The Portland daily press., 1874-04-01
Washington News and Gossip.
THE DISTRICT INVESTIGATION.


The Boston Advertisers special says that the
chief point in the District investigation Mon
day was the partial development of contracts
in which f. II. Smith, official stenographer of
the House of Representatives and member of
the Indian Peace Commission, was found to be
largely interested On Saturday 1t appeared
that he was engaged in contract for furnish
ing tree boxes, and Monday it appeared that he
was the chief person in interest in constructing
twenty-six miles of wooden railngs around tie
parks and along the streets and avenues. The
amount paid by the board was some $4,000,
and the profit about $4,000. Smith was repre-
sented by another man, and did not appear in
the records as the real party in interest," He
has lately been appointed as member of the
Indian Peace Commission, and left the city
after this investigation was expected. Before
leaving he ha6 talk with a man representing
him about the investigation, and took all the
books and papers pertaining to the contract
and their relations and locked them in his safe.
The committee has been endeavorng to ascer-
tain his whereabouts, but thus far has not sue
ceeded. The person interested with him also
stated to the committee that Smith had inform
ed him that he (Smith) was engaged in num-
Ger of other contracts. Much evidence was
adduced in regard to the building of one of the
large brick sewers of the city. 1t appeared
that the contractor was also brick-burner;
that hard brick were TO be taken from the kiln
and sold for pavements, and that the soft BRICK
remaining were used very largely and almost
exclusively for the sewers. The superintend-
ents of this work appointed by the board were
three in namber,-one painter another shoe
maker, aud the third a bricklayer. This latter
was subsequently discharged because he was
too particular in regard to the quality of bricks
used in the sewer.
DELUsIoNs ABOUT THE DISTRIBUTION OF CUR
",
The New York Posts Washington special
says: "It is strange how many of the members
of both Houses think that an issue of green
backs or of national bank notes will add to the
volume of currency in the South and in the
West. Why do not these representatives of
the people and of their interests look at the
facts? Here is one great fact they might for
moment take into consideration as of some lit
tie Importance. The amount of deposits in the
banks OF the city of New York on the 9Th day
OF December, 1873, was $182, ,015, 300. On the
list OF March, 1874, the amount of denosits
IN tne same me @ banks was $24O,991, ,1OO-an in
crease OF S58,975,S00; and this increase has ali
accrued since Congress began its present ses-
sion. The amount of legal tenders held bv Ihe
banks in the city of New York December 8.
1873, was $38 .274 900. The amount held by the
same banks March 81, 1874, $50, ,184, AGO. Amount
of increase $21 1.91O, 400 This last fact is con-
elusive evidence that of the $26, ,OO0, 900 Of the
$44, 600, 900 reserve paid out very large portion
of it is now in the banks of the city of New
York Why will not the rampant infationists
look at these facts and learn lessons of wisdom
from them? Does any sane man believe that
if this large surplus of currency, now in the
city of New York, was wanted in the South
and West, where it could be lent out at seven
per cent, that it would remain in New York
useless or lent at only three or four per cent?'
SOME coRREcTIoNs-THE GENEVA AWARD.
Inc general press dispatches relative to the
decision OF the House Committee on the Judi
clary In regard to the Geneva award. misstate
the facts in some important particulars. The
facts are these: seven out of eleven members of
the committee were present A majority of
those present voted that the insurance comma.
nies showing losses by the ravages of the Con-
federate cruisers should be paid; that mutual
insurance companies, when they paid losses on
account of these cruisers, shall be reimbursed
for which reimbursement they shall account to
the policy holders; that increased war nrem
iums paid after these cruisers mt to COO Sbomid
be paid 'A'"'0
There was much difference of opinion as to
the relative advantage of court or commits.
sion. The committee were tie between a
commission and court Mr.. FRYE of Maine
enahge1 co. MS vote rom commission to a court,
with the proviso that a provision shall he
made by which judgments, so fast as rendered
will be paid. There was Considerable i;So~s'
sion whether they should be of ali courts Of the
sbonS be vo sne especially
question whether the insurance comnanas
should not be paid That question was not
properly before the committee. The case that
the bill presents is only the question. Shall in
surance companies be paid where they show
upon this proposition.