The New York herald., 1876-03-04
FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT.

WASHINGTON March 3, 1870
NEW IMPETUS TO NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
TIoNAL DAMAGING DEVELOPMENTS IN THE
WAR DEPARTMENr-ovERHAU OF THE
NAVY DEPARTMENT-oIoANTIc AND VARIED
FRAUDS Neutrality-suspicious. MPEAcHa1ENrs
PROBABLE.
Tho success OF Clymer's committee in hunting down
the Beknap frauds has stimulated every investigating
committee in the House TO fresh efforts and there is
blood tonight in every committeemans eye, particu-
larly " he belongs on the democratic side Of the
House. Already two more Cabinet officials heads are
ready TO drop into the basket will be a few days
n the predictions OF these committeeman come true.
Meantime the Committee Military Affairs in getting
at the reason OF the packing OF of Megs to Eu-
rope, have got far as finding witness who throws
what light there is in tho following affidavit on the sub
ject OF jobbery in solemn subject as the heods-
tones on the graves OF soldiers the national ceme-
teries:--
County of Warrington District Of Columbia a.
Personally appeared before me, b. W. Ferguson, JUS
cc OF the Peace for said county and District Edward
Kelly, who, being duly sworn according to law do
poses and says as foows:-hy partner John Rigglcs,
and had contract under y. T. Doherty contractor
for furnishing headsiones' for the National Cemetery
at Fredericksburg, Va After we had furnished
certain number OF the stones Doherty,
according TO contract bound either
TO pay us therefor according to the price
agreed upon give us such vouchers and orders rs
would enable TO get our pay from the governments.
but he refused 10 do either. On or about the I'D Of
Nav 1875, met Dohcrty at Wormlcy's Hotel Ho
told me that he paid Colonel o. T. Mack, United
States Assistant Inspector OF National Military Gem
ctcrics the sum Of $500 for his influence In
getting him extension OF his contract which
extension had been given few days before.
A few days after this he called 10 mo
and proposed that my partner and should sell TO
him or the Westham Granite Company the stones
which we had already finished and which had been
accepted by the government but his terms so low
that declined hts proposition. He then said that II
we did not sell 70 HIM he would get Colonel Mack TO
recommend the design OF the stones be changed
10 render or value 10 the govern
mont or 10 u.s. He repeated what he had often
said to before-that " he could
got the "dcsgn" changed he would have the con-
ther he could accomplish this by bringing inu-
bear upon Samuel q. Bridges, brotherin law OF
the Secretary OF War; that Bridges had offered buy
him out and would use his Influence to accomplish this
ner Samuel Little, had great influence with the Secro-
tary OF War, as they had been schoolma,cs.
EDWARD KELLY.
The Committee on Naval Affairs has also started In
fresh investigation OF the affairs OF the Navy De.
partmcnt but the work OF the committee has been
temporarily arrested by the departure OF Congressman
Jones, Of New Hampshire who has been caod to Bos-
ton on sudden important business
More than 900 pages OF testimony have been taken,
and, TO tho expression OF who has read IL,
enough evidence is already before the committee TO
make work for another impeachment committee Enor-
nous sums have been frauduently expended on
bogus improvements In cannon. machinery and naval
equipments and outfit, and upon inventions which
we're known DO valucess in the beginning There Is
positive evidence tho hands OF tho committee that
somebody in the Navy Department 10 making cnort
~ insmdsse Witnesses Tho case Of varney Is an OK.