Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-03-21
WASHINGTON.
addition, Division and Silence"
More ahnnf sIofefies.


WASHINGTON, March 20.-Judge Noah
Davis was again before the Committee on
WAYS and Means this morning, and con-
tinued the statement of his connection
with the mOiety cases, particularly with
Phelps, Dodge q Co. He gave it as his
opinion that the seizure of books and
papers was obnoxious to the constitutional
provision which secures citizens Of the
United States from unreasonable search
and seizures and that the statute should be
repealed. At his interview in the Custom
House with the customs officers on Dec.
81, in relation to the compromise proceed
ings in the Phelps-DOdge case, the Judge
said Senator Conkling was present, but he
believed by accident, and that his presence
had no reference to the cases. BeingpreSs-
ed, however, TO tell substantially what oc-
cured, he said Senator COnkling took the
Statute'in his hands, read it, and gave il as
his opinion that it was beyond all doubt
that the whole invoice was forfeited when
a part was tainted, and recommended that
in the Phelps-DOdge case a suit for the for
fixture of the entire invoices should be
directed.
Columbia Corruption.
At a meeting of the District of Columbia
investigating committee to-day, the Dis
trict authorities filed a written answer to
the charges of the memOrialisls, denying
each and every allegation of fraud, con-
spiracy or confederation with john o.
Evans and others named by the memorial
lists. The answer admits that large con-
tracts were given to these parties, but
sweepingly and specifically denies there
was any collision between the Land Board
of Public Works and other District authori-
ties. The existence of the kilbOurne
memorandum and the Huntington letter is
also admitted, but it is denied they sustain
the memOrialists' charges in any particular.
The journal of the Board of Public Works
was produced, and the committee ordered
Transcript of that portion relating to the
meeting at which the. bids were opened for
pavementS, to be put in evidence. Recess.
Nat. Banks,
Comptroller Of Currency, has issued cir.
cular calling upon the National Banks for a
report of their condition at the close of bust
ness on Friday, the 18th of February.
The following were the custom receipts
for the week ending March -: New York,
S2,562,3 41; Philadelphia, S212, 40}; Balti-
more, S131,331; Boston, Sl5S,429.
The outstanding legal tenders are
S3S2, 100000.
Expenditures for Public Buildings.
The Senate committee on public build
ings and grounds to-day submitted a re-
port on Senate resolution directing them to
inquire into the eXpediency Of suspending
expenditure of all appropriations for public
buildings, not yet commenced, and of Gov
ering such appropriations into the treasury.
The committee are Of opinion that expendi-
lures for public buildings, in the present eX-
igency for economy, should be cut down
with rs much severity as any of the other
expenditures, but that they ought not to be
singled out as the least meritOriOus of all,
and denied i'm a lump. In the cOusse Of the
report it is recommended that the following
work be authorized Immediately to be done
in Washington City, in order mainly to
provide needed facilities for the public ser
vice, and save large expenditures for rent
of private buildings now used. The Court
of Claims should be removed to the city
hall building, to give more space for COM
mittee rooms in the capitol, and the city
hall should be enlarged so as to accOmmO-
date the Pension Bureau; the PostOfiice
Department should be enlarged; building
should be erected for the Printing Bureau
Of the Treasury Department, and part Of
the latter should be extended; also prOvi-
sion should be made Tor the Congressional
Library Bureau, and the addition recently
made to the capitol grounds should be i'm
proved so as to carry out the design Of their
purchase.
First National.
The sub committee appointed 10y the
Committee on Banking and Currency to
investigate the affairs of the First National
bank Of this city, to-day submitted a report
to the full committee. The report charges
grave Irregularities on the part Of officials
which cannot be punished under any eX-
listing law, and the committee recommend
an amendment to the National banking
laws which will change cases in future.
Among other things, the sub committee
state that just previous to the failure of the
bank its capital was deposited with Jay
Cooke & Co. The committee will make a
further consideration of the report at the
meeting next Monday.