The Portland daily press., 1875-01-07
WASHINGTON.
Navy Yard Management.

Navy Yard Management.
Congressman Burleigh to Secretary
Robson.
A Reply to Com mander Howell.
Especial to the Press]
WASHINGTON, Jan. 6, 1875.
Hon. Geo. M. Robson, Secretary of the Navy:
SIR,-In the Boston Journal of the fifth
inst. notice that you have allowed an official
letter from the Chief of a Bureau in the Navy
Department. to be printed in paper having a
large circulation in my state. The remarks I
made in the House of Representatives on the
twenty-second ult. were, as 1 considered, in the
interest of honesty, economy and reform, and
as I stated at the time, it was my intention to
cleanse my domicile for the next tenant. With
the commandant of the yard, my relations
have ever been pleasant, and should not have
repeated his language to me if he had not free
ly and without reserve made the statement TO
others. But knowing the facts 1 thought it
necessary that the people should be acquainted
in degree with the mismanagement of your
Department or at least be allowed to Judge as
to the working of certain navy yards and the
merits of their officials. That sought to pro-
tnct class of Republicans, laborers in the Kit
terry Yard), who were prescribed, as set forth in
petitions and letters, for no reason save that
they did not vote in convention for Col. Went
worth, is true. That used my utmost endeav-
ors to carry out the wishes of leading men of
my party who wrote me on the subject and to
relieve these men from the injustice thrown
upon them, is also true. That ever in any
way asked for man to be employed in the
yard when the granting of such request would
be inconsistent with the SERVICE or the duties
of any officer there, is not true, and that have
not been meddlesome in navy yard matters
you well know. The commaDdant denies the
statement made in the House, but others will
confirm what Il said. 1t is asked why I did
not make my statement during last session.
The question is proper and will answer it
frankly. Before had taken my seat in the
House an honored Senator remarked to me that
if opposed Col. Wentworth lat that time
holding sinecure position in my district, as
believed, without authority of law,) that he
would oppose me-. The naval appropriation
bill was reduced in its civil list forty seven per
cent, and L thought that seme drones would
then have to 60, but as they are retained, upon
my return this session felt that the gag was
removed. Another reason. had the strong
est regard for you personally and hoped we
could sail in consort, but my experience in the
navy yard and in the naval committee con-
WINGED me that you were more risky naviga-
| tor than cared to follow
Very respectfully,
j. H. BURLEIGH.
Washington, Jan. 6, 1876
ITO the Associated Press.l
Treasury Balances. -
| The following are the Treasury balances for
day:-Currency, $13, POI, 1874; special deposit
deposit, $41, 100000; coin, ST. 914 $3.50, including
coin certificates, So, 28S, 900; outstanding legal
tenders, $3S2,000,000 M
The Cndctship Investigation.
G.. W. Graham, state senator of Virginia, to-
| day testified before the House Naval Commit
| get his step-son into the Naval Academy; that
| he told Congressman Stowell, and the latter
| authorized Graham to act as his agent, saying
| he (StowelD wanted $1,000 as his pay to secure
| the appointment. Graham continued that sub
| sequently he sent the appointment to him,
| which he gave to Beatty, who gave him $1,000,
| and that shortly after he (Graham) gave Stow
| ell $500, telling him what it was for Subse
quently he obtained $500 more from Beatty,
| and placed $310 to StowelPs credit with Jay
Cook, and short time ago Stowell wasted
Graham to testify that he did not give him
| (StowelD any money and he would return the
amount, but he (Graham) declined. Adjourn
ed until tomorrow. PA
National Banks Statement Called for.
The Comptroller of Currency has called for
VIII fbo md 1iahi
of the national banks at the close of business
on Thursday, Dec. 31st
The Pacific Mail Investigation.
The Ways and Means Committee shortly
after II o'clock resumed the Pacific Mail sub.
sidy investigation. rr
Charles Albert, sworn agent or attorney for
| the Pacific Mail Co., commenced application
| for increased subsidy in December, 1871, and
managed the case until the first part of Feb
| ruary 1872, when superseded. by Irwin, but
| thereafter acted as Twins counsel and dis
| bursting agent; the disbursements were made
between the second of February and the first
! Of July, and aggregated between 100000 and
| $135, 900. Witness received 100000 of this
May 2Sth, 1872, in check signed either by
| Bellows or Stockwell. The witnesses agree
| ment with StOckwell was verbal and related
| only to the witnesses own personal services.
| For these he received $1,000 in cash and was to
| receive $4,000 more in case of success, but be-
| ing superseded he could make no claim and
| considered he had none for this latter amount,
| he subsequently received from Irwin and
| Bowen $4,000 and $1,000 for services as counsel
| Witness refused to answer more definitely I'M
| til he had consulted counsel.
Disbursements were made by witness under
| lrwin's direction in Washington to fifteen or
| twenty different persons, some Of them resi-
| dents of Washington and some not, and mostly
| made after Irwin left New York for Califor-
| nia Witness took receipts for all his pay
ments and sent the receipts to Irwin in Cali
/ fornia Witness in view of his relations to IT.
| win as counsel and of Irwin's refusal to ans
l wer similar questions, said he felt compelled at
| present to decline to give names of persons to
| whom he made these payments under Twins
| directions He desired to state, however, that
| not a cent of the amount disbursed by him was
| paid with any agreement or understanding or
l expectation that it would ever reach any menu
Der of Congress.
Sheridan's Course Approved.
| The following telegram was sent to General
| Sheridan to day: EB8
| WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, Jan. 6.
| President and all of us have full confidence in
| you and thoroughly approve your course.
| (Signed) VIM. w. BELKNAP,
Secretary of War.
| There is no probability that the President
| will issue such proclamation as Gen. Sheri-
| dan suggests in his telegram to Secretary Bel
KNAPP yesterday.
Various Matters.
The internal revenue receipts to-day were
| 1924, 507.
| Custom receipts for four days ending Dec
| 81 at New York. were $764,77S; at Boston,
| $126,075.
| Forty Third Congressional Session.
-.ft q " SENATE. q s9sers.I
| WASHINGTON, Jan. 6.
! The animal reports of the Congressional
Printer aud Superintendent of Coast Survey,
were received Several bills were introduced
and referred. Il