Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1872-03-22

WAsHIsaros, March IS, 1872.
THe REV STATE DEPARTMENT.


The investigation ordered by Congress into
the alleged mismanagement of the work on this
building is progressing slowly, thus far it has
been proven that the stone used in,the founda-
tons is of a very poor quality, and has already
cracked and crumbled in many places by the
action of the frost during the past winter. No
explanation has yet been given why this stone
was used in preference to that called for by the
bill (granite,) 1t is reported, ON very good
authority, that the supervising architect is in
a ring that controls the Seneca Sand Stone
Quarries, in this District, and that's the reason
the stone was used.s If the testimony hereafter
is of the same nature as that already given, it
is quite likely somebody will be proven to be a
big scoundrel, and the building, or that part
of it already finished, will be taken down. The
Seneca Quarries, learn, are owned by num-
Der of our prominent officials who only wish to
turn an honest penny, and this is one of the
main reasons that the stone was used. The
entire foundation of the building has been laid
and the work, if not stopped by order of Con-
gress, will begin in a few days by the laying
of the stone on the first story.
CONGRESS. :
The different committees of the House are
working diligently to clear up the business be-
fore them by next May. The committee on ap-
preparations, thus far, is ahead, and have dis
posed of more bills than any other committee
The different investigating committees are hard
at work daily, but the business before them is
| of such nature that it cannot be pushed. The
committee investigating the affairs of this Dis
trict have an elephant on their hands, and find
that almost every citizen in this city either
wants to swear for or against the Government,
that our city officials have squandered public
money, has been proven beyond doubt. Bills
are introduced in both Houses, weekly, asking
for change in the District Government, these
are all referred to the committee, and, of course,
they have to be considered by it and then re-
ported back to the House for action. The mem
bers of the committee think they will get thro'
about twelve months after Congress adjourns.
The other investigating committees are doing
good service by unearthing frauds, &c. The
committee that investigated the cash accounts
of the Treasury Department has finished its la
bors and found all things correct. The Ways
and Means committee is about the hardest work
ing committee in the House, it is also the most
important. Then comes the committee on Elec-
tons, this committee has more business before
it than it can possibly get through with during
the present session, many of the cases will have
to go over. 1t is rumored that the committee
investigating the affairs of the Bureau of Cur
rency. in the Treasury Department, has impli-
Gated some prominent officials in little rascal
ity. 1t is impossible to tell who the thieves
are, as the committee has placed an injunction
of secrecy on all their proceedings, so we will
have to wait until they feel like giving it to the
public. The investigation will be through in
two or three weeks, then we will get all the facts
THE ROYAL JAPs
Are yet in our city. A few nights ago the Pre-
sident gave them dinner, which was attended
by a number of our prominent officials. On
Friday last they attended our Public Schools
and appeared deeply interested in our school
system. The Embassy have already engaged
a number of teachers, some of them young la
dies in the Treasury. The Embassy will leave
our city in few days for Philadelphia, where
they will visit the U. S. Mint. SAss-AcUss.