New-York tribune., 1874-07-21
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITLA.
THE HISTORY OF A FRAUDULENT CLAIM


WASHINGTON, Monday, July 20, 1874.
The Commlssary Department has notified 10 the ac-
officers of the Treasury that there good reason
believe that what is known the Sugg Fort claim,
for 2Oo barrels Of -four said to have been used by the
Union forces 1t Nashville is fraudulent, and request
has been made that the Treasury will ascertain all the
parties concerned III pressing IT, and obtain their indct
men The history OF the claim is this Mr.. Butler OF
Tennessee attempted in the House, short time before
adjournment TO have bill passed directing the adiudca
ton of this claim Coburn OF Indiana objected and
stopped r. Tne LATTER gentnan b she ad r9so 70 be
that the claim was fraudulent. The Commissoner
OF Claims notified to the different departments, how
ever and by help Of r. r. Butler II was passed ana
settled. The amount paid was nearly $4,000: suit to
recover the amount Will now he instituted. Criminal
suits Will be begun ganst all who knowingly par
ties to the rand 1t is not charged that Mr. Butler was
one Ot the latter
THE CONDENSATION FOR TRANSPORTING POSTAL
CARS.
A correspondence has taken place between MT
Hinckley. President of the Philadelphia, Wilmington
and Baltimore railroad Company. and the PostOmce
Department with reference TO an application for higher
compensation for the movement OF the Posoflce cars
over that road Something said about the determna-
ton Of the Company such cars after the lst
OF August unless their demand be complied with but
there is an impression that this question will be
deferred until the newyappoined PostmasterGeneral
shalt have entered upon his duties Ia tue mean tlhe
Railroad Company viii be oici1iy INFORM hni3rmeH @ VI
the compensation for the various Alnus OF serVce Jug
Department has discretion IN the premises, ana
therefore 1t cannot refer the question Of compensation
umpire that course having been suggested Oy MI
Huckey
SOME CURIOUS EVIDENCE N THE SAFE BUR
GLARY CASE.
The Grand Jury took curious testimony in the
matter OF burglary to-day. The identity OF the
burglar who actually blew the safe open established
H. was pardoned OF the Penentary at the request
Of Col. Whitley. The pardon was never delivered TO
him. but was held 10y SOmmerville, the New-York law
YER who arrived III Washington the day after the arrest
of Benton Zone the burgars TO defend him, and who
has also acted attorney for the man who blew the
safe open. sommeryle received the pardon as the
agent of whitley The shrewdness of this whole opera
consists IN the fact that as state prison convict
the burglar could testify, and while pardon re-
eyed hun from this disability, the pardon was not ue-
yered Du shape that it can be held over the
burglar inducement TO prevent him from exposing
one.
THE OPERATION OF THE NEW CURRENCY LAW
Thus far about two and half million bonds have been
withdrawn from Treasury by the banks and all the
greenbacks received yet remain in the Treasury,
national banknOtcs having been issued In their place to
new banks while the formal requests to start new banks
amount to aboIt three e>milon dollars, and informal
notifications OF intention TO make request for currency
swell the to about four millions. None OF these
new organizations have perfected the necessary ar
rangements receive their currency, and IL Will be
some weeks before any considerable number or them
can compy with the required conditions, and until this
issue begins the law must continue to operate as
measure OF cOntractiJn
THE BOARD OF INFANTRY EQUIPMENTS.
The Board of Infantry Equipments-consisting OF
Lieut.. Col Wm. r. Shaftery, 2lth Infantry Leut.Col.
A. D. McCoOk, 10th Infantry Lieut-Col Thos. English,
2i Infantry Major Alex. Chambers 4th Infantry and
Capt H. NJ Stacy, 18th Iufautrywhch has been in
sion at Fort Leaveuworth, Kansas, since July TO
slider and report upon the subject proper equipment
for infantry soldiers recommend the adop OF
an equipment best suited to troops serving infantry
aud addition to determine such material and
infantry IN field and garrison has been author
ized 10 adjourn TO Wateryet Arsenal, n. \.
WASHINGTON NOTES.
The New-York bdnk-note companies who feel ag-
grieyed at work being taken from them and given to
the Columbian BiubNOte Company OF this city, will
have hearing before the Secretary Of the Treasury to-
morrow.
President Grant has sent ele to the Secretary
OF the Treasury requesting the latter to meet him at
Branch Thursday next for the purpose OF con-
sutlng upon official business.
The President has accepted the resignation OF Lieut..
Richard IL Poillon. 23i Infantry, to take effect Aug
James Gillan has accepted the position Of Appoint
ment Clerk Of the Treasury Department.
Gen. Spinner has designated william Behrens for
Chief Clerk of the Treasurer's office.
EX,sECRETARY MCCULLOUGHS VIEWS on THE
FINANCIAL SITUATION