New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-01-30

desire, sent him word that no such money had been
placed in its hands, and il il had been he would not
use it for any such purpose. The selfstyled newspa
per correspondent was very angry at this, and
threatened to kill the BILL and said lie would call on
witness. Mr.. Walker then sent him word that if he
came TO this Office any such mission he would kick
him ont. rr
The Committee on Public Expenditures, this morn
ing had Postmaster-General Randall before them in
reference to the WHlls Fargo a. Co. contract 1t is
understood that Mr.. Randall denied, in the most
emphatic manner, that he had been actuated by any
improper influence In awarding tho contract to
Wells Fargo d Co. He said he had been placed IN q
very embarrassing position by Mr.. Spaids charging
Wells Fargo & Co. The facts Of the case were that
when the bids TO carry ting overland mail Nee put
~, bill was pending authorizing printed matter to
be sent by the overland mall which of course, wonld
add immensely to the weight of the mails This bill
| subsequently passed. aud although he regarded the
bid of Wells, Fargo d Co. being too HIGH it had
without doubt been estimated with a view TO this
increase IN the amount OF transportation. Wells,
| Fargo u Co. were the only parties who had the
requisite stock and appointments to insure the trans
mission of mails The bid of Spaids was for an
amount not more than sufficient TO buy horses. He
had been told by persons that at the terminus OF the
railroad they had seen corn sold for IL cents per
pound and hay for 900 per ton. which to be at
| trlbuted to the immense number Of men employed
| by the Pacific Railroad. Mr. Spads expected to
ceVe additional compensation, but he lRandalD told
him that il impossible, and finally at the last
moment Spaids withdrew his bid and the only
| alternative then to give the contract to Wells,
| Fargo d Co, OF to stop the transmission
of the mails The contract price was 81 00O 600 but it
was to DO gradually reduced as the space between
the two ermini of the Pacific Railroads was reduced.
That gap being filled up much morerapdly than
had been expected, that ID quite an advantage
TO the Government IL was utterly false that he had
any connection with Wells Fargo e. Co., or any de-
sire TO give them the contract. o would sooner have
had the original contract carried ont. The Wells,
Fargo 4 Co matter beng of his mind, Mr.. Randall
1 hs uNaxt alrua
of the Thanking privilege. He informed the Com
mittee that fac simile stamps of any members sigma
ture could be obtained for s.; that the country
was Hooded with these false stamps and the Depart
! ment estimated that l00,000,000 of documents were
annually sent through the mails under these false
franks The ranking privilege should DO abolished
but he recommended that the presiding officers of
the two Houses should each have the power TO APP
point clerk TO frank public documents The heads
of departments should also have the power to APP
point Thanking clork.
Secretary Seward has again occurred his desires in
regard 10 the fOrcign missions. When the diplomatic
and consular appropriation was under consideration
IN the House. at Mr.. Buffers suggestion the South
American missions were consolidated. Mr. Seward
few days ago aiterwaTd drove up to the Capitol and
the result of which was made known to-day by the
action of the Senate Appropriation Committee in re-
storing the appropriations for all the South American
Missions. The House Appropriation Committee has
agreed To allow the missions TO stand as they now
are. a. - -,
provides for issuing gold notes for all the gold In the
Treasury. Senator Mortons substitute for that sec
ton, introduced yesterday provides that the coupons
OF United States bonds which are payable in coin
may be received in payment OF dnties on imports
provided such coupons TALL duo and are payable with
in six months fIom the time they are used in tho
payment OF duties.
Admiral Dahlgren was examined ly tho Joint
Committee on Ordnance to-day. lie testified sub
stantially that Rodmans guns were worthless.
day or two ago Rodman gave it as his opinion that
Dahlgren's worthless. Both officers are be-
liexef 10 be competent witnesses. The Committee
meet tomorrow morning for the purpose Of consider
lug and adopting q report which has been prepared
and which viii probably be presented to the Senate
Mr. Walker, the Fifth Auditor Of the Treasury.
saws the statement that the fraudulent drawback
claims just discovered in New-York were passed at
tho Office Of the Fifth Auditor OF the Treasury is
calculated TO convey an erroneous impression. These
claims with the evidence on which each is based are
submitted TO TIE Commissioners Of Internal Revenue.
who decides upon them. His award rs final. The
law provides that the amount OF drawback tax thus
found due. and awarded by the Commissioner, shall
be paid by warrant on the United States Treasurer
aud the Auditor and Controller lIaye no discretion
but To state tho account the certificate OF the
tho claims pass through the accounting offices ut all
Reports recently published regarding the receipts
of Internal Revenue from spirits under the present
law are strangely defective and represent only about
three-fourths of tho actual receipts, comprising only
sums obtained from the direct tax OF 80 cents and
not including revenue from the various special and
lesser taxes imposed by the law. The published
statement gives the total amount collected as
Sl5G!92 1s while the actual amount is nearly 5000
900 in excess. as will be shown in the following
receipts for five months: From direct tax, % cents
per gallon, $lj,09,27S from special tax, 10 cents
por gallon tone-ifth of abOyel $3,O09,759 |
from mash tax, one-iifteenth OF direct tax SlO2921
from rectiters' tax. II cents per gallon. Profit
stamps 100000 Total. $l9,Si2,96i. This does not |
include receipts from excess Of inspection fees or
from compoundero, or retail dealers licenses the
exact amount Of which cannot DO determined, but
which swell the receipts for five months To over
s30OO0OOO, OF at the rate of tiSOoO0OO per annum
allowing for districts not yet reported for three
months nm annual revenue Of at least $50,OO00OO.
long discussion took place to-day IN the Senate
Pacific Railroad Committee on the question Of guar
antocing the interest and not the principal on the
bonds for the construction Of Northern aud South
ern railroad to the Pacific. IL IS understood that
the Committee favor this now plan and bill Will ac
cordngly be prepared which will shortly be reported
to the Senate. The amount per mile has not been
finally determined. The companies asking this Gov
eminent aid fixed thoir figure between $4,000 and
$4,000 per mile.
the National Banks among the several States, was
under consideration again to-day by the House Com
mitce on Banking and Currency. lhey also talked
over the recommendations OF the Controller of the
Currency providing amendments for the National
Banking law, with view OF perfecting It,
The question Of granting subsidies TO establish
Steamship lines between New-York and European
ports was again brought before the House Postal
Committee to-day. Three distinct propositions were
ARMED The Inst was res by If tSnt sy
Ile desires subsidy Of IS per mile 10 establish line
to- run alternately from New-lork ana Boston 10
European ports lie claims that they nave portion
~ the shDs necessary 20 establish the line at once
The second was presented by Gen. Rufus ingalls, and
Gen Peasonton. They desire guarantee OF the
interest aud principal on inc bohus asked iQr lney
also desire entire control OF tho emlgTant business
and that il be placed under their jurisdiction
nothing to be paid, however on the bonds until the
ships are constructed The thlrd proposition was
presented by Mr.. Barney claiming 10 DO the repre-
sentative OF "a proposed line which has already
contract with the Belgian Government for carrying
fbe mails 10 this country lie asks for similar con-
fron Government