The New York herald., 1874-12-18
FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT

pArEp-1MpoRrANr TESTIMONY BY IRWIN
THE MYSTERIES OF THE LOBBY.
The health OF Mr.. IRWIN was 50 far improved to-
day that he was able to devote several hours TO an
examination by the subcommittee OF the Ways
ana Means. II was agreed by the
OF the committee. Mr.. Irwin
and his counsel. that nothing whatever
TO his evidence sbouli pe made public
until the committee are ready 10 give out the tes-
timony In FULL Mr.. Irwin was obliged to recline
upon soia and near the end showed signs OF
fatigue, warning the committee not to press their
witness too closely az present
There was a better understanding between
the committee and Mr.. Irwin, who mar
rated, with little questioning, his nrst
with the Pacinc Mail Steamship Com
pany and how and why he entered upon the task
OF securing the subsidy; but 1t is understood that
the committee did not reach the important point
OF how the money was disbursed, reserving that
until there Is better acquaintance be-
tween the witness and his examiners
Mr.. Dawes did most OF the questioning
to-day, and he and Mr.. Beck both declared that
the time had been spent in the most entertaining
manner, while Mr. Kasson expressed himself as
perfectly satisfied with the sincerity OF MIR. lr-
wins intention to aid the committee In getting at
the bottom OF matters. Mr.. Irwin, when he got
fairly warmed to the work, offered as part OF his
statement bis published answer to the charges
preferred by Trevor W. Park and Russell
Sage, which he put in his sworn statement
THIS document making about column OF solid
HERALD print, was read by the committee, who
asked Mr.. Irwin II he had not better be careful OF
it as it might contain assertions which,
upon sober rejection, would not be sus.
tanned. Mr.. Irwin replied that he had
not that habit; even under the
greatest emotion, though in state Of excitement
he might be led to tell too much truth. No; he
wanted the answer to the charges Of ever having
had anything whatever to do with corruption in
corporated as sworn estimony. II had never
been sworn to before, and 1t was time
to begin the fight In earnest. Mr.. Ir-
wins exact language was:-.To meet
squarely the general inslnuation which underles
ali these details, say that everything / have
which in any way represents money that ever
belonged to the Pacific Mail Steamship Company,
own by virtue OF written contracts, OF which the
company has or ought to have copies, for services
rendered. All the money paid me by the Pacinc
Mail Steamship Company In connection with
the subsidy was applied BY me precisely In
the manner and for the purposes INTENDED by
the company-namely, In compensation for SER
vices which resulted IN the donation to that com.
pany OF SIS, O0O, 900, and which were rendered by
many persons, including number Of gentlemen
OF talent and experience. who were necessarily
engaged during three or four years."
At this point the examinati became interest
ing.
Admitting that he employed "gentlemen OF
talent and experience the committee win TO-
morrow resume the examina alton, and. II possible,
fnc out who the parties are who have been pro.
fessiona lobbyists, buying and selling the votes OF
members Of Congress, and whose services, as Mr..
Irwin to-day said, were OF such value that nobody
had ever suggested that they snould render them
gratuitousy, or even cheapy, any more tnan do
the gentlemen who now serve the Pacific Mail
Steamship Company. or the fact that the subsidy
was Cbbied through Mr.. Irwin made no disguise,
and in speaking OF an allegation that
he had paid money to member Of
the Appropriation Committee OF the Forty.
second Congress- he said that he knew
personally that the gentleman strenuously op-
posed the subsidy, and his vote was not 10 be had
for money; consequently he did not attempt to
influence him. nor did he aIlO,r any to sell
that uote to hfna. But another phase OF the lobby
rather astonished members Of the committee
when they were informed that there was
also another lobby in which at least
one Senator was pecuniariy interested
in opposing the passage OF tne bill granting the
subsidy.
n.ted up two rooms for ofices, engaged steno-
graphers and clerks, and was to-day reinforced
by his private secretary. He says be win fight 1t
out II 1t takes until the 4th OF next March. When
asked II he would answer the leading questions put
By the committee he said ne could not
now say, but would decide when the time
came. 1t was the old story Of crossing the river,
and there would be plenty to worry over before
the committee finished its labors. As further evil
dence Of his determination TO devote himself to
the exposure says that at his request his BROTH
er-in-law ana wiie's sister-in-law will leave for
Pans to morrow to join mrs. IRWIN there and keep
her company, that ne may give his undivided at
tention to the successful issue OF the contest.
STRONG OPPOSITION IN THE SENATE 10 THE
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA BILL.
The Steamboat bill was permitted TO 60 over
in the Senate this afternoon at the suggestion
or Mr. Boutwell,, and the consideration OF the DIS
trict OF Columbia bill was resumed. Mr.. Morton
opened q vigorous attack upon 1t because OF Its
curtaiment OF the suffrage privilege. He pro-
nounced 1t anri-democratic and anu-repubIcan.
AS the debate on the bill advances II becomes
more evident as the objections to II are met
that It's fate is very doubtful. Mr.. Morrill, Of
Maine, VINO devoted nearly all the sum mer months
TO preparing TIE bill !s thought to have put too
much OF theory and too little OF what u practical
In IL.
THE HOLIDAY ADJOURNMENT AND THE APPRo-
PRIxTIoN BILIR
1t Is believed that on Monday next the House
viii agree to joint resolution, adjourning on
Tuesday, the 22d, until January 4. Mr.. GARFIELD
has been anxious to get through with the Legis-
lative Appropriation bill before the holiday recess
and the work thus far indicates success.
To-day was spent in MAKING speeches on
the appropriation for the support OF the Bureau
Of Education, the democratic members contend.
ing that Congress has no right TO support such q
bureau, inasmuch as the matter OF education u
not national but State affair.
Tomorrow the time will be occupied IN receiv-
ing the King and, possibly, In discussing the pri.
vate calendar.
THE vIcKsBuRG INVESTIGATION TO BEGIN NEXT