The sun., 1878-12-10
PRICE TWO CENTS.
TIE HOT SPRINGS SCANDAL.
INVESTIGATING THE MUIILATI or
THE SUNDRY CIVIL BILL
Senator Dorsey and Representative Atkins
Suspected and Swallowed by Treasury De-
tectIves-HoW Chief Henson was Fooled.

Senator Dorsey aud Representntivs Atkins
Suspected and Swallowed by Treasury De-
tectives-IIow Chief Benson was Fooled.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 9.-The select commit-
tee investigating tho omission OF the Hot
Springs clause from the Sundry Civil Appro-
priation bill OF last session this morning ex-
amined Thomas A. Britt. temporarily employed
by the Secret Service division Of tho Treasury
Department. who Is tho person that made the
report to Mr.. John Sherman which was sent to
Mr.. Atkins. and 10y him to this committee. Britt
said that he had been employed to make an in
vestigation OF the Hot Springs affair and had
prosecuted his inquiries for some time. On tho
7th OF July he met a man in front OF the Impe-
rial Hotel who asked him II he had received a
lettor from Mr.. Brooks saying that he thought
he had followed tho Hot Springs matter up as
far as It was worth while. He declined 10 talk
with the man until he showed to him that ho
was Mr.. Benson. Assistant Chief OF tho Secret
Service Division. Benson then showed him a
memorandum by one +. N Hill. which showed
that Mr.. Rice stole the bill. whilo they
wore talking Rico came up. and on
their expressing surprise TO find ho was
not In Florida. he said no had received
loter saying Senator Conover was III. They
had. however seen him on the street that day.
He pursued the investigation until July G whom
h HY rvcVNeu hO.Ic9 slat ms s9IVlces wouih 20
Y, Foster TO Mr.. Brooks, CHIEF Of the Secret Ser
ylce Division, In which he said he had seen
done
To senator Rapdolph-I in Florid. in 1870 cor.
duty in this matter by Mr.. Brooks I do not Know AZ
on. Of sdoS sh S. q o on the
Senator Dorsey asked tho witness whethor
MT BTooEs S had sgid Hnyhinf to him about
the bill.
wl,ns.5Mr Brooks once said to me, They say Dor:
sctS LOOK scm RSa gone 20 rsr snous to sSs
myself ns. they had nothing to do with the abstraction
Senator Dorsey sald he had been a very active
supporter Of the Hot Springs bill. and he did
Ho hoped a transcript OF this statement would
6e be sent by the committee TO the Secretary OF tho
S. u. Benson. Assistant Chief Of the Secret
Service Division, was next called. He said that
hls iirst kn93wledge OF the omission Or 96strac-
lawyer named IL {. 6gmminss. who said that a
man told him that L. n. Hill knew all about il
out who dld IT, lie communicated Hills asser-
ton 70 Solicitor Raynor. who conferred with
a note to the Secretary OF the Treasury, asking
that the Treasury detectives investigate tho
matter and learn whether the Gmission 9c'urred
cret Service man. under the assumed name OF
Wallace had several interviews with Hill. On
teenth street. Hill said Wallace and himself
could come to no agreement. II he could have
money he could work up the case. Witness
offered to advance money for Wallace to pro-
cure the affidavit, which Hill had proposed to
get OF reliable man; that person interested
In the Hot Springs was seen in conv0rsation
with Mr.. King. the Enrolling Clerk Of the
House. at IL o'clock on the last night OF tho
session. and after Congress adjourned camo
out and said that the Sundry Civil Service bill
had passed. but the Hot Springs clause was not
in II. Witness advanced IS to Hill, and took
his receipt for 1t. with a condition that he was
to return the money IL the affidavit was not
procured. Hill said that the person who made
the remark was IN attorney named j. II. Rice.
whose office was In Ledroit Building Rice
manifested good deal OF feeling. and said ho
had a contingent interest in n contract be-
tween j. II. Russell and eX-Gov. Rector for tho
establishment OF n certain claim 10 n title 10 tho
land on which the Hot Springs are located.
Hill also said that Rice had said. after the Con-
ference Committee had reported the Hot
law
BY senator Ea,on-Dl Hill ever obtain the anlavti
Ale did not
o-Dd youcver get TIN. g. back A-No. sir Laugh.
ter Bur siust to Mt Hill 10 say that he claims
lac was foolng me.
Mr. Benson produced and read n contract be-
tween Russell and Rector relating TO tho lost
title. which has already been made public in
connection with this case. The Committee then
adjourned until tomorrow.