The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-03-20
BY TELEG RAPh.
--...-A-A---L
ASSOCIATED pREss REPORT.
By the Western Union Line, ofilce North
west corner Of Main and i2th streets.
WASHIN TON.
WASHINGTON, March l9.
The District Investigation.


On the assembling of the District OF
Columbia Investigating Committee to-
day, Chairman Allison made the an
nouucement that the Committee had
made ruling in substance that they
will, in their discretion, issue subp0aas
duces tecum, to compel the production
of private papers. provided there be first
fled with the Committee an affidavit
OF the same person, or q professional,
written, statement OF hls counsel aver
ing to the best OF his knowledge the ex-
istence OF such papers, and showing that
they are material evidence in the in
vestigation with which the Committee
is charged. The Committee will then
decide as to the advisability Of iss
suing the subpoena asked for.
1t was also announced that the COM
mittee will not be restricted to such
charges and specifications as the me.
morialists may choose TO submit, but
will take such action and send for such
papers as may be necessary and proper
to secure thorough and impartial in-
vestigation of all matters embraced in
the resolution OF the Senate aud House
creating the committee Tor examlne-
ton OF the school fund. A question
then ensued, in which various members
OF the committee, the counsel for both
aides and Governor Shepard, engaged
in an argumentive conversation but
nothing new was elected. The COM
mittee then took recess until 2.o'cleck
Pm.
The Moie:y SwindIe-TrIc&s or the
Informers-Judge Davis before the
Committee.
Judge Noah Davis was before the
Customs Committee to-day, and testl'
fled concerning the case oI Phelps, Dodge
& Co. He stated that at the request OF
the Custom House authorities. he ex-
amined the documents and statements
laid before him by Jayne and gave his
opinion that it was case thst
justified iurther examination. lie then
arranged with the authorities that the
application for warrant to seize books
and papers should not be brought di-
rectly to him, but should be kept under
his control. and should not be served
upless the firm should refuse to exhlb
it their books and papers. After an
interview with them, Mr.. Dodge said
their books we're at the service OF tue
government, and Mr.. Jayne took pos
session OF them an the 3O.h OF Decem'
Der. The witness was sent for by |
Mr.. Jayne to come to the Astor
house and there found Mr..
JAYNE and the counsel OF
Phelps, Dodge & Co., negotiating a
settlement. Jayne said a proposition
had been made which he could not ac'
cept, according to the Judges recolec-
ton about $l50.0O0. Jayne said be had
sent for the Judge to inquire IN what
manner the matter could be closed up
at once. Judge Davis said 10 them that
it could only be done by a suit for the
specific sum and the payment OF that
amount in full, but suggested that there
might be basis OF settlement on the
articles alleged to be actually affected
by alleged fraud. Jayne was then
requested by the counsel for
Phelps, Dodge & Co, 10 ascer an tie
value OF such articles. He did so, and
reported the same to be about SOU, ,OOO.
MI. JAYNE e re ported TO the counsel Tor the
firm, and after a consultation with
their clients they came to the conciu-
sion 10 pay the amount and close the
matter at once. 1t was arranged TO DO
this on toe morning of December 50th'
The next morning JudgeDavIs had an
appointment with Mr. Bliss in respect
to the cases then on the calendar ior
trial and OF which Mr.. Bliss would
thereafter have charge. During the
consultation he received note from
Mr.. JAYNE. requesting to see him: Az
the close Of the ConsultstloB the witness
ssid, "Bliss, | am now going down 10
the custom house to close up, as sup
nose, the heaviest case that has ever
arisen in this district, the arrangements
for the settlement OF which were made
last night and it was to have been set
tied then. The services OF this othcs
have all been rendered and l suppose
am az much entitled to the fees as II
the eprvices had been rendered SIX
months ago, but rather than you should
think have neglected other matters
for the purpose OF hurrying up this case
to &c. larger fee JUS! at the
close OF my term, propose
you 60 down with me and raracIPste
in closing the case and take one-hai'
the fee =,
! Bli.s WAS much surprised, and said
after few moments pause, Judge
since you have made that proposition,
feel bound to tell you that the case
will not be closed up to-day. l was
informed last night OF what took place
at the Astor House and was at the
Collectors house ill late hour, and
know it is not to be settled to- day.
They have been playing double villa
you" .rr
Bliss added, Some day l will tell you
who has been carrying water on ooth
shoulders. I think l won't go down
with you 1n,.o
Bliss then left the Office and Judge
DAVIS repaired to the custom house.
He went in q room in the naval once
ssd found the collector. surveyor, naVSi
officer and Jayne together: Nh jayne
said he wished to ask Judge DAVIS
about some decisions made construlng
the statutes of forfeitures. Judge DAVIS
,aid, II am ready to give you place
but l wish it to be understood before
doing so that l will have no fees, ana
no part OF the fees in this csse.