Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-12-16

The House of Representatives proposes .
get st the truth of the reports current concern
ing the disposition of the money paid for
Alaska, that is, if investing a committee with
power TO send for persons and papers viii ac-
cornplish the object. A resolution to that enect
passed on Monday and in accordance whit
Provisions the committee IS to day engaged IN
taking testimony IN the case. TaiS courseis
perhaps due to everybody whose name has
been mentioned or suggested in connection
with the scandal, but we very much doubt
whether any real light will be thrown on the
subject by the investigation.
We have pretty conclusive reasons for be-
lieying that the evidence taken In the case will
disclose substantially the following facts that
the Treasury warrant for the purchase money
was made payable at Washington, in compli-
ancc with the stipuIations of the treaty; tina:
ii was issued to Mr.. de Stoeckl, the Rus
sian Ambassador, on the first day of
August last, for the whole amount of
S7.2tO,C00 in coin; that 1t was on that date en-.
dorsed by HIM payable to the order of G. w.
Riggs, the well known banker of this city; that
tire warrant so endorsed was on the same day
presented by Mr. Riggs al the Treasury; that
com transfer checks upon the Assist ant Treas
ureT at New York We're thereupon issued to
bim for 27,l0O,0OO; that of this sum S7,G3j, 600
TO the Earrings in London on account of the
bussIan Government, while something less
than 80 100 was paid to Hon. X. ]. Walker as
counsel fees, and the balance TO Mr.. de Stoeckl;
that the SlC0,CO0 residue remained in the Treas
uTy as the special deposit of Mr.. Riggs, at his
rrquss. and for his accommodation, for sew
eral days, when it WAS finally paid over to the
Russian Minister; and, further. that no loan or
advance was ever made or contemplated by
the Treasury on account of the transaction
and that no greenbacks were ever drawn from
the Treasury or used IN connection with it.
Other facts may possibly be developed, but
this is about all the proofs obtained from first
hands will show.
OF course, these points being established, the
important & uestion then arises What use was
made Of the money paid directly to Mr.. de
Stoeckll This will probably never be satisfac-
torily answered. That gentleman is no longer
in this country; and, if he We're here, he would
most likely plead the privileges of his official
position, which would exempt him from being
called to the witness stand to reveal the State
secrets of his Government by explaining any of
his acts done under its Instructions or sanction.
1t is known, however, that a considerable sum
was expended by him in legitimate expenses
attending the consummatIon of the affair. The
bankers commissions, with the cost of trans.
porting the coin OF procuring exchange on
London, would of course amount to a pretty
large figure; end, in addition to these items,
there was one bill Of over $4,000 in gold for
telegraphing by the Atlantic cable, which our
Government refused to pay, that was hqui-
dated by him. 1t is possible that the whole
sum received by him could be satisfactorily
accounted for, were Mr. de Stoeckl here, AMI
disposed to make revolutions; but, for the res
sons stated above, the committee have no means
for compelling them. 1t is likely, therefore,
that the country will be little wiser at the close
OF The Investigation than it is now.