Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-03-13
WASHINGTON.
Customs COrruptiOn-Inferes Tes.
timOuv

umOuy.
WASHINGTON, March 12.-f1nited
States District Attorney Bliss. If New
York, to-day appeared before the commit
tee of Ways and Means, i'm reference to tbe
inoieties system. He said behind all these
complaints and hardships of its merchants
there was considerable force of men saek-
ing to protect themselves from the conse-
quenceS of discovered frauds, suits in rela-
tiOn TO which are now bending. Tbe
Chamber of Commerce did NOT knox
what they were talking about concerning
the seizure of books and papers. There 4
no such law as they say there is. and eeF-
tainly there was no such practice as IN
that which they rete1Ted. The resolutions az
the Chamber were got up by outside parties
to serve their personal interests. He main
tanned the cOnstitutionality of the law au--
thorizing seizures, but suggested that there
might be an amendment providing for the
separation of the books proving fraud from
other books, and their examination by
somebody in the presence of counsel and
other parties. After further statements
Bliss referred to settlement of the case of
Phelps, Dodge & CO., saying there was no
threat or compulsion whatever exercised,
As fOrfeiting the entire invoice when there
is a defect in part of the cargo, the penal
~ was too severe. In other words the en-
tire invoice shouldn't be forfeited because
OF the deficiency of a single item.
Mr.. Bliss was iIterrogated by Mr.. Wood,
OF the committee, relative TO his duties in
connection with the seizures of books and
papers, and as to the compromises or set
Elements OF cases; in revenue cases he re-
celVed fees Of two per cent, but in other
cases nothing. Mr.. Bliss said a large por-
ton OF the attacks made on him and 9TH
ers were from political sources.
Mir. Wood inquired if the complainants
were not all members of his party.
Mr. Bliss did not know. There were
perhaps Democrats among them.
Mr. WoOd-Are you not aware that the
NelC York World, the only Democratic
paper in that city, has made no attacks?
Mr.. BlisS-Aly time is too much occupied
to read the World.
Mr.. WoOd-It is most singular olnis-
sion.
In further examination he said he did
not think the law for the seizure Of books
and papers could be safely changed.
senator ConlkIing Implicated.
VIM. f. Dodge made few remarks in
fAAlohNA W AJAloSs A1t W dS OI tie
fact that he had heretofore spoken of two
Congressman in connection with his case,
one OF whom was Gen. Butler. Having
been asked who the other was he named
Senator COnkling. While the question
was pending whether the case should be
settled or not, Latin, the naval officer, said
the crime was SO enormous he would never
consent to settle for less than $4,000. He
thought Senator Conkling advised him to
do better. 1t was said that Conkling was
there as adviser of Latin.
Wood asked Dodge if Senator Conkling
was in New York as counsel.
Mr.. Dodge said: | never had any idea
that he was there professionally, but he
was in New York at the time our case was
in process ofsettlement and in council with
some gentlemen, particularly with regard
to the position occupied by naval officer
Latin. looked on it as an accidental
juncture. In my former statement l was
showing what an array there was against US.
The hearing of all parties here ended,
and the committee adjourned to meet
Wednesday next.
The District of Columbia investigating
committee and the Senate Committee on
Patents met this morning, and, without
tranSacting any business, adjourned till
next Monday.
Rumor Of a Supplementary Alabama
Treaty.
New YORK, March IA Washington
special says Gen. Schneck's visit to the
United States is connected with the negoti-
alton of a new treaty between Great Britain
and this republic which is TO Obviate any
further proceedings under those clauses of
the Alabama treaty, which provided for a
Joint commission TO remunerate British
colonies for their losses on account of the
free admission Of all fishermen to their
coasts.
Senator MOFtOn's Illness.
WASHINGTON. March 12.-Rumor was
widely circulated to-day that Senator Nor
ton was dangerously i'll, but there was no
truth in the report. Senator Morton is con-
fined to his room by sickness, but his con-
ditiOn is nO5 such as to lead to any appre-
hensiOn on the part of his friends. He is