The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1877-01-13
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WASHINGTON, D. G., January l2.-In
the investigation to-day before the select
committee on the alleged improper con.
duct Of Murtagh, President Of the Police
Board Of this DistSict, Mhjur Richards,
Police Superintendent, was cross.exam.
ined for nearly two hours by Jeremiah
Wilson, counsel for MurlNgh, to show
that Richards had not been active in
suppressing the gambling houses.
MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT on RIVER
AND IGARBOR EXPENDITURES.
The President to-day sent message to
the House Of Representatives in reply to
a resolution respecting the expenditures
Of certain monies appropriated at the
last session in the river and harbOr bill,
and enclosing report from the Secretary
Of War on the subject. The Secretary
says the act was signed on the l4th day Of
August, and on the same day the Presi-
dent sent special message TO the House
stating that he did not consider il Obliga-
tory upon him TO expend all the money
appropriated in the bill; that during his
term OF office no money should be
expended on works not clear
ly National, and that owing to the
contemplated loss Of revenue it might
he inadvisable to expend any money on
the works. The principles enunciated in
this message have governed the Secrcta-
y 3 action on this subject in every case
presented TO him. Immediately after
receiving the bill the Chief Engineer was
directed to ask for statements from the
engineers in charge Of the works US to
what works could be postponed for the
present, and the replies from them re-
commended the expenditure OF about
A,5OO,OOO Of the appropriation. This
reduction was so slight "a TO practically
amount to nothing, and therefore on the
4th Of September, having obtained
the approval Of the President, the Score
tary Of War directed the Chief Engineer
whose knowledge Of thiS subject is more
extended than that Of any other officer
Of the government, to make allotments
from the sums appropriated for the vari-
GUS works according to the best Of his
judgment, and in such manner that the
total amount should not exceed $1,000.
600, only providing that no new works
should be begun and none continued that
were not national in their character. In
making these allOtments it was found
that the amount designated ($20OO,OOO)
was not quite enough for the purpose OF
carrying on the works absolutely neces.
sary, and therefore the Chief Of Engin.
eers, after an extended interview with
the President was authorized, in October
last, TO increase the amount TO s., ,237, 900.
Since that date aieW cases where small
sums were urgently required to prevent
damage or 10 make important examinn.
tions have been fayorably acted on, and
possibly there may be more ofthem.
The Secretary suggests that the Prcsi.
dent had authority for his action under
the law and authority found in the river
harbor bill itself. The bill was in no
way mandatory on the President TO cx-
pend the full amount Of the appropria-
tion-nearly Eve millions. The exercise
Of his discretion was influenced by the
condition Of the treasury and the nature
OF appropriations for other public works
Of quite as much Importance as riverand
harbor improvements.
NOMINATIONS CONFIRMED.
The Senate confirmed the following
nominations: Steward l.. Woodford, U.
s. Attorney for the Southern District Of
New York; John G. Clark, Of Wisconsin,
Surveyor General Of Dakota territory;
Moses N. Bane, Receiver Of Public
Monies, Salt Lake City, Moses HaiIett,
U. District Judge for District Of Colo
RADIO; s. Decker, U. s. Attorney for the
District Of Colorado; Charles u. Pastor,
Register Of Land, Florence, Arizona;
VIM. n. Kelley, Register at Prescott,
Arizona. Postmasiefs: II. II. Winslow,
Kohoma, Indiana; Henry Alpin, Winona,
Michigan; J. W. Rappen, Manhattan,
Kansas. y.
THE JOINT COMMITTEE OK COUNTING ELEC-
ToRAI. VOTE.
Tho committee Of the two Houses OF
Congress on counting the electoral vote
held their first joint meeting this alter
noon; when the Senate committee pre-
sented plan, the House committee dcsir.
ed time for consideration, and there will
be another meeting tomorrow. The
members Of the committee say they are
bound to secrecy.
John A. McDemott, OF the police force,
was examined tonight. His testimony
corroborated that given by Major
Richards In relation to Murtash's at.
tempting to have Representative Whit.
thorne decoyed into a house Of bad re.
pute through the agency Of some woman.
Witness testified that he conversed with
Major Richards and Murtagh in rela.
tion 10 the manner in which Whitthorne
was to be decoyed and Murtagh directed
Major Richards to furnish witness all the
money necessary to carry out the plot
against Whitthorne. ~
President orton, OF the Western Union
Telegraph, will be brought before the
House tomorrow. He IL in Washing.
ton but came unpreparsd,