The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-10

marks, suggested that the evidence be now closed.
General Hooker. in that connection, expressed de-
sire to hear the testimony of two gentlemen to-mor-
row with regard to the statement concerning beef
contracts submitted by Indian Commissioner Hayt on
Saturday The committee thereupon. on motion of
Representative Stewart adjourned until tomorrow at
ten o'clock, Mr.. Stewart announcing that he would,
at the conclusion of to-morrow's session. make
ton that the committee proceed to the preparation of
their report.
THE SHANGHAI CONSULATE INVESTIGATION
SHARP WORDS BETWEEN @. WILEY WELLS AND
MINISTER SEWARD.
The House Committee on Expenditures under the
State Department to-day continued their investiga-
ton OF consular affairs in China, by commencing the
cross-examination of Mr. q. Wiley Wells. Minister
Seward and various other persons involved in the
inquiry were present together with their respective
counsel including Judge II. I. Merrick, ex-senator
Matt Carpenter and Mr.. Coleman Mr. Wells, in
response to the questions Of Judge Merrck reiterated
the general purport Of his previous testimony in
gard to finding when he assumed charge of the office
of Consul General at Shanghai that documents had
been distracted and records mutilated during the adj
mnstration OF Messrs. Seward and Bradford. and
that for instance there papers on file show
ing the Williams bequest to the Snug Harbor Hospital
at New York.
Judge Mcrrick at this point produced these papers.
thus showing that they had not been lost or
destroyed.
Mr. Wells was next cross-examined at great length
concerning his testimony that the Consul Generals
docket in judicial proceedings had been kept in de-
fective and irregular manner; that pages had been
torn out &c.
Reasserting this testimony. Mr.. Wells added that
'the docket had the appearance Of butchers book.
Whereupon Mr.. Seward excitedly remarked, THAT is
false" and Mr.. Wells with still greater warmth,
joined
IF you say so, you are Hart"
Mr. Seward was on the point Of replying, but
Judge Merrick and members of the committee
interposed to prevent further colloquy. Mr..
Wells, however, informed Chairman Springer that
unless he could be protected by the committee from
such insulting Interruptions he must protect him.
self
Mr. Springer having assured the witness that the
committee would protect him, and having notified
Mr. Seward that he must not speak to the witness
while under cross-examination except through his
lawyer the sensational episode ended and the
examination proceeded without eliciting any new
points Of interest.
THE HOT SPRINGS INQUIRY.
The select committee investigating the omission Of
the Hot Springs clause from the Sundry Civil Service
Appropriation bill of last session met again this
morning and examined Thomas A. Britt, temporary
employee of the Secret Service Division Of tho Treas
ury Department. who is the person that made the
report to Secretary Sherman, which sent to Mr..
Atkins and by him to this committee The statement
of Britt very rambling. and consisted to .
siderable extent of conversations he had with parties
and what might BIO proven by them.
Senator Dorsey asked the witness IL Mr. Brooks had
70, i'm hon nd
having anything to do with the bill.
witness-Mr. Brooks said to me. They say
Dorsey and Atkins had something to do with this
you had better look them OVER" had gone far
enough to satisfy himself they had nothing to do
with the abstraction or commission.
Senator Dorsey said he had been very active sup
porter Of the Hot Springs bill aud he did to
be pursued by Treasury detectives He hoped
transcript Of the statement would be sent by the
committee to the Secretary of the Treasury.
s. b. Benson assistant chief of the Secret Service
Division. next Called but furnishe facts Of
any importance to the inSairy.
THE RAILWAY MAIL Observation-Disclosures
FROM THE POSTMASTER GENERAL TO THE
HOUSE.
Speaker Randall to-day laid before the House Of
Representatives communication addressed to him,
officially by Postmaster General Key, in which the
latter recapitulatcs the statements contained in his
last annual report exhibiting the insucency Of the
Congressional appropriation to maintain the exist
ing railway mail service throughout the fiscal
year. and informs the House that. in order
to keep the total expenditures within the amount of
the appropriation. he will be Obliged to cause the
use of railway postal to be discontinued On and
after the LIST OF next January unless Congress shall in
the meantime make an additional appropriation.
r,,a 70
that by law the department exercise discretion
only in two items of railroad transportation
in the establishment OF service newly constructed
roads and in the use of postal cars. He adds
In my opinion the discontinuance of the use of
railway post Office cars would occasion great incon-
vcnience to the public generally well serious
loss to the business interests of the country. II
would also be most disastrous blow to the postal
prove expensive to the government, for II would re-
dure to restore the postal service than would
be saved by its discontinuance. In view of the great
importance Of the postal service to the people and to
this department l have deemed IL my duty before
taking conclusive action with regard TO the matter
TO again invite the attention Of Congress to the sub
ject.
The communication was referred to tho Committee
on Appropriations.
ANOTHER CALL FOR FIyE-TwENTIEs.
The Secretary Of the Treasury to-day issued the
seventy fourth call for tho redemption Of nvetwenty
bonds of 1865, consols Of 1865. The call is for
5000 0o0 of which $4,000 900 registered bonds.
The principal and interest will be paid at the Treas
ury on and after the 9th day Of March, 1879 and tho
interest will that day. Tho following arc
descriptions Of the bonds:-
Coupon bonds dated July l. 1865, namely
$780, No. 1sG.Ool TO No. 147 900. both inclusive.
500, No. 104.00l to No. los 600. both inclusive.
1905, No. 200O01 TO No. 204 900. both inclusive
Total coupon, $2,000,0O0.
Registered bonds redeemable at the pleasure OF tho
United States after the LIST day Of July 1870 as fol-
lows-
800. No. 1901 to No. 1920. both inclusive
500, No. II 1921 to No. 1925, both inclusive.
1000. No. 1901 TO No. 80. 3Ot, both inclusive.
5000, No II. 7ol to No. 12.70t. both inclusive.
10000, No. % 35l 10 No. Is, roo. both inclusive.
Aggregate. .......................... 100000
NOMINATIONS BY THE PRESIDENT.
The President sent TO the Senate to-day tho follow