The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-12-22
MINISTER SEWARD'S TRIAL.
IN EXCITING SESSION or THE COMMIT
TEE or INTESTIGdIIOM
Mr. seward Charged with Tad Faith In not |
Producing the Books ard Vouchers-IIow |
Money wns Made she Shanghai Consulate. |


Nr. seward Charged with Bad Faith In not
Producing the Books ard Vouchers-Bow
Money wns Made atthe Shanghai Consulate.
WAsHNGToN Dec. 2l.-A very exciting
session OF Mr.. Springcrs Committee which is
investigating Minister Seward Of China. was
held to-day. Tho Chairman said that in Wow
OF the adjournment Of Congress until after tho
holidays. the Committee had agreed. In oxecu-
tive session. to POSTPONE the decision Of tho
question "a to whether Mr.. Seward should be
required to obey the subppna dtces tccUDl. and
produce the books. papers. and vouchers thoro-
in called for. Some very important testimony
bearing on this subject was taken to-day. out Of
which grow dispute resulting in an exciting
scene between tho Chairman and Mr.. Merrick.
the counsel for Mr.. Seward
The witness examined to-day was b. II. Lewis.
who came from Shanghai in obedience to
subpoena. Ho testified that he had been em-
ployed in the Consulate from 1864 to 1871. at
the time when Seward was Consul General.
During this time he served either as Consular
Clerk or Deputy Consul General Since then
he has also been employed by Mr.. Wells and
Mr.. Stahl. when they had charge OF the office
respectively. He testified that Mr.. Seward
gave him directions to udd five per cent 10 all
disbursements. and charge the same against
the GOvernment. which he did that after a timo
Mr.. Seward directed him TO increase the amount
to twenty per cent. which he did and that after
tho assassination Of President Lincoln and dur
ing the time Frederick Seward was absent from
the state Department on account OF wounds re-
ceived while defending his father from the as
saus OF Paine. Mr.. Conger. who was acting AS
sstant Secretary Of Stnte. sent an order TO Mr..
Seward that he must refund fifteen per cent. OF
the amount in excess OF the actual expenditures
which he had beon charging. still continuing to
charge five per cent RS before. He also testified
that Mr.. Seward retained the seamnn's fund In
his hands until the same amounted to probably
$4,000 to t22. 900
Mr. Lewis also testified that he kept the orig
inal books Of entries five or six In number
which were dcnominated blotters. A cash book.
journal and ledger were also kept in the Con-
sulate. into which were transferred records OF
the business Of the ofilee transacted by other
persons than himself. He said that all those
books. from 1861, whom Mr.: sewgrd took charge
OF the Consulate. up to 1875. had been removed
from Shanghai and could not be found. He
had made search through the onice but could
not nnd thcm. He inquired Of the Chinese
messenger. then. employed in the Office who
was in charge Of tho books. and was about to
state what the messenger informed him in re-
gard To their disappearance. when counsel Tor
Mr.. Seward objected 10 the question. Tho
Chairman ruled that tue testimony was admis-
sihle but his decision was voted down by the
COmmittes-thrrc Republican members voting
against. md two Democratic members present
besides Mr.. Springer voting for it. The kepub-
leans thereby prevented the fact from coming
out that this ChnUmau informed Lewis that he
had assisted Seward in packing these books Tor
removal 20 pckin.
II was at this point that n very exciting sccno
occurred in the Committee room. Mr. Merrick
hnd already Suil IN substance, th0t MIR. seward
had complied with the order ot the Committee.
ana had returned all the of rial books which
were called for whercupon Mr. Springer said
To Mr.. Mcrrck that certainly Mr Seward had
not compiled with the order. and that the Com
mittce had postponed Proceedings last summer
al the request of counsel for Mr. Seward on the
express condition that II the inVesti cation was
postponed Tor Mr.. Seward % come to the United
States he should bring with him all the books
hel0uging to the Consulate at the time he was
Con-ul-Gencral. including those taken by him
TO Prkin. He said that Il was SO understood by
other members OF the Committee. and that lie
thought II was breach OF faith on the part 81
Mr. Seward and all concerned In Withholding
At this Mr.. Mcrrirk. who has on several occa-
siun- acted in "a very imperiDus and overhear-
ing manner toward Witnesses and others cons
nccted with the Investigation. In very excited
his part. and said that he had not 50 under
stood II.
Mr.. Paundy. n Republican member Of the
Committee. cOrrohoratrd tie statement OF the
Chairman rs 10 the understanding when tho
Committee postponed the investigation in the
summer. He was also corrobOrated by Mr..
Coleman ON the side 81 the prosecution. who
prulu'ed the proceedings Of the Committee at
After the discussion had concluded nnl en-
tries hud been MUD" IN the record. Mr.. Mrrrick
arose and hastily putting on his oyrrcoat ana
hat and Wih flushed couutcuancc started 10
cited mud angry manner. accusing Mr.. Springer
uf rrnrc'iNs upOu him and II not treating him
gs q gontlrnian. lie loft thtNruom in n high
uudgopu. Mr. Ashton. his associate. uiterward
conducting the case for the defense.
before leaving the room Mr.. Springer went 20
Nr. Nerri'k and disclaimed any intention oi
charging counsel IN On" cl-o with bad fnlth.
hut Mr. Mnrrc, refused 20 accept Mr.. Springer :
explanation. Tie tnklng OF testimony pro
cHrlHl smoothly after this interruption until
the Committee adjourned.