The New York herald., 1871-08-01
WASHING ON.
Important Decision by the Judge Advo-
cate General.
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Astonishing Increase of Sol
diers of the War Of 1912.
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The Public Mind Relieved Adjournment Of the
Ku KIuX Committee.
Cause of the Late Explosion at the
Washington Arsenal.
WASHINGTON, July 81, 1911.
Interesting TO Army OGlcerv.


WASHINGTON, July 81, 1871.
Interesting TO Army Omcers.
law of 1870 provides that officers OF the army
who served In the rank In which they were commits
stoned, and also officers In rebel prisons aud In hos.
pitfalls, who could not be mustered in at the date OF
their respective commissions but were afterwards
mustered in shall be regarded az mustered back to
the dates OF their commissions and paid accordingly.
The third section OF this law provides that the two
foregoing sections should be held not to apply 10
cases In which an offlcer could not have been
mustered, even he had his commission.
The War Department held that this third
section annulled the two preceding sec.
tions, ana therefore the officers whom the
law was designed to benefit failed to receive the
arrears Of pay to which they were entitled. The
subject having recently been referred TO the Judge
Advocate General Of the army, Re has decided that
the third section Affects only small class OF cases,
and that the foregoing sections those OF the
larger number OF officers.
Cause Of tho Explosion at the Arsenal.
During last week General A. p. Dyer, Chief OF
Ordnance, and General Calender. in charge Of the
Washington Arsenal, made q thorough investiga-
ton of the condition Of the laboratory at the time OF
the terrible explosion on the morning OF the 22d
inst. There were nine barrels OF gunpowder In the
building, which was being used In making cannon
fuses for the artillery at Fortress Monroe and Fort
McHenry There was, however about the building
quantities OF chemicals used In the manu-
facture Of pyrotechncs The premises were
in charge OF careful and reliable members
of the Ordnance Department, and everything was
regarded safe at tue time of closing the night pre-
vlous to the explosion. The only conclusion the
officers could come to as TO the cause Of the tire
tiOn was taken in dlsposing Of dangerous cheml-
Gals 1t was difficult to determine In what way com.
bustion could have taken place. II is remembered
now, however, that the evening preceding the acct
dent was remarkable for the phenomena visible at
this point. Half hour before sundOwn brilliant
rainbow spanned the heavens the reflection Of
which produced o second scarcely less distinct
than the object ITSELF Beyond the rainbow, look
ing east, was cl0udless sky tinged with gold.
The declining sun shed Q flood OF light upon
the Capitol, while Pennsylvania avenue was
almost black with darkness. All along the avenue,
from the Capitol to Fifteenth sreer, were hundreds
OF persons enjoying the scene and 1t was observed
that even at distance of q mile from the building
the peculiar bronze eoloring Of the Goddess OF
Liberty surmounting the dome was Distinctly shown.
At night the aurora b0realis llumined the heavens
The presence or so much electricity In the atmos.
phere led many 10 suppose that 1t had mad some
effect upon certain chemicals used the Arsenal
anintaused fire to he generated near the powder
magazine in the building. General Calender, unable
to assign cause addressed the Secretary of War,
asking that court OF inquiry might be convened to
ascertain the true condition OF affairs the Arsenal
General Belknap, however, has declined doing this,
being fully satisfied that no one is responsible
for the disaster. Colonel Benton, in command
of the Springfield Arsenal, Massachusetts, mas, in
theory OF the cause Of the explosion. He saws that
the paste used in the manufacture OF cartridges at
tracts hordes OF rats, and In scampering about the
laboratory ignitable chemicals may have been
thrown together and the fire causing The explosion
made In that way. That has always been HIS theory
of the cause Of the explosion here In July 1s83 when
over forty persons were killed. careful survey Of
the damage done shows that 1t will not exceed ono
hundred thousand dollars. Most OF the material
consumed was old and unserviceable.
Probable Murder by Negroes.
on saturday night Andrew CURTAIN q white man,
while quietly on his way home, accidentally
stumbled against colored man who was carrying
a watermelon. The cOlored man was accompanied
by two other men, who Knocked Curtain down,
while one OF the party drew q razor across his
throat. completely scyerng his wIndpipc. The
wounded man will probably die. The assaIlants
escaped two policemen being unable to overtake
them. The National Republican says:--
1t Is about time this razor business was stopped,
and 1t could he II In all the cases brought to light
the maximum instead Of the minimum fines would
ne imposed, as was done In before the Police
Court on SATURDAY.. The men VINO own razOrs seem
TO be entirely too willing and ready to use them
for lilegiiimate purposes At unseemly times.
soldiers of tho War Of 1912.
The number Of applications for bounty for the
War OF 1912, already passed, Is 2s,0O0 The Third
Auditor estimates the whole number of applications
at 10000. Commissioner Van Aernam, in his report
to Congress- said that they would nos exceed 1900.
Attesspted Robbery Of National Bank Notes.
The Comptroller Of the Currency was recently all.
vised by one Of the Boston national banks of the
receipt Of package OF their notes sheet short.
The mall oftne following day also oroue ht the infor-
nation OF the receipt Of a similar package with five
sheets Short In all S270 short. subsequent letter
Informs the Comptroller OF the accidental dis.
covery OF the missing sheets upon the person
Of the messenger Of Adams Express Company. The
national bank notes are carefully counted by sew
eral different competent persons IN the Bureau OF
Engraving and In the once OF the Comptroller OF
the Currency, and arc securely tied with strong
twine and carefully sealed In the presence Of wit
nesses before Shipment Every precaution Is taken
10 prevent mistakes and loss, and the bank referred
TO was guilty OF great careessness IN receiving and
receptng packages Of money without nrst exam
lining the packages to ascertain whether they were
in good condition or mad been tampered with.
Adjourn ment Of tho Km Klax Committee.
The Ku Kiux Committee adjourned to-day until
the 10th Of September leaving here as sub.com-
mittee Senators Poole and Blair ana Representative
Buckley TO examine the few witnesses now here
and several others on tner way hither. 1t Is sup.
posed the examination will be concluded this week.
At the meeting In September reports will be made
on the acts and the condition OF the
finances in the late insurrectionary States, SUBJ
committees having the subject In charge.
Appointments by che President.
The President has made the following appoint
ments:-
Marsh Giddings, OF Michigan, Governor OF New
Mexico: William L.. Warning, Assessor OF Internal