New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-06-23
THE JUDICIAL INVESTIGATION

REPORTED TENOR OF THE REPORT OF THE con-
GREssIoNAL COMMITTEEMAN JOHN l. DAyEN-
PORT SAYS.
1t is understood that the Congressional Sub
Committee, OF which the Hon. Edwin y. Meade is Chair
man, which recently investigated the affairs OF the De
partment OF Justice in this city, concluded its report,
which is now in the hands of the printer The greater
part OF the report is confined TO the investigation into
the affairs of John l. Davenport Supervisor Of Flee
tons, and the Committee. In summing up. recommend
the abolition of his Office aud the institution OF suits to
the OF $3i 900 paid t. Davenport ont OF the
Secret Service fund by order OF President Grant which,
the Committee sly. s shown by the evidence to have
been irreguary and improperly expended for political
and private purposes without warrant orsancon Of law
Much Of the evidence upon which the Committee bases
its report and which has not "a yet been made public
goes show the manner in which Mr. Davenport con
Quoted the business OF his Office. II will show IL Is
claimed. that he obtained from the United States
Treasury Commissioner Of Elections, in 1870 1872,
and 1874, more than $4,000; Chief Supervisor OF
Elections in 1872 and 1874 about 10000; from the
Committee OF Seventy in 1871 and 1872 between
$4,000 and 10000 and from the Secret Service fund
$34 900, besides large from private citizens for
election purposes. In addition, he held the office OF
Counsel the Board OF Health "a; salary of $1,000
and was retained counsel in contest election cases
The Committee, in summing M, will dwell particularly
is stated upon the payment OF moneys from The Secret
Service fund To Mr.. Davenport for election
purposes. holding that such action was lie
gal. ana that the expenditure has not been
satisfactorily accounted Tor; that charges have been
made against the United states and paid unawly and
iTauducntly; that Mr.. Davenport was engaged In the
printing business In the ~ another person. md had
bills for work at hs uico made ont 10 himself Tor which
he returned vouchers FOR expenditures In his Official ca
pacity there being authority In law Tor charge
against the United STATES for printing stationery for
United States Commissioner Supervisor Of Election
Several alleged irregularities such the payment Of
bills for hire where uO carriages were hired ana
the char ~ services for clerks IN several different
capacities the clerk. being paid in only one are men
toned hy TIE Committee. The general result, the Conn
mtee thinks. is 10 show that the Chief supervisor of
Elections unnecessary ocil that the powers ana
appointments Of the Office liable To great abuses and
have been usCd for personal ana partisan ends.
In regard to the report of the Committee, Mr.. Ddycn-
port said yesterday that lac had NO means OF knowing
what IL would be. A. to being sued, had hl"n sug
gested the idea was absurd He hoped II sut
brought the Attorney General wOud fcuiu able special
COUNSEL 10 prosecute him. lie perfectly willing to
have the matter tried. Mr. Davenport says he las icd
several times obtain hearing hcioc the Committee
meet additional evidence which has been given bui lac
has not been afforded opportunity. lie - going 10
Washington again this week to see II he can Obtain
hearing Regarding the report that his office might be-
practically abolished by cutting of the appropriation
MIR. Davenport that as the appropriation Tor lic
Department OF Justice IS made IN one general ein THIS
done.