The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-12-31
RAID on CORRUPr CLERKS.
PurGina the second CSmpiroIIer's and Third
Auditors OGiccs.

WAsHIN0roN, Dec 30.-The Secretary of
the Treasury to-day submitted to the President
the report OF the committee Of which Commis-
sioner OF Internal Revenue Pratt was Chairman,
rejecting upon the Official conduct Of Second
Comptroller Brodhead, Deputy Comptroller
Curtis, and Third Auditor Rutherford. What
the President sid the Secretary did not dis
close, but he told the three officers mentioned
that they would nnd food for reflection In a
volumlnous report then in his possession. DR..
Drodhead gathered his deputy aud Third Au-
ditor to his bosom, and the three wrestled Tor
an hour with tho verdict Of Commits sioner
Pratt, Assistant Solicitor Robinson, First Au-
dltor Mahon. and J. w. Porter.
The readers Of The SUN know that an exami-
nation into tho method Of doing business In the
Second Comptroer's and Third Auditors Offices
was In consequence Of allowing two notoriously
nctitious and fraudulent claims-that OF SuCg
tort' amounting to S3,OO. and the other tho
Witowsht claim for fD.VD. The committee
would never have been appointed had II not
heen Tor the notion OF tho Grand Jury Of tho
District, the foreman OF which acquainted the
head OF the Treasury that. having found indct-
ments against WitOwsli, Ex Congressman Neg
ley OF Pittsbura, Filtonbufg and Blummer OF
New York stewart Of BROOKLYN. and Peck OF
Boston, the manner In which the Government
" SO easily cefrauded ought also to be tnves-
tigated The Grand Jury, instead Of iudicting
tne iteasufy oihclas' suggested 10 the most
charitable way that the RESI- lonsills officers were
cithtr ignorant Of their duties or careless in dis
charging them.
Tho Treasury Committee camo TO the same
conclusion, and while not impiting to any one
connected with the department corrupt or
fraudulent purposes, yet the Oiiisal heads con-
sifucd the report as seiious reflection on their
conduct ma promptly uromised their resig-
nations. Gen. Rutherford penned his inn
nediately. DR.. Brodhe1d, who is also a mem
Der OF the District Board Of Audit, promised
his, end 50 did his deputy. Secretary Bristow
saiu " was Of little consequence whether they
resigned or not, ms Tomorrow 0Friday)was hang
mans DAY, as well as the end Of the month and
year. Tho new law requiring the appointment
OF clerks from states not having their propOr-
ton Will so into effect on Saturday, and the Il st
fruits Will be the forced resignation Of John G..
wilson in the Second COmptroer's office, ana
Messrs. Allen and Douitto In tho Third
Auditors once. The decapiiaton OF prom.
inent officials is only the beginning OF
the raid to DO continued on corrupt clerks In
the second Comptroller's Office. The agents OF
Addition, Division and silence will be reinem-
beied within the next week and II there Is a
howl and wall OF Indignation among piofessed
friends of President Grant and Secretary Brls-
tow the cause may be attributed to the dis
charge Of influential managers Of tho claim
business In the oilice OF the Second Comptroller.
who the successor OF Rutherford. Brodhead,
and Curtis viii be has not been determined.