New-York tribune., 1874-03-30

high officers of the Government in order that he
might make money. Enough has already been
elected TO show that Sanborn is by no means
the most censurable, but that, for the uDlaw-
full and high-handed acts which committed
there were orders from Secretary Richardson, As
sistant Secretary Sawyer Solicitor Banfeld 80
that Sanborn was merely participant and the bene
feiary of their law breaking. This. there is no
doubt, will be more clearly shown if he can be
brought before the Committee.
Both Jayne and Sanborn were volunteer witnesses
As the former about to be questioned by the
Ways and Means Committee as to the strange con-
nectioD of Senator Conkling with the unparalleled
outrage Phelps, Dodge g. Co., he suddenly
left town. As SanbOrn abOut to be questioned
as TO his relations with of the highest officers
Of the Government, he suddenly found that there
was an Indictment pending against him in Brooklyn.
and he slipped off before the Committee could stop
him. 1t is said that Sanborn has papers similar
to those of Green and Presbury, two of his de-
tectives who were examined the other day. 1t will
be remembered that each of those men, al
though having no connection with the Gov
ernment, were furnished with commissions
signed by Solicitor Banfeld, appointing
them, without pay without law. tn bo
operatives in the secret service of the Government
To them were also given letters from Richard
the Government, themselves commissioned to do
the work, to assist the detectives of Sanborn to
earn money for their master. 1t was shown at the
examination, q day or two ago, that Sanborn
obtained the letters and commissions; but Mr..
Green is reported to have said since his examination
that Gen. Butler obtained the letters from the
Secretaries and also the commissions from Solicitor
Banfeld.
The Committee will meet tomorrow to arrange
for their future movements in connection with the
subject. Secretary Richardson will probably be
called on Tuesday and after he has been examined
Assistant Secretary Sawyer will appear 1t is not
likely that William H. Kelsey and the other
contractor under the law will be summoned, as
their collections were small that they Of
little consequence. Kelsey, who was member of
the XLlst Congress and is now here, says he never
collected dollar. His statement of his connection
with the whole case is rather interesting He says
he never knew Sanborn, and never saw him to know
him.
My connection" said Mr.. Kelsey in conversation a
few days ago. with this business be told
in short time. About two weeks after left Congress
and a new had been organized fellow
came TO me and said that there were lot OF taxes
due the Government; that several big corporations
had withheld their taxes on gross receipts stocks bonds
&C. The said that each coupon ticket on railroads
or steamboats, contract and liable to tax did MT
agree with him 10 that. I can't tell you who
the man was but he said he had been 10 see the Sec
retary Of the Treasury and afterwards we spoke OF
the Joint resolution authorizing contracts to be made
with reference to derelct Southern railroads. drew
an amendment from that for the Appropriation BILL
felt that the Government had been deranded by these
rich corporations, and that they wouldn't pay their
taxes till they obliged TO, and l felt like
obligirg them. Tho first draft authorized the
Secretary to contract with anybody to collect the
withheld taxes but that beaten IN the House. 1t
was tried again with these commissioners and think 1t
was beaten IN the House again. 1t was whipped so
6aSly thai r Went by deflnlt. There not even
division. / thought you knew that Sou9- get u
through could after that, for supposed would be
able 70 get contract and make money, so went
to work.
rspoke to Senator Sawyer. Assistant Secretary.
and half dozen other Senator's The thing was put In
the bill in the Senate it rejected again by the
House II then went the Conference Committee. and
WAS again inserted, but. unless forget the report
OF the Conference Committee, was disagreed
IN tn the House. At the second conference
the proposition amended so as to require applicants
for contracts make oath TO their statement and give
the names the parties in writing who owed the Gov
ernment taxes. and the amount This passed Senator
SAWYER was the one gave the amendment TO- and he
was very friendly to the measure all through. / ex-
pected that there oOOooo or S0OoO0O due on ac-
count Of withheld taxes,
"WeIl," continued Mr.. Kelsey, "when the thing
passed. to the Treasury and asked for contract
wanted TO try my hand at the passenger railroads In
Philadelpha-the Street cars At first the Secretary
Boutwell, aud the Assistant Secretary Richardson).
did not understand the law. At least, they asked
me 70 wait a short time. They wanted TO
coakder the subject but finally the contract. the first
nnder the law was signed and started for Philadelphia
When got there called the railway companies and
| asked to see the books One company showed me
everything and was very polite. 1 simply showed my
contract Another company would allow me to look at
the books because had contract, but refused to allow
my clerk, an expert to examine them with me. You
| see was not bOokkeeper. and 1t would have taken
| me a good while to understand the books. so
applied 70 Banfeld the Solicitor. for help telling
him how matters stood. received letter OF nstruc-
tons to the proper officers this gave Supervisor
Fulton He acted in queer way, and said he wouldn't
allow the expert to examine the books
| and he had right to do so; SO
| YOU see didn't get along very well, for
Fulton did not seem disposed 10 do much. Then came
back 70 Washington and again went TO the Treasury
saw the parties-meaning Boutwell,, Richardson, and
| Banfeld-but they did mt seem to care very much
| about me, and SO 7 gave the thing up. did MT
| collect q red cent, and lost my expenses.
| afterward recommended Campbell, my clerk, for my
contract and given TO him, but he didn't get along
| very well either. All he ever collected was N,7oo
believe the law good and don't think 1t ought
to be repealed csmor Of those who have violated
| it,"
THE DISTRICT INVESTIGATION
| EVIDENCE OF CORRUPT DEALINGS BETWEEN CON.
| TRACTORS AND DISTRICT OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
| SION BY RING ORGAN THAT THE BOARD OF
| PUBLIC WORKS WAS OPERATED UPON.
| IBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSE
| WASHINGTON, March 29-Peter Mcnamara an