The New York herald., 1871-09-26
WASHING TON.
Rigid Enforcement Of the
Steamboat Law.
Removals in the New Orleans
Custom House.
~>>>~~~~~~>>~>~~~~>~~,~~-
The Trial of the Defau'ting
Paymaster.
A Full Confession Promised Startling
Exposures Expected.

Trial of Major N0dae-A Technical Plea of
"Not Guilty" 10 be Entered.
The trial OF the defaultng army paymaster, s.
Ledyard Hodge will convene tomorrow, at twelve
O'Clock NJ, at Fort McHenry, Baltimore, and most OF
the officers that are to compose the court martial
are now at the fort. william Schley, the eminent
Baltimore LAWYER, will appear as counsel for Major
Hodge, but 1t is understood that 1t Is not the inten
tion OF the prisoner to set up any technical defence
but that plea OF 'Not guilty" will be entered
merely to allow certain facts TO be brought TO the
notice OF the Court In relation to the embezzement
1t having been stated tnat Major Hodge spent large
sums or the money taken from the government upon
himself and family In luxurious living, 1t will
be the especial object OF the statement OF facts to be
submitted to deny these allegations ana snow that
not dollar of the funds taken from the govern
| ment was ever appropriated 10 the maintenance OF
| his family in any manner whatever. The statement
| will, 1t is understood, give the speculations in
DETAIL beginning with the first In 1854 and extending
up the time the illegal transactions brought
to light. Much feeling Is mani. esed by the friends
of Major Hodge who are here, and 1t Is alleged
by them that not the desire OF the prisoner
have any defence made whatever, but for the graft
ncauon OF his wife and three little children, VINO
ore now here. Mr.. Schley will appear merely to
make plain statement Of facts In relation to the
bezzement and not for the purpose OF presenting
any technical defence There are however, certain
legal questions that have never before been pre-
sented In connection with trial by courts martial
as to how far their authority can go In punishing
military prisoners. That, 1t Is understood, may be
presented with much force. without the authority
to prevent specific statements that Will be presented
1t is affirmed that there may be some developments
the trial of this important case wholly unexpected.
The friends OF Major Hodge seem to think
that he has gone so far In his c0ntrltlon
and by the surrender OF all his private fortune,
including his wife's dover, that he has done too
much, and there will probably be considerable OF an
effort made by them TO make the best showing
possible, Notwithstanding Major Hodge himself
does not desire 10 interfere IN the least with the
course of justice lie seems perfectly resigned TO
his fate whatever 1t may be- and seems not to care
the least for himself, but often speaks with great
emoti on Of his wife and Children left penniless by
his acts. he remarked to q friend that If they
could 'shoot him 1t would be TO him o ble5sing.'
He Is In close confinement at the fort, and IL per-
mitted to see but few friends.
Treasury Leak Stopped.
For many years past the Treasury Department has
allowed collectors Of customs one per cent comns.
sion for disbursements of money account OF tho
Marine Hospital service. The limited appropriation
made by Congress aud the diminished receipts from
the hospital tax have made absolutely necessary to
Curtal expenses every sidc IL was recently dis
covered that there was no authority OF law for
allowing the commission above mentioned, and
Secretary Boutwell, to-day directed that the same
be discontinued, TO date from July l. 1871.
No More Steamboat Homicides.
Application was made to-day by parties residing
In st. LOUIS for permission to run at their own risk
a ferryboat called Carrie which has recently been
condemned by the steamboat lnspe ctors. The Trea-
sury Department decided that 1t had no authority 10
grant permission for q steamer TO run after having
been refused q certificate by the inspector OF steam
vessels The owners merely desired To use the boat
In freignting wood for their own use but even with
the disposition TO stand the result OF an explosion
the government does not feel justified In sanctionng
this species OF murder
Signal Lights on Sailing Vessels.
The Chief OF the Revenue Marine Service to-day
decided that vessels loaded with hay or cOmDustble
matter may, on the approach OF steamer. waive
globe lantern instead OF lighted torch, AZ now re-
quircd,
Perfection Of the Storm Signal Service.
The following despatch was received at ten min
utes to eight p M at the headquarters OF the signal
Bureau having been at the same tune telegraphed
to all the stations on the lakes:-
To the CHIEF SIGNAL OFFICER, United States Army
DETROIT, Mich, Sept. 25, 1871.
Very high winds, with light rain nave set In.
ALLEN BUELL.. Observer.
The Signal once has such teegraphc facilities
that at any hour, day or night, should reports OF
the storm Is likely to extend can be warned some
hours in advance the headquarters Dcing In direct
communication with all the principal cities OF this
country.
Tho Geneva Arbitration.
Assistant Secretary OF State Davis, the United
States Agent before the Geneva Arbitration was In
consultation for several hours to-day with Messrs.
Cushing and Meredith the counsellors recently ap-
pointed on the subject Of the claims to be repre-
I,h tvilI fha n,
OF December.
Changes in the Revenue Marine Service.
The Secretary OF the Treasury has ordered the new
revenue steamers Grant, COfax and Galatn TO go
into commission and the following changes IN
the stations of onicers OF the revenue marine
vice were announced to-day
Captain ]. G. Baker, from the Moccasin, at New
poit R l., TO the Gallatln, at Buffalo, N. Y; Captain
g. Il. Slicer, from the Dix, al Detroit to the Grant,
at Wilmington, Del; Chief Engineer Eugene Vallot
from the Johnson, at Milwaukee, to theiGrant, when
relieved by Chief Engineer Pulsifer; FIRST Leu,en-
ant w. b. Randolph nom the Petrol to the Coiiax,
from the Moccasn; First Assistant Engineer j.
Madison Case, from the sherman TO the Coiiax on
reporting OF BarrOws, nov on waiting orders.
The other changes are as follows:-
Captain T. Treadway, to the Chase, at oswego;
Captain Thomas Sands, from the Racer, at Charles
tom to the Rescue, at Fernandina; Captain Ii. P.
Racer; Chief Engineer A. Auchinleck, TO the Dix at
Detroit; First Lieutenant NJ. A. Healy nom the Vir.
X. l.. First Lieutenant G. A. Abbey on expiraton of
leave OF absence from the Rescue TO the stevens at
Philadelphia: First Lieutenant j. &. Mitchell from
the stevens TO the Rescue Third Lieutenant j. f. n
Graham, from waiting orders to the johnson, at
Milwaukee.
Renoyal of Confederate Deaa from Geuys-
burg.
The bodies OF Confederate SOLDIERS recently OK
humed from the field or Gettysburg were brought to
Savannah Ca, on Friday. fhe Republican o; that
City says.
This Is the second reception OF Confederate dead
recently, and. although there was no demonstration,
but quiet, unostentaiIous removal from TIE wharI
TO the Exchange we could not help marKing me
melancholy respect shown ~ the noble deau OF the
lost coniederacy.
Case Of Tho Atlanta Postmaster.
private letter from Atlanta says that Colonel
F! Thomas @. semmes, VINO was appointed Postmaster
| at Atlanta by President Johnson, and against whom