New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-08-20
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL
rnE MExICAN CLAIMS COMMISSION.

Ifit MEXICAN CLAIMS tOMMISSIbNs
WASHINGTON Tuesday, Aug. 19, 1873.
The United States and Mexican Claims Commission
held formal meeting to-day. The supplemental treaty
extending the term OF the Commission was fled Tile
American Commissioner Mr. WadswOrth. presented for
record the commission Of his new colleague, Senior
Manuel Maria de ZamaoOra, who thereupon subscribed
the usual declaration OF Office. Mr. Ashton. the agent
of the United presented the letter OF appointment
of sehor Elenservio Ava agent OF the Mexican Re
public Mr. Ashton then announced formally the death
of DR. Francis Leber, the umpire, whichhad occurred
since the last meeting of the Commission, and moved
that the Commissioners proceed to the election OF his
successor The Commissioners stated that they had al
ready given careful consideration to THIS matter, when
they st had under advisement, aud that soon as
solution should be reached another meeting OF the Com
mission would be called and the result announced The
snpemepts treaty does not permit the fling Of any
new claims but only contempates the adjudication Of
pending cases.
The wAwAsEr INQUIRY-CARELEssNEss OF THE
OFFICERS ESTABLISHED.
In the Wawaset inquiry another witness testlned TO
day that the engineer sold him ale from the barroom
and this after the fire had actually began Three or
four witnesses have now testified 10 having purchased
drinks OF ale or whisky the morning OF the IRE from
the engineer and scarcely any have faedin answer to
sereotyped questions that they believed the
officers OF the boat did all that in their power TO
save the steamer and the lives OF passengers. inc
testimony to-day makes it perfectly clear that there was
no order or discipline board the steamer; that no
attempt made TO her boats and that none OF the
officers or crew did anything OF consequence to rescue
Messengers after she was beached The Star this even
ing says:
II vouId seem that long exem pon from accidents on
the Potomac had caused the officers Of the Wawase or
pot appear 70 have been any proper assignment of
duties in case of emergency There was no one I'D par
ticuar look after the small poats or the IRE
cnisbers The engineer, 10 would appear was IN the
habit of TING as barkeeper. and IL Is not lmpossoe
that the fireman varied the monotony OF his duties IN
The same manner At any rate does not seem that he
considered himself bound TO LOOK after Is es Iurner
Than to keep them supplied with fuel The nre never
could have made the great headway did undiscovered
had he been al ms post
The investigation will probably close tomorrow, and
report Inspectors will he submitted
Smith, who will return during the week
Since the Wayaset disaster the Lady OF the Lake. one
OF tie most popular has been inspected and
fined s1oe for noncompliance with the law
THE MCCLELLAN EMBEzZLEMENT CASE.
The principal officials OF the Postohce department
still decline give any information IN regard 10 the
case OF Bryce Mcclellan Chief Postal CLERK between
this city and NewYork who lately resigned, but from
his associates and subordnstes likely TO be cor
rectly informed Is IS learned that his embezzenent
from the mails exceeded $4,000 and extended over
term of three wears During all this time the Depart
ment has made repeated efforts to detect the
cause of the loss Of valuable letters, and mas
maintained surveillance Oh .ne cIeIAs AM v m
excellent family connection and supposed wealth has
been partially exemrted Finally II Is said, ne was
betrayed py an accompice and fellow clerk, wi whom
difficulty had arisen and who is still retained ia the
service The greater part OF the peeuatons had been
IN small sums Of a dollar or two IRON letters passing
from Southern subscribers 10 publishers OF Northern
lnacnznea m, Lihrary Companion OF Boston having
been one of tine heaviest and most frequent losers.
Mcclellan has practced his operations to such an extent
that be had acquired the repute among MS fellows OF
being the best feeer" the Department When re-
eved fron duty forty puroined letters were found In
Liz pos session He made full confession OF Ills case To
diately accepted.
NUMEROUS COURTS MARTIAL AMONG THR MARINES.
The number OF Courts Martial ordered within the
past few months In the Marine Corps for the trial of
pryates In that organization charges OF deserton
and other exceeds that of any like period
in the history OF the navy Courts have been organized
AZ about the rate Of "a week for some time past The
cause assigned Is that proper was not taken in
stipg men in the corps, and hence numbers No