The New York herald., 1872-04-04
The Steamboat Blu i'm
the TTOuSSs.
SplNNER'S DEFALCATING CLERKS
Tho Modest Lawyers and the
ChoctaW Bonds.
KULBuaD'S RESIGNATION ACCEPTED
THE OIL FREIGHT SWINDLE.

WASHINGTON, April Q. 1872.
Wool, Sheep and RaiirOnd Measures In the
Senate.
In the Senate to-day there was little business and
much talk. The days session started OIL soberly
by resolution, which was passed. OF Mr.. Davis, OF
West Virginia, TO pay John Potts. Chief Clerk Of the
War Department., So, 500 for services as disbursing
clerk OF that Department. Mr.. Ramsay followed by
calling up the House bill which prescrlbes line and
Imprisonment for the failure OF mail contractors 10
perform service after their bids have been accepted.
II was amended ana went over. Mr.. Morrlll's mo-
ton to Instruct the Committee on Agriculture to
report any fact in It's possession showing the
OF the fluctuations 10 the production OF sheep and
the prices OF wool was taken up and passed. The
indian Appropriation bill, which was the regular
order, was tEen laid aside upon motion or Mr..
Lewis, and the bil to allow the city of Washington
10 subscribe 5000, 900 to the Piedmont and Potomac
Railroad Company taken UP, ami upon this ques.
ton the remainder OF the day was spent without
definite result.
ahc steambont Passcngers' safety Bill In
the House.
II was the dullest OF dull days III the House to-day
promise OF interest was held out III the discussion
OF bill offered by Mr. Dunncll, OF Minnesota, TO
grant an act OF incorporation the Great Salt Lake
and Colorado Railroad, ana TO grant TO the same
road the right or way through tile public territory.
This was, however, dispeled by It's being made the
special order for Tuesday next by which means 1t
was practically killed.
The Steamboat bill came up as unfinished bust
ness and, TO the extreme disgust Of the chairman
OF the Committee on Appropriations, still remains
Tns bill seemed to elicit but little interest except to
/ few members. and the details were exceedingly
dry and stupid The tog horn was again the bone
Of contention, Mr.. Butler Of Massachusetts, asking
that the word tin be inserted III place OF fog, aud
explained that instructions had been Issued from
the Treasury Department that certain kind OF horn
be used In foggy weather, for which a patent had
been granted, and it to secure the sale OF this
article that the fog horn had been inserted
In the bill Mr.. Holman to explain
that fog horn did not apply TO any particular KIND
OF horn, but provides simply that horn be used
during fOggy weather, ana It's use gave II the name
. In view OF This explanation becoming matter OF
record Mr.. Butler withdrew his Amendment The
bill passed last year making steamboat owners re-
sponsible Tor accidents to both life and property
was criticised and some discussion had upon the
subject OF responsibility attaching owners OF ves
sels, &c. An effort was made 10 equalIze and ex-
tend to the Western rivers and lakes the same con.
diti.ns imposed upon the East During this discus.
sion the House adjourned protection against hun
ger having more vital interest than protection
against explosion ot steamboat DO-.s, and another
day will pr obably be spent over the bin.
HuIbrrd's Resignation Accepted.
The resignation of II. r. Hulburd as Comptroller
OF the Currency was to-day accepted by the Secre-
tary OF the Treasury.
AT Mr.. Hulourds request, made to-day, his reslg-
nation takes eGoct Immediately.
Tho Oil Combination Freight ssvindIc.
The Investigate OF the attempted monopoly OF
oil frelghts by the South Improvement Company
was continued before the Commerce Committee OF
q n
bard oil dealer, OF 1tusvlle, Pa, the effect
that In the latter part or February last ho shipped
forty.eight Cars OF crude petroleum to New York
under the then existing rates, eighty seven ceats
per barrel. That on reaching It's destination he
informed by the railroad authorities that the freight
had been raised to 81 Ii per barrel while his con-
signment was ,n transttu, which increased freight
amounting to over $4,000, he was compelled to pay
The railroad agents informed HIM that the new
rates were directed by the South Improvement
Company. lie further testified that under the new
rates the freightage on his shipments alone would
amount to an annual increase Of over s33s,O00.
The Custom House Inquiry.
Colonel George A. GOuraud formerly Assistant
APPRAISER IN the New York Custom House, was be-
fore the Senate committee for investigating the
alleged abuses In the New York Custom House to.
day ana made statement in regard to the seizure
of Major Co.'s books for under valuation OF rails
and steel 1sh.plates.
Paying the Debt Interest In London.
Secretary Boutwell, was before the Committee on
Ways and Means to-day and urged the passage of q
law permitting him to register United States bonds
and pay the interest thereon in London.
Attempt TO Rob the CaOctaws.
The Committee on Indian Affairs OF the House are
now investigating the title to some s250,000 worth
OF bonds. which originally belonged to the Choc-
taw indians. This investigation promises some
rich developments In relation TO tile manner In
which the Indians are despoed Of their possessions
by the sharpers There are three different persons
VINO claim to lie entitled to q commission out OF
these bonds for services rendered the Indians as
attorneys In procuring settlement OF their claims
with the government. One Of these claims the
whole amount as his fee for valuable services;
other fifty per cent while the third Is con-
tent II he can get thirty. Thus 1870 per
cent Is claimed and II Is hard TO under
stand what benefit the Indians will get If tho
bonds be issued as the attorneys desire General
Shanks and Secretary Boutwell, have somewhat In
,erfered with the calculations or the modest law
ycrs by causing an investigation TO be made, which
promises tc save at least seventy per cent OF the
$3.50 900 10 the Indians. The statements OF the at
torneys as to their claims under oath, were beautl-
fully less than the amounts first claimed.
United States Treasurer Spinucr's Troubles.
Some time ago United States Treasurer Spinner
asked Congress to release him from responsibility for
the peculations OF his clerks and his petition was re.
ferred to the Committee on Claims Of the House. IL
set forth the losses sustained through the several
clerks who have been found guilty OF a fraudulent
use OF the public treasure in his keeping, which
| aggregated large amount. To-day Mr' Hol-
| man from that committee, presented u resolution
In the House. which was passed, Authorizing the
| commttee 10 send for persons and papers In all
| cases and 10 employ stenographc services In the
taking OF evidence when they deemed It necessary.
Il IA understood that this was proposed SO as 10
anord better facilities the settlement OF the COM
pcations In which General Spinner has become In
vowed through dishonest officers.
! The New Jersey LiIe.rayiug Stations.
The report OF the superintendent OF the lircsavng
stations for the New Jersey coast states that no
uyoa were lost I'm the superintcndency during the