The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-04-29
GENERAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES

wAsHuGTox, April %, 1874
SECRETARY BRIsrow AND THE NARY MERRITT
cAsE-THE INVESTIGATION BEFORE THE COM
xIrrxx ON xxpzxplTuRxs IN THE TREASURY
DxPARTxENT-No PROFESSIONAL CONNECTION
WITH THE CASE ON THE PART or THE sxc-
RxrARx.
The Committee ON Expenditures In the Treasury De-
partment tAr. Smith Ely, Jr., Chsirman began to-day
the Of the charge against Secretary Bris
tow In regard the release OF the bark Mary Merritt
Secretary Bristow Solicitor Wilson and other officers
Of the Treasury Department were present
Edward T. johnson, Of Milwaukee. testified that he
was attorney tho Of the bark and petoned
the Treasury Department for remission Of the for
fixture OF tho vesses; hS- Washington, when
Senator Carpenter introduced HIM Secretary Bris.
tow in the presence OF Solicitor Wilson, he had
conversation with tho Secretary and the Solicitor
about tho remission Of tho forfeiture, in which
the Solicitor said he in favor OF the remission
secretary Brstow declined TO have anything to do with
the matter the ground that be had formerly
Nessrs Fcand and Evans, the attorneys for William L
and Stephen T. Trioe in tho case the Secretary also
said he had been suddenly called to Philadelphia that
aftornoon the witness did not see him again. The wit
ness in further progress OF the investigation said tho
bark released his petition, a. he supposed the
release signed by tho Court
Judge Cate, who introduced IN the House OF Repre-
senaliyes the resolution under which this invcstga
tion conducted asked the witness II he did tell
Judge Hubbc Of Wisconsin, that Secretary Brstow had
said at that that he Brstow) would leave tho
department for fcw days and let Assistant Secretary
Conant ax up tho Tho witness replied that no
never made any sucn statement Ho might have told
Judge Hubbc that Secretary Bristow said going
to Philadelphia but II had nothing whatever to do with
witness anything about going away Tor that purpose
In reply TO questions by Secrotary Brstow tho wit
ness said there was no charge OF fraud against the
vessel that tho whole ground OF forfeiture was on
points tho Reciprocity Treaty aud mad nothing do
with Smuggling.
The Secretary road the following from the resolution
directing this invesIigation:-
And thereupon Of tho attorneys for the owners OF
SAID vessel applied 70 said y n Bs'sow Secretary Of
which said Bristow replied that no would do nothing
hinse but his private secretary could TX u up and
the said attorney met his private secretary and had the
forfeiture RENTED.
Tho Secretary asked the witness tpresuming he was
the attorney alluded to whether there any in
that allegation.
This replied II wholly untrue; the secre-
tary said any such thing TO him and no never
saw the Sccrctary's private secretary.
Secretary Br,ssow-Did not tell you that had
dcred some friendly assistance to FcrIand ana Evans
without ice and attorney. and therefore de-
clned 70 act ia the matter but whie could not act
believed that every petitioner had right 10 be heard
wtnoss-I do not recolect that a. tho precise Ian
guage but IL 10 that effect
Secretary Brstow-Did you ever make any arrange
ment with In the presence OF Senators Carpenter
and Wilson, the absence OF either both Of them,
that was leave tho department aud lot some ono
else az ~
wtucss-No, sir; Il is false in every particular.
Secretary Brisiow--D,d you know any person
IN the Treasury Department to have anything TO do
with this case in an improper capacity
witness-No. SIR, not one.
Judge HubbeII, formerly United States District At
:orney for Wisconsin and until the spring Of 1876, tes
tined that his nrst interview with Mr. johnson was
twenty days before tho nna remission OF the fine;
John had called him 70 ask whether he had rc
ccived any communication from Washington
rangement for tho release OF the Mary Merritt; John
son reported he had just returned from Washington
and found things there very favorable and that secrc
,ary Bristow was going Philadelphia and would leave
She Assistant Secretary 10 remit the ne release the
Mary Merritt; the witness understood johnson say
this to HIM more than once
The charman-Did you understand johnson to say
that etary Brstow going TO Philadelphia with
. view that the settlement might bc made curing hs
abscncsy
witness--l do not give my understanding, but what
Mr.. johnson sad johnson told mo such settlement
would not be made uuiess should give my assent
The witness then produced copies Of correspondence
between gluford Wilson, Solicitor OF the Treasury Do
partmenl and himself in relation TO The Mary Merritt
IN the summer Of 1874 and the terms OF compromise.