New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-02-17
WASHINGTON.

TIE SALE OF CADETsHIPs-A PENNsYLYANh
CONGRESSMAN IMPLIcATED-GEN. SHERMAN
ON NAVAL RANK--DECfsI0N IN THE VAN
WICK GREENE CONTESTED ELECTION-THE
FRANKING PRIyILEGE-THE PEABODY FUND
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THR TTIBUNRl
WASHINGTON. Wednesday, Feb 10, 1870.
The House Military Committee was again In session 10
day. subject of the sale by Congressman OF cadet
ships In the West Point and Annapolis academies. The
following witnesses examined: r. Lyle White
editor OF The MeadrHe (Penn) Republican; Maj. Boss
editor Of The Titusre PENN Herald; Maj. Derrlckson
and Dr. ]. I. Ray of Meadvie, Penn; VIM. ID.
Jack, and Thomas Mcdowell OF Harrisburg
Pal Gen. George r. Este, DR.. Alfred Thomas. c. A. Saw
yer and c. c. Capehart Of this city, and some Others
The three former testified with reference to the sale by
DIR. Newton Pets late representative from the TWEEN
teth Pennsylvania District, Of an appointment to Mr.
f. G. Bishop OF Titusville, whose is caket In
the West Point Academy Mr. White testified that he knew
little OF the facts OF his knowledge, but had made
tho charge against Pettis in his newspaper. Boss es
fed that he made the arrangement between Bishop and
Pettis that Bishop deposited $500 In the bank to the
order OF Bloss to be paid when his appointed,
and that he made the with Pets the night
OF Pettiss nomination. The original figure agreed upon
was $780, but Pets increased his price $500 after the cleo
ton account Of he alleges "the great expenses
Of the Campaign. That when the papers assuring tho
appointment OF Mr. Bishops arrived Boss drew the
money, and mailed IL TO Derrickson. Mr.. Derriekson
testified that Pettis borrowed the money, $500 Of him,
giving his note therefor, with the understanding that
Mr. Bishop was to pay the note and Endorsement to
that effect was made by Pettis on the back OF the
note. The Committee have the note in their
possession That Boss forwarded the money when the
appointment made and he received it and Cancelled
the note. The Committee regard this conclusive evil
denee in the case and will summon other witnesses
The testimony Of other witnesses named does not relate
TO this case. and is not known.
Admiral Porter is still pursulnt the Naval staff ques
ton and has gone to the army to get opinions oil the
subject To-day he sent to Mr. scboied, Chairman OF
the House Naval Committee the following letter from
Gen. Sherman:
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE USITED STATES !
WASHINGTON. d. g., Feb IS, 1870. )
Admiral ID. d. PORTER, Macy Depdrtment-DEAR AID
NIRA Iave your letter Of yesterday and hope youare
mistaken in surprising myopnion I'm anymanner affect
the result the question In the rank positive or asi
m c IN wi Which has been developed by the controversy
and have naturally deferred to the Judgment OF such
lives ar sea- aud have risen from the bottom the very
top OF your profession yon remark have had good
many voyages in all sorts Of crafts, both sailing and
those being from New,York California in the Lexng
ton naval store-ship commanded by the present Adm
70 sea in any vessel with than Captain, who
in case OF accident 10 him. the rights ana powers OF me-
successor are not clearly prescribed by law naval
custom. II by comforting actual naval rank upon the
Surgeons. Paymasers Engineers &c, the power OF the
CAPTAIN Executive Officer First Leutenanor the Officer
of the Deck diminished or made doubtful would con-
slider change very damaging TO the service The OBJ
as 10 fir responsibility Thus il the CHANGES at sea-
long voyage would leave ship with staff officers on
board senior TO the actual naval commander, the Gov.
eminent could not afford to let that commander off in
Of wreck disaster or defeat Therefore take tfor
granted that no law Will be enacted that VIII leave IL
doubtful who to be the responsible commander ia any
event
They hold commission from the President as generals.
eolone majors captains etc. Toa NIX ter pay ni
the sxtysecond Article or Wal eirlS uar1 on a.
quarters different corps the army shall happen JOIN
duty tOsthsr the 9ee ar asst sI pra 81
ne on duty, OF IN quarters shd command tho whole,
wise specially by the President the United
states according To the nature Of the Therefore,
and b Whole though thero
&e with commissions iof colonel or major who must
obey his orders so long as limo officer is present Tor
the Government holds him especially responsible for
whatever duty enterprise the command may DO en-.
"a nractIcally true as TO the officer Of the day, who
responds with your officer OF the deck also the adu
iaut who simply executes the orders OF the commanding
officer In ali other respects the stan officers have the
| fun advantage of their rank =,
on the whole, army system seems % work wei IN
practice, but do not feel justified IN saying how lar the
same plan would work in the navy or this you must DC
The better Judge As a matter Of course, all kinds of
bills find cosy admission into Congress for debate but
force on You any system OF naval government that you
think will result III the decentralization OF the service
rather think they will defer to those who 80 down TO
The sea In ships make the laws which will preserve the
dIsepline of the navy make 1t what 1t has always
sincere friend W. l. SHERMAN General
In the House. todaytbe contested election of Van
WICK vs. Greene XIth District Now-Y]rk. occupied
nearly the whole session The Democrats made most
determined fight against Van Wyck, and did almost
everything possible to defeat him Tho course Of Gen.
Paine made some OF the Demscrats hopeful that Green
would be retained but the majority report OF the
Elections Committee was strongly backed mp with
n,tIa Silp L.
ChurchI and Farnsworth. Randall, ono Of tho Dc
mocrate members OF the Elections Committee, offered
resolution declaring the seat vacant that new cleo
fon might be held. This looked upon by many as an
acknowledgment by the Democrats OF Green not being
entitled TO the seat The report OF the Committee was
finally adopted all the Republicans present. with few
exceptions voting in the affirmative.
The bill to abolish the frankug privilege hangs nre IN
the Senate and Its enemies intend to amend It, hoping
its return to the House will kill it, An examlngation OF
the Congressional Post Office shows that, while every
letter sent by Senator Representative goes ree over
half they receive are prepaid.
In the Senate to-day, Mr Anthony made some remarks
in support OF the resolutions OF tho Rhode Island Legs
at,re memorialzing Congress for an appropriation to
erect harbor of refuge Block Island. The bill to
proyde for furnishing artificial limbs " disabled soldiers
yas debated ut considerable length some senators Cd
ecod 10 the clause allowing Communication In money 10
| those who did not take limbs. Mr. Sherman observed
that II would add immensely to our pension roll which
was already greater than that Of any other country In
the world The Senate however, by large majority re-
| fused TO strike out tho clause. Amendments were
| added extending the benefits OF the bill TO
| tho soldiers Of tho war OF 1912 and the
Mexcau war. Doubts expressed as 10 whether the
bill did not include Confederate soldiers, on account Of
s wording. 1t was laid over, and the Mississippi bill
was proceeded with. Speeches were made by Messrs
Yates Carpenter, Howard. Stewart Wiley, and Ed.
munds the latter making eloquent defense OF New