Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-04-20

SAffTf OF STEAMBOATs.-1he members OF
the executive committee appointed by the
national steamboat mems convention, recently
held in this city, had a conference with Secre-
tary Boutwell, and Assistant Secretary Richard
son, to-day, in reference to the bill pending i'm
Congress relative to the supervision Of steam
boats and steam boilers. The committee will
have another conference with Assistant Secre-
tary Richardson on Monday.
TIE ALABAMA QUEsTIoN-Tke Government
VA Not Recede from ats Positioa.-As stated in
The STAR the Alabama controversy was one of
the topics of discussion at the cabinet meeting
yesterday. Yesterday morning Gen. Banks,
chairman of the House committee on foreign
affairs, had conference with Secretary Fish
respecting the action that should be taken by
the committee upon the resolution of Mr.. Peters.
OF Maine, for the withdrawal Of the American
claims tor the remote and consequential damages
growing out OF the depredations of the Alabama
and other rebel cruisers. Ii is stated that the
Secretary assured Gen. Banks, in most positive
terms, that the President and bis cabinet were
.hofoughly united IN support Of the position
taken by the department in presenting 10 the
tribunal at Geneva the claims OF tue United
States against Great Britain, and that so far
as the Executive is concerned there is not even
the possibility of our government receding from
its decision. He also authorized Gen. Banks to
communicate the feelings of the government 10
bis committee, and TO make such other use of
the cause in which the whole country, irrespec-
tive OF party divisions, is deeply concerned.
Subsequently the Secretary Of State reported
his action To the President and members Of the
cabinet who fully endorsed his course i'm the
matter.
TIE RoBRsoN INVESTIGATION COMMITTEES
last evening examined George r. Wilson, SUPER
intendent at the Washington Navy Yard, who
testified that Mr.. Corliss sent his own men to
remove the machinery from the Saco, and they
were employed eight or nine weeks. Corlis sent
witness money to pay the men. They were as
sisted by some men employed in the yard. Jno
NJ Broddhead testified in reference to the prac-
tice OF pay masters in keeping their accounts.
yRo. H. Butler testified that he was clerk for s. p.
Brown when certain claims were paid on the
steamer Governor. John Roche was recalled and
testified that be would take s35, 900 for the ma
chinery Of the Tennessee. The steamer Chatts-
nooga had been sold entire for 81, 900. The
machinery was just As easily got out Of her as
out Of the Tennessee; the great drawback In
taking machinery out OF old ships is that You
are not allowed TO break or cut the Ship the
Tennessee il Of 4.e00 tons tonnage; the tonnage
Senator Crasin, chairman or the Navy Com
mittee Of the Senate, was sworn. witness knew
the Secors very weii-two of them for seven
years and one Of them for two years; they are
men Of high character and position; saw Charles
Secor very soon after the bill had passed the
senate making appropriation to the Morchand
board; can't saw that Mr.. Grimes vas present at
the interview; Charles Secor vas under the i'm
preston that the act Of Congress would bar hts
9ther claims; i advised him to take the money;
Mr.. Grimes told him that the Secors had
,erfoI med heir work well, and were entitled to
he full amount Of their claim.