The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-14
WASHINGTON.
WAsHIN6roN. Dec. Is, 1868.
The Alaska purchase-TA.s Alleged Bribery


have already in previous dispatches stated that
80 far as could discover through fnSciry In well
informed quarters the rum0rs OF the employment OF
bribery to secure the passage Of the Alaska appro-
priaon were probably destitute OF the slightest foun-
dation have since obtained additional informa-
tt0n which accounts satisfactorily for the disposition
OF over 81, 600 900 OF the appropriation. Mr.. Riggs,
the well known banker OF this CITY II seems was
the medium selected through which the purchase
money was transmitted to Barring Brothers In Eng
land to belheld in their possession subject to the
order OF the Russian government. For this service
Mr.. Riggs received a very trining commission
some $1,000 or $1,000 mere drop in the bucket
compared with the entire amount Thus 1t
would appear that this ridiculous story OF
$2,200,00O having been used as q bribery
fund assumes smaller and smaller proportions
the more it Is investigated. There Is genius here
who reoices In the title Of Colonel who is be-
eved to be the author OF this bribery story, and
who processes to have In his possession documents
nxing corruption on more than one member OF Con-
gress as well as legion Of newspaper men. have
made many efforts to induce this military genius to
give me the aforesaid documents for publication,
but up the present time he has declined and the
conclusion to which have arrived is that he is
simply blackmaIer.
Reported heslgnat1On oil secretary MCCuls
loch-Rupture With the President.
For the sake Of variety in the way OF news the
story is again revived Of . change in the Cabinet.
This time it is not to be removal but resignation.
1t appears that Of late serious CONFLICT opinion has
taken place between the President and the Secretary
OF the Treasury. This is represented chiefly as
being with regard to appointments In the In
ternal Revenue Bureau. Mr.. McCulloch has
signned to some OF his friends his intention
OF reslgning. He has expressed himself to them rs
being tired OF pickering with the President and Com
missioner Rollins. The climax, according to this
story was reached at the Cabinet meeting last Fri
day. The Secretary on that day confirmed the nomi-
nation OF General Young to be Supervisor OF the
Southern district Of Ohio 1t appears that Young is
not only Objectionable to the President and his
friends, but that Mr.. Johnson had candidate whom
he was anxious to have appointed. What he wanted
was that McCuloch should reject Young, SO as
to give the other candidate another chance
What aggravates the matter H that Young Is
General Schenck's friend and was nominated by
Rollins at schenck's request. McCulloch confirmed
him two days after Schenck had made his bitter
attack upon the Presidents Message in the House.
This 1t is alleged, was too much for the President
and ne called the Secretary to an account. Mr..
McCulochs friends say he will tender his resg-
nation to the President this week. give these facts
without pretending TO vouch for them. The rumor Of
McCuochs resignation has been started often and
proved mere sensation that people here attach
little faith to the present story 1t Is probably only
another false alarm.
The New York Election Frauds-NIemoriaI Of
the Union League Club.
The memorial OF the Union League Club on the
alleged election frauds win be presented on Monday
morning in both houses OF Congress. Senator Nor
int oaist
elaborate document, with specifications and charges
based upon the proofs already collected by the club
committee under the supervision Of Mr.. John H.
White. and with schedule attached Of tabular sta
stics OF election returns In the city OF New York
large and in the several wards and districts for many
years past. The memorial will probably be ordered
to be printed, a deep and general interest is felt
In the subject and several propositions for the
amendment Of the Naturalization laws have ali eady
been presented. The club memorial prays for the
appointment OF special committee OF investigation,
| with power to send for persons and papers. that
| Congress may be thoroughly advised Of the charac
and extent Of the existing evils which 1t is pro
posed to avoid in the future by Congressional egs
| lation.
| The Probable Successor 0f Rollins.
1t is understood to. night that the President will
send into the Senate tomorrow batch or nominal
tons to important ofces, among which will be the
name OF Alexander Cummings for Commissioner OF
Internal Revenue. Those who profess TO know the
whole history OF the struggle for the Commissioner
ship last session say that Cummings cannot be con-
frmcd; that when his nomination was before the
Senate on the day OF adjournment If there had been
Ave minutes more time long enough 70 take the full
vote, instead or going ovef for Want o. action he
would have been rejected as fourteen votes had al
ready been given for rejection when the gavel FELL
Should Cummings be rejected the next strongest
ddate for the position is General Burbrldge Of Ken
lucky. The friends Of the General claim that the
President Is not averse to nominating him. and II he
does there very little doubt Of his confirmation.
Collector Smythe for the Russian Mission.
The name OF Collector II. A. Smythe, Of the port
OF New York, win probably be sent to the Senate
tomorrow as Minister to Russia, vice Cassius M.
Clay, whose resignation was sent in some months
ago. Mr.. Smythe, it is said. stands a very good
chance OF confirmation this time. Many Of the most
influential members OF the Senate favor the appoint
ment. although he was rejected last session for the
Austrian mission.
Proposed Inquiry Into the Parasuayau
Difficulty.
General Mungen, OF Ohio, will introduce into the
House tomorrow q resolution calling upon the
Secretary Of state for whatever Information he pos
sesses concerning the conduct OF our late Minister
TO Paraguay, Mr.. Washburne, in his dificulty
with President Lopez; also for information relative
to the arrest or American citizens by Lopez and
what action has been taken by our government to
secure their release and redress whatever Insult
been offered the nag Az Z. b. washburne is the
brother OF the late Minister to Paraguay he will pro-
badly object to the Introduction OF the resolution.
Effect Of Secretary McCulIoch's Circular ON
the National Banks.
National banks, other than those designated as
government repositories are gradually withdraw
ing the bonds deposited by them with the Treasurer
OF the United states as security for public de-
posits.r This is owing TO the recent circular Of
instructions from Secretary McCulloch directing COL
lectors OF internal revenue to deposit their colles
tions with Assistant Treasurers and the banks
designated as repositories. The decrease in ~
bonds within the past week heretofore deposited BY
the banks as security has been to the extent OF
nearly A. 900.