The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-18

WASHINGTON
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The Financial Proposition OF
the President.
Resolution Of Disapproval Of Its ProVi-
sions Passed in the Senate.
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EulOgies Upon the Late Thaddeus
Stevens in the House.
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The COlOrtd Representative from Louisiana
Receives His Certificate.
THE ALASKA PURCHASE INVESTIGATION.
TESTIMONY OF ROBERT ]. WALKER.

WASHINGTON, Dec IT, 1868.
The Alaska Purchase investigation.
The House Committee on Public Expenditures held
another meeting to-day In furtherance Of the inves
tgation as to the disposition Of certain portion Of
the Alaska purchase money. Robert j. Walker was
the nrst witness examined. He narrated at length
his connection with the whole affair." stating that he
called upon Secretary Seward one day when he was
in the midst Of his real estate specuaons and had
9 talk with the Secretary upon his recent acqusi-
tions. Mr.. Seward expressed his confidence that
the Alaska appropriation would be passed by the
House, but he had his doubts that the money for
st. Thomas and ST. John would be as readily forth
coming. Some time after this Baron Stoech paid
q visit to Mr.. Walker and solicited his innuen-
tial aid in rendering the Alaska purchase
topic Of such popular prominence as would
insure the passage Of the appropriation. The
Baron expressed himself apprehensive that the
House might after all, refuse to pay for Alaska, or
that the subject might be put or to the subsequent
session OF Congress, which he supposed would be
fatal its success In this condition OF things he
proposed to Mr.. Walker to act as a free counsel
behalf OF the Russian government, and by the
weight Of his name, added to the eloquence Of his
pen place the Alaska treaty in its most favorable
light before Congress and the country. For the
services thus rendered the Baron proposed to pay
Mr. Walker 100000 in gold. After the bill was
finally passed the Baron satisfied that the advocate
he had employed did his work well and effectively,
voluntarily increased this amount by $4,000
more. Ultimately Mr.. Walker drew a check
for $4,000, part of which was paid him
in gold and part in greenbacks Out Of
this sum he paid F. b. Stanton, who
had been a coadjutor with him IN his work. $1,000.
He afterwards suggested 10 Baron Stoeckl that 1t
would be graceful thing to do to make present to
the editor OF the Washington Chronicle, that paper
had been the medium through which the varied at
fractions of Alaska had been in great measure set
forth. The editor, deemng it incompatible with his
peculiar relations to the Legislature to accept a
docer for such services, though satisfied that it was
well deserved, rejected for himself present OF
$4,000 rendered by the Baron, but had no objection
that his brother should become the recipient. This
was all that Mr.. Walker knew of the NATTER and he
believed that no member OF the Legislature Of the
government ever received dollar In connection
withit. Mr.. w. W. worden, newspaper correspond
ent, was next examined, but could only testify
that his whole acquaintance with the transac.
tion was derived from what he read recently
In the papers. The examination will be continued
tomorrow, but who the witnesses shall be has not
yet been decided. 1t is generally believed, how
ever, that one Colonel Martin, Mr.. M. NJ. Noah, OF
California, and Mr.. Simon Stevens will be sum-
moned at early day, and that their testimony
will shed some light on the subject. There is some
talk Of requestngt Baron Stoeckl and Mr.. Bodsco,
secretary OF the Russian Legation, to appear before
the committee and explain the disposition OF $74,00O
of the fund. Whether these two gentlemen will
gracefully comply avail themselves OF their dipo-
matte privileges does not appear Undoubtedly
they could tell the whole story, and their refusal
will certainly be unfavorably construed by the pub
lie. some members of the committee seem dis
posed to rest the inquiry, II they cannot dis
cover that some officer OF the government or
member OF Congress has not received a part
OF the fund.- This, OF course, would shut
out all testimony tending TO show that newspaper
men had been handsomely feed for writing up Alaska
and It's attractions. II this course Ii pursued the
most interesting branch OF the inquiry, supposing
the Alaskan gold to have reached the pockets OF
other journalists than the Forney firm will be
sealed book to the public. very sweeping charge
has been made against newspaper men here, and
every one OF them should be afforded an opportu-
nifty OF standardization. Only the guilty fear the
light.
Eulogics on Thnd stevens.
Thad Stevens occupied the attention OF the House
to-day for the last time. About four hours were
spent in telling the country what everybody knew
before-that Old Thad was good lawyer, fierce
abolltionst, the leader OF the radicals in the House.
and, with all his faults and failings, pretty good
sort OF man. The ball was opened by Mr.. Dickey OF
Pennsylvania, Thad's successor. As this was
his first effort In the House the members
gave him considerable attention lie spoke
from the old mans seat and evidently
felt that something was expected OF him and
that he should do his best. Everybody was compar.
ing him with Old Thad, and everybody was tho
roughly satisfied before he got through that where.
ever Thad's mantle may have gone, 1t has not fallen
on the shoulders OF Dckey. lie Is q preacher.look.
ing sort Of man, with voice very much like that OF
Colfax. but ndstinct utterance, and his style is
decidedly OF the methodical order Altogether
he failed to make a favorable impression
upon the House. Az usual on funeral occa.
sions, every member read his speech from
manuscript, with the exception OF Ashley, OF
Ohio, who had written his out and had committed II
TO memory. Three speeches were made by demo-
Gratis Fernando Wood and w. T.. Robinson, OF New
YORK, and Woodward, OF Pennsylvania. These were
well received especially the speech OF Judge Wood.
ward, who discussed Thads qualities as lawyer
Some OF the speeches were extremely dull and
prosy, and served to thin the galleries at an early
hour Of the day. Towards the close there were few
members present, and they seemed considerably
relieved when John Covode read the last essay and
the speaker announced the adjournment.
Among those who participated In the obsequies OF
Thaddeus stevens to-day was General Sypher, OF
Louisiana, the youngest member in the House, and
aprotege Of the deceased. In the name OF the loyal
South and of the people struggling from abject sla-
very up to perfect freedom, he thanked God that
Thaddeus stevens lived and labored and trumphed
Arrival Of General Mcadc-Georaia Affairs.
Major General Meade arrived here last evening in
obedience to q summons from Secretary Schoneld,
but finding the Secretary and General Grant were
absent from the city the General left again this
ing for Philadelphia on visit to his family, and will
come back on Saturday when General Grant and
the Secretary OF War Will have returned from
chicago. IL Is understood that the purpose for
winch General Meade was ordered to this city is to
consult win him in reference TO affairs in Georgia.
me civil government OF that state has become