Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-03-06
WASHINGTON.
Phelps a Dodge.

WASHINGTON, March Sat the session
of the Committee of Ways and Means to-
day on the moiety question, w. N. E.
Dodge, of the firm of Phelps, Dodge & Co.,
made long statement giving history of
the case, in which the firm paid S261, 900 as
compromise, and showing the manner in
which the firm had been treated by Jayne
and other government officers.
Mr.. Dodge said after making the ex-
PLANTATION heretofore published, that Jayne
had eminent counsel, a member of the
United States House of Representatives
A discharged clerk made abargain with the
Treasury Agent, who thus became the in
former. He Dodge wished to state that
Secretary Boutwell, had treated him fair
and honorably. Mr.. Boutwell, advised him
TO 90 into the courts, and if they had taken
his advice they probably would not have
paid the S271 900. Mr.. Dodge remarked
that Gen. Butler said he had a single letter
from Phelps, Dodge & Co. which was suf-
ficient to convict them in any United States
court. The firm learning what it was,
laughed. When the firm for the first time
imported line of cheviots, instead of put
ting it in boxes, it was put in bundles with
strips of galvanized iron around them.
The appraiser called their attention to the
fact that the tin should have been in boxes.
To avoid future trouble they wrote to their
friends abroad to thereafter put in boxes,
with marks of their weight and manufac-
ture. A reply came, they would endeavOr
to follow instructions, but the manufac-
turers added: If in any respect we shall
differ, let us know and we will fix it. We
will. on this. he said, convict Phelps,
Dodge & Co. in any court in the United
States. The members of the firm said
they found themselves dOgged
by spies in any steps they took;
they could not have a private meeting Of
the firm at night but what it was known in
that dark hole at the customhouse. There
was no lawyer in their office but what it
was known. One of his partners, as Jayne
came around, opened his desk, and calling
out such letters as he wished to retain,
burnt the rest. They received letter from
their attorney informing them that Jayne
said Phelps, Dodge & Co. were burning up
their papers, and he would have them all in
Ludlow Street Jail that night. How did
JAYNE know? Because he had in his pay a
man in their store, the second bookkeeper.
They traced the fellow and turned him out
of their store. He went where he was now
employed. He was a clerk in the pOStOffice.
A place was obtained for him by an agent
Of the United States. At the conclusion Of
DOdge's testimony, the committee ad
jOurned.
InscrutabIe Laws.
The Philadelphia Board of Trade has
adopted a memorial to Congress, reciting
that the custom laws are confused and diff
ficult to understand, and that the proceed
ings of infOrners and government officers
under these laws are offensive to the moral
sense of the mercantile community.
Alien Engineers.
The Senate Committee on Commerce
has agreed to recommend the passage of a
bill allowing aliens, who have declared
their intention Of becoming citizens, TO be
employed as engineers or pilots of steam
vessels. The law now limits such employ
menJ to Americans.
The District Investigation.
The joint select committee to investigate
the District of Columbia affairs examined
Geo. E. Baker, Comptroller, to-day, in re-
gard to the collections and disbursements
of revenue during the past three years, and
especially in regard to the amounts dis
buTSed for school purposes. From this eyi-
denoe it appears the school fund is over
drawn, more money being paid than the
total amount of taxes collected for the pur-
pose.
The outstanding legal tenders are $685.
00O,OO0.