Daily globe., 1879-01-27


"ry Probable-Butler Still Figuring to
Hurl His McFea.h Commission Brick
Synopsis of the Report of the Boone
Wing of the Indian Transfer Committee
Miscellaneous
Special Telegram to the GlobeI
WASHINGTON, Jan 26.-Mr. Finley, chairman
of the committee printing of the House.
has prepared report emhodying the result OF
the committees work in investigating the gov
eminent printing office. The report shows, in
substance that under the present system the
government printer draws from the treasury
an aggregate sum Of 1882, month; that
he accounts for that money by vouchers Of ma
teriats purchased aud by receipted pay rolls,
but that IN his settlement with the treasury
ne renders no account Of the disposition which
ne makes of the property purchased. That the
funds appropriated to their use have simply
credit with the public printer and that he
draws the money, does the printing
and charges them such prices as he
sees tit, and as result the departments
complain of being orercharged. That having
the power to charge the departments such
sums AS he may fit, he has the power to ex-
naust an appropriation and also of creating a
surplus which he can use, in charging little
less than ordinary printers for Congressional
work, Or Tor such printing and binding for out
side purposes as he may see fit. The committee
recommend the passage Of a bill to give the de-
ptrtments control of their own appropriations
Tor printing, with provision that they shall
let 1t out by advertisement for proposals, and
that the public printer shall bid with the out
side parties, thus giving the departments
an opportunity to get their printing at
the lowest possible figure.
PENSION ARREARS BILL.
President Hayes signed the pension arrear-
ages bill yesterday. He said at the time the
bill! passed that he looked upon it as doing SUBJ
stantial justice to the soldiers, but regretted
extremely that it appeared upon the stage at
Just this time, in view of the enormous expe1.-
dlture it entailed. This expenditure cannot be-
gin until an appropriation has been made. as it
has been officially announced that no payment
will be made under or account of the bill
till Congress makes a specific appropriation for
the purpose. The appropriation Of 1926, 600, 600
already made for pensions being devoted to the
payment OF claims recognized by previous leg
islation it beg ins to look if the work of rails
ing the money to meet this Increased war debt
would fall the first Democratic Congress,
which meets next December, twenty years since
tbs last one sat in the capitol. 1t is almost
certain that the present Congress will make no
appropriation. Mr. Atkins, chairman of the
commistee on appropriations, OF the
few men who voted against the bill in the
House. The members of the committee are
not in tho least disposed to wipe out the entire
record for economy built up in the past few
years BY appropriating some $50 GOO,OC0.
The estimated receipts for the next fiscal
year show deficit of $40 700, 900 under the
most favorable circumstances and reckoning
the balance Of the Geneva award which does
not belong to the government. AS govern
ment property of statutory payments to the
sinking fund are suspended, the government
could pass the next year with a surplus of $lO,-
OOO,CCO provided the ordinary revenues proves
elastic. In any case the margin will be small
one, and 1t would be Impossible to pay the
pension arrearages out of the appropriations
already made. The current criticism on the
passing Of the bill has surprised and alarmed
many Congressman, and the bill has received
very earnest study with view Of seeing
whether any amendment can be made to lessen
its evils. 1t is probable that a bill will be in
troduced making the payment date from the
time the pensioner is disabled and on consulta-
ton with Senators it was found that such a
bill would be passed through by the upper
chamber without doubt. Amendments may
also be proposed in regard to other particulars,
partially to close the door so widely thrown
open.
THE II vEAGH COMMISSION.
My dear Pitkin and Gen. Butler have been
in close consultation the last two or three
weeks upon certain facts Of the Potter inyesti-
CATION that Gen. Butler has been very anxious
to develop ever since the committee was organ
lied. He has used every opportunity possible
to bring out the history Of the McVeagh COM
mission to Louisiana, and If possible prove all
the facts in the alleged bargain made at that
time between the agents Of Mr.. Hayes and the
agents of Nichols. Gov. Pitkin has been here
for d long time struggling to get office, and
,jol
that he should desire to get even with
the administration. and he has been supply
ring Gen. Butler with some points. It can be
said upon authority of a gentleman intimately
connected with Gen. Butler, that he has in his
possession evidence going to show that the
money that was needed for the successful
manipulation of the Packard legislature. Gen.
Butler proposed to subpoena Associate Justice
Harlan, of the supreme court, Wayne Nc
Veagh, Judge Lawrence, of Chicago and Gen.
lIawley, members OF the McVeagh commission.
and Gov. Nichols and his immediate asso-
ciates. Gen. Butler has an idea that he will
be able to clearly demonstrate that these men
last named knew the money was used, and
source from whence it came. He thinks that
perhaps it will be picturesque incident in
the Butler investigation to have on the
of the supreme court, called to testify to
alleged bribery of a Republican Legislature in
the interest of a local Democrat EMPLOYING
furnished by lottery company. The
means of Gen. Buffers flank movement upon
Louisiana politicians has created great excite
ment among them, and it is expected his policy
will result in one Of two things, either an in
teresting sensation from the Butlerian stand
point or that the whole matter will die out
and Pitkin get good office. Mr.. Pitkin is
holding himself in that easy and ready shape
of the average louisiana politician, so that he
at the last moment trade off his Va HI le
repository of LOUISIANA information for any
thing the administration may have at hand
and is willing to give him.
GEN. EWING.
John Brisbin Walker, editor of the S11ada!
Republican, has had an interview with Gen
Ewing, in which the latter outlines what he
thinks will be the future Democratic pro-
gramme. He says the masses of Democrats are
in hearty accord with the Nationals in their two
great ideas-unlimited coinage of the old silver
dollar, and the substitution of legal tenders
Nationals, I have no doubt, will come together
and believe it will be done by the National
Democrats early in 1880, by putting those two
propositions in one National platform, anc
nominating man for President who really
stands on that platform. Gen. Ewing says ht
does not want the governorship Of Ohio. Tht
Republican nominee will be either Garfield
Sherman or Foster. As to the Presidential
candidate in 1880, he thinks it will be between
Blaine, Sherman and Grant. The genera
thinks his party will not be suicidal as t.
take up the cry Of paper money unconstitu
tonal.
INDIAN TRANSFER.
On the vote on the Indian transfer question
yesterday the Senatorial side of the committe
was two to one against, while the House sid
was three to two in favor Of transfer. By tn
rules and usages of joint committees, the de