The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-01

Happy New Year to all the depressed indus
tries OF the country.
The Pacific Mail Investigation.
The testimony before the committee yester-
no facts which throw important light on the
means adopted to obtain the subsidy. There
was o great deal of confrmatory evidence re-
lating to false entries in the books of the COM
pany and irregular transactions, and one wit
ness strengthens the link which connects Mr.
Washington Mr.. John Elliott, OF the house
of Riggs & Co., the Washington bankers,
who have branch in New York, testified to
one of the checks being sent back to him
from Washington to ascertain whether it was
good, and stated that the transaction be-
longed to the Washington house. This is an
addition to the evidence of the preceding
day that the large sum Of money which Mr.
Schumacher handled in May, 1872, when
the Subsidy bill was pending in
Congress, was used in Washington
The fact that Mr.. Schumacher was
not heard from yesterday and that
nobody is able TO learn where he is
deepens the untavorable impression produced
by the evidence of Tuesday. 1t is the gen.
eral sense of the community that if Mr..
Schumacher is innocent he should hasten to
vindicate his character before the committee,
or at least let it be known where he can be
found. Reporters Of the Brooklyn papers
made diligent attempts yesterday to ascertain
where he is lurking, but with no better sue
cess than attended the efforts of the HERALD
reporter on the preceding day. 1t is incred-
ible that Mr.. Schumacher should not have
beard the nature OF Tuesdays testimony some
time during the day yesterday, and the fact
that he neither appeared nor telegraphed and
that none of his friends in Brooklyn can tell
where he is is at least odd and suspicious.
The circumstances against him look strong
on their face, but it is possible that he
might explain them satisfactorily if he were
to freely testify before the committee.
1t is clearly in proof, both from
mony of Irwin, that the company expended
money in Washington to procure the passage
of the subsidy. 1t is true in fact though it
has not yet appeared in the investigation,
that Schumacher spent much of his time in
Washington during that session, and was
reputed by everybody who then hung about
the Capitol as lobbyist. The privilege of
the floor accorded 10 ex-members by the
courtesy of the House increased his facilities,
if that was his real employment in Washing
ton at that time. 1t is now proved that
while the subsidy was pending in Congress,
and while Mr. Schumacher was in Washington
in the reputed character OF lobbyist, he
handled a large sum of money belonging to
the Pacific Mail Company, which money was
expended in Washington. He is bound to
explain for what purpose that enormous sum
was employed Why did he use it in Wash
ington? What other occasion had the COM
pany for employing large amount of
money in Washington at that time
than that which the company's books
and Twins testimony disclose? II is said by
some of MIR. Schumakers Brooklyn friends
that he was merely the counsel of the CON-
pany But in that capacity there seems no
reason why he should be furnished with any
other money than his own fees. Clients who
seek legal assistance are not in the habit OF
putting into the hands of their counsel any
money beyond handsome retaining fee. IT.
as result OF litigation or for other cause
they have occasion to pay heavy sums they dc
it Ly tier own checks on their own bankers
The putting of two hundred and seventy-fv,
thousand dollars in the hands of lega
adviser would be most extraordinary unde
any circumstances, but when so large al
amount is intrusteG to man acting at th'
time as a lobbyist by company whose book
show the objects ror which they incurred
expenses in Washington, and when the dat
of % unusual transaction comedies with tn
pending of the Subsidy bill, the facts are to,
suggestive and inculpatory for man WIN
values his character to lose any time in iacin,
and explaining them.
If Mr.. Schumacher does not appear volun
tarily before the committee they are certain
to summon him and compel his attendance
they can find him. II he should then refus
to answer all questions which the committe
put to him. pleading in excuse the copGder