The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-05-03
WASHINGTON.

Gen. Custer Relieved OF His Command.
WASHINGTON, May 2.-By direction of the
President, Gen. Custer is ordered to his regi-
ment in Dakota. He left last night. He is
relieved from further duty as commanding
officer under his brevet rank, and goes to his
regiment simply as Lieut.. Colonel. Gen. Ter
ry succeeds hin in command This is the first
time lie has done any duty as geaeral officer
since he left his regiment as line officer early
in the war.
The Diplomatic Appropriation Bill.
1t is stated that the conference committee OF
Congress cannot agree upon the diplomatic APP
preparation bill. President Grant is reported
TO have said that if the Senate recede from the
amendment in any important particular, he
will veto the bill. 1t is believed that rather
than allow the government service abroad to
be made any less important than it row is,
ministers attaches and consuls Will be with
drawn by the President, and the res possibility
thrown upon the House. The President thinks
our diplomatic service should be made stronger
rather than weaker.
The Emma Mine Investigation.
In the Emma mine investigation today, Mr..
Schenck admitted writing the original letter of
resignation which the Chairman had received
from London. MIR. Schenck said he did not
think much explanation was required, but ex-
pressed satisfaction that these papers were OBJ
tanned. Since the LIST of December, 1871, be-
fore his resignation which took place the 9th of
December, he had not been in communication
with the directors and shareholders of the En-
ma Mining Company as such, and had no ac-
cess to their papers. His letter of resignation
sent to the company, was all in his own hand
writing, the date, body. signature and all. 1t
was his own composition, written at his own
suggestion, without anybody's help. IL writ
ing over in his resignation from the original
draft, it seemed he interpolated the words, I'm
consenting to become director knew that
but exercised private and individual right
not Incompatible with public.or official duty. But
L prefer to take away from some who have crit
icised me, even a pretext for their comments
or attacks"
Mr. Schenck said that the other paper
seemed to be a copy of his resignation in
Parks handwriting. He knew 1t was not his
signature. 1t was but q copy of what he
wrote.
Mr.. Hewitt called Mr. Schenck's attention
to several words altered and Mr.. Schenck said
that they looked as if they were in bis hand
writing, it was the same ink. He did not know
why Park made the copy. Park here said that
the words were In his own handwriting. Mr..
Hewitt said that he was inclined to believe
they were.
The examination of Mr.. Schenck was sus-
pended to permit Senator Conkling to make a
statement. He called attention to the letter
of Mr.. Lyons, dated New York, May 80, 1871,
which was addressed to ''Dear Tom," saying
81 have Conkling of New York, Stewart and
Noah Davis to assist me here, but do not tell a
soul but John. | will have them both out, and
the marshal too, unless he goes straight.
think Patrick is all right. L am bound to have
a trial as receiver at once"
Senator Conkling said if he was the Conk-
ling mentioned in this letter, he had only to
say it was without foundation, in fact he had
no recollection of hearing of Lyon until re.
Gently, when be read his name in the newspa-
pers. as party in some way to this investiga-
M ha ha6 NOV rn;-
cation from him. He was never engaged or
retained professionally, or otherwise. in any
matter pertaining to the Emma NINE or in
the matter of the removal of any judge of Utah,
as referred to in the letter.
Lyon being present, he was permitted to ex-
plain He did so by saying that VIM. Head of
San Francisco, one of the officers of the Emma
mine, told him he had employed Senator Conk.
ling in their behalf, and that their interests
were mutual for removing Judge Mexican.
Lyon said that he never employed Conkling in
the matter.
Senator ConkliDg asked whether he had any
letter or communication from him.
Lyon replied that Mr.. Head while speaking
of his strength told him that he had secured
Senator Conkling
Senator Conkling observed that this state
ment of Lyon enabled him to add word. He
remembered gentleman named Head, one of
a numerous family in New York. calling on
him at his home in Utica, and inquiring of
him whether an action of replevin or tr0ver
could be brought in New York to gain posses-
sion of some personal property which he
thought were the products of mines or speci-
MEMS Senator Conkling informed him there
could be no difficulty in bringing such action
TO any matter within the jurisdiction of the
court. He took occasion to speak of Judge
Mexican in complimentary terms, having serv-
ed with hin in Congress.
The examination of Schenck was resumed
Hewitt asked him various questions as to the
propriety of his dealing in stocks while holding
a position CT diplomatic representatives Mr.
Schenck replied he had told the committee of
all his transactions and did not think he had
done anything morally wrong or unbecoming
He did not think he had violated any rule of
propriety.
Mr.. Chittenden for Schenck, recalled Park
and showed him the letter of Scheuck resign
ing the position of director in the Emma Mine
Company. 1t was dated December 9th, 1871.
Mr.. Park said this copy of the letter was in his
own handwriting. The two words interlined,
gentleman" and "fulest', were in his own
handwriting, and he knew it. He had no rec
objection OF the circumstances under which the
copy was taken, but his impression was that
he made the copy for someone else. Park
thought be sax the drift of Schenck's letter
and the original, and conversed with Schenck
as to what the letter should say in it, namely
that he resigned because of uDfriendly criticism
and not because of dissatisfaction with the
property.
Park was again asked what profit he and his
associates made by the sale of the Emma mine.
He said he had answered that question once to
the best OF his knowledge. He was perfectly
to any member of the committee, but could not
give them his books or any information involv-
ing the business of other persons.
After PARKS examination Schenck again
with his face purple with rage, denounced the
statement that he copied his letter of resigua-
fr0p ha draf in riti rlr
false, as false lie.
An argument ensued as to putting in EVIL
dence the two letters from Fisher to Duncan
the banker, relating to Schenck.
Adjourned without decision.
Alabama Claims Court.
The Court of Commissioners of Alabama
Claims have given decision in the case of the
ship Martaban, denying the validity of the
mortgage under which she was transferred to
the British flag as a cover from capture and
notwithstanding which Capt Semmes burued
tue vessel. The opinion takes the ground that
the transfer was forced by the dangers incident
to the reported presence of the Alabama, ard
IN tact was sham resorted to to deceive Capt.
Semmes. The amounts awarded are as fol.
lows;
Case 1856, Eliza A. Pike, Administrative, Sc,
$4,000, including the primage due Capt. Pike,
the master Case 737, Samuel Stevens, trustee,
S20,000 Eliza Pike $4,000 Lydia Rodgers
$4,000 John Atkinson, trustee, $4,000 Case
10, Samuel Stevens, trustee, $4,000 Eliza Pike
$4,000, Lydia Rodgers $1,000 and John Atkln-
son $4,000.
Steinberser. ~
Official documents sent to the House by the
Secretary of State show that Stenberger was
not authorized or employed by the United
States 10 form government in Samoa, or to
pledge the United States to sustain in any
way, directly or indirectly, any government he
might assist in forming.
Original Documents Not TO be Given Com
mittees.
AT a Cabinet session today the question of
the delivering of original papers and documents
from The Executive departments to Congress
lonal committees or others, was discussed
Though the Attorney General was absent bis
views upon the subject were known and it is
understood that after a full interchange of
opinions on the matter the Prefident decided
not TO deviate from rule which has long ex-
listed under which the Executive does not ipart
even temporarily with the custody of original
papers in any of the departments
Executive Nomination.
capff 10 tba