The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-03-29
Mr.. Bartlett said they must put their proof
'efore the committee IN order when they saw

Mr.. Bartlett said they must put their proof
before the committee in order when they saw
fit. AsffA4 EfFE.#
After conversation between the members, Mr.
Peters offered the following resolution
Res0loed, That the resolution heretofore adopt
ed allowing the editor of the New York Sun to
appear with counsel and examine witnesses is
not to be construed to extend beyond evidence
to sustain the charges against the Secretary of
the Navy contained in the articles heretofore
published in that newspaper, was adopted
Mr.. Bartlett called attention to the statute
authorizing the Secretary of the Navy to settle
the claims of Secor & Co., and Perine, Secor &
Co, and the subsequent payment of $115, $50 to
them them. This was on account OF the ships Man
haitian ,Tecumseth and Mahopac, and the law
provided it should be in full Mr.. Bartlett then
read the order signed by John Lenthal Chief
OF the Bureau of Construction and Repairs for
extra pay to those parties on their contracts
amounting to ST., 66j to Secor & Co., and $780,
451 to Perine, Secor & Co.
Lenthal was sworn and Intercepted concern
ing those orders for extra pay. His understand
ing was that Secor & Co. 5 bills were settled
under Wells administration. He did not re-
collect another instance where matter settled
by one administration was opened by another.
There might or might not haqe been such in
stances. He signed the bills under orders of
the Secretary of the Navy, knowing there had
been board of naval officers in the case He
had but one interview with the Secretary of the
Navy as to the payment of these extra claims
The Secretary wished to know of him wheth-
er there was any fund out of which money
could be paid. He replied that there was some
law In which Secor's name wos mentioned, and
informed the Secretary there was no fund but
the current appropriations for the use of the
bureau. The Secretary made no reply. The
conversation was brief and took place day or
TWO before the payment was made. In reply to
a question of Secretary Robson, witness said
there was no concealment about the payment of
the money: The bill was paid like other bills
paid out of money of the Bureau of Construc-
ton and Repairs when there was no other
money out of which bills could be paid. The
secretary never ordered him to reopen the Secor
account, and therefore he never said mo rea-
soE could be produced in its support" He did
noe nod up to the Secretary receipt full of
these claims. He never did proclaim against
their payment, and he never said he would not
pay without a written order. He volunteered
10 say on the part of the Secretary, as far
as he was concerned, the published statements
In connection with his name did him injustice.
Alter further examination Mr.. Bartlett asked
whether Admiral Porter was present. The
chairman read a letter saying he could not at
tend on account of sickness.
Adjourned till tomorrow.
VETO.
The President has vetoed the act of Congress
for the relief of the estate of j. +. Hawkes., of
Louisiana, for the reason that the records of
the Treasury Department show that the current
money taken from the State banks of New Or
leans in 1862 are accounted for by the Treasury
Department, together with list of the deposit
tors, and the name of DR.. Hawkes. does not APP
pear on the list. ..s
The rumors that changes will be made in the
Interior Department, by. which Gen. Howard
takes charge of the Indian Office, and Gen.
Walker assumes the duties of Commissioner of
Pensions, are without proper foundation No
changes are contemplated.