The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-20
GENERAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 10. 1879.

TROUBLE IN THE INDIAN OFFICE.
Owing to difference Of opinion regarding the
transaction of certain business of the Indian Office
Mr.. William NJ. Leeds the chief clerk of that Office
has been suspended from duty for thirty days. dur
ing which time there will be an investigation into
the existing difficulties The authorities at the H.
terror Department very reticent concerning the
affair. Rumors were in circulation that other Off
Gals belonging to this office trouble. but this
is positively denied by the higher officials of the
department.
PETITIONS POURING INTO CONGRESS.
Since the decision of the Supreme Court of the
United States sustaining the Anti-Polygamy law Of
Congress applicable to Utah there has been in
crease of petitions from women in all parts of the
country asking Congress to make effective the Anti
Polygamy law of 1862. The Committees the
Judiciary have charge of the subject.
Petitions also received in increased number
asking for the prevention of the adulteration of
of the adulteraton of food
ALABAMA ELECTION rRouBLEs-ARREsr OF
UNITED STATES oFF1cIAIs-coNFL1cr BETWEEN
FEDERAL AND STATE COURTS.
Information has been received at the Department
of Justice of the arrest by warrant Of State NUM-
cipal authority in Alabama. Of United States Dis
shall Turner. the latter being now in jail.
and the former having been released on
writ of habeas corpus issued by United States Dis
trict Judge Bruce. The circum stances are that
municipal or State court in Selma issued subpGnas
to District Attorney Mayer. Marshal Turner and Mr..
Dimmock, Clerk Of the Court. commanding them to
appear bring before the ballot boxes and ballots
used in the elections of last November These
ballot boxes and ballots at the time i'll question
being used by the Grand Jury of the United States
Circuit Court, sitting at Montgomery evidence in
certain therein. pending the finding of indict
ments for violations of the election laws of the United
States. The State Court assumed that they
quired by it at Selma for similar in certain
cases of violation Of the State election laws. The
officers made due return to the process served upon
them, the effect that the ballot boxes and ballots
were not in their possession under their personal
control, but were in the custody of the United
States Circuit Court When the process had been
thus returned to the State Court the Judge
of the latter instantly issued wrs of attachment for
the bodies Of Mayer and Turner, and directed their
commitment for contempt. District Attorney Mayer
at this juncture telegraphed to Attorney General
Devens for instructions and advised to prepare
himself for release under writ Of habeas corpus
in the event Of the execution Of the threat arrest
him. This he did. and being arrested at Huntsville
last Saturday, whittier he had gone in attend
ance on his ofncial duty, he was released on
writ issued by Judge Bruce. But Marshal
Turner, who not thus forearmed. was
arrested and committed to Jail. At the latest ac-
counts he was yet in custody. and, under the
laws of the State regulating commitments for
contempt Of the State courts. would re-
main in confinement for 1--WE days. sub
ject to immediate recommitment as soon
as released for another FIVE days long the con-
tempt rests against him. Meanwhile the ballot
boxes and ballots remain in possession of the Court
and the in which they to be used evidence
has been adjourned until April.
THE NEW YORK NoMINATIoNs-AN ADBuNrsTRA-
TON VIEW
The Republican Of tomorrow will print the follow
ing upon the subject Of tho New York nomina-
TONS
It is now very generally conceded that the New
York Custom House nominations will be eventually
confirmed. No action will be had in the premises
however, until after reply has been
received from Collector Arthur by the Senate
Conference Committee to the charges alleged
against him in the Executive Message sent to the
Senate last Wednesday, These charges capable OF
ready and satisfactory explanation In the opinion of
Senator Conkling and his friends and IL they
explained the rejection Of the pending nominations
But 10 is confidently believed in administration
circles that they cannot be easily answered dis
posed Of Among them is explicit charge that owing
TO General Arthur's remssness the government lost
S3.0O0,000 per annum on silks and $6,0O0,0OO
sugars Although it Is proper to add that portion
of this loss sugars is not directly chargeabe to
the New York Custom House.