The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-05-01
RristOW InVestigatLOn.

WASHINGTON, April 29.-E. b.
Northrop, editor of the Milwaukee Com
nercial and Times, in which an article
appeared making charges against Secre
tary Bristew IN connection with the Mary
Merritt testified to-day that he wrote the
article and that the Deputy United States
Marshall first callei his attention to the
subject and asked him to work up the
case. His knowledge of the case was
derived from Col. Goodwin, who receiv.
ed his statement from Mr.. johnson and
John A. hlnze, detective, who derived
his information from Mr. Weiss. The
Witness knew nothing except what he de-
rived from others and by examination OF
court records. The witness in reply
to a question by Secretary
Bristow. said Col Goodwin during
the last eight months, was engaged ex-
clusively in whisky fraud trials st Mil
waukee.
Secretary Bristow asked the witness
whether Col. Goodwin was net his open
and avowed enemy because Of his official
course in the prosecution Of those en-
gagged in whisky fraud. -,
Representative Bright remarked that
the committee was not engaged IN the
examination OF whisky frauds.
Secretary Bristow said as he had been
arraipned on charges preferred BY 3
member Of Congress Judge Ca,e) 1t
seemed to him that it was competent to
TO show the motive of the attack.
Representative Bright objected on the
ground of irrevelency, and Represen.
ts,iye Harizell said the committee bad
bette er send for Col. Goodwin and put
him on the stand. He could
then be interrogsted as TO
his motive The question seemed
to be to attempt to throw ds-
credit on the witness without giving him
Gil opportunity TO be heard.
Alter a conversation by members OF
the committee Northrop said Col. Good
win did not instigate the publication OF
the ,atement against Secretary Brlstow
G T.. Weiss, formerly deputy collector
At Milwaukee. testified as IN his conduct
in relation to the Mary Merritt and the
circumstances attending the obtaining oil
| his moiety. Witness resisted the rems-
.ion OF a bond of $4,000 until his in
terests were secured. He paid Judge
Hubbell $500 out OF gratitude
for not fsvoring such remls
sion. and not in consequence oil
any private agreement with that gentle
man Witness said General Bristow
ate ward appeared and made nis argu-
net before Secretary Richardson: ID
company with his counsel, before Tree
retir { ,sying be merely appeared Tor
neigh Q aad friet ds, having no Pecuni-
.ry interest in the matter. Darius
LYMAN, in charge Of the navigation divi'
sion Of the treasury department. maze :,
written statement concerning all cmciAi
nroceedrnes in the case with the assistant
secretary. Hartley concluded that such
cases might be compromised when there
Was no intentional fraud, and this was In
accordance with the views Of Solicitor
B,u6eId and of Buiord Wilson. Witness
explained the matter 70 the acting
secretary, during the Absence OF bristo~,
and the acting secretary issued Q xArran'
Of remission. Witness knew OF no mon eJ
or any valuable thing given or promised
10 any officer Of the department tor ser
vices performed in this matter.
I Wines had found in his experience in
the custom mouse, that unless the custom
house officers made previous arrange
menis With the district attorneys sbou
divisions OF inoiety, the attorneys woule
no, Institute proceedings. Asd this eItor
ton was virtually sanctioned BY Seere
,.ry Richardson, hence the payment vi:
nss. made 10 Judge Hubbell vas q m.t
t,e, of gratitude that he did nothing Y
f.yor a remission. He paid s w. Hazie
ton, formerly . member Of Congresa, nov
Di.sric. Attorney at Milvsukee 500 10
presenting the case before the Secreiar.
Of the Treasury Richardson Wiines
u uaid 70 officer 10 Wahington any mooe
uhateyer; none Of the fsrts IN the ait'es