The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-12-23
FROM WASHINGTON TO-DAY.

Report of the House Special Com mmIttee-
Claims Against Russia to Offset the
Alaska PURCHASE MOney-ROdustIOn In
the Government EmpIOyes-Ths stan
ton TrIaI-The Parker "BIg Indian"
Affair.
ESPECIAL DESPATCH TO THE EVENING TELEGRAPH.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 20.
Parties holding claims against the Russian
Government for ordnance stores purchased
during the Crimean war have laid their cases
before the House Committee of Foreign Rela-
tions, and urge that the amount (about $500 000)
be deducted from the Alaska appropriation.
The claim Is based on contracts entered into
was in progress. The close of the struggle caused
1t to repudlate its agreements.
In consequence ofrepresentation of made to the
Departments, to members Of Congress, and to
the Committee, IT is probably that the order re-
ducing the force of workmen in the Govern
ment service will not be enforced on the first
OF January, but will be suspended until the
present season of distress is over, and general
business somewhat revives. When the order
reducing the force in the Ordnance Department
was received there last Friday, deputaton of
the workmen was Immediately appointed to
wait on the Secretary of the Navy.
Mr.. Welles stated that he regretted very much
the necessity of dischargipg SO large number
of men, and said that If he received an official
notification from the Committee on Naval
Affairs, he would be glad to suspend the order.
the Committee have written letters recom-
mendin9 the suspension OF the order, and other
workIngmen's committees entertain strong
The case of Smithson against Stanton, on a
charge of false Imprisonment, If it can be
brought to the test of an argument, promises to
solve many OF the doubts which surround the
question as to the extent to which an official OF
the G0yernmsnt has the power to SEIZE the per,
process of law. Hughes, Denver q Peck, of this
city, having the case In hand, in March last
made motion in the District Court 10 require
the defendant to furnish the originals of certain
letters, papers, and proceedings OF courts mar
Mr.. stanton, Notwithstanding It, said the
readiness of his attorneys to comply has thus
obstinately refused this request to allow the
originals to be seen, though copies are freely
offered. The attorneys for the plaintiff, how
ever, are not willing TO receive these, as they
wish to discover the authenticity, particularly
of the reasonable letters alleged to have been
written by Smithson, under the assumed name
OF Cables. These letters, as they appear in the
pleas of the defendsnt contain Information
respecting the numbers and movements of the
garrison of Washington in the first year of the
Rebellion. Upon this ground Smithson was
arrested and confined in Fort Lafayette. After
some time he was released, and soon after was
again arrested and tried by military court,
sI6 h16aSy NeW YORK Sfter brief coonemsSt 81
he was again set at liberty by pardon from
the President.
eminent detective, upon an alleged authority
from the Secretary of War, turned the wife and
children of Smithson out OF their heuse, which
was occupied by officers OF the Government.
The case has thus far been postponed out of
courtesy to the opposite counsel, but the attor-
press their motion for Oyer and Inspection, and
upon receiving an order Of the Court to the
effect, will proceed at once either upon the
merits of the case, or, in event of a continued
refusal, without giving sufficient legal reasons
TO produce the desired original letters, will
move to set aside the Justification set up by
the defence, and for an order for contempt of
court against MIR. Stanton.
There does not appear to be any truth in the
story that General Grant has dismissed Colonel
Parker from his staff, on account of the latter's
recent conduct regarding his contemplated
marriage. An unofficial and informal investi-
CATION has been made into the matter, and the
result shows that most of the stories which
have been circulated, and some of which have
been published, relative 10 this affair, are
simply untrue, especially the one which states
that one OF the Seneca Nation waylaid him.
and got him inebriated so as to prevent his
marriage.
before the time fixed for the marital rites Colo
mel Parker became i'll from disease to which
all are liable. He sent word to General Grants
headquarters of the fact which prevented Gene
raj Grant and stan and others from going to the
church where the ceremonies were to take
place on the day following. Such papers as
have stated that they were there in resplendent
uniform would do well to inquire into other
branches of the stories they have published
Colonel Parker is now lying i'll at the National
Hotel in this city, and the mysterious, Indian,
who is said to have caused all of the trouble, is
not there, and has never been seen thore.