Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-01-16

THE WITNESS, ST. MARTIN, BEFORE COMMITTEE



The Potter investigation committee, Wnich,
on Tuesday. adjourned to half-past ten this
morning. did not commence proceedings until
nearly twelve O'Clock. Mr.. Morrison, in the
absence OF Mr.. Potter, who Is detained In New
York on account OF his OrOtaer-in-laWS Illness,
took the chair, and mentioned that the witness,
st. Martin, was present and could be called II
the committee desired it.
Mr.. Cox (OhiO) said he had received no nottii-
cation from Nj. Shellabarger as to whether he
desired the witness to be called or not. PGrnaFS
il would be as well to wait and hear what Mr.
ShellabaIger had to say about it.
Mr.. Reed observed that as 4 matter OF fairness
all around, the fact that st. Martins affidavit
was presented to the committee, ought 10 ap-
pear upon the printed record.
Mr.. M0rTiSOn.-There were no reporters
present at the time.
Mr. Springer could not see that anything had
transpired which did not appear in the report.
printed in the newspapers and yet does not an
pear in tie report OF the committees proceed
lngS.
Mr.. Cox suggested that the date of Mr. She,,a-
bargel'S letter and the offer OF the affidavit be
inserted on the minutes at the same time OH
serving 81 understood that we were to print all
the testimony and papers that come before the
committee. and nothing else; / am rather doubt
fu ii this is being carried out"
Mr. COX suggestion was agreed TO, and as MI
Sbellabarger did not arrive the committee ad
JouiHed subject TO tie call OF the chairman.
WORCESTERSHIRE President sentthe follow
ing nominations to the Senate to-day:-Cyrus
Harris collector of customs for the district of
Proyidence. r. l.: Henry o. Beatty. receiver of
pUDuc moneys, Sacramento, Cal; V. 7. McGilIy-
cUddy. or Dakota to be Indian agent at Red
Cloud agency. Dakota. PoStrnasters-Maine-
Alfred l. skinner at Bucksport; Allen Miller,
r., camden: Isaac II. Buitin, Wiscassit; VIM. H.
Emery. Fairfield. Nermont-GeOrge (. Garfield
at Bradford; Clas. NJ. Calvin North Bennin~-
Ton. Massachusetts-J. ii. Bardwell at East
Hampton; ChaS. II. Martin, Fair Haven: r. S.
MUM. Monson: r. l.. Pease, EdgartoWn: L. A.
Buck, aver. Rhode Island-E. A Perrin, Paw
1qchet; atd Connecticut-Mrs; Agnes Houston,
man. Mount Vernon; NJ. f. Gookln, Port Henry:
MoeeS \. iuff, Lyons.
The SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE met
this morning. The New York custom house
appointments were not alluded to. Mr.. ConS-
ling will send to MeSsrs Arthur and Cornell n
copy OF the charges made against them by Sec
retaTy sherman with reference to their manage
hleht OF Tie New YORK custom house. A sub
committee was appointed to consider the inter
STATE commerce (Reagan) bill. and learn the
views or persons who are favOrng and opposing
its passage.
HE PENSION BILL PASSED.-The Senate BY Il
vote OF yeas II, nays 4, passed this afternoon
The bill granting arrears OF pensions as it came
ITcM the House OF Representatives. without
amendment.
THE UTEs and Chief Joseph were again az the
Interior department to-day. The ties viii
leave the city on Saturday morning.
DISPOSITION TO IMPROVE THE SEWERAGE
There seems TO be decided disposition in Con-
gress TO meet any Well-deyeloped plan, with a
suffclent appropriation, to improve the sewer
age system Of the District. While it may not
De lLe TACT yet congressman are beginning to
think that the great mortality in their ranks is
attributable TO our defective sewerage system
ana Tor this reason there is no more opportune
the subject to Congress than the present.
1T HAS REEN DECIDED by the Third Assistant
Postmaster General that the authority to trans
nit Gel tain mail free of postage, is equivalent
10 prepayment, and entities such matter To all
tie advantages offered to mail uuon which
postage has been prepaid. The postmaster at
Washington has consequently been Instructed
10 receive for registry upon payment OF the
registry fees any books or documents that NAV
be emitted to go free OF postage under the
1rapkfng privilege.
DISCHARGES FhoM THE POSTAL SERyICE-It
has been already stated that as many as III dis
charges among postal clerks, route agents, &C.
in the railway mail service. must be made
bring the expenditures for the year within tn
Appropriation. From lists furnished by the d.
sion SuperintendentS, 93 discharges have
Deen made. The general superintendent OF Ill
railway mail service Is now compelled to cal
upon the division superintendentS for a1di-
uonal names from which to select some tfty
more VICTIMS.
GEN. b. +. BUTLER, president OF the board OF
managers OF the Soldiers Home at Hampton,
Va. was before the House committee on milf
tary affairs to-day, in support OF the managers
OF mat lnStltution.Who were charged with mis-
applOprlatlng the public moneys, and general
m'smanagement OF the affairs OF the home
Tue General expressed implicit confidence in
the officers named in the document containing
the charges, and urged the committee to in
VeSugate the matter thoroughly, in order
that the parties thus accused might be
eAonerated exc If for no other purpose.
The committee took no formal action upon the
question OF inquiry, but the views OF the ma
Jority appear to be that the charges do not
warrant an expenditure Of the public funds for
mat purpose. TWO members OF the sub-con-
mltlee SAID after The adjournment OF the se5-
sion to-day that in their Judgment no further
steps viii be taken in the matter
THE CONTEST IN THE SENATE OVER THE NEW
YORK APPoINTAENTs.-A communication was
laid before the Senate in executive session YES
terday, afternoon from Secretary Sherman on
the subject OF the New York custom house ap-
pointmentS, designed to show that the removals
OF Collector Arthur and Naval Officer Cornell
we've made for sufficient cause, and that there
fore, the confirmation OF the present nominees
should not be resisted on the ground that inil.-
tice was done to their predecessors. The com
mun1cation embOdieS sundIy reports made To
the Secretary, and other extracts from the con-
nGcntial records OF the Treasury department
asserting or indicating that MeSsrs. Arthur and
cornell failed to administer their Office with
The degree OF efficiency considered requisite by
the department. Their failure TO take action In
regard 10 the extensive smuggling OF SILK goods
ard the differentiation of Kid gloves, &c. is
commented upon, and placed in contrast with
lhe measures lnaugurated and pushed to an is
sue satisfactory to the government by their sue
ceSsorS In Office. At the conclusion OF the read
ing OF secretary Sherman's communication Sell
ator Conkiing took the floor and made an earn
esI speecn, defending MesSrS. Arthur and Cor
neil from the charges OF inefficency, and de-
EouhCinS tne charges as pretenceS and after
thoughts put forth by the administration In an
tIoft 10 Justify action, which was wholly un-
warranted on civil service grounds and prompt
eu merely by personal or partisan considera-
IONS. After remarks 10y MeSSrS Thurman and
EdmundS, the communication and accompany
ing papers Were on motion OF Mr.. Conkling re-
ieIieu 10 the committee on commerce, and the
Senate adjourned
During the discussion Senator Conkling spoke
ol W lhe President as 'Mr. Hayes" and Secre-
1ary sherman as ''Mr. Hayes clerk" Senator
thurman jocosely observed that he was sorry
10 see the Senator from New York lacking in
respect to the highest officer in the government
aLd ADDED that be felt it his duty to defend any
gentleman from Ohio who might be aSSailed in
the senate. 81 ask the Senator to observe that
nave not as sailed any gentleman from Ohio
Tetorted Senator Conkling. ''Aiy remarks have
simply been in reference TO the conduct OF Mr.
Hayes"
1HE MCGARRAHAN CLAIM AGAiN.-The Hous,
committee on public lands to-day heard Judge