The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-01-11
NEW YORK.

NEW YORK, Jan. 1O.-The Congressional Re
trenchment Committee continued its sessions
at the hotel to-day.
f. Payson testified that the books seized by
the government officers last February were kept
five months and then returned without charges
being proved.
Z. B. Wheeler, importer, testified to the seiz-
ure of his books on alleged irregularities, and
authorized the attorney to pay up.
John B. Terry, clerk in the Custom House,
stated the charge of one Capt. Grant that he,
together with Collector Arthur and ex-Collec
tor Murphy, connived at election frauds, was
scandalously false.
John S. Beeher importer, testified that his
books were seized in 1865 ON charge of MAX
ing false entries, $40, 900 being claimed but he
compromised at $50, 900. Webster & Sprague,
his attorneys, said that they never knew a case
they couldn't compromise in an hour.
John d. Mckenzie, merchant, testified he
had knowledge that the City Weigher takes
weights of important goods and turns them
over to the government. In the majority of
cases the Custom House Weigher is not pres
emit, only a laborer or foreman. While A. M.
Quackenbosh was grand juror in the U. S.
Circuit Court, two years ago, the books of a
concern were seized and brought before them,
and he found evidence of frauds ON the govern
ment of over 100000: A suit was brought and
the case was settled by the custom officials for
$4,000
Horace b. Clarke, commission merchant, tes-
titled that in 1870 his books, stock and premise,
were seized by Deputy Collector Thompsons
and he was next day arrested on warrant and
saluted by Thompson a thief. Word was
sent to his brother that the thing might be COM
promised for $4,000. He refused to settle it
and defended himself successfully in the U. S.
Court, but the expense of doing SO for fees, Sc,
was 100000. The stock in question not being
worth more than $25, 900, the stock was sold by
the u S. Marshal, and $2500 of this returned
to him. He never knew what became of the
rest.
A M. Elliot, brother-in-law of Thompson,
was concerned in the proceeding. A drunken
crowd came and seized his goods and stole
many articles. Thompson sent him word that
he would ruin him unless he compromised
Witness had heard of many similar cases and
can furnish names Thomson was connected
with internal revenue.
removal of parties in the Custom House for DO
ltical reasons, and being informed that parties
had complained of him to Gen. Grant as an en-
envy of his administration, he went to Wash
ington to see the President, but General Porter
threw every difficulty in his way. The first
time Gen. Porter sent out word that the Presi-
dent could see no one that day but John Rus
sell Young and Col. MCGEE. The next day and
the day after it was the same. The fourth day
Secretary Boutwell, got him an audience and he
told the President that the charges were untrue.
He said that the reason the charges were made
was rumor that he was friend of Mr.. Fen
ton the President told him to have no fear of
of removal, and assured him that there was no
charge against him as an official, and if there
was any repetition of the charges he would
give him chance to be heard Three weeks
after the witness saw his removal in the Even
ing Post, and that was the first he had heard of
it. Gen. Palmer attributes his appointment to
the notice taken of him by Secretary Boutwell,
while acting as lawyer in the case of Blatch-
ford frauds, a combination between brokers and
excise officers to cheat the government. Batch-
ford was a deputy collector. He was indicted a
year ago and is now at liberty. In reply to
Senator Bayard, witness said that the gentle
man behind him handing written question to
Senator Howe was Col. Bliss, who was interest
ed in sustaining one side of the Republican par
ty. Senator Howe remarked somewhat tartly
that the Senator might put Bliss on the stand if
he felt any curiosity, without making an attack
upon himself.
Mr.. Bayard said there was no attack and no
curiosity, but he preferred to made it publicly
known what the gentleman was who was put
| ting in questions.
Senator Casserly complained of the officers of
| the government sustaining one side of the in
vestigation more than another. He believed
the committee able to get along without such
active interpostion of officers sof the Custom
House and their friend and followers.
| Senator Stewart thought it fair not only that
| the Custom House side should be heard but that
| they should come and hear the charges
| Mr.. Caserly admitted that it was so, but con-
demned the intermeddling conduct they had
witnessed of so many Custom House officers
OeIl RAINIER IurJner stated bnaU IL was well
| established fact that Custom House officers
were employed to control the two last State
| Conventions, Adjourned.
STOKES BEFORE THE GRAND JURY.
The rumor that Stokes is already indicted is
probably untrue, though it is understood that
l. the case is under consideration by the grand
jury.
| TAMMANY NOTES.
1t is believed that Tweed will go to Albany
tonight.
The Commercial is informed that it is the in
tention to place the Tammany Society distinct
" on reform ground.
VARIOUS MATTERS.
The officers of the Manhattan Bank positive
ly deny that Oakley Hall ever had cent de-
posted there.
Acting Mayor Cochrane held a levee to-day
There was another heavy run ON the Third
Avenue Savings Bank to-day. The officers
claim to be able to meet all demands.
The statue Of Franklin has been placed on its
pedestal in Printing House Square and yelled
with the American flag.
.Ihe Staten Island ferry-boat Castleton has
been seized and libeled for Noncompliance
with the laws of Congress in not having steam
recording gauge.
The railroad trouble at Hampstead, L. l., i.
ended, the attacking party showing no DISPOSE
ton to renew the war.
LOSS OF VESSEL FOR PORTLAND.
The steamship Oceanic, which arrived this
forenoon, has on board the captain and crew O.
the brig Mountain Eagle, abandoned in sink
ing condition ON the Sth inst. The brig wa
from Elizabethport for Portland, with cargo
of coal. The Oceanic had a terrible passage
She lost three blades of her propeller, sails, Sc
THE LEGISLATURE.
ALBANY, Jan. 10.-The bill passed by til,
Legislature providing for the payment of TIN
Indebtedness of the city of New York, author
ICES the raising of six and half millions.