New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-04-22
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL.
OF THE SHANGHAI CONSULATE

WASHINGT1S, April 81, 1878
G.. Wiley Wells, late COnsul-General at
Shanghai was further examined by the House Commit
tee on Expenditures in the State Department yesterday,
with reference charges against Geo T. Seward Minis
ter to China and o. d. Bradford, consular clerk Mr..
Wells testified that there many Illegal tees charged
to the Government by the consular court, and Illegal
fees were exacted from prisoners In one case. In
which a man was convicted Of the cmbezzlemen
OF 5000 the fees amounted TO 81 900. Mr. Wells
said that these court fees and other unofficial fees $50
called went into the Office expense account, aud Mr.
Seward had told him that under arrangement made
by him with the and the marshal when he first went
to Shanghai, this class Of fees TO be apprOpri
ated TO and that he paid Bradford 81 800 per
annum besides his regular salary consular clerk Az
ter General Myers became ConsuGeneral, Mr. Bradford
for several months retained the fees charging them TO
himself and afterward charged them against MI Myers
but appropriated the money to his own use
and in addition thereto charged Mr. Myers
500 for keeping his private books. lie also
stated that Mr.. Bradford had nterfered with the
private correspondence of General Myers and produced
letter from General Myers U. s. A. which he had found
had t5ld him was lett by Myers in the desk Mr. Myers
upon being called to the stand, testified that he had
him. a few days ago. by Mr.. Wells. Mr. Wells ntnued,
cOrroporatng the testimony Of General Myers heretofore
published.
AID ASKED FOR A MARYLAND RAILROAD.
Colonel Samuel 5. Smoot, president of the
Southern Maryland Railroad, made argument yestcr-
day before the subcommittee Railways and Canals
OF the House. in support Of the House bill introduced by
General Butler TO aid In the construction Of the eOuth-
ern Maryland Railroad and for other purposes. This Is
the bill which the Secretary Of the Navy reported
Gently, recommending naval coang station on the st.
Mary's River The bill calls for guarantee Of 81 900
per mile, but TO be made until the road shall be
completed and ready for operation Colonel smOot
claimed that the United States mails and tie
coal for the navy alone viii than pay the interest
on the bonds proposed to be guaranteed and will give
the Government quick communication with Norfolk
and other Southern points, saving the present time
six hours, and TO harDor always open, forming direct
connection with the Baltimore and Potomac aud Bati
more and Ohio Railroads 10 all points North ana West
large portion Of the road is graded, and
petcd In SIX months. the line being only seventyI
miles long from Washington CITY 10 Point Lookout AT
the confluence Of the Potomac River and the Chesapeake
Bay.
AMERICAN ARMS THE BEST.
Colonel Rice inventor of the trowel bayoDet,
who witnessed the operations around Pevna, gays that
American made by private companies are con
sdtred the best in Europe and he thinks that II the
panes encouraged, the army and militia would be sup
piled with better and cheaper gun.
ZAMACONAS CREDENTIALS
Senior ZamacOna received his credentials as
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister PlenipoentIary OF
Mexico at Washington yesterday, the Mexican Gov
erpment having delayed the steamer at Vera Crnz in
order 10 send them.
COLLECTOR TO BE ASKED TO REsIGNi
The President decided on Friday to ask
Collector Welize OF Cincinnati for his resignation and
VIII nominate Amos Smith in his place.