Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-06-13
Egon Washington
ESPECIAL TO THE ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE
WASHINGTON, D. c., June l3.

SENATE.
In the Senate, to- days the calendar was taken
up and bills passed.
10 regulate the practice Of pharmacy 10 the
District Of Columbia.
For the preservation of game aud protection
of birds 10 the District of Columbia.
10 Incorporate the National Fair Grounds
Association Of Washington.
The bill to provide for the expenses OF the
Potter committee was amended 80 as to appro-
pirate the like sum of $4,000 to dcfray the
expenses of the Senate Matthews investigation
committee, and then went over.
Il bill restoring certain custom house officers
at Baltimore, New Orleans, Portland, &C., was
passed
The Senate then, By vote OF 80 to IS, took
up The bill to repeal the resumption act, and
proceeded with its consideration.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
| In the House Of Representatives Mr.. Reagan,
Of Texas, made an unsuccessful attempt to have
taken from the Speaker table the River and
Harbor Appropriation bill for the purpose OF
non concur1ng in the Senate's amendments
MIR. Ellen, Of Illinois, then moved to suspend
the rules for the purpose of taking up the Sun
reported from the committee, thereby defeat
ing all amendments heretofore adopted, but by
q very decided Votc--4S to l95-the House
refused aud the consideration Of the bill was
then proceeded with in Committee Of the
| Wholc-no debate on amendments allowed.
TIE POTTER INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE.
After the close OF this report yesterday Gen.
II. &. IL. Smith, late appointment clclk OF
the Treasury Department, was examined. 1t
seems that Mr.. Cox had subrGoacd him.
General Smith obeycd the summons immedi-
ately as though Expecting it.
More than = week ago, Gen. Butler had
asked TO have The appointment clerk sept for.
Bya mistake the present appointment CLERK $
name was written bu! without General Builder
Knowledge. When Smith took the stand there
fore, Mr.. Cox expected to conduct the exam
iDaton aud was surprised to sec the matter
taken cut Of his hands. Quite a war OF words
b.twcen Mcssrs Cox and butler made the com
mltcc room lively yesterday, and in antcipa
ton Of more fun more than the usual crowd
assembled TO day.
The examination Of Smith was proceeded
With 10 the same manucr lie testified that nc
official letter was scot by lin while appoint
nleDt clark, TO Senator Matthews, but one Was
received Icy the Department which caunot now
be iouud. Any letters s:nt by him 10 Matthews
we're pliyatc His recollection was not good
still he remembered having sent Matthews a
short letter, enclosing Anderson ) refusal to &C
cept al inspectorsEip 10 Baltimore.
| When Anderson was offered $1,000 clerk.
ship he refused it. Matthews soon therefore
wrote to witness to drop Anderson if he was
not satisfied" with what the appointment clerk
promised to give Anderson finally refused
the inspcctorship. Smith the6 went to the
White House 10 say Anderson expected better
place, aud at last got Anderson to withdraw all
claims on condition Of getting an appointment
Tor his brother.
la trying to liod the date Of Smiths visit TO
the President on Andcrson's behalf, Geo. But,
Ter learned that Secretary Sherman had been
consulted before the witness withheld two OF
Anderson i letters when ali official letters re-
ccivcd by the Department were called Tor by
an investigation committee on the grcuId that
these letters were Smiths personal letters
Ooly one official letter had been received BY
the Department ADD that letter cannot be found.
1t was simply letter Of recommendation, ask
iDg special attention from Smith.
Gen. Butler then wanted witness to admit
having held conference With Sherman coun'
sci soco yesterday evening. The witness de-
MED it. Butler pressed him on that point and
Mr. Cox interrupted, reminding him that the
witness should not be examined by inuucndocs.
Butler said he had made no innuendocS. Thl:
vas the second time the gentleman from OaiO
had taken occasion TO comment on his actions.
lie would Dt use certain Wordsin charactcrlzng
Mr.. Cox as the proper characterization suggest
cd itself to every honorable mans mind. lie
had had as much experience in law and most
everything else as Mr.. Cox had, exceptin man,
aging Department and thereby gaining an
overbeariug manuer; claimed that he had not
tried to cntrap the witness but simply wanted
to get at the time this interview at the White
House took place. They were judge advocates,
not ordinary judges He had never said word
except 10 reply, but did not care to say how
long he would remain on the defensive.
Mr.. Cox replied bitterly, claiming that they
were investigators appointed by the House and
should not act like partisans. Gen. Butler had
treated the witness as if, and had even said he
believed the witness to be, unwilling to testify
truthfuIIy.
Moro words passed. Mr. McMahon sus
tanned Gen. Butler, and Mr.. Cox wanted the
committee to decide whether the witness acted
as though he were unwilling.
Gen. Butler eagerly declared himself ready
to argue the case.
The examination was then conducted by Mr.
McMahon.
The testimony related to the date Of Ander
son s application for his brothers appointment
the interview with the President about Apder
SOD, &C.
When he got through with the evidence Mr.
Cox tried 10 pour oil upon the troubled waters
Of the witness soul by asking only such qucs
tons as would benefit Secretary Sherman ane
IL. 81 Ina ~,
government positions
NOTES
The Senate select committee TO examine tht
charges against Mr. Matthews met for few
moments to day, but inasnuch as Anderson, thu
witoess to be examined, was in attendance upor
the Potter committee, recess Was taken till hi
could appear. 4 rule was adopted by the com
mttee excluding all but two reporters
The Senate Postoifice Committee have agreed
to report tavorably upon the nomination o.
Samuel Il. Atwc to be postmaster at Win