The Jasper weekly courier., 1874-05-29
CURRENT NEWS.
WASHINGTON.

The National Executive Committee Of the
Patrons Of Husbandry, in addition 10 the sum
OF Sl 900 already forwarded TO the louisiana
sufferers, recently voted TO forward one hun
dre,l barrels of flour and ten thousand pounds
Of bacon 10 the needy members Of the order
in Louisiana and Arkansas.
A caueus Of the Southern members Of the
House of Representative, representing eleven
States, was held on the l4th. TO perfect bill
for the reninding Of the cotton tax, amount
ing 10 thirty million dollars.
The most damaging testimony in connec-
ton with the District Of Columbia investiga-
ton was elected by the examination of Bleck-
endorfer. an expert engineer. employed by
the committee 10 make measurements around
Government property. Witness testified
that he had followed his profession
for thirty years. and had been President and
Engineer Of the Board of Public Works for
the State Of Ohio. He had also served the
Government as an engineer at West Point
and on the Pacific Railroad. Witness had
measured all circles and in each instance had
found that the Government had been over
charged. According to his measurements.
nearly, If not quite, all the work done had
been oyercharged-the discrepancy in some
instances amounting 10 many thousands of
dollars, and the aggregate sum reaching into
the hundreds of thousands.
Hon. David Mellish. member of Congress
from the Ninth District Of New York, has
become insane. and j. temporarily confined
in the National Asylum near Washington.
His insanity i said TO have been caused BY
the excitement attending the financial discus
sion.
The House Committee on Railways and
Canals have agreed to report fayorably upon
the bill for the construction of jetties in
the Lower Mississippi upon the plan Of Cap
tain Eads.
Senator Carpenter has written letter de-
Tending the constitutionality of the recent
legislation in Wisconsin regulating railroads.
Ii is now definitely settled that the army
headquarters will be established in It. Louis.
To w hieh city General sherman will remove
permanently from Washington in a few
months.
The Republican Senators have decided in
caucus in favor of adjourning on June -.
AdoIph Cluss, Chief-Engineer of the Dis
trict Board Of Public Works. voluntarily ap-
PtaAtI anu
gave some very damaging testimony against
Governor Shepherd. In regard TO the over
measurements proved against the ring, Mr..
Cluss showed that Shepherd keeps two engin-
eers. Forsyth and Oertly, nominalIy under
his (Cluss's) control, but really Independent of
him. These are the engineers on whose esti-
mates and statements Colonel samo approved
all the work done on the Government ac-
count. Mr.. Cluss testified that these men
were under Governor Shepherds direction,
that he had attempted to rectify over-meas-
urements Of theirs. but Shepherds orders
were always pleaded against him. shep- 7
herds counsel claim that they can break I
down Cluss's evidence on cross-examinatiou. \
Washington special says that the Com
mittee of Ways and Means have adopted
strong resolution censuring Messrs. Richard
son, Sawyer and Banhed, Treasury officials.
for their action in regard to the sanborn con-
tracts, which will be presented to the House
as soon as the debate begins on the bill repeal
ing the law authorizing such contracts.