The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-03-27
WASHINGTON.
INVESTIGATION OF THE SALE OF
ARMS.
Senator Patterson Testifies.
SENATOR SUMNER DECLINES.
Condition Of National Banks.
The Senate's Change of Front on the
Tariff Bill.
SENATOR PATTERSON BEFORE THE FRENCH
ARMS COMMITTEE.

SENAIOk PATTERSON BEFORE THE FRENCH
ARMS COMMITTEE.
WASHINGTON, March 2G-The Senate Arms
Committee to-day examined Senator Patterson,
who stated the conversation he had with the
Marquis Chambrun. The latter informed him
year ago that the French Consul at New
York was in some way mixed up with personal
interests in the sales of arms to the French, but
as he was French subject he could not have
access to the books of the War and Treasury
departments to ascertain facts.
MI. Patterson accordingly saw the Secretary
OF the Treasury and related the conversation
with Chambrun. The Secretary thought there
had been no fraud in the sales and no violation
OF the international law or treaty stipulations.
This was at the close of the session when the
matter was dropped. Chambrun said that
three or four millions of dollars had dropped
between the American and French govern
ments, and his object was to get the facts to be
used in connection with the charges against tine
French Consul at New York.
In his further examination Senator Patterson
said Chambrun told him that he suspected that
G. X. Garrison and John Hoey were in collu-
sion for the sale of arms. Witness had no in
formation as to how Mr.. Sumner obtained a
copy of the letter from Remington to LIE Cesne
nor did he know how Chambrun obtained
copy, nor did he known that any American cit
lzen or government official was directly or in
directly interested in the sale of arms except
what he heard from Chambrun.
SENATOR SUMNER OBJECTS TO BEING INTER-
RoGATED BY THE CoMNuTTEB
MIR. Sumner came into the room and read a
protest against being examined He stated at
length the grounds of his objection. First, in
public conduct Senator acts on his response
bility under sanction of an oath, and the con-
stitution declares that for any speech or debate
he shall not be questioned in other place. 1t is
plain Senators cannot be Intercepted with re-
gard to their conversation with other Senators
on public business. Secondly, with regard to
witnesses who have confidentially commune
Gated with him.
He objected furthermore to testifying on the
ground OF the constitution of the committee
which, contrary to parliamentary laws, was
formed of those not friendly to the investiga-
ton.
"A subpoena was then directed to be served on
MT. sumner to appear tomorrow morning.
NOMINATIONS
The President has sent the following nomin-
atoms to the Senate to-day-James Mnmo,
supervising inspector general of steamboats,;
Thomas ID. Street, assistant surgeon of the
navy.
COMMITTEE MATTERS.
The House Committee on Appropriations
this morning had under consideration the light
house appropriations.
The signal service appropriation will be con-
sidered Thursday -
The Ways and Means Committee further dis
cussed the free list, but did nothing i'm portant
The Banking and Currency Committee have
Currency, and willIshortly report to the House
probably by simple resolution.
CONDITION OF THE NATIONAL BANKS.
Comptroller of Currency showing the condition
the national banks in the United States at the
close of business, on the 9th ult., exhibits the
following items: