New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-04-15
my TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. /


NER
lBY rELEoRArH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
WASHINGTON. April 14.-Some members Of the
House of Representatives arc beginning to realize
the fact that so far as general legislation is
cerned Congress has practically wasted four months
and half, and that 1t ought now to begin to do
something,
In the House to-day, Mr. Harris. of Virginia.
called up his resolution providing that, beginning
with next Monday. tho House should meet ut IL
o'clock instead of at noon.
Mr. Harris made q statement showing that there
are now on the calendar thousand different bills
and resolutions awaiting action. Every day on
which committees are called for reports adds from
fifty to one hundred bills to this already overbur-
dened calendar, while in the House business drags
in an uncxampled manner. For example, the Re-
funding bill, which was reported by Mr.. Wood
from the Committee of Ways aud Means two
months ago. was made special order for the first
Tuesday in March, and from day to day until dis
posed Of to the exclusion of all other business eX-
cept Appropriation bills. During the Six weeks IN
which this special order has been in force, tho
House has devoted exactly one day to the consider
atlOn of the Rofunding bill, and that day was ono
Saturday when the House was in session for debate
only and when not half quorum was present.
Tie calendar shows that the committees have
been Industrious. aud they have already cut out
more work than Congress can complete III hve
At the prebCuG TAJo VI plOBLtsS'
INVESTIGATING THE DRAWBACK RING.
NOCTURNAL VISITORS AT rHR OFFICE OF THE DIS
rRICr coMMlssIoNERs-uNLA DISCRETION
ALLOWED cLERK-TEsTgMONY FOR THE GRAND
JURY.
fpY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIDUEE1
WASHINGTON, April 14.-SOme interesting testi-
monv was taken to-day by the House Committee on
the District of Columbia in its investigation of the
issue of drawback certificates by the District Com
mIssioners.
According to the testimony of the custodian OF the
building occupied by the District Commissioners, he
kent n record Of the names OF all persons admitted
TO the building at night. IL appears that among the
constant night visitors to tho building in Septem-
ber. October and November 1879. were two brokers
who have been doing heavy business in drawback
certificates.
On being asked how the brokers were occupied
duuug these night visits the witness replied: :
"Ihey we're sitting at the table working at papers,
apparently engaged in the same work that the
clerks OF the office were engaged in"
This night work seems to have been quite ex-
bansting for the same witness testified rs follows:
{" 1t occurred frequently while tho brokers were in
the Office at night that baskets OF champagne and
Refreshments were brought in. don't know who
paid for these refreshments. Such was
never brought In for the clerks at night except
when the brokers were in the Office"
It appears that tho brokers were accustomed to
visit tue building all hours Of the night and on Sun
days. aud that they had free access to the public
records during those visits. On these occasions the
District Commissioners were represented by Mr.
Beall, clerk in charge of special improvements, ana
by Mr. Roome chief clerk of the engineers depart
ment of the District. The latter gentleman testified
to-day that he did not know who paid for the wine
and lunches and TINT he did not care, ..
The District Committee concluded the taking. OF
testimony to-day. It is understood that portion
of the evidence taken will be turned over to tho
6istrict-Attorney, and that the attention of the
Grand Jury will be called 10 1t.
Mr, Roome appears to have been allowed to ex-