Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-12-17
" ASIiINGTUN.
The Pacific Mail Subsidy

means committee Intercepted Irwin in his room
about an hour to-day, the most of which was con-
salRed iii the statement etc, made by Irwin with
a view of purgng himself of contempt in failing
to heretofore appear before the committee when
summoned Irwin then answered promptly all the
questions pat to him by the subcommittee, but
when they arrived at a certain point, the commit
tee in view Of the state of Twins health and of
other considerations which they decline to disclose
concluded to postpone further examination until
tomorrow morning. In the meantime the testi-
mony taken to-day is 10 be kept strictly private.
Ii is coniecurcl that the reason for this determi
nation is that other witnesses are to be summoned
tonight.
LATER
The substance of the testimony of Irwin was
this lie was employed by the Pacific steamship
Company in various capacities, from 1864 to Dec.
3lst 1872, and during the last portion of the time
as a member Of the firm Of Eidridge x Irwin,
agents of the company at San Francisco In the
the winter of 1862 he was employed as agent of
the company. for the purpose of procuring a sub
sidy for the China mail. The contract was most
of it letters from the company to him by which he
was to receive certain sums of money in full of
all expenses in obtaining the subsidy. The
amount to he paid was not to be finally Equdated
until the entire service was performed, as the ex-
p9nse could not be ascertained until that time.
\ report from Indian Agent Bingham, dated
Nov. 18th, from the Cheyenne river agency, states
that he is in pursuit of the white men going to
the Black Hills. Agent Bingham is accompanied
by military force from Forts Rice and Sullv.
The Alabama Claims.
In the court of Commissioner for the Alabama
claims to-day, General Crcsswell and Judge II. NJ.
Corwnc argued the case of the whale ship Splcn-
did, which was driven out of the Arctic ocean by
the Shenandoah, which caused the breaking up
Of the voyage and the loss of the outfit, reit and
investmen mt, amounting to many thousands of
dollars.
The nited States demurred and denied the
right of tie owners of the Splendid to II cover
under the law, claiming that there could be no
recovery except fer the property destroyed. 10
this Corwin replied that the act provided for two
classes Of claims, lst, that which results in total
loss and ID, that which results from partial loss
that wherever there is proof OF actual loss re-
covery followed as matter of course. The court
held the case under advisement.
The Indian Peace Commission.
The members of the Indian Peace Commission,
who recently visited the Indian Territory, re-
port to the government the result of council
held at Muscagee, aud they believe that the we'll
fare Of the tribes demands immediate legislation
bv Congress, providing for suitable government
and rigorous enforcement of wholesome law.
They recommend, first Territorial government
whose executive shall be appointed by the Prcsi-
dent of the United States and whose legislative
body shall be elected by the people Of the Terri
tory; second, the establishment Of United States
Courts within the said Territory; third Ia delegate
in Congress.
MulIett's Successor.
Mr.. Cochlane, of Chicago, it Is said will be APP
pointed SuperN ising Architect of the Treasury
department, vice Muilett, resigned.