The New York herald., 1876-03-14
FROM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT.

WASHINGTON. March 13, 1876.
PREVALENCE OF RUMoRs AT THE NATIONAL
CAPIrAL-rHE DEMOCRATS JUBILANT-rHE
NAVY DEPARTMENT INvEsTIGATIoN-A s..KNr.
NIscENcE OF THE OLD DISTRICT RING.
The atmosphere at Washington is at present
rarhcd with rumor and report and the newsboy
doing thriving business, everybody appears OF M
qui vire for some new Developments The democrats
ublan aud talk pleasantly OF the that has
crowned the labors of the different investigating
mittees and they mysterously whisper, sthe worst
has yet to come" The city very FULL and govern
ment officials from all sections OF the country are
lounging about the Capitol discussing the situation
The post traders of the West well represented and
what learned the other day coming from all
sections fast steam carry them. Old army
officers that have served the Missouri at Forts Lin
con Randall Rice Benton and other posts congregate
daily Ebbtt's aud talk the changes that have
taken place the post traders Beknap took the
appointments away from the post commander
There not many navy officers in the city at
present. the gathering OF the fleet Port Royal has
put number OF the old habitaes active duty, out
some the old still seen at their aceus-
toned haunts. Mr.. Whitthorne, Of Tennessee, the
Chairman of tho Investigating Committee War
Affairs is plodding along in his shrewd, cautious
then patiently sining the wheat from the chan Mr.
whit.horne excellent listener and his patience is
oiton rewarded, n.eurse ofeonversation with the
hundreds that rush furnish information he occa-
sionally picks up somethng worth hearing. To the
credit ofthe navy however, he told the other day
that in thousand concentrations that he had re-
ccved concerning frauds connected with the navy be
had not heard word likely ant the fair lame Of
q line officer OF the navy
To-day we have had a new excitement, and the name
OF John A. Garfield of Ohio Is beng passed
member OF the Columbia Ring aud one OF the sharers
in some OF their remunerative schemes Mr. Garfield
IL Is said, connected with the Ring In 1872, at
the time Boss shepherd at the height
OF his power and surrounded by such men as Dick
Parsons, OF Ceveland De Golyer McClelIand and
Chittenden. the oily tongucd "Fosco" OF the clique
whose smooth talking aterward used to such good
effect When De Golyer and Mcclcland attempted to
put their pavement on the Washington streets they
employed Chttenden 10 do the lobbying part OF the
business. Mr.. Richard Parsons, representing the
republicans Of Cleveland, Ohio, in Congress- was in
Washington at the time and joined Mr. Chtenden tho
pavement scheme, his influence and services being
rated it is sad at the triaIng of SIS 600 Parsons
very intimate with Garfield, and, furnished with a
model OF the De Golyor patented pavement they
finally succeed ID in convincing Boss Shepherd and the
Board of Public Works that II was just the right article
for the streets OF Washington Finally whom Congress
awarded several millions for tho paving OF the city OF
Washington, Boss Shepherd awarded De Golyer and
McClelland contract to lay down 200, 900 square
yards OF their pavement at the moderate figure of
50 so per square foot Parsons then got his SIS oo0
out OF which no paid James A. GARFIELD. OF Ohio the
Of s., ,0oo In these days of bribery such
attracts considerable attention; but again, 1t is only
fair say that Garfield he paid the money
for professional services 1t is however alleged that
II Garfield had been chairman of the Committee ON
Appropriations his services would mol have been re-
quirsd at ALL