Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-03-27
WASHINGTON.
Sumner Won't Testify on French Arms
A Subpoena Issued Against Him.

WASHINGTON, March 26.-The Senate
| Arms Committee to-day examined Senator
Patterson who testified concerning his con-
versation with the Marquis DeChambrJIn.
! A letter informed him a year ago that the
French Consul at New York, and Reming-
! ton and ingalls, were in some way mixed
up with personal interests in the sale of
arms to the French, but as he was French
subject he could not have access to the
books of the War and Treasury Depart
ments to ascertain the facts.
Mr.. Patterson accordingly saw the Sec
retary of the Treasury and related the con-
versation he had with Chambrun. The
Secretary thought there had been no fraud
In the sales, and no violation of interna-
tional or treaty stipulations. This was at
the close of the session, when the matter
was dropped. Chambrun said that
Three or Four Million Dollars
had dropped between the American and
French governments, and his object was TO
get the facts to be used in connection with
the charges against the French Consul at
New York. In further examination Mr..
Patterson said Mr.. Chambrun told him he
suspected that C. K. Garrison and John
Hoey were in collusionfor the sale of
arms.
Witness had no information as to how
Sumner obtained copy of the letter from
Remington TO LecesDe, nor did be know how
Chambrun obtained copy, nor had he
knowledge that any American citizen or
Government official was directly or indi-
rectly interested in the sail of arms, only
what be heard from Chambrun.
Senator Sumner came into the room and
read protest against being examined on
the ground that Senator acts on his res
possibility under the sanction of his oath
and the Constitution, and says he shall not,
and cannot be intenogated as to his con-
versaion with other Senators or as to con-
fdential communications. Also that the
constitution of the committee was contra
ry to Parliamentary laW, its members being
unfriendly to the investigation.
A subpoena was directed to be served OH
Summer to appear tomorrow.
Steamboat Supervisor.
The PRESIDENT has nominated Joseph
NimmO to be Supervising Inspector Gener-
al Of steamboats,.
The Coffee Question.
Senator Sherman in conversation this
evening said that in his opinion the action
Of the Senate to-day in adopting as amend
ments to the free tea and coffee bill various
sections Of the tariff bill as reported from
the Finance Committee is to defeat the free
tea and coffee movement, as he believes the
Senate will tomorrow strike ont the free
tea and coffee provisions and leave the bill
just as it was reported from the Finance
Committee.
On the other hand it is understood that
a number of those who voted for the
making q general reduction of
10 per cent. on important articles, ETC., did
so with the expectation of compelling some
reduction In addition to the remission Of
the duties on tea and coffee, believing the
revenue is so large as to bear all those re-
duCtiOns combined.
The Committee on Ways and Means will
in a great degree be controlled in the bill
they will report by the action Of the Senate
and the extent OF the reductions contem- |
plated. Several weeks Rag relapse before |
the committee will be prepared to repSrt.
The Robson Investigation.
The select committee to investigate the |
charges against the Secretary Of the Navy, |
met this evening, but were unable to pro-
ceed in consequence of the absence Of one
Of the committee.