Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-12-12
WASHINGTON.

WAsnrNe4os, December l2.-H is
said matters have reached point
now where there can no longer be a
shadow of doubt that Alderman will at
once retire from the Attorney-General-
ship and be succeeded by Ex-senator
Williams of Oregon. This change was
substantially decided upon several days
since, but has been withheld for certain
reasons which make longer delay unnec-
essary. The retiring Attorney General
will be transferred to other fields If he
prefers to remain in official station
which seems probable. He is offered
legal position for life in one of the United
States Courts for one of the Southern
States.
The report that Robson will soon re-
tire from the Navy Department hnds
many believers. Many well informed per-
sons declare that It is his intention to go
abroad in some ministerial capacity after
his marriage TO Mss Auliek. { kt
Dawes will make an earnest effort to
report from the Ways and Means Com
mittee and to pass the bill before the
holidays to repeal the income tax. The
committee viii probably report favor
ably, az
In the investigation of the Treasury
frauds it was found necessary to author
ize the Committee on Expenditures in
the House to send for persons and pa
.pers. The investigation is progressing
under the committee, aided by experts
selected by the Secretary. 1t is believed
that all the defaleations which have oc-
CURED have been made public.
Dawes denies the truth Of the state
ment that be had given tobacco men as
surances Of his intention to favor the
reduction Of the tax to sixteen cents, or
thathe told his position on that question
iisThe Secretary of State has received
advices from Havana which place the
action Of the Spanish Government, in
executing the students, in still more
offensive and inexeusable light. Banks,
Chairman Of the House Committee on
Foreign Affairs, has been advised on the
subject but the committee will not take
any action on Cuban affairs until after
the holidays. The President is prepar-
ing a report on the subject for presenta-
ton to the COMMITTEES.
The President said to-day he hoped
Congress would abolish the income tax
before sdjourmng FOR the holiday recess
It is believed that a majority will favor
an immediate repeal.
Saturday last the Secretary Of the
Treasury appointed Messrs. Geo. W.
Riggs, s. z. Middleton, j. Fl. Gooette,
| H. Leopold, D. Leopold, ]. D. Patton, jr !,
Ross A. Fische and E. B. Daskand, a
committee to investigate the affairs OF
the several divisions and vaults Of the
United States Treasury office, and make
| thorough examination Of all the books,
accounts and moneys Of his bureau.
Tae committee was appointed at the
request Of General Spinner, who caused
all the vault keys to be brought to him
at his rooms at the close Of business
Saturday, and Immediately thereafter
the committee assembled and com
menced its labors, working all Saturday
night, Sunday and Sunday night, during
which time the investigation so far ad
vaneed as TO allow the Office to be
opened as usual for business yes
terday morning. The work covers
every department excepting the sealed
packages in vaults which represent Sc
curities for over $s00,OOO,0OO. The &C
counts Of one teller we're found thirty
dollars in his favor, and those Of anoth-
err twenty cents short. All the other &C
counts we're found 70 tally precisely
with the money each officer is response
bic for. The Warden and johnson de
falcations we're found to reach the fig
ures at FIRST stated, namely, about s62,
600. The committee propose to exam
Inc infinitely all packages in the vault
which will be a labor Of nearly thre'
months.
The President to-day nominated Johr
L. Routt Of Illinois as Second Assistant
Postmaster General, vice General Smith
resigned on account Of i'll health.