The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-12-16

ground Of Mr. Lynchs opposition TO the huild,
ing of the sloops of war in private yards was in
part that it is likely to give rise to more of this
class of claims Some of the ablest legislators
in Congress share the views of Mr.. Lynch on
this question.
COMMISSIONER DOUGLASS CLAIM.
Quite an interesting investigation is going on
in the-House in connection with certain claim
of Mr. Douglass Commissioner of Internal
Revenue and growing out of charges made
against that official by the New York Sun. /,
The Committee on Claims before whom it
is pendingu feeling that they could not proper
ly act upon the case until the charges were
cleared up appointed & subcommittee consist
ing of Messrs. Holman of Indiana, Frye of
Maine and Foster of Ohio to investigate them.
The case is as follows:
In 1865, Mr.. Douglass who was then calico
tor of Internal Revenue at Erie. Pennsylvania.
discovered defalcation in his office to the
amount of some $4,000 which was traced to
one of his deputies who, on being charged with
the offense confessed his guilt. A sufficient
amount of the property of the delinquent depu-
ty was secured by Mr.. Douglass, to reduce the
actual loss to about $1,000. Of course Mr..
Douglass made up the balance of the loss
from his own means according to the terms of
his bond
In course of time the criminal who had been
absent from the country returned, when he was
prosecuted, but the statute of limitations af-
forded him a hole to crawl through and he es-
capped punishment Mr.. Douglass has since
brought before Congress claim to be reim-
bursed for the $1,000, which claim is now
awaiting the result of the investigation. To-
wards the close of the last session of Congress
perfect keeping with its established character,
published grave charges against Mr.. Douglass,
asserting that he had conspired with the afore-
said deputy in the fraud and had shared in the
proceeds. Where the Sun obtained its lntor-
nation was at first secret, but it has always
been supposed that the deputy himself was the
primal source. The committee have examined
one witness, a Mr.. Hurlbert, brother-in-law of
the defaulting deputy, and who has acted
throughout as his attorney and bosom friend
On cross-examination he admitted that he fur
nshed the information to the New York Sun
through reporter for that paper, who visited
him by appointment on being advised that he
(Wilbert) could make certain damaging dis
closures His appearance aud his manner of
testifying is said to indicate active partizan-
ship for the defaulting deputy and violent an
tipathy to Commissioner Douglass. The IL
vestigaton will not be likely injure Mr.. Doug
lass any more than it will disturb independent
journalism.
SENSATIONAL RUMORS.
There seems to be no end of rumors Of SEN
sational character. One is to the effect that
Gen. Butler, will, by some deep laid parlia'
mentary schsme make an attack on the lib raj
charmen of the House Committees IN such a
way as will accomplish their removal from those
positions, and Monday next has been set by
some wise prophet as the time for the assault
| am reliably Informed, however, that there is
no probability of any such move.
Another from the New York Herald relating
to an imaginery new move on San Domingo,
predicting its early annexation to the United
States as the State of SANTANA, is too deep q
subject for any person but Herald reporter
The next thing from that source will probably
be move by Stanley to annex DR.. Livingstone
and the source of the Nile under the the name
of the State of Uiiji.
SENATORIAL RIGHTEOUSNESS.
There was a slight tendency to livelines
among the grave and reverend Senators yester
day when Mr.. Summers supplementary civil
rights bill was reached ON the calendar. Senator
Carpenter was in the chair at the tme and
when the bill was reached he turned toward the
Senator from Delaware, Mr.. Bayard, whose op
position to the bill has become proverbial, and
asked: docs the Senator from Delaware OBJ
iectY 81 will, if the chair desires it, replied
Mr. Bayard out did not say So" The burst
of laughter that followed this reply showed moi
only a keen appreciation of the joke itself, but
of the ridiculous attitude that Senator Sumner
and his Democratic btethren stand in toward
each other Its consideration was finally OBJ.
jected to by Mr.. Morrill, of Maine, and the bill
~passed over
DESERVED COMPLIMENT.
1t is always pleasant to hear ones friends
well spoken of, especially when far from home
and where it is unexpected. L was taking g
lunch in a restaurant yesterday and overheard 8
visitor, evidently an Englishman, say that he had
not eaten good meal since he took dinner three
days ago at Danvile Junction, while coming
from Montreal to Portland. The praise that he
bestowed on that meal was such as only per
fectly satisfied Englshman can give,and would
have made even Clark himself show signs Of
susceptibility to fattery, immoveable as he is.
If this gentleman ate as much at Danyille a;
he did here, and if all Of Clark's Canadian
! guests are as hungry, he will soon regret thu
change of schedule that gives the Montreal
| train twenty minutes for dinner.
TRANsPLANTED YANKEE MoURNs,
| And just here let me say of the living in Wash
ington that although the meals may be gottel
up without regard to cost apparently, and null
ttudes of expensive luxnries may be found OF
the bill Of fare still it lacks the flavor of ou
New England cookery. Everything you ca
tastes of everything else eatable. If you ca
pudding you will detect taste of cabbage anC
| your pie will taste of onions and you
bread will have the smell and tast,
Of burnt potato, and if you eat or drink any
| other article you will find some variation OF
combination of the theory. To be sure there
are some exceptions, but the above seems to be
4 the rule of Washington cookery. The city
needs to be Yank-ized, and it will be soon
Judging from the extensive Improvements il
| the streets and parks, Ii the people of the ma
| ton knew the needs of the city there would be
general demand all over the country for ap
preparations and Improvements. No com
plant can be made of what has been done
during the past two years. but there is still
much more to so.
PERSONAL.
Among the visitors in Washington 1 notice
Mr. Simon Cole, the well known lumber dealer
of your city, and Mr.. Wadsworth Of Calais
LIFE INSURANCE CAsE.-A case has recently
been decided in the United States District