Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-05-02
WASHINGTON.
More Mysteries of Notifies.
EX-Secretary Boutwell, or the
Stand,
He Tells an He Didn't KNOW ahov
His KeenartpRauf

4 :
Tor the collection of Internal revenue. He
said the preparation of the papers with ref
| erence TO Kelsey's contrast wss entrusted
to he Solicitor Of the Treasury, who was
the iaw-oficer Of the Department. There
fore he felt at liberty to rely on him that
| the papers prepared in his Office wer-. legal
ini form, and be believed ne would not
be led to sign anything that was not in ac-
cordance with the law. Senator Boutwell,
said he was sure the Sanbom business was
never matter of conversation between
himself and Secretary Richardson, and be
had never h2G any personal relations with
SsneOIn, only hearing of him through the
chief OF the Special Agents Bureau, when
lnqulring into the qualifications of several
special agents. SanbOrn had no right to
claim his personal friendship and intimacy.
A sissrt Memory.
Mr.. Boutwell, said he could not recall any
interview he ever had with Sanborn as TO
his obtaining contract. Before Sanborn
became a special agent of the Treasury
Department, he was not aware that he had
any knowledge of him different from what
he had of any other person so employed.
While in service of the Department, be OBJ
tanned some knowledge of Sanborn by GO
ing over the list of special lists, and max
ing inquiries OF Madge concerning them.
The object of going over the list was to
find out the least efficient agents. so as to
appoint better ones in their places. The
Impression he derived from such examina-
ton was that SanbOTn was a good officer
while he was in the Treasury Department.
Ignorance Of Sanborn's Contracts.
The fact that Sanborn had a contract
20 lnIo
or personally, nor he had officially or per-
sonally knowledge of the contracts made
with anybody else under the law. Having
his attention called TO the provision of the
law referring to the compromise and settle
ment of cases growing out of the customs
revenue, Mr.. Boutwell, said the conStruc-
ton put upon that provision when he went
into the Treasury Department, was that it
was applied to internal revenue cases. He
considerable as general power to be exer-
cised 10y the Secretary of the Treasury, as
applying to all branches of the department
The Secretary was, subject of course to the
restrictions of law, authorized to 90 on and
make collections in his honest discretion.
1t was not thought necessary to consult the
Commissioner of Internal Revenue, but he
considered it TO be his duty to advise with
the Solicitor of the Treasury before begin
ming suit, rs to the proper course to be pur-
sued, although the Secretary was not
bound by the Solicitor. Il was simply i'm
possible for the Secretary to sit in his Office
and advise clients what to do. He must
rely on the good faith and ability of his
assistants or SubOrdinates in the Office.
The contracts bear Solicitor Banfeld's in
itals.
Assisting SanbOrn.
BOutwell's attention was called to an
order signed by him and addressed to col
lectors and assessors, directing them to as
Sist SanbOrn in such way as he might ask in
the examination OF official records. Bout
well said he stood by this as legal and
proper. II merely allowed him to see the
records in the assessors and collectors Office
with reference to persons who have with
held taxes due TO the Government, so as TO
avoid going after those who have already
paid their taxes. Boutwell, said this may
have been a technical departure from the
law. Considering il in the light recently
brought before the committee as TO the APP
poiutmeut of Sanbom hesuppOsed it was
made on some Recommendation. If in
writing he supposed It would be found in
the appointment bureau or in hodges
office. His first knowledge of a contract
with SanbOrn was derived from Solicitor
Banfeld and he had no doubt if he made
any remark concerning the matter il was
not unfavOrable to SanbOrn and he knew Of
no reason why he should not be appointed.
The examination here ended.
River Improvements.
The House Committee -On Appropria-
tiOns will report river and harbor bill eX-
actly as prepared by the Committee on
Commerce. It appFopriates four million
aud half dollars.
Financial.
The Senate Finance Committee held an
other meeting to-day on the House Cur
any important point.
Still Substituting Railroads.
The Senate Committee on Public Lands
to-day, agreed to report fayorably a bill to
extend time for completion Of St. Croix
Railroad in Wisconsin, and thus present
impending forfeiture of its Congressional
land grants.
District Seerets-A Hiding Witness
Captured.
Lewis Clephave. Collector of the Dis
tfict, named in the charges of the me
moriaiists as one of the conSpiraLors TO OBJ
tain and control contracts, denied all
knowledge of the conspiracy and denounced
the cha &c as a malicious SANDER. He
read letter to show that Gov. Shepherd
severed his connection with the Portland
Cemert Company and the Metropolitan
Pavement Company upon being appointed
a member Of the Board Of Public Works.
Pending the examination of witness,
the committee held = secret session to eX-
.vaall
night before last in the Gilsey House, New
York, and brought to this city IN custody
Of the Sergeant-at arms Of the Senate, last
night.
KirtIaads Story.
Mr.. Kirkland was examined in private
session from 11:30 A. NJ. till 5 p. NJ. His |
styly is substantially as follows: He adj
mits that he received from Chittenden |
81, 900 in notes, but that he had at no |
time any arrangements or any negotiations |
with any member of the Board Of Public |
Works; that after he received the notes, he |
went to Col. Moore, a business partner |
with Gov. Shepherd and offered him one |
half of them. Moore said he did not want |
the notes, but if he (KIrtland) would get |
the notes discounted he might accept some |
of the money. Witness further telegraphed |
TO get the notes disc cunted, and that he APP |
piled the full proceeds to his own benefit |
and did not again offer Moore any share, |
nor did he receive any. He was cross |
examined very closely, but substantially all |
that could be elected from him is the |
above.
The witness will be examined in public |
session tomorrow to afford counsel on both |
sides an opportunity to cross-eXamine him.
The Alabama Award-Insurance In |
tereSts.
The House judiciary Committee to-day |
agreed to an important amendment TO tie |
Genera award bill, to the effect that pay
ment will be made to mutual insurance |
for all losses sustained by YES
sells for whose depredations we made claim
against Great Britain, provided no member
of a mutual insurance company shall re-
cover for any war premiums; in other
words, they will be paid on all losses and |
cUt off from war premiums.
Bureau Howard.
The testimony for the defense in the
Howard case closed today. and the Judge |
Advocate offered rphutfinU test imOnV which i