The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-04-25

Tho news OF NORMAN WARDS return to
America was simultaneous with tho an
nounccment that he is wanted by the House
Committee on Naval Affairs, to explain ST.
COR RoEEsoN's fraudulent payment Of Sj0,-
600 to him for bursting guns which lac never
burst and never attempted to burst.
WIZARD has been away from us long
time. 1t is three years--wo are not sure
but longor-since the echoes of his last eX-
plosion died away among the islands OF
Boston harbor. In the mean while he has
travelled far and suffered much. He left
the country at q timo when his presence
was especially desired in Washington, and
went to China, not. as many have supposed,
to study the manufacture OF firecrackcrs
with view to invcnting pasteboard can
non which might be easily and chcaply
burst, but 10 press upon the Chinese
novel scheme Of national defence. He en-
deavorcd to persuade the Brother OF the Sun
and Moon to surround his dominions with a
high brick wall of forts-so high that the
artillery Of attacking forces could not be
sufficiently elevated TO reach the garrison
on top, while the garrison on top could easily
pour down grape and canister, and, II ex-
pcdient, squirt molten lead through huge
syringcs upon the heads Of the besicgers
WARDS general scheme was borrowed,
partly from the early Chinese wall aud
partly from ARcHIMEpEs, but the combina-
tion of ideas and their application 10 coast
defences was entirely original with himself
Principally through the lack OF q compe-
tent lobby at Pekn. the Gun Burstor failed
to secure from the Chinese Government the
4 III l..t., l.
forts. and he left the country in disgust He
next turned his attention TO the Japanese
who gave him n commission to burst Il few
useless cannon lying at Yokoska. WIZARD
Of course performed the work to the salts
faction OF himself and to the edification of
his employers. who had never seen North
American gun burster. and were glad TO ex-
tend their knowledge Of civilized methods
Having blown up all the condemned ord
nance at the disposal Of the Japanese naval
authorities WARD applied for permission 10
begin experimenting on sound cannon. This
was ungraciously refused; and although
the Gun Burster had broken several ribs In
the service Of his adopted country he was
arrested and brought 10 trial in the Yoko-
hama courts on the suit OF one J. GARGAN,
to whom he owed bill Of s202l5 for furni-
turc. From the date of his arrest we have
no trustworthy account of his fortunes.
The sudden temperance OF this remark
ablc man, who was SEcoR RoBEsoN's ell
cient ally in some of the most ingeniously
absurd jobs for swindling the Treasury dur
ing GRANT, two terms. does not, We regret
to say, imply an awakened conscience and a
desire TO make such amends as may be- in
his power, by turning evidence against
ROBEsoN. He probably comes back TO look
after the following bill, recently introduced
in the House OF Representatives by n. p.
BANKS of Massachusetts,
BE enacted that the Secretary OF The Treasury is
hereby authorized and directed to pa, a. NuSAs WAkp
ont any MONEY in the Treasury not otherwise appro
pratod. the SUM Of 600, hundred and thirteen Thousand
nine hundred aul iorNtNo dollars and sXtyhye cents
WIZARD Is willing to accept this sum Of
Sll3oi1G5 in full payment for all that he has
done and suffered, and to forgive the United
States all damages and losses sustained by
him by breaches Of contracts on the part Of
the Government lie would be not only
willing but happy 10 settle on these terms.