New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-04-10

had ham kent in order that the cost Of the sdebOard
might he determined and the Government reim-
bnrsed. They also asserted tn at, in the Spring OF
1874 a font was made in the Navy-Yard, also OF
Government material and by Government labor, and
that by direction of the Secretary Of the Navy, 1t
was shipped in two boxes about the middle OF May,
to " Hon. A. @. Keasby, care of William Monshan,
Monmouth Beach, N. j., via Long Branch boat"
They also asserted that hundreds of dollars worth
of fancy boxes, pcture-frames and other furniture
had been made private use for which the Govern
ment had never been repaid.
Recently board consisting of officers in the
Navy-Yard, was appointed to investigate these &C
cusations, and the men who made them offered to 60
before the board and explain the whole on four
conditions viz:
i. That witnesses should be examined under
oath.
2. That one of those who made the accusations
should have the privilege of cross-e1aminins wit
nesses.
8. The production Of such documents belonging 10
the Government as those making the accusations
should consider necessary.
q. That the board should sit with open doors.
These conditions were not agreed to by the board,
and those making the accusations Withdrew. Inc
whole case reduces itself to this Either Secretary
Robson is guilty of converting public property to
his private use or there has been irregularty and
dishonesty in the Washington Navy-Yard. The
friends of the Secretary believe the latter to be the
case, and while they would regret his want OF dis
erection in using the Government shops for the
manufacture of articles for private use, even though
the Government has been fully reimbursed, they be-
ieve it to be his duty to relieve himself from every
shadow of suspicion by causing the present lnvesti
CATION to be thorough and conducted in public, SO
Ill A. bv,nvu hat he
THE FREEDNiANS BANKS AFFAIRS.
DIFFICULTY OF LEARNING THE TRUE FINANCIAL
CONDITION OF THE BANK-EFFORTs OF THE
: COMMISSIONERS TO HAVE RESERVATIONS AC-
CEPTED.
CFRoM A REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE]
WASHINGTON, April s.-The Commissioners
of the Freedmans have about made their minds
that they cannot escape the duties assigned them,
namely, settling the affairs of the bank and It's Il
branches Many of the banks depostors are ignorant
coored people, and they still decline surrendering the
pass-books an action which greatly embarrasses the
Commissioners Every day develops some strange
negotiations by the management IN lending the bank
been advertised for sale at auction, in regard to
which Commissioner Leiofold states he found among
t Gcmmissopers in order to save the properly
compelled to attend the sale and purchase ~ uht he
Sa sns had aS they
would be necessary declare the first dividend would
not feel warranted in doing unless the government
WOud come to their aid What they want Is the assist
ance OF all United States repositories that such div
dends could be paid at such places by schedule Matters
Sa ak ns 9
free in their suggestions of how things ought TO be DONE
and have not hestated to force their uncaledor advice
on the Commissioners The latter gentlemen nave ex-
ercsed their own Judgment in adopting suggestions
other than their own to one another. The Commls.
soners have hankess task and the present prosper
Of their securing any material compensation tooks
doubtful They must secure their salaries out OF tne
assets Of the bank and the Commissioners nave ABOUT