The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1878-12-26
THE SEWARD INVESTIGATION.

IT WAS CONTINUED YESTERDAY AND THE
TESTIMONY OF THE CLERK OF THE CON-
sULATE, IF TRUE, REVEALED SOME VERY
COMPROMISING FACrs
WAsHINGToS, ID. C., December 2l.-The
Seward investigating committee was in ses-
sion yesterday and Chairman Springer said
the quertion as to whether Seward should
be required to obey the subpoena duces
team and produce the books, papers and
vouchers called for would remain undecid-
ed until the House re-assembles. Lewis,
the consular clerk at Shanghai, who had
charge OF the books in which was kept the
account known as the seaman's fund, testi-
fled that all through his service an addi-
ton Of FIVE per cent. TO the disbursements
was charged against the Government under
the instructions OF Seward, who said il
was designed to cover the loss by exchange.
At one time the percentage was increased
to twenty, but acting Secretary OF State
Conger reduced the percentage to FIVE, and
required 4 Reimbursement of the differ
ence The witness also testified TO his re-
fusal TO
SIGN A QUARTERLY VOUCHER
for $500 for services in the consular post
Office, on the ground that he had worked a
very short time, aud the explanation given
of this was that while the witness salary
in the consulate was 81 200, his nominal
salary as consular clerk was only 1000,
and the difference was made up either out
OF the post-office fund o. out OF Stewards
own pocket The witness specified two
mortgages aggregatIng some S15, 900, which
Seward had taken about the time there was
the largest balance on hand from the sea-
mans fund. Seward was also the owner of
forty or fifty Chinese houses in Shanghai,
the aggregate cost Of which could not ex-
coed 5000. Seward was the lessee OF the
consulate building at Shanghai, and
sUB-LET IT TO THE GOVERNMENT
at a rental of $500, whereas, an equally
commodious building could be obtained at
much less rate. The witness, after describ-
ing the books at the consulate in which the
daily transactions were entered, was pro-
ceeding TO state how he went to look for
them in the loft OF the consular building
where the old books and documents and
other rubbish were kept, and learned from
the Chinaman who had the key of the loft
what had become of them, but before he
could finish the story. Merrick, of the coun-
sci, objected on the ground that the testi-
mony was hearsay, and therefore incompe
tent After long discussion the chairman
oyerruled the objection, assigning as one
reason that there had been bad faith on the
part Of Seward and his counsel in
WITHHOLDING THESE BOOKS,
while one of the express conditions on
which the case has been continued was that
these books should be produced. Merck
and Ashlan resented the charge of bad
faith, and claimed that the books were
private. An appeal from the decision OF
the chair was taken by Bundy, and the
committee sustained the appeal. Yeas,
Bline. Bundy and Dunnell; nays, Dean
and Myhan. The chairman later modified
the remark which had given ofiense, TO q
violation of what was, in his judgment, an
understanding. The reporter was directed
to omit all illusions to the unpleasantness.
The committee then adjourned till Mon
day.