New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-08-21
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL.

THE ALLEGED ABSTRACTION OF PUBLIC DOCUMENTS.
WASHINGTON, Wednesday, Aug. 90, 1873.
It was charged some weeks ago that number of i'm
portant relating to the late could not be
found in the War Department In instance specific
papers were mentioned. The Secretary, determined to
test the truth Of general assertion accordingly
began an investigation in the case mentioned Nothing
could be found that the papers mislaid in
the Department The Secretary singled out various i'm
portant cases familiar to himself and Others
familiar to officers Of the army, and di-
rected that the papers be produced In every
instance they found In complete order.
Determined however that nothing should he left undone
arrive az the truth In the matter, the services OF
several old and experienced officers were brought into
re1uiston and they failed to find any papers miss
ing Documents written in cipher were translated, and
every care taken 10 ascertain II papers had been re-
moved. All were found in their proper places. The
Secretary has just received the reports OF the oeers
VINO aided him the search, all of whom report that
they find nothing missing ana the search ts Is
examination has failed to discover that any RECORDS OF
the Department missing with the exception OF nose
the Buell. court-martal case lie, however, INVITES h
any who name any particular papers when tne
believe be missing 70 report the iact 10 NM ana as II
is impossible TO examine every pdperln the department.
he homes the parties who say that miss
ing will specify the documents TO hun, and further
search will ne MADE
IrSsATIsFAcToRY CONDITION OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The President Of the Board OF Trustees of the George
town Public Schools last night spoke before them on
resolution which he had introduced declaring that on
account of the lack Of funds it nexpedent to open
schools for the year. and that for the same reason
work on the new school building should be suspended
The President said that he offered the resolution to
bring the District authorities TO their Senses and that
the present condition the school finances was crying
shame He wanted TO know what became OF the
taxes now coming in, for they could not obtain money
enough TO pay for withdrawing schoothouses. Inc
resolution was finally withdrawn but one was adopted
that notices should be given that all contracts
and salaries would be paid when money could De ob
o sinea; two wears ago Georgetown liberal
school fund.- which is not now available Four months
hack nav are now due the public school teachers OF
this city,
THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
The Senate Committee on Transportation, which will
hold its next formal meeting at the Fifth Avenue HOTEL
NevYors on the Attn OF September will have consuita-
tons with large number OF representative men OF the
country The NewYork Legislature will be represented
nv Ioint Special Committee from the Senate and the
Assembly State Senator Lewis Of Buffalo viii be
Chairman Of the Senate Committee, and the Hon; n.
Committee These gentlemen and their colleagues VIII
specially represent the interests Oh tue 10TH
Canals.
THE DEPARTMENT OF COLUMBIA REoRGANzED.
Gen. Davis. commanding the Department Of Columbia,
has reorganized his department and hereafter there
r ne tvo Disturbing districts, follows First; The
posts OF Forts Boise Collvle Lapuai Whla Waa' and
Camp Harvey, with Capt. Chas. II. Hoyt, Assistant
ouartermsster IN charge Headquarters at Fort Walla
appointment, stevens, ysneouyer and vancouver
Depot with Capt Henry A. Jones, Assistant quarter
master In charge; headquarters at Vancouver
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM CONDEMNED.
Fred paper will again attack, tomorrow, the
system Of competitive examinations in the civiiservce
and say that 1t is exceedingly doubtful whether Pres
dent Grant could have reached higher grade than
that ~ eufeuant IL IL had depended upon his solution
of The foolish series questions to which the Board or
Eraminers subject all applicants for promotion
THE MoDoC PRISONERS.
Advocate General Holt has completed his er
animation OF the papers from the modoo courtnartia
ga H.. vim be finally placed on file at the War Depart
-, a., a.x or two 10 await the action OF the Presi-
asnr on his return Petitions for the pardon and release
Of the prisoners will also be submitted to the President
win The proceedings o. the court martial
MISSISSIPPI POLITICS.
A yieksburg letter says that senator Ames viii be
nominated for Governor in spite Of the strong oppos
ton and that coored will be selected as candidates
N, Secretary Of State and Super
intendent OF Education.