The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-03-20
Washington News and Gossip.
NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE sANBORN MATTEL

NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE sANBoRN MATTER.
The Boston Advertisers special says that
another complication for the Treasury Depart
ment has arisen in tie Sanborn matter. Mem
bers of the Ways and Means Committee have
ascertained that all the information in regard
to very important application for CONTRACT
under the act of May 8, 1872, has been with
held. Upon inquiry the excuse is that the res
olution of the house only called for lntorma-
ton in regard to contracts actually made, and
did not cover applications for contracts. The
Secretary however, in his second communica-
ton to the House used the following language:
ssThe papers herewith transmitted comprise
copies of all contracts schedules, receipts, GER
tificates, checks and other correspondence hav-
ing any bearing upon, or relation to any and
all the steps OF action taken by the Treasury
Department under the provisions of the law
referred to-" The committee, however, soon
learned of several documents that were omit
ted, and were about to call formally on the Sec
rotary for the third time, when he requested
that such resolution should be passed, and
promised, if it was, Immediately to send all the
remaining papers to the House. 1t now APP
pears that gentleman, now IN the city Tor the
piled for contracts, which was strictly in ac-
cordance with the spirit o. the law. The ap-
pcaton was made few days after the bill
passed. The person making it had discovered
where the land-grant railroads have overcharg-
ed the government for transportation of freight
mere than $3,000,O00, and he set forth in an
ACCOMPANYING affidavit all the needed informal
ton to insure its collection. Though he was
the first to apply, and the work he proposed to
do was in strict accord with the law, he was
10, nd t1xy
put off, until, finally, three persons were select
ed, and under the law no others could be en-
gagged. 1t will come out that the failure 10 give
the contract to him arose from the opposition
made here by the agents of the railroad COM
panies and he was finally told that the depart
ment could not undertake to collect this sum
from the roads.
Members of the committee conversant with
the case deem this ore OF the very worst mat
tiers yet brought to light in the whole infamous
business The case, as fully set forth to the de-
partment, was one where the roads named had
deliberately violated their charter and as DELHI
erately swindled the government out of 3,0OO,-
600. Persons in position to be well informed
say there is no longer any doubt but that this
Sanborn matter will lead to to change both in
the Secretary and Assistant Secretary. Every
days developments under it is more certain
that the Ways and Means Committee, or some
other committee OF the House will be obliged
to investigate the matter by means of sworn
testimony. Mr.. Sanborn, who has been in Bos
ton consulting with Gen. Butler, telegraphed
the committee to-day asking that the hearing
they had promised him might be delayed until
next Tuesday. He was informed the commit
tee would wait, but would like to hear him
sooner. On account of the late developments
the committee may feel compelled to bring the
matter before the House without further de-
lay.
VARIOUS MATTERS.
The constitutional point is raised against the
pending McCrary transportation bill, that con-
coded that Congress has the power to regulate
railroad freights and fares, the power to fix
these rates cannot be delegated to commits
sion.
A Washington special says that the army
element are working theoretically among mem
bers of Congress to secure the defeat of Mr..
Coburn's Army Reduction bill, and feel certain
of success. Gen. Sherman is strongly opposed
to any reduction, and it is intimated that the
President will use his influence to prevent the
bill passing