The New York herald., 1876-03-09

was in his power TO grant him one.
He simply held his position IN the army and
did not seek any favors at the hands Of the
President He laughed heartily the idea OF attach
ing any importance TO his act as IL was simply thing
which he did out OF pure attachment for the President
which he cndeavorcd TO signify delcatey by act OF
gallantry to his WIFE He does not know how to
count for the fact OF any publication OF the
except that he the Appetons who did his print
ing little sketch to have four nve copies OF IL
made and he supposcs some enterprising clerk kept
one and cave IL TO the world
General ingalls, detailed the above with refreshing
frankness ana urged in conclusion, that far any
conduct OF the department OF which he has charge
TO be scrutinzod, he respectfully Invited tho most
searching examination in which he felt that he could
demonstrate TO the country the management OF what
was ntrusted to him showing honesty, integrity and
economy He politician, but desired TO be held
accountable only for his discharge OF duties officer
which he thought tho country would appreciate.
GENERAL BABcocK ON HIS CONNECTION WITH
THE LETTER TO THE WESTERN DISTRICT At
ToRNEYs.
General Babcock being interrogated to-day, said
that he had nothing to say In regard to the charge
made against him by Attorney General Pierrepont but
far any improperly is concerned in tho OF
his obtaining the letter the whskey business there
affair.
"In my position" said he, 81 camc honestly and
properly by II at the White House. There was
seal OF secrcsy about the Attorney Cen
erals letter. It not marked private
confidential. and there was no bar to
my being informed on It, and II it interested me- TO
knowing ana using tho purport of IT, know better
than to ask tho Attorney General anything about IL or
to seek information IN that quarter have no issue
with the Attorney General. l do not want to make
any statement to get into any controversy th the
newspapers Everything has been done to destroy me
In my reputation and takc from me what Is dearer
than life. committee OF investigation has been ap-
pointed to look into the whole matter, and will abide
that as did my trial in st. Louis did not ask
postponemcnt of my then, though my attorneys
might have quashed the indictment"
AS he said this, and more, General Babcock talked
cooly and collectedly attending routine business at
his ONCE OF engineer of the aqueduct
THE DEFEAT OF PIHCHBACK IN THE SENATE
HOW 1T WAS BROUGHT ABoUT-FoRT1TUDE
OF THE APPLICANT.
Tho long agony is over Pnchoack's admission TO
seat in the Senate put end to by deciding
vote to-day Of twenty for him thirtytwo against
him. New England Senatorial column headed by
Edmunds composed ef tho Morris, OF Maino and vcr-
mont; wadleigh, OF New Hampshire, and Dawes and
Boutwell,, OF Massachusetts, did the business Three
years and moro Of time having been consumed In dis
posing OF this ISSUE IL Is astonishing that the New
England dsseners stood without change from tho
nrst, and, except with three or four who
ing and did not have nerve, there has been change
and the whole matter decided when the thing came
10 point in just twelve minutes
The analysis OF the vote shows that the pre- emi-
nently legal and statcsmanko minds OF the East as
is claimed by their section and admirers voted against
Mr. Pinchback's admission, while the more unassum-
ing public stood up for their party, they
sidcred It.
Poor Pinchback condoled with all over Washing
ton this afternoon and evening He bears his defeat
bravely, and deserves great credit and admiration
for his fortitude. During the debate he stood
up In tho Chamber, near the main entrance to
the Senate, while the most unfavorable things wcro
said ofhm, until near the close OF the pending ISSUE
Hs twirled lcisurely telegram which ho had written
TO his wife covering statement of his defeat but
detection and asking her 10 comfort his old MOTHER ON
whom the blow you'd come hardest Ho waited, with
cool nerve and brave smile his sacc, until the nat
was reached, and then to the messenger at the
door, sending Off his despatch. He Immediately re-
where he stationed BEFORE and acted as
relieved and who felt that tho great strain was
over. Many republican Senators to him and con-
soed him. -ol
CONFIRMATION OF THE NOMINATION OF JUDGE
TAFT TO BE SECRETARY OF wAR-HIs APP
PoINTMENr SATISFACTORY TO YALE COLLEGE
The nomination OF Judge TAFT be Secretary of War
confirmed by the Senate to-day. The new Secre-
tarys appointment gives great pleasure the numer.
Yale College men In this neighborhood. He
is tho second graduate OF that institution IN
the Cabinet Attorney General Pierrepont being
tho other He graduated about the year 1s45.
Yale College men seem be favorites with the Pres
ident his selection for Chief Justice Mr. Morrison r.
Waite, being also Yale graduate. Judge Waite was
classmatc of Attorney General Picrrcpont and William
n. Evarts
THE ALLEGED IMPRoPRIETY IN THE POST
oFYIcE DEPABTMENT-THE MATTER OF LET
TING THE ENVELOPE CONTRACTS EXPLAINED.
In the multitude OF rumors OF malfcasauce stirred
up by the Beknap disclosures charge Improperly
in tho letting Of the envelope contracts mado
against the Post ONCE Department The Official record
shows that in the misrcpresented, proposals
Of the Post once and registered package envelopes
for the service OF the Post ONCE Department during
the fiscal year ending June 80, 1876 had been opened
In the absence OF Mr.. Jewell, on June 26 1875 by j.
W. Marshall Acting Postmaster General, and f. W.
Barber, Third Assistant Postmaster General There
were four bidders-George F. Nesbtt & Co.
and George II. Reay, Of New York; the Nor
gan Envelope Company OF Springfield, Mass,
and the Plimptou Manufacturing Company, OF Hartford
Conn, and on tho basis OF the estimated number OF
envelopes required, the bid OF Nesbitt l. Co, argrc-
gated SOL 1885, OF Reay. se7 43o OF the Morgan Envc-
ope Company, s6T $50; and OF the Plmpton Manufac-
turing Company, s72,6 $50. The bid Of George F. Mes
bitt Co, beng the lowest Mr. Marshall directed that
the contract be awarded to that firm.
GENERAL MErGs TO BE ORDERED HOME IN
THE INTEREST OF ECONOMY.
The President determined tonight TO order home
Majer General Mcigs, Quartermastcr General, IN tho
interest OF economy, as ho says, "on
OF the general disposition TO reduce expenses,
which arc considerable In his case, as he Is
accompanied by aid de camp secretary and CLERK
titled pay and travelling expenses. As soon as Gen.
eral Mcgs will have returned, which will be in about
ten days General ingalls, who has been acting In his