The New York herald., 1876-01-14
FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT.

WAsHISGToN, Jan. Is, 1875
THE ALLEGED IRREGULARITIES IN THE TREAS
URY DEPARTMENT UNDER MR.. DoUTwEII's s
ADMNIsTRATIoN-wHAT Is SAID BY BOTH
PARTIES
The features OF the proceedings in the Senate to-day
were the speeches by hessrs. Davis and Boutwell, on
the alleged irregularities in the Treasury Department
der Mr. Boutwells management The charges and in
quires made by Mr. Davis, If printed in full,
would occupy about two columns of the
HERALD. Mr. Boutwelrs reply was somewhat
spirited, but the allegations not answered
except in general way, the time was
short, and before he had finished Mr. Edmunis YER
mont moved to adjourn till Monday Mr. Boutwell's
friends claim that his administration Of affairs in the
Treasury will bear the closest examination and that
the necessary alterations the reports were Tor
the benefit of the government They complain that
Mr. Davis did not go to headquarters for information
On Monday Mr.. Boutwell, expects TO finish his reply to
charges from the democratic side.
Mr. Davis says 1t with difficulty that he obtained
what Information he did. II proper books and docu-
ments had been placed at his command be thinks his
task would have been easier and moro satisfactory 10
himself and the country There is no doubt that
strong combination the democratic side is working
up evidence against the ex-Secretary. His oppo-
his management in the Treasury had boon the
best since the beginning Of the government He
openly claims that he organized the department on
succeeding Mr. Mcculloch. His friends say that even
Alexander Hamilton's bookkeeping would not bear the
light Of modern investigation. Mr.. Davis was asked IL
he found suspected any discrepancies the Treasury
since Secretary Brsow took charge He SAID
that he did not In regard to the old accounts
under Mr. Spinner's management, he replied
that be did not extend his investigations
into the cashiers branch OF the department but from
what could be learned from trustworthy sources the
irregularities confined that part Of the Treasury
where vouchers originate and filed The fact that
the Registers books did agree the reports Of
the former Secretary showed that something was
wrong. The Senator did not wish to be considered as
making accusations against Mr. Boutwell, but he
asked Mr. Boutwell, explain the discrepancies which
be admitted existed The reply of Mr. Boutwell, to Mr.
Davis charges and the discussion following will be the
principal feature of Mondays proceedings in the Sen
ate. After that Mr. hortons proposed amendment of
the twenty ruo will be in order following
that the Mississippi election frauds and the nvestiga
tion OF Senator Bruce's claims.
GENERAL GRANT ON THE COMING PRESIDENTIAL
CONTEST.
President Grant in talking over with a member Of the
House OF Representatives the prospects OF the next
Presidential campaign said that ho was satisfied that
the lines would be drawn severely sectional ground
that he fearful the old antagonsm OF the
would be revived most bitterly and doubt produce
more than merely passing anmosities.
THE AFFAIRS OF THE FREEDMAN's BANK-MR.
CHARLES A. DANA TO BE CALLED on TO
TRsTIFY.
B. B. Douglas, OF Virginia, Chairman OF the special
committee the House for the invests CATION Of the
affairs OF the Freedman's Bank 1t is said will cite Mr.
Charles A. Dana OF New York, before his committee
testify in view of certain publications recently made
by him. what he Of the affairs OF the late
Freedman's Bank.
PROPOSITION TO CREATE A BOARD OF ADMI-
RALTy-NAvAL CONSTRUCTION TO BE TAKEN
FROM THE PoL1TIcIANs-A CASE IN POINT
One Of Mr. LuttreIls bills introduced into the House
to-day to establish Board OF Admiralty composed
of three admiras first class constructor and
a engineer, who shall be recognized as a consulting
Board to have control Of the navy As the law
admiral has voice in building vessels, and
he cannot choose his private secretary. Mr.
Luttrels object in Introducing this bill the
navy from the control OF politicians and their avorto
contractors and 70 transfer il to practical men who
belong 10 the Al present the hulls Of
sells are made by one man, the engines put 10 by an
other and the guns by third- The consequence is
that The vessels not properly and equally
strucied Our navy yards says Mr.. Lutrcl, should be
under the supervision Of experienced naval officers,
who have spent their lives the service and who have
too much regard for their reputation 10 sacri-
fee IL in working with rings against the interests
Of the navy The building and repairing Of the Kear
sarge illustrates Mr. Lutre's point She built by
naval officers the Portsmouth Navy Yard during the
war She the government tlS2OoO Recently
she repaired at Mare Island the Pacific coast,
and the cost, under the political system during time
OF peace was S495 l22 56--a more than twice as
large " The original cost.
SENATOR HANI.IN's RELATION TO THE PRESIDENCY
PRO TEMPoRE QUESTION.
In regard to the statement that Senator Hamln was
considered the movement touching the agta-
tiOn Of the Presidency pro tenn Of the Senate, II is
due 10 Senator Hamlin to say that be had nothing
Whatever do with the controversy and did not seek
TO be considered in any change substitution which
might occur The statement is vouched for by a
brother senator of thA h0hea, st.ad.s sb. hs. tha