New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-04-29


as follows
attorney for the of the bark and petioned
the Department for remission of the forfeiture sena-
tor Carpenter introduced TO Secretary BrisOw IN the
presence of Solicitor Wilson, the Solicitor said he was IN
favor Of the remission Secretary Brisow declined to
have anything to do with the matter the ground that
he had formerly assisted Messrs Feland and Evans the
attorneys Ior M IL ana stephen r. Gv ' csc 70
tho bark released my petition, as supposed tne
release was signed by the Court.
Judge Cate, who introduced in the House OF Repre-
sentatves the resolution under which this investigation
is conducted asked the witness II he did not tell Judge
Hubbe Of Wisconsin that at that interview Mr. Brstow
said that he would leave the Department for few days
and let Assistant Secretary Conant fix the case. Tho
witness replied that he made such statement
In reply to questions by Secretary Brstow the witness
said there was charge Of fraud against the vessel
that the whole ground of forfeiture was on points In the
Reciprocity Treaty, and had nothing to do with Snug
Cling Secretary Brstow here read the following from
the resolution directing this investigation:
"And thercupon the attorneys for the Of
said vessel applied TO said t. H. Bristow. secretary OF
the Treasury for remission Of said forfeiture to which
said Brstow replied tha he woniI 40 nothing hlmseii
but his private secretary could fix il mp; and the said
attorney met his private secretary and had the forfeit
The Secretary asked the witness (presumng he was
the attorney alluded toy whether there was any truth in
that allegation The witness replied il wholly I'M
true and in response further questions OF Secretary
Brisow denied that he made any arrangement with the
son. or the of either both of them that the
Secretary was to leave the Department and let
else fix it, further lie knew person in the Treasury
Department have had anything TO do with the case in
All improper capacity
Judge Hubbell, formerly United States DstrictAttor-
ney for Wisconsin and until the Spring of 1879, testified
rs follows
NV first interview with Mr. Johnson 30 days be-
tore the remission the fne Johnson reported he
had inst returned from Washington found things
her
ing Philadelphia and would leave the Assistant Secrc
taTy to remit the fine or release the Mary Merritt;
understood John, on 10 say this 20 him than
l do not give my UNDERSTANDING bus what Mr.. Johnson
said; Johnson told me such settlement would not be
made unless should give my assent COPIES OF CORE
ton 10 Mary Merritt in the Summer Of 1874 and the
terms of compromise were produced.l
Secretary Bristow asked the witness, who was thor
oughly opposed TO the remission by what process he
changed his mnd The witness replied because he was
assured that the Department preferred 10 make the
remission and thus further legal proceedings and
because he thought would be done anyhow; lie had
nothing whatever to do with the reInss' 2 the for
fixture further than give his assent lie No pr ed
so hard by Mr. Young, who was almost tsuntc
and who had interest in the result, that he Yielded
not wishing to stand in the way OF his ucghbor
Secretary Bristow asked Was not this prime pal rea
son that the Customs officers, nformers. should have
their moetle The witness replied that was so In part;
they had sold tdcir moety claims absolutely to Mr..
Young witness interested III the settlement TO the
extent Of the two per cent OF the Judgment.
Secretary Brstow referred TO The statute to show that
Judge Hubhel not entitled 20 receive such per cent
but the Judge took different view oft.eq h'n
Judge Hubbell said nc had some a son by tie
Secretary Of the Treasury 10 having bcea removed
from office he held the Office Of Dis ctAtiorncy four
and half years, ana was removed by the fresidont II
the Secretary the Treasury knew OF act Of bis THAI
was in violation of law Intentionally wrong an orppr-
tunity should have been given 10 defend himself but this
was not afforded; he had previously informed solicitor
Wilson that he did lot to hold the office. the con-
pensation beng insufficient, and was tod by wilson, IL
the presence of several other persons there were no com
paints against him few days only after this converse
ton he suspended.
Secretary Brstow in view OF the statement just made,
Representative Bright suggested that the secretary pe
sworn.
Secretary Brstow remarked that in view Of what the
witness had Just said, II but common fairness that
he should be allowed TO make a statement.
Representative Bright replied that the remarks OF the
witness were made under OATH and that those OF inc
Secretary should he made In the same way.
Secretary Brstow said he perfectly Indifferent
whether no made his statement under oath or not He
thought gentleman entertained an unTicndy Ieehns
against him personally and officially
Representative W. b. Williams remarked that the
statement Of Judge Hubbc should be excluded from TIE
record, and the Committee agreed.
The Committee then took recess until o'clock
Representative Bright then LEFT his scat hear end
Of the table and passed Secretary BIistow who was
sitting the other end. Mr. Bright was somewhat e1-
cited and lcanedOycr 10 talk 10 the Secretary, who dd
not seem 10 be pleased with unceremoniOus visit.
The conversation was In undertone. Exaggerated
reports prevail Of the character OF the dialogue and II
is said by gentleman VINO overheard the remarks Of Mr.
Bright that it had reference TO the pending questions
This little episode OF bcf continuance, ana the par
ties 10 IL soon reganed their canncss.
on the reassembng Of the Committee AT . o'clo"t
Secretary Brisow recalled Mr. johnson, who tesuhcI
that he gave Judge Hubbe check for 1900. or two
per cent on the amount Of $4,000 RENTED in tie
Mary Merritt case The notifies to Customhouse officers
were paid out OF the gross
Judge ubbcl also recalled, and testified that he
was entitled to the money under the law.
Secretary BIistOw said the law Of 1871 under which
the claim made applied alone to cases, and
such claims were allowed only when the money was
actually paid into the court lie furtAer asked witness
whether he published authorized any statement with
regard TO the pending aud whether he gave any in
formation TO Judge Cate : The witness answered lac
had nothing to do with investigating this inquiry Lo
would prefer not TO repeat what Judge Cate said unless
II insisted.
W. Evans Of Kentucky formerly law partner OF Mr..
leland gave history Of the vessel. lie said
In the Spring o. summer Of 1873 offered 10 Gen. Brs
oT compensaii1I 10 ecuTe rclcaso Of The vessel; Cen
lstoW dcchhei T. fEe fee hpt said he would assist
nen in presenting tle matter fairly the Secretary Of
the Treasury; Secretary BcistOw introduced me to Mr..
icy there mol tGgani any remission OF pending
litigation; Mr. Bristow's conduct In the premises WA
merely an act OF Kindness, lie having declined all any
compensation, and was merely serving his kentucky
negbb0rs.
The witness then read several letters addressed TO him
by Gen Brstow, by which it appeared that the letter
bad professional connection with the case and was
very careful to have this fact clearly and explicitly un-
ders ood Secretary BrisoW he said never had any mn,