The New York herald., 1878-01-15

then felt satisfied that unless Conde could be got rid
Of might as we'll retarn home stillwell and myself
at onco went TO work at Facon to secure Condos
removal but as Falcon had abrogated tho contracts
and the fling Of the claim had .nen become
notorious In Caracas, Falcon not only refused 10
remove him, but as matter OF TACT approved
of hts course. The flight OF Falcon fow weeks after
chair, led to another offer part secure the
removal of Conde. After several Interviews 1t was
zua was recogn zed as President and the influence
Of the legation should be used 10 secure
which contract was carried out by all parties.
The appo ointment OF Mr. Villafranc commission
him proposition before his appointmen Mt; but was
disappointed, as the success OF the revolution sus
pended every thing and viiairanc refused to act any
gas. Menagas, on the other hand. would DO nothing
unless the legation would recognize tho government
which they were compelled to 40 or lot the commis
mission up. The appointment OF villafranc closed
the negotiations with our government Ny labor was
then with the commissioners
Upon arrival Of ralmadgs as Caracas, 10 get him
enlisted agreed to give him onecigth TO secure
franc promised him s25 900 " he would give us an
award for 5000 600 ana nnaily. agreed TO Give the
amounting 10 S112 900, paid tho several parties as
agreed before left Caracas leaving Sl37 000 The oriE
nal contrast as you Will remember was one-eighh and
one-eiRhth OF this atterward increased to
hall In the event Of 100000 award. herewith
pay over $lOo, ,o00 which you can distribute smong
;ns ns parties Yurs IN interest The retain ss my
hereby certify that the foregoing is wus copy Of
tho original In nay possession. WILLIAM A. PILE
PHILADELPHIA. Oct 80 1877
The documents ordered to be printed and re-
ferrcd to the Committee on Fere!gn Affairs.
THE FUND FROM WHICH MAJOR RUHKLE WAS
PAID-srArEMENT OF THE PAYMAsrRR GEN.
ERAL.
In explanation Of tho payment TO Major Runkls Of
his back paw OF 10000 It is claimed at the Paymaster
Generals Office that the money was not taken from
any regular appropriation OF the army otherwise
qnred, but out OF what s known tho surplus fund.-
contemplated In sections 600 and 1901 of the re-.
vised statutes. Although the time within which
accounts may settled is limited oy latter OF
these sections to two years The Secretary Of tho
Treasury has interpreted them TO allow him TO 20
back further, done In the RunkIe case to tho
extent OF five years under the application OF accrued
appropriations not ''drawn against'' which have
gone to the credit Of tho surplus fund Whom the
was first submitted to the Paymaster General, while
he did not look into Its merits he returned the papers
with reference to opinion Of the 9udge Advocate
General, Holt the above mentioned sections which
allows the President discretionary powers TO order
payments in such instances analogous to the
Runkte claim. These were returned to the Paymaster
General with tho 6na indorsement of the Secretary
War, by direction of the President, stating that tho
general court martial sentence OF Major Runkc nevor
having been approved by the President OF the United
States was not carried into ecct and that therefore,
he had not ceased TO be officer of
the United States Army. The account OF Major
Kunkle was made out in due form tho usual
voucher against tho United States for officers pay and
went through tho o1co Of tho Paymaster General in
regular routine, being finally paid by the pay master
detailed for this department. Whatever doubts the
Puymastcr General may have had the expediency
OF paying the above way the absence Of
some special legislation providing . relative ap-
preparation, he does not to feel that he
could have exercised any discretion in the
premises nor have done otherwise than 10 pay
itn view of the explicit orders OF tho President COW
cred by the positive Endorsement OF the Secretary OF
War He was, however, out OF town whom tho papers
finally passed upon. He is OF tho opinion that
with the authority cited on the papers, as they came
from the President and Secretary of War. the claim
rgntfully paid Furthermore, no bar to the pay
ment existed, because Major Runkle did not allcgc
service. 1t not legally required OF him, rs
ho was on tho list, and therefore liable to
duty unless specially detailed by the Secretary Of