The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1874-06-13
NEWS SUMMARY.
PERsONAL AND POLITICAL.

and gave some very damaging testimony |
against Governor Shepherd. Inregard to the
over-measurements proved against the ring, |
Mr.. Cluss showed that Shepherd keeps two
engineers, Forsyth and Oertly, nominally un-
der his (Cluss's) control, but really indepen-
dent of him. These are the engineers on
whose estimates and statements Col. Samo
approved all the work done on the Govern
ment account. Mr.. Cluss testified that these
men were under Governor Shepherds direc-
ton, that he had attempted to rectify over
measurements of theirs, but Shepherds ord
ers were always pleaded against him. Shep-
herds counsel claim that they can break
down Cluss's evidence on cross-examination.
A Washington special says that the Com
mittee of Ways and Means have adopted
strong resolution censuring Messrs. Richard
son, Sawyer and Banfeld, Treasury officials,
for their action in regard to the Sanborn con-
tracts, which will be presented to the House
as soon as the debate begins on the bill repeal
ing the law authorizing such contracts.
Professor Swing, who has been on trial be-
fore the Chicago Presbytery for heresy, on
charges preferred by Prof. Patton, has been
declared not guilty, the vote standing fifteen
for to forty-five against conviction. Prof.
Patton gave notice that he would appeal the
case to the Synod of Northern Illinois.
The marriage of Miss Nellie Grant, daugh-
ter of the President, to Mr.. A. F. C. Sartoris
of England, took place at the White House
on the morning of the 21st. Some two hum
dred guests were present. After partaking
of wedding breakfast, the happy couple
proceeded to New York, en- route for Eng
land.
Prof. Swing has publicly announced his
withdrawal from the Presbyterian Church.
The President and family visited New
York on the 22d, to bid good-by to Mr.. and
Mrs. Sartoris, who sailed for their English
home on the 23d.
The Arkansas House, by vote of Al to g.
has passed resolution requesting Senators
Clayton and Dorsey to resign, for conspiring
with others to overthrow the State Govern
ment.
David B. Mellish, Representative in Con-
gress from New York, who was removed to
the Government Asylum for the Insane some
weeks ago, died on the 23d.
Gen. Caxton, u. s. Minister to Bolivia,
died at La Paz on the 10th.
A number of women temperance crusaders
have been arrested in Pittsburg for obstruct-
ing the sidewalks.
Adolph Cluss, the chief engineer of the Dis
trict Board of Public Works, who testified
before the Congressional Investigating Com
mittee concerning the alleged false measure
ments made by order of Shepherd, has been
removed by the President, at the request of
his associates on the Board, and Lieutenant
Richard L. Hoxie appointed in his place.
The Board have requested the President to
detail an army engineer to remeasure the
work in question in order to determine the
truth or falsity of the charges in reference
thereto.
The report was generally current in Wash
ington on the 26th, that Mr.. Richardson would
resign in day or two. The names of Gen.
Bristow and Mr.. Delano were mentioned in
connection with the prospective vacancy. 1t
is also stated, that in view of Mr.. Richard
sons intended resignation as Secretary, the
Committee of Ways and Means will not, ac-
eording to the present understanding, intro
duce their resolution of censure of the heads
of the Treasury Department.
The Arkansas House has passed bill CIV
ing amnesty to all parties connected with the
late rebellion, except those holding positions
in the legislative, executive and judicial de-
partments who used their positions to for
ward the rebellion -. The President is
thanked in joint resolution for sustaining
Gov. Baxter, as is also Senator Wiltshire for
his stand in Baxter's behalf - "A number
of State and county officers have been i'm
peached for actively countenancing the late
insurrection.
In the District of Columbia investigation,
on the 26th, Chas. S. johnson, Secretary of
the Board of Public Works, was examined
with reference to the minutes of the Board
and how they were made up. He testified
that the minutes were not record of Board
meetings, but made up of data furnished by
the Vice-President, Shepherd, from letters re-
ceived and sent out by him. He did not pre-
tend to say that records in the
book were of actual Board meetings.
Mr.. Cluss, engineer, was again placed on
| the stand. He exhibited a voucher to show
that Mullett received $1,000 per annum for
his services as Chief Engineer of the Board
and $500 as consulting engineer. He did
this to show that Gov. SlRpherd testified in
correctly when he stated that Mr.. Mullett had
received in gross only $4,000 from the Board.
COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY.
Gold closed in New York on the 9th at
liz S-s.
Following is the comparative cotton state
ment for the week ending May %:
Net receipts for past week
all o. 8. ports. A,So6 o4'szS