The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-02-15
WVASHIN CT ON.
The French Arms Contract
AN IMMENSE FRAUD.
A discrepancy Of pc, 100000.
A Radical Row Imminent.
SINNERS AMENDMENT.
special Dispatch TO the REGISTER by the
l.. X A. Telegraph Llne'I

i. " A. lcIeSldPh hiS'J
WASHINGTON, February IA.
The sale Of Arms TO France.
About two weeks since a qIaS. Ad-
miuistration Senator called on Grant
and consulted with him relative to the
minors in circulation about the French
arms contract, and the alleged frauds
in connection Herewith. Grant was
advised to put the Administration right
so far as these charges were concerned
and to anticipate any action from the
opposition by getting one OF his own
Senators to introduce a resolution OF
inquiry. This was considered policy,
for two reasons: First, it would tend
to demonstrate that the President knew
nothing OF the sale OF arms, and this
would relieve the government from sus'
pcion of having violated the neutrality
laws, which, if once established, would
relieve the American counsel to the
Geneva Conference from much that
VAS embarrassing ia ihe work OF set
Ting the Alabama claims; and second
if frauds in manipulating the proceeds
were discovered they would not prove
so damaging TO the Administration as
If the inquiry was first set on foot from
another source. Grant Indignantly re-
fused TO order the Investigation, and so
the matter was left to the independent
Republicans, and Sumner 8 resolution of
inquiry offered a few days since
was the result. To-day Sumner got up
his resolution, and the discussion on it
consumed the entire time. Sumner
made long speech, and adduced CO.
pious documentary evidence to show
that our Government was privy TO the
sale of arms and ammunition to France
in open violation of the international
law, and that the difference in the
amount received by the Government
AGENTS in New York from France on
account OF these sales, and the
sums paid into the Treasury, was
S2,4O0,0O0. Summers showing OF
the case was not. so effective as
it might have been, as he was con-
stantly interrupted by such Grant Sem
ators as Harlan, Morton and Conkling.
The Senate adjourned Immediately after
Harlan took the floor to reply to Sum-
ner. Tomorrow Schurz and Conkling
speak on the resolution. Schurz, from
his knowledge Of the subject, undoubt-
edly will make one Of his usual mastery
efforts, while Conkling will defend the
New York military ring and Grant.
Both the Administration organs here
have articles this morning defending
the transaction. The Chronicle says
there is no violation OF neutral obIiga-
itons in our Government having sold
arms to French agents, while the Re
publican says the charges OF deialcation
against Rufus Ingalls, must be proved
before the public will believe them.
Summers Civil Rights Amendment.
Since Summers threat to weigh down
amnesty with his negro rights amend
ment, if it shall be taken up again, there
has been an understanding among the
friends OF the measure as to future
tactics. 1t is now proposed to let a
civil rights bill be introduced and passed
in the House aud then passed in the
Senate. After this, amnesty will be
taken up and acted on without any out
side encumbrances, when its success
will be certain. ALPHA.