Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-03-22
WASHINGTON.
The Great HURT scandal.

The order dlSmlSSlng Capt. HURT was is
sued June IL, 1864. The Secretary was
directed few2days ago TO send copies of
the entire proceedings to the House. 1t
will take one clerk two months to CODY the
papers. No document or valuable papers
has been distracted from the War Depart
ment records.
The Radical of Course.
The special Senate Committee on Privi-
leges and Elections, this evening, in the
Sykes-Spencer contest for a seat in the Sen
ate from Alabama, voted to report next
Monday that Spencer is entitled TO the seat.
Two Days Taxes.
The Treasury Department has decided to
acquiesce in the decision of the United
States Circuit Court at New York, that the
Wool act of March 2, 1867, was not signed
by the President, and therefore, not the
law until March 4. This will involve the
refunding of duties on wooden goods and
wool imported on March I'd and Sd, 1867.
The outstanding legal tenders are $751;
100000.
District DeIinquencies.
At the meeting of the District of Colum-
bia Investigating Committee this morning
the counsel for the memOrialists offered to
put in evidence a number of letters and
other manuscripts showing the experience
of other cities with regard to patent pave
ments. The counsel for the district author
tiles objected to the acceptance of such un-
sworn statements. The committee adjourned
till one o'clock to examine the papers and
consider the question Of their admiSsibility.
After recess, James NJ. Latta, of Kill
bourne x Latta, was examined, and in an
swer to question by MemOrialists' counsel,
stated that Jay Cooke in 1871, advanced to
his firm for Hallar Kilbourn, trustee, S25,-
600, and that this amount was expended
for said trustee in purchase of property
situated in the northwestern part of Wash
ingtOn City. The question Icing then
asked whether witness had any means of
refreshing his memory as to this property,
Judge Black, as counsel for Latta and
AtkenS, and as he added in the name of the
American people protested against all such
inquiries into purely private affairs of citi-
zens. The committee OveTruled the OBJ
lection on the ground that MemorialiSts'
counsel had promised to connect the sought
for evidence with specific charges already
made.
Just after Latta's examination had been
commenced, Mr.. Stewart asked the witness
some questions personal to himself IN re-
gard to purchases of real estate made by
witness for him (StewaIt.) Frem replies
and statements made by Stewart, it ap-
peared that property to the aggregate
amount of S}61, 1,49l was purchased by the
latter on joint account of Stewart, c. j.
Hillyer, and other parties, in 1871, and that
Stewart disposed of his interest in March,
.Ir Of 00n rorf
made a statement of various personal
reasons which induced him to build subSe-
quently, and said before building he did
not know what Improvements were to be
made on the streets around his property,
and that he had never consulted with
the Board of Public Works on the subject.
The property Stewart spoke of had no con-
nectiOn with the property bought by Kill
bourne and Latta for hilbOurne as trustee.
Latta then stated he had purchased con-
siderable amount of real estate in the North
western part Of the city, as trustee for vari-
Gus persons, none Of whom were in any
manner directly or remotely connected
with any person or persons belonging TO the
District Government. Latta was directed
TO bring deeds with him Monday. Latta
was informed through Thurman, that he
could not shield himself from answering on
plea Of violation Of confidence profession
ally repOsed in him 10y client.
The committee refused application of
counsel for memOralists for process TO com
pei the production of records in the office
Of the Recorder of Deeds, as the records are
in constant use. To sustain one charge of
conspiracy by prominent contractors, j. 5.
ScrUgg stated that himself, Lewis Clephane
and john .. Evans constituted firm which
has been in partnership since January, 1872,
during which time they have been engaged
in stone crushing. The partnership invest
ed So, 800 in business; for machinery they
now owe 5000, and could sell their mill
for about $1,000; consequently are 81, 800
ont of pocket.
Lewis Clephane was summoned as Col
lector OF the District of Columbia to show
the record Of amounts deposited as security
for parties bidding for contracts. Counsel
for memoralistS called for all bids for con-
tracts of date Sept. l, 1872, which were
furnished by District officers.
A Financial Compromise.
The Senate Committee on Finance held
a special meeting to-day at which COM
promise of the financial measure was agreed
upon, to be reported to the Senate next
Monday. The bill will fix the amount OF
green back circulation at S3S2, 100000, thus
legalizing the reissue of that portion the
Sl4.OO0.000 legal tender reserve which is
now outstanding, making it part of the
permanent circulation. The amount that
has been reissued and which is now out
standing is something over $780,
100000. 1t will also authorize free
banking or national banking system, but
will contain requirements that legal tender
notes shall be retired from circulation pro
porionately as new national bank notes
are issued. This latter provision is regard
ed as a measure of contraction, but the pre-
ceding authorization for keeping in circula-
tiOn S2G.O00,0O0 of legal tenders that have
been reissued from the reserve, is consider
ed o substantial victory for the advocates OF
an increased volume of currency, who, ii is
understood, will claim in the Senate that
the principle having been thus admitted as
regards portion of the $44, ,000, 900 reserve,
the whole should be accordingly placed in
circulation.
Freedmen's Savings Bank.
Fred Douglass has been elected President
of the Freedmen's Savings Bank, which has
DTdnCllcS III UcslilA ali lnG sCOullcih StsAteo'
DR.. G. i. PuriS, another cOlOred man, has
been chosen Vice President. Forty out of
seventy clerks employed are cOlored. The
new board of management stated TO the
House Committee On Banking and CurTen-
cy their desire to make the bank an insti-
tuition for colored people, and one which
they would regard as their own.
PLYMOUTH CHURCH.
The Congregational Council.
NEW YoRC, March 21.-After a prayer
meeting in Plymouth Church last evening,
letters from DR.. StoTTs' and DIR. Budding
TONS churches were read, inviting Plymouth
to send Mr.. Beecher and committee to
the Congregational Council, but intimating
they would have no voice in the proceed
ings, except in contradiction of misstate-
ments and in furnishing information that
might be asked for. Plymouth Church
has not declined the mutual council as a
consummatiOn of course of proceedings
against which is irregular and unwarrant-
able. We have felt bound to protest from
the beginning that We recognize in the
81. ,.o,,,,,,t onI ipfiY,otion a par,Sicfart of