New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-06-02
THE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE.


First Days PsOceedings.
The members comprising the congress
sional investigating committee assembled
yesterday morning at ten o'clock in parlor
P, st. Charles Hotel.
All the members were present with the
exception of Mr.. Blackburn, who left for
Washington on Wednesday evening in an
swer to telegram from Mr.. Clymer's COM
mittee requesting his attendance as . wit
ness in the case of Speaker Kerr.
General Sheldon presented his crenden-
tia.s as counsel for parties whom it was
proposed to investigate.
The irst witness called to appear for ex.
animation before the committee was Colonel
p. B. Hunt, of Lexington, Kentucky. super
visor of internal revenue.
Colonel Hunt was allowed to proceed
some time before being sworn by Mr.. Glib
son. He was first sworn to tell the truth
in what he was going to say, and then
sworn that he had told the truth in what
he had said.
Colonel Hunt testified in substance as
follows:
am supervisor of internal revenue for
the district embracing the States of Missis-
sippi, Alabama, Louisiana and Tennessee:
Mr. j. R. Cobb was the name of my prede-
Cessor; about the twenty-sixth of Feb
rusry. 1875, l left my office in Lexing-
ton. Kentucky. to come to this city;
stopped at jackson, Mississippi, for a
. short time, and then proceeded to Holly
Springs; at that place, and while purchss-
ing my ticket for New Orleans, gentleman
asked me if my name was Hunt; replied
in the affirmative; he said his name was
Watson, from Louisville, Kentucky; that
he he'd come on purpose to see me about
business, friend having notified him by
telegraph from Washington that he would
meet me at Holly Springs on q certain day;
on entering the cars, he proposed that we
take sleeper, to which acquiesced; when
in the sleediDg car, he told me that his
name was Walsh, that he was from New
Orleans, and that he was . distiller in that
city; he observed that certain parties in
st. Louis were making . great deal of
money off whisky, and mentioned, among
Others, tho name of Mcdonald tsince con-
vic,ed). Walsh then observed that the dis
tillers OF New Orleans, to the number of
twelve or fourteen. had paid my predeces-
sor, Mr.. Cobb, $1,000 each. per month. and
had sought me fer the purpose of making
the came offer. There would be no danger
in the Transaction, as the money would be
paid through the deputy collector l re-
piled to his proposition that the distilleries
in New Orleans would have to be run &C.
cording to law. Walsh said if talked like
that he would have to stop; that l had bet
ter reconsider his proposition and meet him
st the Gait House, Huntsville, or at my office;
my answer to him was the same when he
saw me in Louisville, that the distilleries
in New Orleans and elsewhere in my de-
partment would have to be conducted &C.
cording TO the law; Mr.. Walsh said when
General Steedman was collector of internal
revenue in New Orleans the plan worked
with me from Louisville 20 Lexington. and
and came to my Office snd again alluded to
his proposition, to which made the same
answer; at Lexington. my chief clerk, Tom
kins, handed me q telegram from the Inter-
nal Revenue Commissioner Douglas, at
Washington, directing me to return imme-
diately to New Orleans; telegraphed the
commissioner that it was absolutely neces-
sary that should first see him and Secre-
tary Bristow; receiving no answer l pro-
ceeded to Washington and related what
had trsnspired to the President, Secretary
Bristow and Commissioner Douglas;
1 then returned to New Orleans and visited
the distillery of Mr. Walsh; I saw nothing
there to warrant its seizure at that time,
in the positions of storekeepers and gaug-
ers; on my return to Louisville l sent men
from there in whom had confidence to
take charge Of Carey's distillery; after
their arrival the Gistillery ran only i've
days; previous to this. the yield had shown
an average daily of 2 80, but after the new
men were in control it increased to $50,
thus showing previous deficit of one gal
lon per bushel I had placed two store.
keepers over this distiIlery, one from Ken.
tucky and one from New Orleans; told
the latter he would be relieved
on the first of July; the distil'
lery was seized and the commissioner
made an assessment of S24 900 for back
taxes; about the twenty eighth OF June,
keeper from Kentucky; he informed me
that all the whisky in the Carey distillery
had been run out three days after the dis
tillery was seized; do net think the dis
tillery could have been seized by law pre-
vious to the time it was seized, as the taxes
were assessed on the May list. Collector
Cockrem was spoken to by Supervisor Tut
ton relative to the withdrawal OF the
whisky from the Carey distillery, but DO
not know what reply the collector made,
nor do know whether or not the Up,ted
States district attorney in New Orleans
took action in the matter; at the time Mr.
Walsh made the proposition referred to, ne
said if / accepted it would be necessary Tor
NE to remain away from New Orleans.
Collector Casey and Captain Eads ap-
peariug in the hall in front of the commit
tee rocn, Mr. Gibson left his seat for mo
ment, and returning, desired the committee
to suspend the investigation for moment,
in order that be might introduce Captain
Eads to the committee.
On being introduced, Captain Eads in
vited the committee to visit the jetties in
the Yacht Julia, at such time as the commit
toe might deem proper. The invitation was
accepted, Mr.. Gibson observing that the
committee hoped Captain Eads could &C.
company them.
Captain Eads bowed in response and pro-
posed Saturday and Sunday ss the days
most appropriate for the trip. Mr.. Gibson
replied that the committee would consider
this proposition and notify him.
Examination resumed-Knew of no steps
taken to collect the ga, 900.
To Mr.. Conger-I knew of no other per-
sons than those mentioned in my testimony
Offering or accepting bribes, except two
gsugers who are now under Indictment,
named Patrick Harnau and w. p. Todd;
Mr.. Todd's resignation was asked for, but
through some influence NO further action
was taken at that time; there was also
charge against Simon j. Flat0w, for irregu-
larities in his books while dealer in to-
hacco. ha waa aftArWard appointed deputy