The New York herald., 1876-02-27
GENERAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.
WASHINGTON, Feb. %. 1879

WASHINGTON, Feb. 90, 1874
GENERAL BABCocKs DUTIES AT THE WHITE
HoUsE-NoT THE PRESIDENTS PRIVATE SEC
RETARY
communication of the Secretary OF War sent TO the
House yesterday, giving list OF military officers en-
gagged civil since 1866 mentions the name Of
General Babcock among the Others having been de-
tailed by the President for the performance of duty
the Executive Mansion, but not to the neglect OF his
oice as Commissioner Of Public Buildings and Super
intendent Of the Washington Aqueduct Levi p.
Luckey is the Presidents private secretary appointed
such under legal authority and not General Babcock
as enormously represented Both are now on their
way from St Louis and are expected to resume their
duties at the Executive Mansion on Monday.
INVESTIGATION OF THE ALASKA FUR TRADE
TESTIMONY OF GENERAL MILLER BEFORE
THE sUB-coMMITTEE-THE coMPANYs oBLI-
CATIONS STRICTLY FULFILLED.
The examination of General Miller President Of the
Alaska Commercial Company by the sub committee of
the Committee Of Ways and Means concluded to.
day.
The questions asked by the Chairman. Mr.. Fernando
Wood OF New York, particularly directed toward
the which the lease of the Seal Islands had
been awarded.
The point OF the investigation upon this special
inquiry inasmuch there appears be direct evi-
to show that the obligations under the lease have
not been fulfilled
General Miller claimed that the company had lot
only fulfilled its obligations but mad done the
interest Of the government and the natives than is
strictly required by the contract He called the atten-
ton Of the committee the fact that Secretary OF
the Treasury power annul the OF the com
pany II 1t failed to comply with its conditions and SAID
therefore, It not only the desire but also Ia policy
OF the company deal with the government honestly.
IL any knows that Ay wrong has been done why
does he inform the Secretary instead Of circulating
libellous and anonymous communications; that the
pamphlet VIII .ch sent TO the government In Gen.
eral Howard's report only compilation OF edito-
rials from paper which had always been hostile to
the company, and every line OF IL contained false
hood; issued in secret manner and signed by
some person who purports TO be a secretary Of
socisiion which could not be found to be
in existence; that General Howard did not
visit the Seal Islands, but picked up this
pamphlet year after ii had been in circulation, and
forwarded il to Washington without vouching for its
correctness. The attacks upon the company proceed
from parties who we're disappointed bidders and who
claim that their bid should have been accepted He
claims that the company's bid SIS, 900 more than
the bid OF these parties and that tho govern
ment received S63, 900 more per annum than
required by the act OF Congress, and that the in
come Of the governments from this source is about
S325 OC0 per annum II costs the company SO to put
seasKn on the London market while they would only
sell for S. when the lease was taken. The company
has raised the value Of the skins by close attention
business and by making seal fur popular. General
Miller having answered fully and satisfactorily to all
the questions put by the committee will San
Francisco tomorrow evening. Senator Boutwell, will
be the next witness called.