The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-12-05
Washington.

SENAIOR CONOFES AND JBE SUNDRf
CrvIL-sERvTCE APPROPRIATION BILL; SOME
INTERESTING FACTS CONCERNING THE SCAN
DIAL; THE MATTER TO BE INvEsTIGA-
TED-THE NEXT CENSUs-THE SUGAR QUES-
TIoN-GovERNoR WALKER ON THE CURREN-
CY-THE GREAT. RAILROAD UP THE JAMES
RIVER VALLEY-PERsONAL, &C., &C.
.,. (From Our Regular Correspondent. a.,
WASHINGTON, December 4.-For a month
past the names OF Senator Conover and his
secretary have been connected with the
theft OF the clause OF the sundry civil ap-
preparation bill reappointing the Hot
Springs Commission, but it was not until
the Senator yesterday asked the Senate for
an investigating committee that the matter
was published in the newspapers. Itis now
stated that Mr.. Atkins, chairman OF the
House Appropriation Committee, as soon as
the theft, which was perpetrated the last
night OF last session, was known, went to
Secretary Sherman and told him to spend
$4,000, IL necessary, IN order to discover
The guilty parties.
The Secretary put detectives to'work, and
in August Government Detective Benson
reached the conclusion that Conover was
guilty. Chief Detective Brooks, it is de-
clared, however. thought differently. Your
correspondent to-day asked a leading Re-
publican congressman from the South what
he thought OF it, and his reply was, Como
yer is so bad man that am prepared to
believe anything of him. A southern Demo
hQ
remarked that while he did not mean to
preiudge the case he was prepared to be-
lieve that 'Conover would do anything for a
sufficient money constellation.
In the Senate chamber heard southern
Democratic senator ask Senator Dorsey (Ise-
publican), OF Arkansas, what he thought OF
the scandal. His reply was that while it
was too bad that the people Of Hot Springs
should have to suffer for this theft, he could
not believe that Conover was guilty.
Who had motive to do it? asked the
Democratic senator.
Dorsey: The three men who have con-
trollcd these Springs, and whose profits will
stop when the people get possession. The
people of the town OF Hot Springs, be said,
number 6,000.
Tt is, on the other hand. charged that
Conover hates Governor Sterns, Of Florida,
one of the Hot Springs Commission, and it
was 10 defeat him that the thing was done.
Conover declares his perfect Innocence, and
that of his secretary, Dir. Rice, and says he
intends to make it hot for the detectives,
who live by iniuriDg the reputation OF hon
est men. 's'
At the request of the Secretary OF the In
terror the commission proceeded to dis.
charg its duties just as il the law had
gone into effect. To-day In the House Mr..
Atkins urged that they be paid, but Mr.
Eden, OF Illinois, and others, thought the
precedent would be bad one. The House
finally readopted the stolen clause, so thai
the original intention Of Congress might be
carried out. The Senate appointed com
mittee, with Mr.. Ferry as chairman, to in
vestigate the matter.
THE RAILROAD Up THE JAMES,
General Ewing and II. c. Parsons vii
leave for Richmond tomorrow morning tc
attend the canal meeting in the afternoon
They carry with them the acceptance on thu
part OF Senator Jones, OF Nevada; Mr.
Keene, OF California Hon. Hugh McCul
lough; Mr.. Miller, of Columbus, Ohio
Mr.. Atkins, Of Boston, and other capital
isis, Of the proposition OF The canal com
pany in regard to the contemplated roat
from Richmond to Clifton Forge. They
agree to build The two hundred and eigh
miles along the canal between the points
named in twenty. y..months, and to put up ;
haif-miliion OF dollars as an earnest OF thcl
good faith: -''1
A DOLLAR JOB.
William Lawrence; of Illinois, one Of th
Presidents Louisiana commission, was to
e.. .-;rar =, a Tor, tI,nncnnd- -dnlInr inh -