Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-03-21
WASHINGTON.
Special TeIssraphic Correspondence to the
Courier-JOurnal.1

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Special TeIssraphic Correspondence to the
WASHINGTON, March l9.-Hallet Xii.
bourne's letter, purporting to be written
from the common jail, and calling on
Speaker Kerr to certify his case to the
grand jury for trial, is a mere whining
dodge to attract sympathy. He has had
none OF the privations of a prisoner, but
every comfort and luxury that ill-gotten
wealth can secure. When his partner,
Olmstead, called on Mr.. Kerr with this
letter, be was at once informed that the
Speaker had already ordered a certificate
OF the case TO be prepared according to
the statute, which in ten minutes would
be forwarded. After getting this infor-
matioa, Kilbourne rushes into print with
his letter. The ring men are very anx-
lous to prevent his being forced to testify
as to his partners in the real estate pool.
THE ATTACK on SECRETARY BRrsTow.
The attack on Secretary Bristow in the
New York Herald, in a letter purportinc
to De written from Louisville. was really
fixed up in this city. Senator West and
the ca~rpet.bsggers are understood to
have been the parties active in getting
1t up, and it is a curious coincidence
that West was in New York the day be.
fore the letter was printed in the Herald.
The claim involved was approved bv
two or three judges of the Court Of
Claims, and no imputation of fraud was
made by any Of the judges in their epin-
ions. General Briatow bad nothing 10
do with Diminishing the appeal, the Attor-
ney General actiugin the matter, on the
advice OF the Secretary Of War. The
fee paid was ten per cent. only Of the
amount recovered by the judgment Of
the court, and was about So 800. The
charge here is generally viewed with con
tempt, but the Secretary intends to 20
before the Committee on the Expendi-
lures Of the War Department and de-
mand the fullest investigation of the
truth OF the charge, and also OF the per-
sens who have prompted it.
H IMPEACHMENT OF GEN. BELKYAP.
II is understood hat Marsh and his
wife will both get an assurance Of in
demnity, and will be here next week to
testify. The result will be that the
Belknsp impeachment will 90 on at
once, and Mrs. Marsh will dish no a nice
mess Of scandal about Mrs. Belknsp, if
free scope is allowed her to do so. The
propriety Of calling Mrs. Belknap as a
witness has been discussed, but the com
mittee decided not to do it.
THE INDIANA CAMPAIGN.
Several gentlemen active in Indiana
politics have recently come on from that
State, aud conferences are being held in
relation to the, coming campaign. The
indications at present seem to point to
Congressman Landers for the Demo-
cratic domination for Governor.
GENERAL SHERMAN.
A prominent army officer, lately ar
rived here, says that General Sherman
knew long ago that the expose of Bel.
KNAPP was sure to come, and didn't care
TO stay here and be mixed up in it in any
shape or form.
POSTAL STRAW BIDS.
Barlow, one Of the largest contractors
in the West, has testified before the Com
mittee on Postofices and Postroads that
in 1872 be paid $40,0 900 in order to stop
{ the investigation into the system ofstraw
bids. He gave it to one Farrar, and
didn't ask him who he gave it to.
; L. Q. W.