New-York tribune., 1876-07-12
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL.
GEN. JEWELL EXPLAINS THE STRAW BIDS.
WASHINGTON. TIIesllLY, July IL. 1870.

WASHINGTON Tuesday, July IL, 1870.
Postmaster General Jewell was before the
House Committee Postoices and Post Roads today
and testified in relation matters which have
been brought out by witnesses before the Committee
during the session. He was questioned particularly In
relation the development Of strawhd frauds and the
efforts made by the Department To suppress tEcm also
IA 10 the clerks who charged with completely In
these frauds Mr. Jewell said 1t was his desire TO have
GOOD men I'm the service and his practice to remove
any one whether clerk postmaster or contractor VINO
was guilty of any irregularities whatever and while he
could not recolcct every particular OF removal
without referring TO the records OF the Office he would
say that he caused removals TO be made whenever he
thought the good of the service required It, He also
sought 10 have violations OF the Jaw punished, aud to
that end turned all cases Cs violation OF the law 10
tne AttorneyGenerars office for prosecution lie had
interviews with the DstIic-Attoney at Washington In
relation to and offered to furnish special
counsel O aid in the prosecution OF thein but tue oEer
was dechntd lie was dlsdpohen ~ tHc auldl ieS0's
OF the prosecutions ana regretted that thee were 50 ie"
convictions, but was pOweress beyond turning the eases
and the evidence over 10 the proIer olcers Tor action
lie was asked II any member of the Cabinet had asked
him or talked with aim IN relation To the TesisatSn OF
ii any of the Cabinet had asked hun questions about
the removal OF ce ain clerks lie should refuse u ten the
mmitcc and be refused TO tell why he removed GER
tain clerks, beyond general reasons mat were entTcy
sat slactoly to himself why they should be removed
SILVER BILL AGREED UPON.
The Committee of Conference on the So
called silver bil held long meeting this afternoon,
and practically agreed upon report. The members Of
the Committee Messrs. Sherman Boutwell, and Bo-y
on the part of Senate and Messrs. Randall Landors
and Payne as representatives OF the House The report
viii recommend the passage OF measure substantially
tho same as the Randall bill, providing for the
purchase Of silver bullion 10 the amount OF S20O00O00
with any money in Tie Treasury, and its coinage and
issue IN the shape OF subsidiary silver coin, provided
that not more than $1,O0o,0O0 shall be purchased at
any enc time and provided also by new clause that
the whole amount OF silver coin issued in this way and
In exchange for fractional currency retained shall not
exceed $50.O00,0O0 The Senate ancndmeat strik
ing ont the word "nON F" fTUm the clause
Authorizing the issue OF "s!iyer coin
i'm the Treasury" IL agreed To by the committee, TGe
House amendment adopted on motion OF MrL1ndcts, ana
providing for the revival cf tie OLD silver dollar with ul
limited cclltcuGcr power is stricken out by the CONFER
cucc committee rs Is the Senate amendment pealng
tie present lcgdendCr power or The trade GOlar Mr
Ian es says lac intends 10 oppose the adoption OF the
rcgr by the House and thinks the House Will stand by
it, former action his amendment.