The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-06-13

FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT.

An important witness was before the Grand Jury
here to- ay whose revelations concerning inc sale bur-
gary said 10 be less astounding than what he
knows Of tho corrupt OF money In high places.
This witness Hope IL Slater, convicted few years
ago the local courts OF manslnughter and sentenced
to the Albany Pcnicniary. whence he has Just been
pardoned iha, hc might gvc valid testimony in tho
safe burglary trials to come OFT IN the fall, that
Of General BabcocK having. at the request
Of the lattcr's counsel. Mr.. W. A. Cook,
been fixed for the 18th Of September Slater
was wanted, not alone for the light he could throw
upon this famous conspiracy AT the time OF his convic
ton Tor mauslaughtcr he bookkccpcr OF the hrn OF
Taylor Fbcrt who aid nearly all the concrete pave
mcnt OF Washington In the winding up the accounts
OF tho firm the sum oil S6a 900 charged up to Eek
pcndturcs' without other explanation and Taylor
sued Fiibert for a settlement tho amount thus unac
counted for. No explanation however could be had
cxceptlhrough the bookkcepcr Slattcr, and the book
keeper beng a convict could not be witness But
his pardon to allow OF his testimony about
tho safe burglary makes him also COM
pctcnt witness in tho Taylor VS.. Fhbert
case, and 1t expected thar IN The course OF his
animation by the Grand Jury, which is now in pro-
grcss he VIII testify that influence paying contracts
he paid very distinguished Northern Senator $4,000;
Pennsylvania ex-congrcssman 81 800, and two well
known republican editors each 80, 500 He said before
he went into the jury that hs should testify TO
these facts But remains be whether, under
the solemny OF an oath and with the consequences OF
false statement before him, hc will pcrscvcrc in his
charges The proceedings Of the Grand Jury arc kept
nviolably for tho time being that I may be
como days before the public will DO given the details OF
the scandal
THE DELKNAP TIIAI--NUMBER AND EXPENSE
OF THE DEFENDANTS COUNSEL OPPOSITION
OF DEMOCRATS TO A rRoLoNGATIoN OF THE
TRrAL.
Inquiry made to-day Of MAJOR Mcdonald, tho
Clerk OF the Senate, to who would pay the expenses
for summonng tho witnesses in the Bcknnp case for
tho de encc, and information was given that they
would be met from tho contingent fund OF tho Senate.
It understood that ex-senator Carpenter, OF counsel
tor defence, viii furnish list OF 25l witnesses, CON-
prising all tho officers Of the War Department, every
major general Of the army and sundry other officers,
as well as civilians from Forts Sill and Lincoln. 1t is
thought that the trial will last tho month Of Sep
tcmber Some Of the democratic members expressed
themselves positively opposed TO this course on the
part Of Mr. Bclknaps counsel uncallcd for and IN
necessary, and II is thought that they will movo
against policy OF protractng the trial what they
call an entirely useless and vexatious manner.
MR.. BAxNINGs ARMY DILL-ANoMALoUs PRO-
VISION IN THE MATTER OF BREvETs-A Plea
YUNIsH ATTEMPT AT ECONOMY.
Many complaints arc made by officers Of tho army on
account of section twenty OF Mr. Bannng's Army bill,
which allows the insignia OF volunteer well regular
brevets to be worn in uniform duty. II this pro-
vision should become law officer who held the
brevc rank Of colonel in tho volunteer service could
wear the insignia OF this rank, while an officer who
held the actual rank OF colonel in the volunteer
~ Tkn ehado. x,o
more valuable than the substance in this II is
suggested that 1t would DO better 10 amend
the section to read actual brevct rauk," else
authorize the War Department to brcvet all officers
who served tho volunteers the highest rank held
by them in that service. Tho House Committee
Military Affairs WILL II is understood, report Tomorrow
in favor Of reducing the pay and cmoluments of the
few officers serving the staff OF tho General OF the
Army amount derived from their lincal rank, In
stead OF that of their assignment TO staff duty This
proposed action Is regarded being simply of the
pcayune Sort and strikes invdously at three four
very mcrtorious officers ostensiby in tho name Of
economy reducing their pay that they cannot afford
to serve duty and support thcir families respectfully
In Washington
PRACTICAL SUSPENSION OF BUSINESS IN CON-
GRxss PENDING THE CINCINNATI coNvxx-
r1oN--rHE PUBLIC CREDIT ACT OF 1869 TO
BIZ INVESTIGATED.
Congress is not disposed to do any work when ma
tional convention is the Of nominating Prcsi.
dental candidate At such time tho politician gets
tho better OF tho lawmaker tho average Congress-
mans composition. Hence the Senate found itself
without quorum today and adjourned over to Thurs
day. which until week. at least until tho
Cincinnati nominee Is known. Tho democrats
had majority, ~ It Is republican
convention; two weeks hence tho ST. Louis
Convention will leave the democratic House
without quorum and make tho republican minority
majority
The latter being in slim force TO- day resented the In
Production OF resolution for an investigation Of al
legged corruption in the passage Of the Public Credit
Of 1s69 and by Gbusterng they drove II over TO
next week. Tho author OF tho resolution, Mr. Farley
r. Poppleton Of Delaware, has introduced II the
suranco that largo OF money were employed In.
bribng members of Congress TO pass the act, enabling
pool OF Wall street brokers and syndicate Of bank
ers to make tremendous profits by tho rise in Ave-
twcn,ics and tho decline In gold. This Is tho real
meaning OF tho resolution.