter Moccasin. They disombarked at Fort Sumter and attentively examined the plan snd site of the national jetties now in process of construc. tion, with which, it was evideut, they were favorably impressed, ARMY ¥ INTELLIGENCE, Wasuinaton, Jan, 23, 1879. The General of the Army, accompanied by one aide-de-camp, Colonel J. E. Tourtelotte, will inspect the Department of the South, proceeding via Chatiay nooga, Tenn., and Atlauta, Ga., and returning vig New Orleans, La., and Department Headquarters, Newport, Ky. Captain J. Scott Payno, Fifth cavalry, is ordered to Chicago, to report as a witners to Presideut of thecourt of inquiry now in sess#on there in the case of Major Reno. A general court martial, to consist of Major Z. R, Bliss, Twenty-tifth intantry; Captain J.T. Haskell, ‘Twenty-third infautry; Captain D. H. Murdock, Sixth infantry; Captain J, Simpson, Assistaut Quartor. master, and First Lieutenant Dimty, Eleventh infantry, and First Lieutenaut F. A. Whitney, Righth infantry, J Advocate, is appointed to mevt at David's Now York Harbor, on the 27th of Jan- uary for the trial of such prisoners as may be brought before it. The wens rier gg ag the general recruiting ser- vice is to cause 175 recruits to be prepared and forwarded as follows:—Twonty-four to Fort Supply, Indian Territory ; nty-one to Fort Elliott, Toxus; thirty-four to Fort Dodge, Kansus; twonty- five to Fort Sill, Indian Territory; twenty-one to Fort Reno, Indian Territory, and Afty t8 Jacksou Barracks, Orleans, La. NOT GUILTY OF MURDER (BY TELEGRAPH To THE HENALD.) Tenak Havre, Ind., Jan, 23, 1879, The reputed murderors of Kva Peters, an old lady who was robbed, outraged and then strangled about three years ago, were released from custody this afternoon, They are John Trader, who is now sory. ing @ life sentence in the Penitentiary; his wife, Cathart andone Frank Smith. The case sted on the testimony of Catharine Trader, that her husband, with herself and Smith, went to Mias Petera’ house, robbed wud out her, and tying her to a bedpost left her to strangle to death. Her husband and Smith denied all knowledge of the affair, To-day, in the’ court. room, when cross-questioned Mrs, ‘Trader told hey story with such inconsistency, frequently contra dictiny herself, that the jury, without leaving the box, returned a verdict of not gailty. This o hag excited considerable interest ere, as the victi a mi of one of our best and must res families, \