The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-08
been carefully selected for the objects of the voyage
several of them being skilful naturalsts
GENERAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.


SION CLAUSE FROM THE CIVIL SERVICE BILL
TESTIMONY BEFORE THE INVESTIGATING COM
| AIITTEE.
| The Senate committee. consisting OF Messrs. CAM
eron. OF Wisconsin. Eaton and Randolph. appointed
| to inquire into the omission of the Hot Springs
clause from the suadry Civil Appropriation BILL met
| at eleven O'Clock to-day. Mr.. George H. Johnson,
clerk in the Post Office Department. testified that
| he met Senator Conover in the street last
| August, the Ebbtt House. and had
| conversation with him in reference to an attack
made the character of both by a Mr.. Benson. Of
the Treasury Secret Service. Prior to the interview
had conversed with the Senator in relation to
| the Hot Springs matter Benson and another
employee of the Secret Service division of the Treas
| ury had called Mt the Post Office Department
and desired him to tell them all he knew about the
Hot Springs matter. One of them asked him whether
he had been to New York January in the interest
of certain parties in Washington; told him he had
| not; also informed him that he Johnson) not
at the Capitol the last night Of the session Tho
larger of the two said they had the afidavits of
three persons that he had been waiting around
| the hall of the Senate and had been
to take the paper from Mr.. Rice. Senator Conovers
| clerk. who told him to get away with it. Witness
| replied that it pack of damned lies and
suggested that there was some mistake about
| it. Witness went to Acting Postmaster General
| Tyner after this interview. and told him out
rageous attack had been made witness and
Senator Conover and asked leave of absence for
few days in order to investigate the nature Of the
attack did not ask who made the afdavits. for he
did not believe any had been made: had had CONVEX
sations with W. p. Rice in relation to the matter;
Rice characterized the whole story outrageous
tissue of falsehoods calculated and intended to in
jure Senator Conover: had no knowledge Of the alb
stracton Of the papers, and had said that lie
had.
Mr. W. p. Rice, of Pensacola, Fla clerk to the Sen
ate Committee on Enrolled Bills was next examined.
He stated that he had been clerk the committee for
three sessions; in the committee room on the
last night of the session Of Congress- Johnston
at the Capitol, if he recollects Alright during
the afternoon, but did him during the
night the sundry Civil Appropriation bin did not
come to the Committee Enrolled Bills at ALL it
taken by Captain Bassctt direct to the Presi-
dent of the Senate who had advised him that there
scarcely time for it to go through the committee
without necessitating another 1t nearly
seven o'clock A. N. when the bill came
Captain Isaac Bassett assistant doorkeeper of the
Senate next called. He had been employee of
the Senate weight years the Senate adjourned
at seven o'clock on the morning Of June 81; knew
nothing Of the Sundry Civil bill beyond that
received
the Senate and carried it to the President
who was in the Presidents room this was
five ten minutes before the adjournment of the
Senate; the bill not tied up as usual, but the
pages loose: did not take it to the Committee on
Enrolled Bills, because he could not find Mr. Con-
over; informed him after adjournment what he had
done. when Mr.. Conover told him he had been asleep
sofa; did not see Mr.. Rice any connected
with Mr.. Conovers committees; after the President
signs bill it is left with the President.
Mr.. Britt of the Secret Service Office was present
but asked to be permitted to have till Monday to
examine certain papers, which request granted.
and the committee adjourned to ten O'Clock Monday.
when Messrs Britt and Benson Of the Secret Service
division. will be examined.
THE FORTUNE BAY OUTRAGE.
An agent Of the Department of State who left here
for Boston time since to inquire into the cir
cumstances attending the attack on American fisher
men in Fortune Bay has returned. The fishermen
who have submitted demands for reclamation num-
Der, up to the present date. about eighteen. The
grounds upon which they base their claims and tho
nature and extent of their losses will from present
indications, form important and delicate subject
of negotiation with the British government and will
involve considerable sum Of money.
THE CHARGES AGAINST MINISTER SEWARD.
Representative Springcrs committee conducting
the investigation of charges against George f.
Seward, United States Minister to China, met
to-day for the purpose of cross-examining ex-
Consul General G. Wiley welles, who gave ties.
timony for the prosecution last summer. Judge
Merrick. however. counsel for Mr.. Seward
protested against proceeding with the
ton in advance Of being made acquainted with the
contents Of the deposition which had been received
| by the committee from DIR. Bethune McCartee stat
ing the purport OF sundry conversations his
in which he participated, together with Mcssrs
| ard and Bradford. Mr.. Coleman, in behalf Of Mr.
welles, insisted that DIR. McCartee's deposition
| ought not 70 be opened at this time. and
| the committee. after hearing argument. went
into secret session to determine the matter.
| When the doors rcopened the chairman an
nounced that the committee had decided place the
deposition in evidence Monday next in advance OF
| Mr.. Wells cross-examination. and adjournment
was taken until Monday at ten clock.
THE WEEKLY TREASURY STATEMENT.
/ The Treasury now holds $349 693, 500 in United
States bonds to bank circulation and
sl3ss 400 in United States bonds to secure public
deposits United States bonds deposited on account
of subscription to the four per cent loan 81 s42 $50
United states bonds deposited for circulation for the
week ending to-day, $i,looo0o; United States bonds
held for circulation withdrawn during the week end
ing to-day. 81 0ss5W. National bank circulation out
standngCurrcncy notes. 1921 979, 126; gold notes.
| 81, 4Gs. $40. tasl"r s.t.ts
NATIONAL BANK NOTE REDEMPTION
The receipts OF national bank notes for redemption
for the week ending to-day. compared with the cor
responding week last year, folows:-
| 1877. 1879.
New York................. s64i.O00 $475.00O
Boston .................... 2.074Wo $4,000
philadelphia. 1530OO $1,000
Miscellaneous. gl60W 54l 900
Totals ..-........... S3,1S90uO 1887 900
TUE TAXABLE CAPITAL OF NATIONAL BANKS.
The Treasurer Of the United States in a circular
concerning the method Of arriving the taxable cap
tal Of national banks does not admit that capital in
vested in United States bonds is to be ascertained by
taking the price paid for the bonds less the accrued
interest. prior TO tho Attorney Generals opinion OF
october II last but the Treasurer then stated in