Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-03-30

committee of the house had extended the limits
OF the testimony very widely, but he did not
know whether evidence like this had ever been
admitted in regard to the alleged statement of 4
man now dead.
Mr.. Peters thought the offered testimony
plainly inadmisSable. The object of the inves-
tgation was to ascertain facts. Moreover, it ap-
peared that if johnson made the statement at
all, it was after the claim had been paid, and it
was well known rule of evidence that a decla-
ration of that kind could not be received as evil
dencc If made after the agents functions ceased.
Mr.. Peters believed also That if Johnson were
living he would rcpel such statement as totally
false.
Mr.. Blair suggested that proof was wanting
OF the fact that johnson was really SeCors' at
tOney.
Mr.. Bartlett replied that he could adduce
documentary proof on that point by Monday
evening
Mr.. Sargent said the theory on which this evil
dence was offered was that the declaration of
scoundrel employed by another ScoundreI, since
dead, TO do a corrupt thing with the third
scoundrel, was to be received as evidence of
guilt of a party having no connection with
either.
Secretary Robson denounced the attempt to
bring in such testimony as Infamous and asked
Mr.. Bartlett if he expected TO show that John
son was his (RObeson'S) agent.
Mr.. Bartlett replied that he wished to prove
by Wood that the claim was admitted by John
son to be fraudulent.
After some further discussion, no other wit
neSseS being present, and no decision being
reached on the question of admitting WOODS
testimony, the committee adjourned until Mon
day evening.
WANTED, AN APPROPRIATION.
William Orion, the postmaster general, and
Gen. MYer, were again before the committee on
appropriations to day, aud had hearing on the
subject Of an appropriation for paying the cX-
vice. Hon. William Whiting, assistant attorney
general, represented the interests of the govern
ment. The committee will continue the subject
ON Monday.
THE SHIP BUILDING INTEREST.
At the instance of Speaker Blaine, a hearing
was had to-day before the ways and means COM
mittee on the subject of incorporating in the
tariff bill some relief for the ship building inter
est. The speaker and his colleagues, Repre-
sentatives Lynch and Hale, were present, and
each presented his views on the subject at
length. The merits of Lynch's bill pending be-
fore the committee on commerce, and Hale'S
bill pending before the ways and means com
mttce, were fully discussed; and it was finally
agreed that Blaine Lynch and Hale should EN-
body their views in a single section for insertion
in the tariff bill. The committee on ways and
means did not of course, give any indication of
their own views on the question; but it is be-
lieved that this provision OF the tariff bill affords
the most promising mode of relief TO the ship
ping interest.
MISCELLANEOUS.
The statement recently tcegraphed from this
city that at the consultation of prominent dem
ocrats with Mr.. Belmont opposition TO Judge
Davis was expressed, is without foundation.
The subject of preference for candidates was not
referred to-
The secretary of the treasury to-day tele-
graphed TO the collector of customs at Browns
vile, Texas, revOklng the order previously given
torhidding the clearance of vessels with goods
from that port for any point north along the
Mexican border. This matter was discussed in
the cabinet to-day, and the telegram was sent
after the secretary came from the cabinet meet
ing.