Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-03-20
WASHINGTON.
The District Investigation.


Of such papers and showing they are mate
rial evidence with such COMMITTEE a,
charged. The Committee will then de,
eide as to the ACCESSIBILITY of issuing thu
supbenas asked for. Ii was also an.
nOunced the committee viii rot be restrict.
ed to such charges and specifications as the
memorialists may ehoosete submit. but will
take such action and send for such persons
and papers as may be necessary
and proper TO secure thorough and i'm
partial investigation of all matters en-
braced in the resolution of the Senate and
House Of Representatives creating the COM
mittee. a desultOry examination of the
school fund question then ensued in
which various members of the Committee,
the counsel on both sides and Gov. Shep-
herd engaged in an argumentative CONVEX
satiOn, but nothing new was elected and
the committee took a recess until 2 O'Clock.
After recess the committee examined
William Ballantyne, TO ascertain under
what authority he provided furniture for
the district schools. He testified that he
made, bargained and contracted the furni-
tlIre under a verbal order of the School
Trustees of the old corporation of Wash
lngton, such having been the practice at
that time. Subsequently before the fIrni-
| ture was delivered, the new district gov
eminent having been established, he pro-
CURED from Governor Cooke a written or
der to make himself entirely secure under
the verbal order of the old authorities for
whom he had nearly fulfilled the contract.
A Counterfeit.
Senator Morton was in the Senate TO-DAY
\ counterfeit of the new fifty cent note
has been received at the Treasury Depart-
ment. 1t is poor imitation.
The outstanding legal tenders are $3.50
| 100000.
The Mysteries CT the New York Cus-
tOmbOuSe.
Judge Noah Davis, former United States
District Attorney in New York. made an
elaborate statement to-day before the Com
lmttee on Ways and Means, giving his
knowledge Of the connection with PbeIns.
dodge * Co.'S case. At the request of the
cuStomhouse authorities he examined the
documents and statement laid before him
by Jayne, and gave his opinion that it was
case that justified further examination.
lie then arranged with the authorities that
application for warrant to seize the books
and papers should be brought directly to
him, and should be kept under his control.
and should not be served unless the firm
should refuse to exhibit their books and pa-
peTs. After an interview with them, Dodge
said their books were al the service of the
government, and Jayne took possession of
them. On the 30th of December witness
was sent into the Astor House and there
found Jayne and Bunsel, of Phelps. Dodge
~ Co, negotiating 4 settlement. JAYNE
said proposition ha,. heen made which he
could not accept, according to the Judges
recollection about Sl50,000. JAYNE said he
had sent for the Judge 10 inquire in what
manner 1t could be closed up at once.
Judge Davis said that it could only be
done by a suit for a specific sum, and the
payment OF that specific sum in full, but
suggested that there might be a basis of
settlement on the articles alleged to be ac-
tually effected by the alleged fraud. JAYNE
was then requested by counsel for Phelps.
Dodge x Co. to ascertain the value of such
articles. he did so, and reported the same
to be about 100000. JAYNE reported to
counsel for the firm, and after consultation
with their clients, they came to the con-
cluSlon to pay the amounts TO close the
matter at once. 1t was arranged to do this
on the evening of Dec. 80.
The next morning Judge Davis had an
appointment with Bliss in respect to cases
then on the calendar for trial, and of which
Bliss was Thereafter to have charge. Dur
ing the CONSULTATION he received a note from
Jay ne, requesting to see him at the close of
the consultation. Witness said the Bliss:
am now going down to the customhOuse
to close up, rs L suppose. the heaviest case
that has ever arisen il this district, the ar
rangements for the settlement of which was
made last night, and it was to have been
settled then. The services of this office
have all been rendered and suppose | am
as much entitled to the fees as if the ser
vices had been rendered six months ago,
but rather than YOU should think | have
neglected other matters for the purpose of |
hurryinS up the case TO get a larger fee,
just at the close of my term, propose YOU
20 down with me and participate in closing |
the case and take half the fee. Bliss was
much surprised, and said after a few mo-
mentS' pause: Judge, since YOU have made |
that proposition, l feel bound to tell YOU
that the cause will not be closed up to-day. |
was informed last night Of what took |
place at a storehOuse, and | was at the Col |
lectOrs house until late hour, and | know
ii is not to be settled to-day. They have
been playing double with you. Bliss add
ed: Somebody, viii not tell you who,
has been carrying water on both shout |
Cers. | think won't 90 down with you"
Mr.. Bliss then left the office and Judge
Davis repaired to the custOmhOuse. He
went into a room in the naval Office and
found the Collector, Surveyor, Naval Of
ficer and Jayne together. Jayne said he |
wished TO ask Judge Davis about decisions
made constituting the statutes of forfeitures. |
Judge Davis said | am ready to give you |
I 1, - l., II
doing so that / will have no fees and no |
part of the fees in this case. The fees, if |
any, are to 90 to my successor, whether the |
case is settled to-day or hereafter. He then |
the questions asked, and said that |
the case, in his opinion, was one which no |
jury would ever give a verdict unless by |
special direction of the court, and if they |
looked to their own interest they had better |
accept a compromise.
Judge Davis said that Bliss on that morn !
ing, Dec. 80. had privately taken the oath |
Of office, which fact was wholly unknown /
to him. The custom had been for the re-
firing attorney to appear in court to present
the commission of his successor and to give /
notice that he be sworn in.
A few DAYS after Judge Davis had retir-
ed from the office, District Attorney
Dodge called at his house to have some
about the case. Judge Davis
couldn't say anything as counsel or attor-
ley, but he would say to him as he would ;
o his own brother that they ought to con-
est the case and fight it to the end.
Judge Davis proceeded making sugges-
ions as TO the charges in the law and as to
he proper mode of ascertaining the actual |
intention 60 defraud to be determined by
ury and where actual fraud was was found
Dy the jury. The Secretary of the Treasury
should have no powerSof revision.
The First National.
The First National Bank Of this city
will tomorrow pay the second dividend of
20 per cent, making a total of 80 per cent.
hus paid.
The Commissioner of Pensions, Baker,
o-day presented the Speaker of the House
lis official reply to the recent charges made
.gainst him. He asserts that parties coz
ened in the assault on him were all dis
missed fromhis Office for either willful neg
ect duty, or nefarious conduct: gives
ull and special answers TO the charges, as
erting their falsity and makes argument
With regard to the injustice as well as de-
noralizing eifecton the public service ofper-
hitting nublic officers TO he arTaiouad bv /