New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-05-02
GENERAL PRESS DrsPATcu.I


WASHINGTON, May 1.-The Committee on
Expenditures in the Treasury Department examined
Webster Ems chief clerk OF the Solicitor to-day, in re-
gard to the Mary Merritt affair also Assistant Solicitor
Robinson. Secretary Br1stow sworn at his own re-
quest and made a statement 10 the following effect:
had no connection with the Mary Merritt case, eX
fRt in the ne saRaGy tie al Of
whom my neighDors at Hopkinsyc; DIR; Evans had
conversation with bin III Philadelphia IN relation 10 the
case and declined 10 take any compensation whatever
for service he might perform ana subsequently, went
to the Treasury Department and there presented the
question legal grounds alone, bel tatisned u was
clear for remission. On that occasion he expressed
ing before the Secretary OF the Treasury, and re-
sisting power conferred upon the SECRETARY by
against Mr. Hazleton, at tnat time q member
OF Congress, appearing there for similar purpose
have anything Whatever 10 do with the ease; Edward IA
johnson made mistake IN saying that informed him
lind was in New-York from the Ism to tue 25th Of
March when the remission OF the forfeiture was anled
Mr. ConaDt during my absence the Acting Secretary
the Treasury and the papers In the case were Drought
before him under the circumstances ana WIN Tue result
expressed to MIR. Conant, or TO any other officer
OF the Treasury, what should be done with
the subject but declined 10 talk about il;
have never examined the papers Ia this case until hero
Ia common with members OF the Committee; ana not
know that ~ 900, eny other sum, mad been paid to
normers, until after the resolution ordering ths nves-
tigatOn introduced In the House, II liz not true, az
stated III the resolution. that Of the attorneys III the
applied 10 ne Tor the remission OF the forfeiture, and
that replied would do nothing myself but my private
secretary could fix 1t up and that the said attorney met
private secretary and had the forfeiture reutted
this private secretary quite young aud acted
aanuensis and stenograpber and had nothing 10
do with the transaction OF public business.
c. p COnant, Assistant Secretary OF the Treasury tcstl
fed that in the ease OF the Mary Merritt lie concluded
that 1t would be proper sign the warrant OF remission
from consideration Of the facts alone. The witness
further testified he did not exchange word with
the Secretary before after tho decision OF
the case either directly indirectly, until
after the publication in The Commercial Times.
He relied on opinions Of Solicitors Of the Treasury
and OF Assistant Secretary Hartley and Mr. Lyman,
and on his own judgment
T. Babcock the private secretary and stenOgrapher
Of the Secretary OF the Treasury testified that he knew
nothing whatever about the OF the Mary Merritt
He had been called by any attorney aud there
fore never spoke to any about this case
Solicitor Wilson narrated the circumstances under
which the Mary Merritt brought TO his atten
ton. During his testimony he said Senator Carpenter
introduced him. stating he counsel in the MARY Mcr
rit case and that any statement he might make would
be Trustworthy The Secretary OF the Treasury
him. and he went to the Secretarvs room he found
Mr. Carpenter and Mr. johnson with the Secretary he
stated to the Secretary that the ttiOn disclosed new
facts including production OLA British register
Mary Merritt; the Secretary remarked that 1t i'm
possible for him to take any action the for the
reason that lie at time presented 1t TO Secretary
Richardson he so informed Messrs Carpenter John
and this ende the interview. The witness posi-
tive that the Secretary threw out ntmaton whatever
TO how he would like the decided ~ ohnsOn and
the witness returned the atters Office and the witness
said be did not see now the case could be settled ep