New-York daily tribune., 1858-03-03

The investigation into the purchase ol Nluels
Point for fertilization TO which We called the at
tention Of Congress snd the public, is now going
forward at Washington. II appears that the Sec.
retaIy of War and one Of the Captains of tho En-
gineer Corps have been examined; that the Speak
er's subpoena has been served on several witnesses
in this city. 1t would appear that the matter is to
be probed to the bottom. We say appear, because
everybody knows that such Investigations are often
mere whitewashing processes used to cover up IN
stead of revealing fraud Mr.. Haskin, of this
State the Chairman of the Committee of the House
of Representatives is under grave responsibility,
and we hope to have from him searching inquiry,
in spite Of the efforts made to warp his judgment 1t
will require a good deal of resolution to withstand
the influences that will be brought to bear upon him.
1t is rumOred that Mr.. Collector Schelrs list of
removals and appointments which was lately sub
mitted to the Treasury Department has not been
confirmed. Strenuous opposition ID made to the
proposed changes and among other objections
rased by the Collectors opponents, one is power
fully urged, namely, that while the Collector re-
moves the friends of Mr. Sickles, who votes to
sustain the President he retains in office the
friends of Haskin, who openly denounces the Le-
compton fraud. This is thought, and not without
reason, to indicate that Mr.. Schel is trying to se
6uce aud conciliate the Chairman Of the Inyesti
eating Committee, before whom he and his brother,
the Hon. Richard Sehel Senator Of New York.
aIe now on their trial. This is only one of the
means which will be employed to smother aud
pervert the investigation. We trust they will oil
be employed in vain.
The Messrs. ScheIl owe it to themselves to have
the transactions at Fort Smelling and at Willet's
Point fully examined. ANY attempt to suppress or
disguise the facts will only increase the suspicious
already excited against them. They hold promi-
neIt official positions, and they should satisfy the
public mind that everything connected with the
purshate or sale of property in which the Federal
Government has been party, and they have made
money, has been perfectly correct. And while
they are thus engaged in clearing themselves there
are 0ne or two other questions on which little
light would be satisfactory. In the first place has
Dir. Collector Schell not been anxious of late TO
learn the value Of land in the vicinity of Willets
Point and has be or has he not made inquiries on
that subject of any person living in that neighbor-
hood and did he or did he not offer such person
situation in the Custom House, as laborer or 9TH
erwife And, in the second place, 10 it true that
while some men have been removed from the Gus
tom House without cause, one has be- ntsined
and even promoted, although his misc ondlc in one
of The public stores had been reported BY Deputy
Collector as a cause for removal If this is so
will Mr. Collector Schel let the public know why
the man has not been removed or why he has
been promoted
Too many eyes are eveed at public men for them
TO escape observation. The attempt of the Pres-
dent to corrupt members Of Congress BY official
largesses has aroused the country. From the high
est to the lowest, the officers Of Government are
subject TO sleeples surveillance From this scru-
tiny even Collectors and State Senators cannot be
suffered 70 escape.