The Republican journal., 1876-03-02
Washington Matters.

ALASKA SEAL COMPANY INVESTIGATION
Although Mr.. Chaplin Of Massachusetts
has not yet returned, the Committee of
Ways and Means to- day commenced an
vestigation into the affairs of the Alaska
Seal Fur Company. Gen. Miller, the
president of the company, explained at
length its history and its operations since
its organization, His testimony did not
bear on the point of Congressional legis-
lation, in behalf of the corporation, or to
the award of the contract by Secretary
Boutwell, The committee decided to
make the inquiry a thorough one, and will
summon Senator Boutwell, and ex-Secre-
tary Richardson to explain the circum-
stances attending the award OF the con-
tract This is the principal point of the
inquiry. 1t IS not denied that the compa-
ny is now conducting business honestly;
but it is known that money was used in
procuring the passage of the bill, and the
company's agents have distributed fur
seal garments with liberality to the tami-
lies of Congressman.
AN INTERESTING LETTER
The Committee on the Expenditures Of
the Department of Justice to-day obtained
copy of letter written in October, 1872,
by w. A. Brittop, then United States Mar
shall for the Western Arkansas district, in
which he says he can carry that state for
Grant, providing the Acknowledgement
will intimate to Judge Story not to ques-
ton his (Britton's) proceedings in empan
cling .juries. He also suggests that At
torney-G General Williams should also init
mate to Judge Story that prominent Re-
publicans in that district had made COM
plant to the Acknowledgement that JUS
tice required him not to interfere with the
juries
REDUCING EXPENSES.
The House appropriation committee has
decided. instead Of abolishing the chief of
divisions in the Executive Departments,
and placing the divisions under $500
clerks and then subjecting the latter to
the reduction of ten per cent on salaries,
to retain the chiefs (who receive from
S250O to 5000 per year. and cut down
their salaries ten per cent. The salaries
of employees of the House are also to be
reduced ten per cent
| GENERAL BABCOCK DEPOSED
AT the Cabinet meeting Friday the re-
| suits of the Babcock trial were fully dis
| cussed. The President stated he had full
| ly decided not to retain General Babcock
| longer in the position ofprivate secretary.
| He said that he was fully convinced Of
Babcock's innocence of any criminal con-
nection with the whiskey ring, but the
testimony had shown that he had commit
ted serious indiscretions The President
seemed especially annoyed that the evil
dence had shown that Babcock had with
held from him knowledge of some very
important papers relating to the appoint
ment of federal officers at st. Louis Bah
cock will be retained here in his capacity
as engineer in charge of public buildings.
| TIE FINANCIAL QUESTION.
Some members of the Democratic eau
Gus Committee on the Financial Platform
are disposed to abandon the effort to re-
concile conflicting views, while others
think an accommodation may yet be reach
ed, Notwithstanding the tie vote yesterday
on proposition to repeal the time fixed
by law for the general resumption Of spe-
Gle payment, namely, Jan. /. 1879, but
requires the National banks to annually
| set aside and retain an amount of gold
equal to per cent cf their authorized
circulation, and also requiring the Secre-
tary of the Treasury annually to set aside
and retain an amount of gold equal to 3
per cent of the outstanding legal-tender
notes, as Il step in advance of general re-
sumption. The Committee on Banking
and Currency have before them the origi-
nal Payne bill, which requires a reserve
of five per cent.
THE WHISKEY FRAUDS.
A resolution will be introduced in the
| bo
cation Of the whiskey frauds, the inquiry
not to touch upon cases now pending in
Court. 1t is believed that some interest
ing developments would result from the
examination. 1t will be remembered that
in his deposition in the Babcock case. the
President stated that the order Of last yeal
for the transfer of Internal revenue Super
visors was revoked mainly upon the ear
nest solicitation of certain prominent per-
sons and that upon being asked to tel
the names of those prominent individuals
he replied that he didn't believe it was
necessary that their names should be made
known. Some members of Congress diff
fer from Grant, and believe that in the
light of subsequent events it would bt
well to know who those prominent inf u
entail persons are. Boston Post CORE
spondance. Feb. 81.
TRYING TO lMPEACH GOV. KELLOGG.
A New Orleans special has the follow
: ing: The conservatives in the House arr
determined to pass q resolution impeach
ing Kellogg The articles include a di
! version of the State funds; tampcring wit
the judiciary attempting to influence th
jury in the Clinton case leaving the cit
1 UNPROTECTED and creating unnecessar,
alarm and disturbance by taking the pc
u lice from their duty and bringing them i
citizens clothes to the State house; an
: violating the constitution in calling an eS
e ira session of the Senate alone