The Portland daily press., 1872-01-27
NEW YORK.
CUSTOM HOUSE INVESTIGATION.

CUSTOM HOUSE INVESTIGATION
NEW YORK;, Jan. a6.-The Retrenchment
Committee held session this forenoon.
james johnson testified to giving small sums
OF money to Inspectors in order to save larger
sums.
Charles Van Laun testified that he had been
IN the warehouse business sixteen wears and
connected with the general order business for
that Tune. He thought the prices now charged
for general orders were no higher than former
ly and the accommodations ample Merchants
always complain as they do not wish to paw
anything. The present general order stores are
superior In promptitude of delivery and in the
low rates OF charges to any in the city
MI. Brigham, book-keeper, in one of the
general order stores testified that the excessive
charges could not exist without the connivance
of the Collector of the Port
b. +. Mudgett was recalled. The witness
knew Leet and spoke to him about the inter-
ference by the Secretary of Treasury with the
general order business. Leet then said, 'Pve
got man who can put his hand on Boutwelrs
shoulder" Leet's evidence denying this asser-
ton was read, but the witness swore to the
exact words. The witness subsequently learn
ed that Porter had his headquarters at Lind
says. The witness heard o. B. Mathison and
James b. Taylor say that Grinnell could do
nothing in the general order business as he had
been forced to give it to Leet. Porter and
Lindsay who afterward sub-let the business -
Mr.; Bixley also informed the witness that he
had paid Porter for the privilege and offered to
show him the checks. The witness is certain
from all he had heard and seen that Porter was
engaged in these jobs. He would not believe
Porter under oath if he denied his connection
with the general order business. Witness was
appointed Deputy Appraiser, but on hearing
tary Boutwell, that he (witness) was an enemy
OF the administration, he resigned expressing
regret that the President should countenauce
the acts of military adventures in New York
Witness further said that at present he had NO
respect for the present administration and was
unwilling to serve under it.
SHOT BY WOMAN
George w. Watson Williamsburg hail
dresser was shot by Mrs Fanny Hyde, aged IS,
who says he has been in the habit of insulting
and accusing her of unfaithfulness to her hus
band. - rrE -,~
VARIOUS MATTERS.
A deputation of prominent Fenians attempt.
ed to interview Comptroller Green on the sub
ject of the discharge of so MANY Irish laborers.
The first deposit has been made by Mace.
which o baldwin is asked to cover, to fight fol
$4,000 side and the championship of the
world.
PRISON REFORM.
There was public meeting tonight in Stem
way Hall, in promotion of the cause of inter-
national prison reform.
HoratiO Seymour presided and in pertinent
speech alluded to the necessity of wise crimi-
nal code, not yet progressed by any State in the
Union. Defects in these laws and their execu-
ton are changeable in great degree to the in
difference of the people and legislatures.
A letter was received from President Grant
regretting his inability to attend, but containing
ASSURANCE of interest in the reform of peniten-
tiaries.
Letters were also read from Gov. Hoffman,
Vice President Colfax, Senators Sumner and
Chandler, Archbishop McClosky, Hon. VIM
Seward and Others ri