The New York Herald Newspaper, January 26, 1879, Page 5

WHAT IS TRUTH? | Remarkable Testimony Before the Potter Committee. ST. MARTIN'S “REVELATIONS.” The Sherman Letter as a ; Money-Making Myth. SAUD AND. DECEPTION. A Witness Who Can Afford to Ignore Facts. BULL-DOZING BUTLER “You Wou'd Not Tell Me It Was a Lie Outside of This Room.” Wastinotox, Jan, 25, 1879, The witness St. Martin was again before the Potter Committee this morning. The room in which the investigation is being conducted was densely crowded throughout the day’s proceedings. Mr. Cox resumed his cross-examination of yesterday, speaking first with regard to three indict- ments which the witness had admitted were _ found against him. Upon this point the latter said that in two of the cases he was not even arrested, and in the third he gave himself up to the Sheriff, and was released on bail, but the Grand Jury found nothing against him. Mr, Cox—Then you have not been under indict- ment atall? A. No, sir; but Idid not understand it exactly. Q. In your affidavit there is a statement with re- gard to Weber’s interview with you in May last prior to his departure for Washington. Please state the circumstances of that interview. A. Well, I was in the habit of going . to Weber's house every day, and one day while U was there he received a letter from Mrs. Jenks; he read that letter and then handed it to me; I read it, and, says he, “Mrs. Jenks is a damned fool; I know nothing of such adocument;" if there was such a document in existence he knew nothing about it. Q. What was the document? A, The Sherman let- ter. Q. What did he say about it? A. Well, he left Donaldsville and said he was coming here to see about that letter, and asked me if I would testify that I witnessed the destruction of it; if Sherman would not provide for him he would go on the other side, he said; 1 refused his offer. NEVER SAW THE SHERMAN LETTER, Q. Did you ever see any such paper or witness the destruction of it? A, No, sir; afew days after that he wrote a letter to Mr. Morris, of New Orleans, to show that he did not know anything about it; he had made inquiries aboutit, but could find nothing about it. Q. State distinctly how much board bill, &c., was paid you while you acted as sorgeant-at-arms to the committee, and by whom? A. Mr. Maddox and Mr. Carter paid me; they called at the hotel; just before left Mr. Carter gave me some $4 or $5 in silver, and Mr. Maddox paid the board bill and took a re- ceipt for it. Q. In your conversations with Mr. Maddox in Wash- ington what did he say with regard to testifying to your adidayit? A. Well, once wheu FE called at his room (I stated yesterday that I only went to his house ‘twice; I went inure ftiati that) he told me he bad the affidavits of Mr. Carter and Mr. Gibson and » Bis own which he would bring against me; he read ‘his ‘own affidavit, and told me that if I would write him the letter hé a#ked me about that he would with- draw everything, and nothing should be published ‘against me. , Q. What conversation had you about the truth of his affidavit? A. He: laughed over it, of course, and said he-should have to make a show; I don’t suppose the affidavit will come here. Mr, Cdx--That is no matter, Witness—Well, I suppose if the affidavit does not come here he will— Q. Iw regird to the conversation with Weber and the despatches that were sent; look at this paper. A. This is a copy of a letter written by Mr. Weber to me on the 2ist of November, 1878, Mr. Hunton—Where is the original? A. Mr. Weber bas it; Ihave two or three witnesses who have seen the original; I was advised to make a copy af it; it ‘was copied by a man named Jembois; he used to do writing for Mr. Acklen. | Q. Did you keep the original? A. No, I sent it back; I had it copied on the advice of Governor Hahn. Mr. Cox asked that this letter be put upon the rec- ord, as it had distinct reference to the letters and telegrams with regard to the settlement of Weber's school board case, It was part of this transaction, but of itself was of little moment. The letter was as follows :— WEBER'S REMARKABLE LETTER. Doxatpaviniy, Now: 21 wp terd: ‘Tilden. Noe Maddox RIEND Sam—I sce in t! ib hud a falling out. wil Theard it, and write m that you heard t am more afrai en that nothing hae been done in m ease. Ask them if if wilt bo settled. Tell them you ure in- terested in it. Don't toret to send those caps. “If yon fail to wend ther -morrow morning by the train give them to ne o evening. My Si Fell hi to bnek nit er on board. Send this le closed to Maddox. If he t HOt there return it tome. A copy foll In the course of further examination witness testified that sometot the witnesses who were prom- ised protection dil yo home, but none of them stayed there; one day he met Armstead, who told itt that Dulton. one of the witnesses who had re- hi and then turned tu bis hore, bad frst been Ww! hung; Armatead said, “I thought Lw« me round ‘and tell you about it; this is the way they have ful- filled their promises to us, Q. You told wn yeate A. yy vat hi ang . Did say anything it dividi: ‘ith Mrs, p%. Weber? A. Well, he toid me he hed’ given her ™ 7 shut, n—Q. You spoke of this affidavit bein, written by Yoo.’ Have you found his other name? man_named A. No, sir. Q. Was he not chief clerk in Mr, Marks’ office? A, Twas introduced to him as Marks’ chief deputy. Q. Did you ever have any intention of going back on your affidavit’ No, sit; if any one says I ever intended to do su hing he tells a barefaced lie, because I would not have gone through this trouble if 1 was going back on it. ‘Mr. Cox—One question | omitted. Mr. St. Martin, in regard to this conversation with Mr. Weber with Feterence to his testimony—did he make any written statements or put any written statements in your hands’ A. hada letter that told me everythin, it was signed by him; all the arrangements everything elxe; Thad that letter a good while until ho asked me to return it to him, ‘The Chairman—Who was this somebody who gave him the $1,000? A. He said it ¢ from Mr, or Mr. Maddox; he got that in Washington. The Chairman—Quite sare about it? A. Well, am sure he told me #0. HOW ST. MARTIN SERVED SUBPOENAS. The Chairman went on to ask the wituess a num ber of questions relative to the subparnas that he re- turned ‘not found,” reading over the names to him and asking the particular detaily relative to each. The witness admitted he did not look for the persons named at all. ‘Phe Chairman (to witness)—There does ne been returned by you a si ne ixsned by Governor Cox or Mr, Reed ? A, 1 did not x they were issued by Mr. Cox or Mr. Heed, but Yrom information L received those names have been furniahed to t mmittes by those gentlemen. we Who gave you that information 7 A. ‘ever. The Chairman—Here are the subpanas of Emery, Lasker, Morgan, Colton, Smith and Henry. You did not look tur them? A. No; Lknew they would not wo back on their former testimony, Q. Had you no other reason for knowing that these names were au plied by republican memvers of the committee? sir; Ido not know who gave bs to the at ry Yer yt Duncan had some of awl at in my ee and some I might have given to Mr. Maddox. Q. What other witnesses were there upon whom you did not serve the subpanas given to you? A, 1 NEW YUi do not remember their names; I at New Orleans; Danean brought them there, x Those you did not get somebody else got? A. ex. Mr. MeMahon—Who furnished the names of those who were to testify? A. If Lam not mistaken the | names were furnished by Mr. Maddox; he had » book | similar to that on the table, and I saw him taking | names out of it. MADDOX AX A WITNESS PRODUCER, Q. Maddox furnished the names of witnesses who would go back on their former testimony ? A. Yes, | sir; and Weber knew every man that had given testi- mony before the Returning Board, and knew every | one Who would go back on his testimony. “8 Q. Between the time that Maddox yuve these names | to the committee and the tin served them, had Weber been up the country to'sce those witnesses ? A. Oh, no: he knew better than to go up there; e dare not go up there to-day; on my trip to Bayou Sara Thad those few witnesses up stairs, and when Weber got on the boat he went right upstairs and stayed with them wntil we got to New Orleans, when they were taken to No. 75 Conti street and were never out of our sight until they testified; Maddox sup- | plied the names and Weber told me each witness who would testity right. ‘Mr. Reed—I should like to know if the Chairman has the same understanding I haye, It seems Mad- dox gave these general instructions as to who mught recant, and Weber gave the specitic instructions as to who the witness was to operate on. ‘The Chairman—Q. Mr. Maddox gave you the sub- sas and Webor said you might see go and #0.a8 to their testimony? A. fe did not say I might; he said tell them I am here, and they must come; be knew what they would say. Q. With regard to Stowart, was he driven away? A. Weber told me that they all left st. James at the sume time. Q. Yet Stewart was examined before the Returning Board and never said he was a fugitive + Mr. Reed—It might be the witness was a fugitive in consequence of his evidence betore the Returning UK The Witness—Ob, I know sometl about that business; if ever you make an affidavit we call on you and say you must move at once, and then you have to move. Q. How many of the witnesses did go home? A. ‘two of them went back—Armstead and Balton— and I think Duncan went back; Duncan went on a trip and did not stay more than a day; Armstead stayed there until they drove him away again. Q. Then his testimony betore the Returning Board was of no use to him? A. No, sir; you have it all wrong; you mean_ his testimony before the commit- tee did not amount to anything; it was not the repub- licans that drove him away, Q. You swore you could guarantee them immunity from molestation in the future if they came before the committee, and yet you did not? “A. Yes; it was understood that if they recanted they should go back, and I went to Feliciana and spoke to a great_ many of the leading men there about it, and they said these witnesses might 40 back: I saw Governor Wickliffe and Mr, Fisher, and they said if these darkies would xo back on their ‘testimony and testify like Weber they might go back all right. Q. Do you mean to swear to that? A, I will swear to something else; I will tell you how I was received saw them afterw: ara! | and am glad to see you; ry a7 HERAL God you bad better leave: we saw your name ir the paper in connection with Weber. Q. You were speaking of driving men out, and that you were one of that kind? A, We never drove anybody trom our parish, if it was done. ‘The Chairman—You must take this on your own account, Mr. Reed. Ido not know that we called the witness on bulldozing. Mr. Reed-—Bulldozing! IT am only making clear one of the auswers that you got out and which might da different construction. SU “matter which is not T! before the committee, Mr. Reod—It relates to expressions made before the coumittes that might convey an, entirely different finpression to what was intended. fhe Chairman—Then strike it out. Mr. Reed-—Oh, if the Chairman wishes it, all right. To the witness—Aiter you had sent the telegran: to Mr. Gibson, calling him a liar, & you niet Mr, Maddox down at New Orleans; what did he say? A. Well, sir, I met | strect and he said, “I have just arrived we went into his room and to drink, and then he got me to bring he spoke to Weber of the school board t in hell do you send those tele- when Maddox met me in Canal street know well you did not send them.” if the Chairman will fayor me with the telegram which he he has trom Mr. Acklen I will be obliged, ‘The Chairman said he would not like to hand it in at present. Mr. Reed—I shall ask the reporter to take notice that I have asked for it and you decling to let me have it, Mr. Hiscock—What is the telegram? Mr. Reed—It is a telegram trom Mr. Acklen, which, the Witness says, relates to this transaction, Mr. Hixcock——Have you seen the telegram? Q. ‘Then, give the coutents of it? ‘The chatrman explained that he wished to see Mr. Acklen, to inquire whether he sent it, and then he would produce it. Mr. Reed accepted this explanation. GENERAL BUTLEK EXAMIN] ST, MARTIN, General Butler, who hud entered the committee room but a tew moments previously one or two things in the witness’ statement that he did not understand. In the first place, Mr. St. Martin, in making this affidavit you went to the clerk in Mark's office, und he wrote it down. Did he write it in short hand or m long hand? “A. I don’t know what short hand is; I believe he wrote it just as it is; perhaps he altered the words a little. Q, Aud then you read it over carefully? A. Yes, but Ido not read English very well. Q. You ‘say that this clerk in taking down the name of Maddox, which yon gave him, made a mis- take and put down that of Stenger; you had been talking about Maddox and Stenger and got them mixed up alittle? A. I suppose so: T never had a1 ideu that Maddox was chairman of the committee ; I knew he had a great deal to do with it. Q. You say that Mr..Weber furnished Mr. Stenger with the names of the witnesses and the questions that would be put to each witness; you meant Mad- dox, did you not? Sienger was used right there. Q. Was the clerk who wrote the affidavit ever seen him on Cat there that night. ‘The Chairman—I do not want to know how you were received. ‘The Witnexs—I guess not. ‘The witness was shown that his statement with re- gard to the date on which he served the subpoenas on Armstesd and Duncan did not tally with the state- ment on the recor replied, ‘It does not matter what the record says; there are a great many things there I did not do. ALLEGED BLACKMAILING DESPATCHES, Q. Had you any letters trom any of them. A. I had one or two from Maddox, I think, but there was nothing in them only, « few words. “The following telegram was handed to him:— New Oreans, Oct. 31. A. M. Giasox, Washington :— Bee W. case settled at once and I will see he statement as you want. This matter m me. 8. HL ST. 3 Witness—I did not write it, but I signed it. Q. And you got this answer— kes such Wasutneton, Nov. 1. To S. H. St. Martix, New Orlen — T want no statement from . If I did I would not buy'him, even if he was for sale, which I have no reason to believe. A. Yes. Q. Then you sent these telegrams, didn’t you? A, Weber wrote that, too, sir, and I signed it. New Or.eans, Nov. 1. statements you will force rs, Witness—I sent that, but I did not write it. Q. You are not # good penman? A. No, sir; but by you in the committee room? A, No, sir. ‘Q. It you meant Mwldox instead of Stenger, how comes it that it is written Chairman of the Commit- tee? A. Well, Limentioned the subject to him. It is a mistake that I cannot account for. ‘The question was repeated. ‘ Witness—You may keep me: here six months and Ican't say differently. Can you give @ reason for every mistake that you make? Genetal Butler—Well, I will try to. between you and me is that [ ain examining y e not examining me; and, besi not sworn to a lie. Witneess—W do not know about that, General Butler—I do not want to bandy words with you. Answer my question. Witness—I have answered it as well as Tcan. Q. Have you ever heard this wufidavit read over in Washington? A. No, sir; well I heard Mr. Maddox read it over to me on my first interview with him; that is he read part of it, the part referring to Mr. Stenger, and I admitted it was a mistake. Q. You stated, “I know it is wrong; I am going to fix it up?” A. Itold him I knew it was wrong and that I intended to correct it. Q. Did he tell you where to get a copy? A. He told me my affidavit was in the hands of the committee and that Leould get it from some of the democratic. members. Q. How long was it before you did fix it.up? A, Oh, say two weeks. : BUTLER RAISING A “SCEN! Mr. Butler (to witness)—I want to know if you took any staps, knowmg this man had been injured, to correct the injury before it reached the public? The difference and I have he never wrote any of those telegrams for me; they all refer to his case. Q. What was the statement Weber would be forced ie make? A. Weber was going to recant about that ime. Q. Did you get this answer:— TON, Nov. 1, 1878, hing: threats to me, iting your money tel: ing stutements oF the silence of biackuuail A. M. GIBSON, A. Yes, sir. Q. Then did you telegraph after that? A. Yes, sir; there was a telegram after that; that is the one I did not produ sd Q. Is this it? New Orirass, Nov. 1. BRON re a liar, <hief and esonndet, Maddox and Carter TFpropaeeto totlge you in the Penitentiary, where you belong. A. Yes, sir, and Maddox was not offended: at me. He knew all about it, and when he saw me afterward he asked me to his room, and we took a drink to- gether. . THE SHERMAN LETTER SCHEME. Q. Tell me what Weber said with regard to the Sherman letter. A. He said there was some money to be made out of that letter, and that he would go to Washington ard impress all their men with the - idea that he had the letter or that he had destroyed it, and had a friend who had witnessed its de- struction; he asked me to allow him to use my name and state that I had witnessed its destruction; I told him I would not consent to it; he went on to say if he could not make anything there he would see what he could make on the other side, and if I would consent for him to use my name he would ask Mr. Sherman for $10,000 for his testi- mony and vive me $3,000 of it. Q. When did you see him next? A, I sa% him when he came back from Washington; he told me h had seen Mr, Maddox and Mr. Carter and Mr. Gibson he did not say that any of Sherman’s had proposed “anything ‘to him: if I am not nustaken I think he was subpenaed as a republican witness; after he came back from Washington he told me partly what was done; he told me Maddox and Carter were followmg him every day, but that he would not go upon the stand until the last moment, because he would not give him the money; he afterward said that before he went on the stand they came to his room and fave him $1,000; if they had not given im that he said he should have testified the other way; he told me what transpired here, but I cannot remember it now; I remember this, though—he pulled out $1,000 while he was at Donaldsonville and showed it to me, and said half was for Mrs. Weber; he had to give her that, he said, to keep her mouth shut. NEVER KNEW A DAMNED THING ABOUT IT. Q. Did he tell you anything else about the Sherman letter? A. Yex, ‘sir; he told me he never knew a danmed thing about it, and that Mrs. Jenks was a amned fool; I went to his sister-in-law’s to see if sho knew anything about it. Q. You say that Weber was @ particular friend of yours, and yet you refused $3,000 to swear about the jeter when he asked you? A. Yes, sir. Q. But when Mr. Gibson, whom you hal never seen before, came np and asked you to swear to a lic, how came you to do it? A. Well. that evening I was under the influence of liquor; I was under the in- fluence of liquor when I went on the sta Ther you were drunk? A. I don’t know that I was drunk, but I had been drinking; 1f Thad had as straight a head as T have now, I would not ha on the stand at all; that was how they took me; that is the reason why L cannot exact words they said to. me; Governor Cox could see I was under the influence of liquor, Q. Have you talked with*Mr. Cox about that? A, No, sir; [do not think 1 did—yes, I think I did imen- it. itness here voluntecred the following:—‘T have the man who sent that She r if there ever was a Sherman le t it it; 1 don't believe there was Q. Did Weber tell you that he made any further bunt for the letter, and would he have told you had he found it? Witness—Yes: I suppose he would. Q. Did you never make an affidavit for money AY No; [never had an application of the sort made to me wotil I came to Washington, when Maddox tried it on me. ased of forgery? A. No: 1 ts for sale, but I did not sell ceount, « Did you indorse one yourself? A. Yo sir; I it was in this way; a man there told me, “it you ‘will put your name to one ot these warrants, as the owner, Iwill buy it;'” he said there was no harm in my doing so, and atter consulting one of my friends he told me it would be all right; I «1gned it and the warrant was not worth a cent then, Q: Did you sign it with the other n I put both on it; they were warrants for some raacality in Louisiana; th him for ery? tp the quorum in the Packard Leg. islature; the other name I put on the warrant was ‘Twiteher; I only signed one for $100, Q. What are ‘your present relations with Webe A. He haw always been friendly to me, bnt this m ter has brought about a split. Q. What did Mr, Gibson offer you for going on the id? A. Tdon't remember; he gave me $400, . Q Did you ever see Maddox give Weber any imoney? A, Why, of comrse Eaid: it Cdidn’t see hin adozen times i didn’t see hin every tine eber needed money tor witnesses Maddox yave it to him. DIAMOND CUTS DIAMOND. Q. And you can't say the amounts that were given? It looks suspicious that you have lost the memoran- dum inwheh you pat down the sume that were paid, A. It would have looked more suspicions it I had pro it. Mr. Reed—When you were speaking of your inter- view with Governor Wickliffe and auother man you said there was something to tell aboutit. State what took place when you went to Bayou Sera, A. [ went to the hotel, and after getting @ horse rode to St. Francesville, there I went into a di store and in a a & A. No, sir; I cre Hepa anything until arter the affidavit appeared in the newspapers. Q. You inew this affidavit had been handed to General Sherman? A. Yes, sir. (Q. Have you ever called’ on him? A. No saw him. Q. Did you go to Mr, Shellabarger and say “Don’t us@that affidavit. Itisall wrong, allalie. It will huf Mr. Stenger]?” A. No, sir; 1 never did; I do not say it is all a he. General Butler—Is it not a lie ? Witness—Let me tell you this; Ido not think you shonld stand up here and insult me. General Butler—But we both agree that it is a lie. Don't we? Witness—I say itis a mistake. You have the ad- vantage of mé now, and you know it. You cannot tell me it is a lie outsideat this room. General Butler—But this was a sworn untruth, and you let it go out without taking means to.cor- rect it, and yon now say nobody could talk to you like that outside of this room. A. I think you are treating me rather rough, and I am not in the habit of being treated in that way, let me tell you, General Butler repeated the first part of his ques- tion. Witness said he didn’t believe he should answer again, and nobody should make—(muttering some- thing about adanmed fine thing), Being pressed he appealed to the Chairman, again saying he had no in- tention ot doing Mr. Stenger an injustice, and that it was a mistake and not a he. The Chairman told him he must answer the question; but General Butler helped the witness out of his difficulty by putting the question in another form, and witness stated that he intormed Governor Cox that the affidavit was wrong before he saw it pabl i BUYING WITNESSES, General Butler continued the cross-examination, and in reply to him witness said that while in New Orleans he gave Mr. Stenger to understand that he (witness) had to buy witnesses; that he bought Arm- stead and Stewart, and that Swayze wanted $1,000 tor histestimony; he never told Mr. Stenger right out, except about the last named witness. Mr. Hiseoe You sssumed, when talking with Mr. Stenger, that he knew as much about what was being with these witnesses as Maddox did. The Chairman—That is not what he si Mr. Hiscock—I believe itis what he meens. you, Mr, St. Martin ? Witness—Yes, sir. Mr. Hiscock—When you made that attidavit you had concluded, from certain facts, that Mr, Stenger knew the witnesses were being corrupted? A. Yes. Mr. Springer—You say in your affidavit that during entire session of the committee in New Orleans Maddox, Gibson and Carter were busy in- he witnesses by means of offers of mon u know Mr. Gibson was doing it? Id juage trom ¢ Q. Did you see him influencing others? A. sir; but ail the others got their money trom him to pay the witnesses, Sir. Hiscock—You were drawing your conciusion from these facts’ A. Yes. ipringer—Then it ts not true? A. I think it is I never though. Dia th conclusions, A, Well, L saw him pay Swayze; he did not hand the money to him; it was handed to him by Gibson's orders though. ‘The Chairman—I have asked Mr. Acklen whether he sent the telegram which has been referred to, and now L beg to hand it over. The telegram was as fol- lowa: New ORLEANS, Oct. 31, 1878, To A. M. € x, Corcoran Building, . Wh contempl hat action do sider that $1,000 tight settle it, This was the answer Was TON, Nov, 1, 1878. To Hon. J, M. Acker, New Orlewns:— A despatch, purporting to be signed by you, was received at my office bise might daring my absence. Tt retates subject with whieh [haven « proposition whi st unless: been grossly imp AMG The Chairman—Did you tell Mr, Marks about the teloyram ? A, Yes, sip; bat [do not remember telling him the answer. Mr. Hiscock then proposed tie following resol t aftidavit sisted the STN, ae and thy the charges aeuinat Secretary Sherman itis Resolved, That said Anderson be roeatled and examined touebinys the allegations in such aft davit The committees then adjourned to Monday morn- ing. when St. Martin will again be plaved on the stand, and it is probable that the members of the committee will testify. investigation ot the cipher despatches will be commenced on Tuesday morning. COAL MINES ON. FIRE, PorrsviL LF, Pa,, Jan, 25, 1879. The Locust Gap Mines, situated between Mount Carmel and Shamokin and operated by Messrs. & Shepps, were discovered on fite last night ot a me ienited is not yet re report the tire to yet at, dense volumes of smoke coming ap the slope. An engane, with « gang of experienced workmen, was sent down this morving, having with it a large quantity of hose, to use should it be found necessery to drown the fire out. There are other cotttert the immediate vicinity, and it’ is thought ness prompt measures are tiken to drown the fire it will spread to those mines, ‘Two hundred and fifty men and boys were em- ployed in the burning mine, all of whom are above ground, having come up daring the night. If the imine showldé be filled with water It will require six few minutes Mr. Fiechar walked in; i told him w! T was, and wanted to know my bist . said L was working for the atb-committee in serv. ing subpoenas; he replied, “If you come here for that purpose it is ail rigat, i you don’t, by monthe to putap if oat and seven months before work could be reaubind in it. At present it is im: poesible to estimate tae lows, though it will be heavy ME gol got Under immediate control, sid there were | Js that your answer? at I want the witness to swear to is facts, not | in | INDAY, JANTARY 26, 1879.--QUADRUPLE | WASHINGTON. | | Congress Providing More Liberally for ; the Postal Service. INDIANS: on Endeavors to Place Them Under Con- trol of the War Department, THE FOUR PER CENT SUBSCRIPTIONS. President Hayes Signs the Arrears ; of Pensions Bill. GENERAL WASHINGTON DESPATCHES. Wasnineron, Jan, 2 WHO SHALL CONTROL THE INDIANS? ‘The joint committee appointed to consider and _re- port upou the question of the advisability of trans- | | ferring the management of the Indian service from the Interior Department to the War Department met | this morning, All the members were present, and, | after some discussion, all aunounced that they had made up their minds upon the subject. A vote was then taken, which resulted as follows :— Against the proposed transfer—Senators Saunders and Oglesby and Representatives Stewart and Van Vorhes—4, In favor of the proposition —Senator McCreery and | Representatives Scales, Hooker and Boone—t. ‘There will, therefore, be two reports submitted to | Congress, one of which will be prepared by Senator Saunders and the other by Representative Boone. The latter will advocate a complete transfer i the former will oppose any change in the pres- ent system of Indian management, except possibly by the enactment of a law which shall grant the President discretionary power to place wild or hostile tribes under the direct con- trol of the military authorities during certain periods or for specified purposes. A general proposition of | this nature was suggested by the republican mem- Lers to their democratic colleagues on the committee | as the basis for a possible unanimous report, but it was not accepted. After the vote was taken this morn- ing a controversy arose as to which of the two reports should be given parliamentary prece- dence in their presentation to Congress. The oppo- nents of the transfer claim that its advocates, having | failed to obtain a majority vote in behalf of their proposition, the latter must be considered technically a minority, as an amendment offered to an existing law fails upon atic vote. The matter was not de- cided, and will be a subject of dispute hereafter. The vote of the committee was upon the following resolu- tion offered by General Scalesg— Resolved, That it is the opinion of this committee that it is expedient to transfer the Indian Burean to the War Department, and that, in the opinion of this committee, the transfer should be made. Senator Saunders, during the debate in the com- mittee, announced that while he opposed the transfer of the bureau to the War Department, yet he was in favor of authorizing the President, at his dis- eretion, to turn over to the War Department the control of any tribe or tribes that might be in rebéllion, or be giving trouble, or such tribes as he (the President) might think best at this time; and that he was in favor of the Sioux being transferred at once, with the reservation, however, that such transfer shall not affect the schools or farming interests, &c. The Senator is also in favor of consolidating the smaller reservations with the larger.ones, but keeping the more remote Indians North and sending those of the South to the Indian ‘Territory. He thinks the Indians onght to hold lands in severalty and ought to become qtizens as rapidly as possible. These views will be, embodied in his report, and will Le signed by.those who yoted with him to-day. He will also present. a bill in the Senate providing that the authority be given the President as above stated. The committee will hold a final meeting next week, preparatory to presenting their reports to Congress on some day not later than the Ist of February, PAYING THE MEXICAN CLAIMS. The third instaiment of the Mexican indemnity will be paid on the 31st inst., the day itis due. This $900,000 received on account. of awards to rican citizens. The question submitted to the State Department concerning the Weil and La Abra ds is still under consideration. They involve 1,000, ‘The Mexican government has submitted alarge mass of documents to show that the awards in these cases were procured by fraud. COMPENSATION OF DISTRICT ATTORNEYS, ‘The House Committee on Reform in the Civil Ser- ice this morning authorized Judge Durham to re- port to the House, for passage without amendment, his bill fixing the compensation of district attorneys, The bill gives a fixed salary, in liew of all fees and allowances, except mileage at five cents per mile when compelled to leave their places of abode, ‘The salaries fixed are:—For Maine, New Hamp- shire and Vermont, 0 each, Massachusetts, $5,000, with two assistants at $2,000 each. Rhode Island, $2,500. y York—Kastern dist 000, with one assistant at $1,500; Northern dis- trict, $5,000, with two assistants at $1,500 each; Southern district, $10,000, with three assistants at $3,000 each and three at $1,500 cach. New Jer £3,000, with one assistant at £1,200, Pennsylvania— Fastern district, $5,000, with one assistant at 2,04 Western district, $4,000, with one assistant at £2, Maryland, $5,000, with one assistant at $1,500, trict of Columb: nn, M THE TREASURY, Dis- j NOTES Jay's report have atiounted to $14, mand upon the Treasury to-day for sil lars was for $25,000; for the month, $499,000, DU AND CIGARS, A special meeting of the Senate Finance Committee was called for this afternoon, with a view to taking | action on the House bill, amendatory of the Internal Revenue laws, which provides, among other thing for reducing the tax on tobacco; but no quoru aysembled, and therefore no action was taken on the Hill, although the members in attendance made siderable progress in preparing it for formal action next wepk. ‘The committee have, however, decided to report against a reduction of the tax on cigars, BREAKING UP ILLICIT DISTILLERTES. | ‘The Commissioner of Internal Revenue to-day re- | ceived the following telegrams :— Raven, N.C. Jan, 95, 1 Revenue Agent Kellogg and Deputy Collector Fa rell just returned trom Chatham, Captured Shaft. ner’s ilieit distiliery, 13 beer stands, 20. gallons singlings, &e, Dest! . YOUNG, € Lyxennure, Va., Jan, | Deputy Collector Austin has returne along, Virginia and West Virginia line. He eap five distiveries and made several arrests, ‘The West | Virginia party had got two distilleries when the par- | ties separated, In MeDowell county, W. V officers were fired into fr them narrowly escaped, from raid WHE PRESIDENT SIGNS TM AKREARS OF SIONS BILL, ‘The President this morning signed the bill known as the “Arrears of Pensions bill.” }t | impossible to establish any | THE KMD GLOVE CASES NOT TO BE INVESTIGATED, | | The recent letter of Secretary Sherman, addressed to the Chairman of the Committee on Ways and | Means, is as follows it is rep in the Com gressional Record of the 1th inst. that there has been referred to your committee a petition of AT. Stew | art & Co, of New York, complaining of the | | action of this department what are com monly known as the kid pve cues, and asking for an investigation by Congress, I have | the honor to concur in this request made by these | gentlemen, and hope that the investigation will be made at as carly « day as possible, as similar cases | are now pending.” The committee having considered | in @ SHEE the above request. decided that they will not have time to investigate the subject at this session. PROCEEDED CONGRESS. DISCUSSING THE APPROPRIATIONS FOR POSTAL SERVICE-—THE HOUSE INCREASING THE ITEMS--A DISPOSITION TO STOP ‘TALLOW CANDLE KRETRENCHME Wasurncron, Jan. 25, 1879. {Il reported last night from the Committee on for the better organization of the United States District Court in Louisiana (dividing the State into two judicial districts) was passed, Mr. Brovn®, (dem.) of Ga., moved to go into Com- mittee of the Whole on the Post Office Appropriation bill, e My. Mics, (dem.) of Texas, inquired if the regular order was not the morning hour. ‘The Spraken replied that it was not, but that the gentleman could reach his object by voting down the motion to go into committee, But this the House Tl refused to do—9 to 63—and accordingly at ten min- utes to one o'clock went imto Cominittee of the Whole (Mr, Cox, (dem.) of N.Y., in the chair), on the Post Office Appropriation bill. Mr. <1, of BLOUN oryia, proceeded to explain the yas of the bill, It ‘appropriated $34,:0,000— srewse of about $1,000,000 over the appropria- tion of last year, aud a decrease of about. $2,000,000 from the estimate for the present year. legislation of the democratic House during the last three ye have beon at Mr. yor than it wes. KER, (rep.) of Ind., said that last year he had predicted when the Post Office bill was before the ise that the appropriation was insufficient and would end in deficiencies. That prediction had come true, and with equal certainty the same prediction might be made about the present bill. Any attempt to cripple the railway mail service or the star service was a crime against the country. The bill was then 1 by sections for amendments, Mr. Brouxt moved to increas for Post Ottice clerks fre 460, Mr, Baker offered an amendment to the at the suin to $3,600,000, the amount asked the appropriation mendment as amended adopted. of California, offered an amendment in- sing the appropriation for payment of letter car- riers from $1,800,000 to $2,000,000, the amount of the estimate. Mr. Townsenp, (rep.) of Ohio, and Mr, Harrisons, idem.) of IIL, supported the amendinent, asserting that ce delivery system was not only self-sustaining, hreasury. re were only four stem brought any Mr. Currrenpes, (rep.) of N. ¥., favored the amendment. It was time for Congress to stop legis- lating as if the prosperity of the country was gong backward, It had gone far enough in tearing down salaries and in tempting disreputable persons to seek government places in hopes of getting some dark, undiscovered compensation. xp, of New York, spoke in favor of the amendment. The oftener imails were delivered the more three cent pieces went into the Treasury. The salaries of the letter carriers should be increased, for they were at present the hardest worked men in America. Mr. Li RELL, (dem.) of Cal., agreed that the letter re hard working men, and he thought the was worthy of his hire. He would therefore vote for the amendment. Mr. BLowNt oppored the amendment. The time was coming When the expenses of the government would have to be reduced or additional taxes would have to be imposed on the people. ‘The amendment was then agreed to—78 to 69, Mr. Wappent, (dem.) of N. C., offered an amend- ment directing Post Offi ployés on railroads who cancel stamps to keep an account of the stamps so cancelled, the same to be credited to the Postmaster at the station where the mail was put on the cars, for the purpose of fixing the basis for the pay of such Postmaster. Adopted. Mr. Money, (dem,) of Miss., offered and spoke in favor of an amendmeut increasing the appropriation for transportation on star routes from $5,690,000 to 5,900,000, i (r. Pack fayorel the amendment. It would be y hew routes with the ap- propriation recommended by the committee. He appealed to the Southern and’ Western members to stand by the amendment. Mr. Buovunr called attention to the fact that durin; the last eight years that the republicans had contral ot the House, they had only made an annual increase of $20,000in the niat:er ot the star service, while since the democrats had obtained control they had added some $960,000, yet now the gentlemaw trom Califor- nia (Mr. Page) wanted the House to take the respon- sibility of still further increasing the appropriation for star service. He hoped his side of the House would not wipe out the record it hid made atter a hard struggl Mr. Lurrnet advocated an increased appropriation for the star service, and said that, like Alexander. when he had no worids to conquer the world would soon haye no new countries to discover. He there- fore hoped the people of these: new countries would haye an opportunity to receive their letters and newspapers. Mr. Frxn, of Idaho, took the same ground, and mentioned the case of ‘a populous mining settlement in Idaho where the miners had to contribute $90 a month in order to get their mail. Mr. CHALMERS, (dem.) of Miss., characterized the economy of his own side of the House as parsimony. *Itreminded him of the man coming home from his Imxurious elab and finding fault with his wife for having two candles burniiy. — It was “tallow candle retrenchment. Mr. Carrresp to stop croaking . of New York, thought it was time The wheels of prosperity had ken a new start in this country and even Congress ld not block th The: demoera ise had moro regird for economy than it had for a H the grand, irresistibie prosperity of the country. (Ap- plause.) Mr. Dorwam, (dem.) of Ky., and Mr. Buovnr de- fended the position taken by the Committee on Ap- propriations, and argnod that the sums recommended tor railroad service and for star service e liberal and ample, After further discussion Mr. M: y further pro n the bill pmmitter rose. ‘The House then (after a wrangle over some resolutions for extra printing) adjourned at twenty minutes to five o'clock, KILLED WHILE COASTING, SING Srxe, Y., Jan, 25, 1879, A fatal coasting accident happened here last night, under the following circumstances:—A bob sled, named the “Molly Maguire,” had started from a point on Highland avenue, and at about the same time an- other bob, owned and steered by David Baker, started from the top of Croton avenue. When they had reached the St. Cloud Hotel, both going at the speed of an ex- press train, in attempting to pass they collide !, and those occupying both bobs were thrown into the strest. William Maloney had one of his legs aud William Charles ¥ each a hand David Baker yot up, Fe said he did not think he was hurt much and sat on the steps of the St. Cloud Hotel. Soon he complainet and was helped into the house, where he soon be- came unconscious, Dr, J. G. Collins was called in, but in spite of e remedy administered the young i. | man died, as the doctor said, from internal injuries at about n o'clock, aud was removed to his home. There ix. a@ village ordinance prohibiting coasting on the public highways, but the Chief of Police says he cannot atop it, beeause he ix 1 backed by his assistants and the village authorities. This a dent will no donbt prove a wholesome lesson to coasters in future, A COLOR FIGHT, THRER MEN KILLED AND ONE WOUNDED. Meniay, Miss, J A fatal shooting affray oceurred yesterd A mistnderstanding about the posses- had arisen between three negro ‘Thomas and Dennis Alexan- on, also brothers —Pr wy county, Miss, me 1 1, broth and three whi mas and Walter @ and by Yesterday, about < were ambuscaded near Mobile and Ohio Railroad, by the 1 upon then, wounding Presby Gamblin and fatally injuring Thomas Gamblin, who has «ince died, ‘The sion of mi re Gambling returned the firo, killing Riley ahd Tom Alexander on the spot, while Dennis escaped. Sheriff Cole, being telegraphed for, went to t ene last evening. SUBURBAN NOTES, . While coasting on Wh avenite, Sing Sing, was +o run against by another sled t instantly, ( several disorderly houses in lay arraigned before the uired to give bail Hicials propose to close up vm. id Baker, ag rbsle in ¢ Aly injured by t that he died alu ‘The propricto: Newark, N. e sex of this doserips rhe Coroner's jury in the case of Joseph Jackson, who was shot and killed by William Harris ar White Plains on Monday night best, rendered a verdict on Friday evening, charging the death of fickson to Harris, The latter has thus far arrest, bat it is understood that he will surrend dictment and trial, Phe steamship Island, has work be loads ig’ bimself for in- ashore east of Fire ty feet further in toward the re to the eastwart. Two lighter turing the week. Atter abandoaed, there being Vindicator, A th’ it i eargo about worthless, tiug of stockholders of the recently sus merican Trust Company, of Newark, N. Ju, esterday with a v.ew to raising a tund to Lrehabilitate the bank. Ex-Gover- presided, About $15,000 were pledged, and Mr, William A. Whitehead was appointed a com: mittee of one to present the matter to other stock: win The sum needed to pay depositors is about pended was held But for the | xideot the ‘| | any nature was ever certified to by me regan PEDESTRIANISM, THE FIFTY HOUR WALK BETWEEN PROFES“OB MILLER AND ROSS—MILLER TAME WINNER OF THE MEDAL, (BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.] Bauritore, Jan. 25. 1879, The fifty hour walking match between Professot Miller and Ross, at the Academy of Music, had 4 brilliant and exciting finish at ten o'clock to-night The main auditorium, loges, stal!s and proscenium boxes. were all filled, the aisles crowded, and the audience overflowed on the stage. The leading society people were present in large numbers, and about one-fifth of those present were ladies. ‘The walking continued during last night and tor day, with occasional intervals fe but it waa evident from Ross’ condition that he had lost the mateh, Miller, in forcing the pace from the start, rest; broke Roxs down, and he failed to recover. He was sufering all of to-day with cramps, and under the adverse circumstances, did ' remarkably well. Miller sustained his reputation — tor extraordinury endurance, and = wou by hard work. He inuintuined — the — same style of walking throughout, with his head slightly bowed on his breast. His arnis worked rapidly and his step was heavy, He displayéd unusual pluck to-night by taking very litle rest, aithough le was thirty miles ahead and could easily have rested au hour with assurance of victory. At 5h. 19m. Rors complete l his 100th nile and’ Miller ’had scored 119, Miller made his 100th mile at th. 4m, amd rested for some time, taking his first sleep. After two tthe track tour times, and although he made 4 deperate effort to continue the contest was compelled to abandon it as evening approached. His final eftort u minutes befora ten o'clock, when he came on looking apparently fresh, but evidently suffering severely, ax atter mak- ing five laps he walked vif to his dressing room, Miller plodded on steadily, and as the clock struck ten had scored 131 miles, Ross’ score being 105. Miller was off the track fifteen hours and Ross twenty hours and nineteen minutes, Miller's actual average being nearly tour miles au hour, He made his last mile in fiftee ‘The enthusiasm: was intense, and as Mayor Latrobe presented the medal to the winn Miller was xreeted with uproarions applause, He probably real ized 3600 ont of the receipts. Miller was in’ ood condition at the finish, and though greatly fatigued and somewhat haggard, expressed himself as feeling remarkably well. WALKING AT MOZART GARDEN. Harry Howard, of Glen Cove, who attempted to walk 450 miles in six days at Mozart Garden, Brooklyn, ended his walk at a few minutes before twelve o'clock last night, having completed 411 miles. He began his task at five minutes after twelve A. M. last Monday. Harriman, who is matched to walk , has made on the same track during the past three days 150 miles. He completed his last 50 miles at 9h. 38m, 3is, last night. A RIVAL OF MME. ANDERSON. Miss Annie Bartell, who has acquirod some reputa- tion in Westchester county as a pedestrienne, pro- poses to endeavor to eclipse the feat of Mme. Ander- son, and will on Monday evening next comnience the walking of 3,000 quarter miles in 3,000 quarter hours. Yesterday afternoon a preliminary walk was mado on the track at Brewster's Building, corner of Fourteenth street and Fifth avenue, in the presence of afew sporting and newspaper men, when Miss Bartell walked two quarters o¢ miles—the first in Qm. 27s. and the secoud in 2m. 17s. ‘The upper floor of the building is appropriated to the walk, around tan track has been laid. The walk willcom- nt Band will be present to enliven the proceedings. ‘The sloop yacht Emma T. has been sold, through the agency of Commodore Frank Bates, to Mr. H. M, Leverich, of Brooklyn. HANLAN GOING TO ENGLAND. Torowto, Jan. 25, 1879. Hanlan, the oarsman, left to-day for New York, where he will take the Inman steamer City of Montreal, on Wednesday, for England. ALL FOR CHARITY, To THE Eprror or THE HeraLp:— My attention was called to the columns of the Heravp, in which my name appears in an article al- Inding to a “Charity Swindle,” in which Mr. E. Ry ‘Taylor is accused as being the secretary and manager and myself assuming the position of acting trease urer. Long since I ceased any connection with the society known as the “Widows and Orphans’ Aid Association.” Not one dollar ever passed through iy hands, the position of acting treasurer being in this instance “a conferred degree.” No report of ing ite financial standing. That this association did not in a large measure aid poor and suffering humanity b distributing provisions, fuel, &c., in accordance wit its means, would reflect untold injustic who, in my brief career with thix ass bored untiringly and unceasingly with he toward relieving many a suflering household. T report only substantiates “two Let justice be done through your columns and ascertain the true facts of this ‘une paraileled philanthropy JOHN H. KENDALL, FREIGHTS TO EUROPE. The foreign freight agents of the trunk lines met yesterday afternoon in the offices of the Erie Railroad Company, No. 3 Bowling Green, for the purpose of arranging some plan for equalizing rates on through freights from the West to Europe by way of all sea- board ports. The New York Central Railroad was represented by William H. Mellhanney, the Penn- sylvania by O. J, Geer, the Baltimore and Ohio by Mr. Burton and the Erie by E. T. Hopkins. The proposition made by Thomas 8. Sandford, sec- retary of the North Atlantic Steamship Conference, on behaif of the steamship companies, was discussed. According to it the steamship companies are to meet laily, and, when necessary, aro to fix the rates on freights and ygotity the railroad agents of tho same, who will then hdd on the inland rates, and this will constitute the rates on through freight from the West to Europe. The rate’ also will have to be the same by way of Baltimow, Philadelphia and Boston as from this city. ‘This plan the foreign freight agents of the railroad companies agreed to accept with slight modifications, and they have forwarded it to the ive Commite tee of the trunk lines for their app’ BUSINESS TROUBLES. val. The following schedules in assignments were yes- terday filed in the Common Pleas Court:—Dominique Durand, importer and manufacturer of looking glasses at No. 176 to 180 Worth street, to Eugene Murtinache, with liabilities of $12,562 45, nominal assets, $28,510 28, and actual assets, $11,497 98, and Charles Randnitz, merchant, ot N Barclay street and N A Wallach, with liabilities of $40.498 33, nominal assets of $9,611 60 Lactual assets of The suspension of th: renee & Co., on Broadwa was reported yesterday, the sj been mainly on the bull sid uptown bucket shop of Law- ir Twenty-first stree ously rising market had caused large to the concern, At their exchange it was said yesterday that the suspension was only temporary, jd be adjusted and paid and all the old contracts wo upon Monday. They also claimed that the creditors would receive one hundred cents on the doar, No new contracts have been imade since Thursday, aud it is said the Habilities are about $5,006 crry ITEMS. Ss Two hundred and ten cases of scarlet fever and fifty-four of diphtheria were reported to the Board of Health Jast week. Sixty deaths were reported trom scarlet fever aud twenty-three from diphtheria, Annie Maxwell and Leena Reid, the two girls who were arrested on Friday morning upon their arrival here from Boston o home yesterday in charge of inmates of St. Joseph's Home Thursday, when it is alleged they decampod with #46 and Some articles of elotiing. The police of the Fourteenth precinct at midnicht on Friday night raided a dance hall at No. 20 Crosby street and arrested twont: inuiate men and women, white and colored. ‘The propri was held in $1,000 bail at the Tombs yestertay the balance of the prisoners were committed in ranging from $100 to $200 for good belay ior John Mack, eight years of age, was found in the establishment of Palacios, Rodrig . No 8) Maiden la Thursd y wht, by an officer of in. his possession some f drawer, and a kit A jimmy had been used to fe pn with him, who at the Tombs in default of Mack had a eompani ananaged to cacape, Judge yesterday, held the $2,000 bail, for trial. The nt house No. covered to be on fire was di morning by Officer Donovan, of the Twenty-third precinct. He rang an alarin and the inpted to arouse the sleeping ity . but while asconding the stairway was alny Se ted by the smoke, He fell to the he was found soon after by the firemen open air, when be soon recov= able excitement among the vaded in escaping .to the ke ont in the apartments i rsccates floor, wut goat ek. with @ joss, The origin of the tire 1s upbhown.