The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-04-11
WASHINGTON.
The Sanborn Inyestigat,on.

WASHINGTON. April 1O-Wallet Martin, a
lawyer of New York, appeared before the Ways
and Means Committee this morning, as vol
unteer witness in the Sanborn case, and made a
prosy statement about himself as sort of
amateur detective in discovering whiskey
frauds.
The testimony of Martin was confusing to
the committee, he alleging that he commenced
finding cases for Sanborn year before Sanborn
obtained his contract. He also stated that he
received $4,000 from Samoan, which was cred
tied to the latter by the Treasury Department.
He made an argument showing the necessity of
some such law as the SanbOrn law to collect
the large amounts of taxes withheld. He
claimed to be in possession of information
which showed that the government had been
defrauded of fifty millions of whisky tax
Some of these delnquencies were embraced in
the SanbOrn contract. He believed internal
revenue officers do not and cannot collect the Sc
arrears. The law does not impose the duty on
them and their attention is demanded by cur
rent work. Bailey, Collector at New York,
who attempted to cover this ground, beoamo o
defaulter. The government furnishes no means
to carry on such operations, as it requires a
daily deposit of receipts. Judge Pierrepont of
New York, decided.in pa cases that such taxes
were not collectible. Witness had notified the
Treasury of large amounts of such information
before the Sauborn law, of which the Treasury
took no notice. Had been employed by San
born to gather and arrange information. Wit
lcitor of the Treasury was sufficient to enable
him to collect the taxes due from distillers
Sanborn had paid witness in full.
Mr.. Madge, chief of the special Treasury
agent, testified to Sanborn's duties as special
agent on the Canada line, where he was in the
employ of the Canada Express Company to
prevent smuggling into Boston. Madge failed
to satisfy the committee of the legality of his
paying Martin the $4,000 out of the customs
fund on private contract Nothing further of
material interest was elected.
Consular Service.
The House Committee on Foreign Relations
to-day concluded the consideration of the bill
revising the grades and salaries of Consuls and
Consul Generals. The most important ameLd
ment made by the committee is to establish the
office of Consul General at Brelin. Melbourne
and City of Mexico; and at the request of the
Hebrew Convention recently held at Chicago,
the committee recommend the establishment of
consulate at Bucharest, Roumania. AS thus
amended, Chairman Orth will report the bill
for its passage.
The House judiciary Committee to-day heard
District Attorney Cary and a lawyer named
Merritt of Salt Lake, in advocacy of action by
Congress which shall give the U. S. Court in
Utah proper and exclusive jurisdiction of GRIM
inal offences, and thus provide for the suppress
ION of polygamy.
The District Investigation,
In the District of Columbia investie ation this
afternoon c. E. Barney testified in reference to
difficulty as to grading contract on Massa-
chusetts avenue, the cost of which no accurate
measurement could be made on account of the
cross sections being destroyed. The dispute
was settled by returning 105, 900 yards of grad
ing, which he (witness) had previously estimat-
ed at something over AZ, 900 yards He did not
see where 100000 yards could have come from
in the streets and squares in dispute. Some of
the earth used in filling the canal was taken
from Massachusetts, and New York avenues.
The committee adjourned until Monday.
Varieties.
The government is having prepared at the
Philadelphia mint, to be added to the list of
public medals, medal commemorative of the
late Prof Agassiz, and his devotion and achieves
ments in science.
Capt. George B. Spicer, A. Fengon and Das-
vid Evans, OF the revenue marine service are
appointed board to examine candidates r
admission and promotion in that branch of the
service. The board convenes at 21st street.
Internal revenue receipts to-day were $27O,-
319.
The United States steamers Alaska and Jun
iata left Key West on the 9Th, the Congress on
the 9th and the Franklin to day for Europe.
The Wyoming left yesterday for Washington,
and the Ticonderoga to-day for Norfolk.
Treaty with Salvador.
OHCidi pIOCidudIiUu is uldu6 Uy the freSl-
dent of the ratification of treaty between the
United States and Salvador for the sure nder Of
criminals.
Treasury Balances.
The following are the Treasury balances to-
day:-Currency, $3.50, 140; special deposit of
legal tenders for redemption of certificates of
deposit, $52, 900, OOO coin $751;, $3.50 636, including
coin certificates $35, 563, 800; outstanding legal
tenders, $38200O.000.
The Financial Question.
NEW YORK, April 10.-After yesterdays vote
in the House, the papers treat initiation as
foregone conclusion, so far as Congress is con-
cerned. The infationists express confidence
that President Grant will sign the bill under
consideration.
Senator B0utwell,s Health.
A Washington special represents that there
is increased solicitude regarding Senator Bout
we'll 3 health.
Second Election.
Providence, April 10.-The second trial to
elect a Senator and six Representatives in this
city to-day, resulted in the choice of Edwin
Metcalf for Senator by 264 majority over Sam
uel Cursey, Cursey was supported by the
friends of Gen. Burnside for U. s. Senator, and
Metcalf by the prohibitionsts aud the oppo-
nents of Gen. Burnside. Three representatives
on the ticket with Metcalf were elected and no
choice for the other three.
GEOLOGICAL,
FOR THE NEWT ru1ugrvrnuR