The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-03-21
WASHINGTON.
The oiety system.

WASHINGTON, March 90 Judge Davis con-
tinued his testimony before the Ways and
Means Committee to day on the Phelps-DOdge
case, and gave his views on the laws relating to
seizures of books. His opinion is that the arti-
Gle authorizing the seizures is unconstitutional
He was further questioned as to who was pres
ent at the Custom House interview on the 31st
of December, when he stated in addition to
those mentioned yesterday, that Senator Conk
ling was also present at that interview, read
from statute book, gave his (Conkling's) opin-
ion that the whole invoice was forfeited by a
faint of any portion, and recommended that a
suit be commenced against Phelps, Dodge &
Co. Recess.
A New York despatch says that Bliss prints
a card to-day endeavoring to explain away the
charges contained in the evidence of Judge
Noah Davis, relative to Phelps, Dodge & Co.
Treasury Balances.
The following are the Treasury balances to-
day:~Currency, 81 561, 500; special deposit of
legal tenders for redemption of certificates of
deposit $53 215, 000 coin, $S7, 1888, 632, including
coin certificates $40, 7O5,7O0; outstanding legal
tenders, $685., 100000.
Financial.
The Comptroller of the Currency has issued
a circular calling on the national banks for a
report of their condition at the close of business
on the 9th of February.
Customs receipts for the week ending March
14th, New York 50, 652. 261; Philadelphia, $212,-
403; Baltimore, $131, 1881; Boston, Sis, 429.
Internal revenue receipts to-day are $1S7 ,634
Indian Affairs.
The Superintendent of Indian Affairs at San
ia Fe telegraphs that if the supplies for the
Mescaleros and southern Alpaches are stopped
the Indians must starve or fight. He has no
doubt that war will result.
The agent for the Crows telegraphs, asking
if the commander at Fort Ellis can have au-
thority to turn over to the Crows agency 20
needle guns with ammunition to protect them
IL W.
spends that he has no authority to grant such a
request.
The District Investigation.
At meeting of the District Investigating
Committee to day the District authorities fled
written answer to the charges of the memo
ralists, denying each allegation of fraud con-
spiracy or confederation with John o. Evans
and other parties named by the memorialists
The answer admits that large contracts were
given to these parties but sweepingly denies
any collision. The existence of the Kilbourne
memorandum and the Huntington letter were
also admitted, but denied that they sustain the
charges in any particular.
Combinations.
The Senate to. day confirmed Thomas B. Van
Buren, of New Jersey. to be Consul at Kama
CANA; Edward f. Dnnn, Chief Justice of the
Supreme Court of Arizona; Charles P. Rams
dell, U. S. Marshall for the Eastern District of
Virginia.
The Howard Court of Inquiry.
The second Auditor and first Comptroller
were again examined to-day before t he Howard
Court of Inquiry, and Gen. Vincent gave testi-
meny concerning the authority of various rec
ords on the case. Full and complete testimony
is being obtained relative to the manner Of
transacting business 10y disbursing officers, and
as to the responsibility resting on them.
Various Matters.
Frederick Douglass has been elected Pres-
don't of tho Eraad,nau'S bar
which has branches in nearly all the Southern
States. DR.. Hervis, another colored man, was
chosen Vice President, and forty out of seventy
clerks employed are likewise colored,