The Portland daily press., 1876-04-07
From the Maine State Press Of April 6, 1873.
History Of Seven Days.
The News for the week ending Wednesday
Might. April 8.

line queer uSQ WHICH tuo Wy hlOA AH'SSeiS"S
ing Committee have caught this week is
party BY the name of Bell, of jackson, Miss. |
He was detective or scout in the army and /
was recommended for appointment as a secret |
agent of the pension department in February |
last. He states that he was employed as a de-
tective in Babcock's case, ostensibly for the |
purpose of assisting tie Government in hunt |
ing up testimony, but in fact to aid Babcock. |
He was expected to steal kilograms and other |
testimony which would aid Babcock's counsel |
While he was in st. Louis his pay was stopped. |
Babcock's counsel, Babcock and others whose |
names are used by Bell declare that there is no |
truth in his statements, 1t is admitted that
he was for short time detective of the pen
sion bureau, but was fellow who would serve
the man who paid the most money. A party
has interviewed him (BelD with walking
stick.
The Emma Mine affair does not show much
change. Lyon has been proved to be worth
less liar by bis own testimony, whose business
it is borrow So of whoever he can. Schenck's
folly in meddlipg with the matter, however, is
not affected. 1t only shows that he had no
purpose to deceive the British investors.
The testimony about the dirty post-trader-
ship transactions continues. Gems. Custer and
Hazen have testified as to transactions 10
which it was asserted that Belknap was mixed
up. There are those who testify that they
have received post sutlerships and have not
paid money for them.
The House Military Committee has agreed
to report bill transferring the Indian bureau
to the War Department.
The appropriations for water, light and fuel
having been exhausted, orders have been issued
by the Secretary of the Treasury to shut them
off in all government buildings. 1t has been
done in many to the great Inconvenience of the
public This comes of Democratic economy
or delay. 1t is now reported that an appropria-
ion for that purpose will be made at once.
Congress is getting along very slowly. The
House is entirely engaged in the garbage busl-
ness, examining hundreds of witnesses. The
ex-rebel Democracy are intent after the scalp
of another cabinet officer and have selected
Robson as the gentleman whose hair is to be
raised. Thus far no crime has been fixed, moth
ing beyond acts which are open to criticism.
1t would be strange if this was not done in
taking 5000 pages of testimony.
Washington contains hundreds of witnesses
who are in great measure impecnnious
wretches on the make. They have certificates on
which they can draw their pay when an appro-
priation is made; but as it has not been made
they have been obliged to sell them to brokers
who will make the most out of it.
1t is estimated that $3,000,000 will be ex-
pended in the ruinous Investigations.
CONGRESS.
Thursday, March 3O.-In the Senate there
was warm debate over the Mississippi inves-
tigating resolves, in which Mr.. Boutwell, and
Bayard got considerably excited. In the
House Mr.. Burleigh of Maine, from the Naval
Committee reported bill providing that naval
estimates be made in detail which passed.
Mr.. Knott, of the Judiciary committee pre-
scented the articles Of impeachment against ex-
Secretary Belknap. There are five of these
articles and they relate chiefly to Marsh Evans
post-trsdership bribery.
Friday March 81 The discussion OF the
Mississippi resolutions was continued in tie
Senate. Mr.. Bruce of that state set forth the
nature of the frauds and the extent to which
the intm idation was carried last November.
He cited counties where the colored Republic
cans had large majorities, but only cast seven
votes last year. Mr.. Bruce (colored) went on
to defend his race and showed that the late
bondsmen had not msused their privileges.
The resolves for the investigation subsequently
passed, and Messrs. Boutwell,, Cameron of
Wisconsin, Oglesby, Bayard and Mcdonald
were appointed the Investigating Committee.
The House passed the bill appropriating
$153, 900 for deficiency in the treasury printing
bureau and for the issue of silver coin. 1t
authoriz es the Secretary of the Treasury to
issue silver coin for the redemption of an equal
amount of fractional currency. Silver coin of
to the amount of $50.
Saturday, april 1.-The Senate was not in
session and the House did little business.
Monday, Apra 3. In the Senate, Mr.. Ed
munds presented the proposition of the Union
Pacific for the liquidation of its Indebtedness to
the United States. The Senate bankruptcy bill
was taken up. The bill was advocated by Mr..
Thurman and Mr.. Norton opposed any bank
ruptcy law Mr.. Morrill, of Maine favored the
principle The bill was passed. 1t provides
that no assignment shall be made by debtor
in favor of any creditor to the detriment Of
others. The Senate refused to reconsider the
fOto IcQuCluS cdidiy W R~C,UUVs
In the House the bill relative to pensioners of
the war of 1872 was passed. 1t provides that
service of ten days shall enttle such soldiers to
pension and restores pensions to such soldiers
Of the war of 1912 as participated in the rebel
lion to take effect from May l. 1865.
Tuesday, AprH 4. The House impeachment
managers presented the articles against Bel
KNAPP in the Senate. The Senate accepted the
invitation of the colored society which unveils
Lincoln statue in Washington April IA, but
the House took no action on the matter.
In the House Southern ex-rebel intro
duced resolution to inquire why three militia
ry officers conspicuous in fiogging Johnnoy
Reb were absent in Europe and why they
shouldn't come back
Wednesday, april 5.-Senate organized as a
court of impeachment, the Chief Justice ad
ministering the oath to the members. Notice
was ordeIed to be served on Gen. Belknap re-
turnable on the 18th, at which time the trial
will probably begin. In legislative session the
Senate discussed Mr.. Hamlin's postage bill.
House-The impeachment managers notified
the House that they were ready to proceed. The
bill to transfer the Indian bureau to the War
Department was taken up and Mr.. Cox oppos-
ed. No action was taken.
POLITICAL.
Election for Governor and members of the
Legislature took place in Connecticut Monday.
There were four gubernatorial candidates in
the field, Mr.. Robinson, the regular Republican
nominee, Gov. Ingersoll, Democratic, Mr.. At
water, Greenback candidate, and MIR. Smith,
Temperance. The reelection OF Gov. lnger.
soil was generally conceded. but the Republic
cans hoped to cut down his majority, which
they did, his majority being 1867 against up
wards of 5000 last year. In the election of rep
resentatives and senators the Republicans were
not go successful, the Democrats 159 in both
Houses, and the Republicans 85-a Democratic
gain over last year. A United States Senator
ship was at stake, and ex-Gov English, who
had the promise of it in case the Democrats Sc
cured majority, seems to have put his money
where it would do the most good. In the Con-
gressional district made vacant by the decease
of Mr. Starkweather, the Republican candidate
was elected, defeating David A. Wells, was
who supported by the Democrats.
Mississippi Republican Convention last week