The New York herald., 1876-03-24


TEN In the appointment OF post traders; let the
Council OF Administration select the candidate for the
place, to be approved by the commanding officer and
those In superior authority The council would al
ways select gentleman with whom they could
associate.
THE POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT NyEsTIoA-
TIoN-How CONTRACTORS ARE BLAcKMAILED
BY STRAW BIDDERs-A REM1NIsCENcK OF
CREswELL's ADMINISTRATION.
The House Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads
to-day examined Colonel Joseph c. McKibben OF
Philadelphia. He testified that he knew nothing
whatever about the expenditure said to have been
made by Mr. Bradley Barlow influence the report OF
the House Committee in the year 1872 lie then
trying act the prosecutor OF that investigation,
and he wrote the minority report, which adopted
and signed by the democratic members OF that com
mittee. subsequently he was retained as counsel by
Mr. Barlow and acted attorney for several years
He had, among other things been in defeating
certain proposed amendments the Postal law, which
contemplated conferring extraordinary and dangerous
powers upon the department and which also were
against the interests OF his client He had received
only 81 900 from Mr. Barlow for disbursement in con-
ncction with the threatened investigation of 1874 and
had paid every dollar OF It for legitimate purposes
such stenographers' fees, printing, &c.
Colonel McKibben said he thought that very little
new legislation needed to correct bidding
abuses, and, in reply TO question put to HIM by Mr..
Luttrel, expressed his opinion that many frauds were
committed by the bidders and contractors under Gen
cra Creswelps administration which might have been
remedicd or prevented by the department. lie should
not be understood saying that Mr. Crcswcl was an
accompce in their preparation.
The question and answer were both ruled out by
direction OF the committee, relating esiy matters
of opinion
The witness then, in response to series OF inquiries
gave OF the charges against the Post once
administration which he presented TO the investigating
committee in 1872 The committee had agreed 10
allow him to conduct the examination, but rescinded
this privilege when Giles A. Smith began be doubled
up sundry points. Hc the wtnessl then rather
the prosecuted than tho prosecutor. (Laughter) All
the material facts charged proved by
and by various witnesses, but certain other
parties whose names he gavo TO Mr. Van
Trump, democratic member OF the committee
were not examined The witness was not certain
whether or not Van Trump asked the committee to
summon them. The parties John Altman and
Jesse d. Carr. Their testimony would have been only
cumulative as TO the rascay transactions OF tho
tractors under Creswel and the records examined by
the committee had shown in regard to the from
Orville Cal, to Portland, Oregon that it had been
traudently let to Altman and illegally Barlow But
behind all that record could have been ascertaincd
from Altman and Carr how that the government
paid $4S 900 than it should have paid for
this route during few months Altman could
have testified that he paid by certain parties
10000 per month not to bond his bid and execute
his contract the service being meanwhile performed
by Carr under temporary contract from the govern
ment at the of 500 per day.
Colonel McKibben said he believed these TO be facts
as they told hrm by credible authority Mr..
Salisbury OF his informants. The witness in
the OF his statement mentioned that he told
by Salisbury that Altman got his contract through
Senator Nyes influence
Mr. Cannon, member of the committee, who was
cross-examning him, thereupon intimated that Mr..
Nyc's 'ugged In" and that the witness was
"soppng over"
Colonel McKibben resented this with severity say
ing he would not suffer such language, and IL Mr..
Cannon could not put his interrogaores in different
form they would not be answered. Tho other members
OF the sustained the position
and expressed their opinion that the reference to
General Nye had been brought out by Mr.. Cannon's
own questions,
S s Huntley, partner of Mr. Barlow, was tnen ex-
amincd. His testimony as far as given to-day was to
the effect his partner's-tnat be knew of no
corrupt expenditures OF money, although they had paid
great deal Of baokmail to loss and trouble
gard TO their business and had expended large amounts
in buying of lower bidders for contracts
HIS examination will be continued tomorrow.
THE EMMA MINE soANDAL-CoNTINUATIoN OF
EX-SENATOR STEWARDS TEsrIMoNY-sTATE-
MENTs OF LYON DENIED AND EXPLAINED
INTERESTING LETTERS.
Ex-senator Stewart resumed his testimony before
the House Committee Foreign Affairs saying that
on his return from Paris to London he met General
Schenck who stated to him he had concluded to
become director in the Emma Mining Company not
thinking there was any improperly in doing So for
the reason that at tnat time the Minister OF Por-
tugal, one OF the Oldest and most re-
spccied diplomats, the President OF Tram
way company, and also vender of the stock. The
witness said he had believe that General
schenck knew before he became director that Albert
Grant receive f10o 900 for being the promoter
OF the scheme. The character OF Grant obtained
from Mr.. Pueston, who said that Grant was man of
wealth, and efficient and successful in everything he
undertook. II was not known how Grants private
character regarded by the people OF London.
The question asked OF the witness whether he
Mr.. Park and Mr.. Grant had an understanding prior
the settlement day that the stock should be bought
In open market with a view OF sustaining prices The
witness answered, yes with the explanation that IL
the understanding IL the bears undertook 10 black
ball the stock and sell short, when they really had
no stock Tor the purpose or destroying the stock,
Grant TO manage and take OF the stock which
he did, according TO the practice OF the stock market
More imam one-half OF the stock was then on the
market
Mr.. Lyon made and urged proposition TO sell out
his interest, and begged the witness do IT, he ad-
vised him not 10 sell out, as he could make by
staying in; Lyon was then bank superintendent and
very anxious to get money; witness was in London
and wanted to nnd a Mr.. Monau; Lyon told him to go
a named Johnson, but to talk business
with him; he saw Johnson, who very familiar and
inquistve fromI start; he found Moatt who asked
him where he found Johnson, and told him to beware
OF him; that he dangerous man. &c ; !
Witness avoided Johnson much possible Ho |
had this morning walked up to him tstewar) in this
dnln han IL iI,n