New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-05-23
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL.
SHARP DEBATE or A SOUTHERN WAR CLAIM
No

SHARP DEBATE on A SOUTHERN WAR CLAIM
WASHINGTON, Friday, May %, 1874
In the House to-day on the bill reported from the
Committee on War Claims appropriating money to
pay claims reported allowed by the Commission
ers of Claims very sharp debate occurred between
Judge Lawrence the Chairman, OH the one side, and
Messrs IIazclton of Wisconsin, Kellogg of Connecti
cut, and Harris of Virginia on the other, on the
amendment offered by Judge Lawrence to strike out
the claim of VIM. Bailey of Louisiana for $4,000
The debate disclosed the fact that Mr.. Bailey, who
was charged by Judge Lawrence with disloyalty
was endorsed strongly Union man by Gems
Sherman, Sheridan. Candy, Howard and other lead
ing Union Generals, aud by eX-GOv. Wells and other
prominent Cnonists OF the South. The ground
of disOyalty urged by Judge Lawrence was because
of the sale of certain cotton to the Confederate
Government, which II appears was sold under the
threat that If he did not sell il the cotton would be
forcibly taken by agents of the Confederate Gov
eminent, which fact appeared in Bailey's testimony
before the Commissioners. Only II members sus-
tanned Judge Lawrence's amendment to strike out
the award. The importance of this case is in the
precedent whic, il establishes in regard TO affirm
ing by Congress of the decisions of the Southern
Claims Commission.
THE CURRENCY PRINTING INVESTIGATION.
The examination now making by the House Com
mittee on Banking aud Currency the manage
ment of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing will
be resumed Monday. The Secretary of the
Treasury OF the Superintendent of Engraving and
Printing will be examined with reference to the
charges made by Mr.. Stuart and other NewYork
bank note printers that the currency costs third
more when done by the Bureau than when done in
New-York, and that proposals of low rate had
been rejected and subsequently accepted at
higher price. 1t was charged by Mr. Stu
art that Mr.. McCartee. the Chief of the
Bureau, had been guilty of improper conduct IN not
awarding contracts ion printing the currency to the
lowest bidder. The Treasury Department VIII pre-
sent about dozen allidayits To prove that the
chine printing of tue hew-lOrk Bank Note Com
pany, represented by Mr.. Stuart is defective III its
execution aud does not sufficiently guard against
cOunterfeits; that il destroys paper and does
very inferior work. This will be testified to by
pers and the aifdavts stand the charges against
the Printing Bureau are disproven. The charges Of
extravaganza in the management of the Bureau will,
no doubt, be sustained.
PROGRESS IN THE DISPATCH OF BUSINESS BEFORE
CONGRESS.
The House seems earnest III its efforts to hasten
the disposition of business To be ready for ad
ionrnmeut Oh June -. The members Of tho Appro-
priaton Committee say they have now no doubt
that the business may be disposed of by that time
while the Ways and Means Committee getting
along with their business much better than was eX-
rected All of the Appropriation bills except one
have passed the House aud although they will prob
ohly have to be considered again they Viii require
little time The one let, the Sundry Civil bill, VIII
pyO badly reqaIIe icrtnIshts time L; VAL be