The New York herald., 1877-07-11
GENERAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.

WAsmiSGroy, July 10, 1871.
IMPROPER USE OF NAIL BAGs-A MERCHANT
ARRESTED.
Colonel Parker, Chief OF the Special Agents Of the
Post Ofco Department. having discovered that in vlo
laion OF the Inv the mail bags of the government are
In possession OF numerous persons within the District
Of Columbia, who make OF these bsgs IN various
ways for their private business the were submit
ted to tho Postmaster General. II 10 found that In
utter disregard OF the law this appropriation OF tho
mail bags by junk shops rag and paper dealers and
others has been going Tor years. aud persons
high in official position and respectable business me
here have bccn found in possession OF the government
property. Many OF these persons are, no doubt
ignorant Of tho fact that tho law provides u severe
penalty OF line and Imprisonment for making
OF tho mail bags Tor any other than tho
purpose for which thcy manufactured.
but II Is found, nevertheless, that somo intell
gent business men are Knowingly violating this law
The Postmaster General has determined TO havo the
offenders punished, aud to this have been
ordered. la pursuance OF this Oder warrant was
issued few days ago for tho arrest OF a respectable
merchant Of this city. The merchant, learning that
tho warrant had been issued, voluntarily wont for.
ward, waived examination and eavo bond in So 900
for his appearance at court.
THE CHARGES AGAINST MR.. GUTHRIE.
With reference 10 tho charges against MT. Guthrie
Cashier Of the Treasury 1t be SAID, upon tho au.
thority OF TINT gentleman himself that in the !a OF
1874 Mr.. Guthrie made up n set OF books for the
Commissioner OF the Sinking Fund of the District
OF Columbia, with tho iull knowledge and
consent OF the Treasurer OF the United States
General Spipner). THIS work, It Is declared,
done aftcr Office hours aud did Interfere with tho
discharge OF Mr.. Guthre's official duties, though for
convenience OF desk room tho books and papers wero
on occasions brought into the Treasury. The
Commissioners OF tho Sinking Fund themselves put
the price upon the work done Acting Secretary
Mccormick. to whom the charges were preferred says
no intends to proceed with great doliberaton and
caution IN the investigation. The fact that former
subordnates OF Mr.. Guthrie are instrumental in
making tho complaint appears reason for very
thorough sitting Of tho charges that havo been made
Tho receipts from internal revenue to-day were
$24S,6ll 81, and from customs $6l0, 600 90.
Edward II. Smith was to-day appointed Inspector Of
Cigars Tobacco and SNUFF for the Third Virginia dis
trct.
DULL CABINET SESSION.
Tho Cabinet session to-day comparatively brief
and uneventfa. Mexican affairs, foreign appointments
and the important Judicial proceedings In Louisi
ana wero alluded TO- The proceeding savored
what OF scientific turn, and the Howgate expedition
10 the North Pole was the subject OF rather lively
conversation and comment, with view to determin-
ug whether the interests OF science and tho welfare Of
the government would be subscrved by extensive
national assistance TO the proposed exploration While
thcrs wore dcane results " s understood that rho
discussion not unavorabIe to practical extension
OF national countcnance TO the enterprise. Tho Wood
ward Expedition around the world was. In connection
with the Howgate Expedition. q subject Of interested
conversation.