Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-04-13

DIR. WILLIAM L. COLLINS, late pension agen,
In this District, stated yesterday that he expect,
soon to be able to present his vouchers and
duplicate checks, completely closing his accounts
and leaving 10 defalcation.
THR robson INvEsTIGATIoN.-Thes peci I
committee of the House OF Representatives q
inquire into the charges against Secretary
Robson, last evening examined Daniel w
Richards. an iron merchant of BROOKLYN VIII,
testified that the old engines of the Tennessee
were offered TO him by John Roach for SIS 200.
but witness thought that was too much for them
in the ship, and offered $4,000 for them out O.
the vessel. Alfred Day, a coal merchant o,
Philadelphia, whose name had been furnished
the committe AS witness who could give som,
information against Secretary Robeson, testitieC
that he had never seen the charges and neyel
told anybody anything in connection with them
knew nothing about the matter; knew nothing
against Robeson.
Mr.. Robson said-I once had a law suit witt
you?
The witness said did not recollect that unit
you mentioned it.
BY Mr.. Archer-Know of no Irregularities il
the purchase of coal for the navy; he had not
furnished coal for the navy for many years: be
was once solicited by the purchasing officer to
bid but got no contract.
No other witnesses being present. the com
mittee adjourned until to- night, when ex-Sec-
retary Welles will be examined.
GENERAL CONFERENCE NJ. f. CHURCR.-Th,
Brooklyn Academy of Music has been hired foI
four weeks, commencing May 6tn, for the use OF
the General Conference of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church, which assemblies on that date
The time will be extended, if desired, and IL
the academy is used at night 500 per nighi
additional il to be paid. There are expected
to be present fully four hundred and fifty dele
gates, who will come hither from all portions o;
the United States. Delegates from representa-
tive bodies Of N ethodsn In GERMANY, England
France, and Canada, and from other bodie.
throughout the world, will also be present. Tn,
Brooklyn Eagle says:-"This bo6y-the Genera
Conferences composed of delegates from thu
annual conferences of the church, about tw,
hundred and fifty, according to the ratio O.
ministers in the conference. The body is tn,
supreme court OF the church. 1t is the hghesi
legislative and executive body of the Meth
Odist Episcopal Church in the United States
1t elects and Ordains the bishops, il appoints the
missionary agents, the book room agents. the
editors of all the magazines and papers in con
nection with the denomination. 1t finally ano
inevitably decides all disputes of any and ever,
description in the church. From its decision
there is no appeal whatever. 1t can make o!
unmake everything in connection with .ha OR
ganiZato save the articles of the church, Ia,
representation will be introduced at this confer
ence for the first time in the history of tn
church, and will constitute one of the creates,
features of the occasion. 1t is also expected
that the affair of the shook concern, in New
York, which has been so prominently before the
people for so long time, viii come before the
body for final action, ano, together with the
other features already rec6 united, will conspire
TO render the convention e greatest and most
intensely Interesting ever held.