Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-01-14

WASHINGTON. Jan. 13.--Mr. Davis of Hi
nois, occupied the chair when the house
was in committee of the whole on the for
tifcation bill to-day, and made the quick
est time on record in the disposal of the
bill. A measure which usually occupies
one day went through the committee in
fifteen minutes. An effort is to be made
to get action on the bill extending the
bonded period on whisky. Mr.. Butter
worth has already made an effort, but twas
met with objections from White. DR..
Rush, in conversation with your CORE
spondent to-day, said there was little hope
that the effort to get action to-day would
be successful, as much opposition to the
measure is manifest.
1t was understood at the treasury de
partment to-day that there was a bitter
feeling between Secretary Folger and So
licitor Raynor, growing out of the Roths-
child cases. The secretary had decided
on a settlement which would imply the
discontinuance of the pending suit, but
the solicitor refuses, on technical grounds,
to give the necessary order to the district
attorney at Detroit The facts of the case
briefly stated are that the Rothschilds and
one Simpson established a tobacco busI-
ness in Detroit, with branch establishments
at Chicago and Cincinnati. They were to
deal largely in imported tobacco, and in
giving bonds for the tax and duties each
went security for the other. By the con-
nivance of revenue storekeeper in De-
troit, who was afterward convicted and
sentenced TO the penitentiary, the import
ers were able to substitute American to-
baceo for the Havana article then in bond,
and in that way perpetrated frauds on the
government to the amount of $4,000.
They also operated the same game to
smaller extent in Chicago. Civil and Grim
inal suits were instituted, and in all the
latter the parties were fined. 1t was after
ward arranged between the parties to COM
promise by paying $4,000. The defend
ants have paid all but $1,000. Solicitor
Raynor refuses to accept the balance of
the money and release the parties, unless
they pay $1,000 additional. The explana-
tion made of Solicitor Raynors persever-
aHce, is that Mrs. Mosly undertook some
months ago to blackmail him into a settle
ment. She scraped an acquaintance with
the solicitor and his family, and, as the
story goes, got possession of certain pa
pers. She then proposed to settle the diff
ference for $4,000, one-half to be paid to
the government and the other half she
would keep herself. Raynor refused, and af-
ter a very stormy interview, forcibly elected
the woman from the treasury building. On
this account he is disinclined to make any
concession, and it remains to be seen what
Secretary Folger may do.
FITz JOHN PORTER.
There is a very well-authenticated story
to the effect that even if the bill for the re-
lief of Fitz John Porter gets through the
house, it stands no chance of becoming a
law. A cabinet officer is reported as say
ing last night that the president will veto
the bill if it ever reaches him. According
to the statement of the cabinet officer in
question, the Fitz John Porter matter has
been discussed several times at cabinet
meetings, and each member of the cabinet
has expressed himself very freely with re-
gard to the case. .Onlyone member, Secretary
FrelinghUysen, is a friend of Porter. Frel-
inghuysen is from the same state Porter
is. Secretary Folger is rather inclined to
favor Porter. He says, however, that in
his opinion President Hayes had no au-
thority to appoint the Schofeld board of
inquiry, and that the finding of that board
is not to be considered in arriving at
conclusion in the case. In Mr.. Folgers
opinion the testimony taken by the Scho-
field board is of no more value than so
much talk between gentlemen. He is
nevertheless inclined to think that Porter
is entitled to the relief for which he asks,
The president is quoted as saying the vote
in the senate shows harmonious action
between the Northern Democrats and
the ex-confederates. He not only does
not think Fitz John Porter was
unjustly convicted, but if the time should
ever come when he is called upon to act in
the case, he will not be found supporting
this united action of the Democrats. The
cabinet officer in question says that the
president has given great deal of atten-
tion to the Porter case, and has followed
the evidence closely. His mind is made
up. he will act as his party has acted
against Porter. Another reason is alleged
why he will not favor Porter. 1t is that if
he should sign bill giving relief to Porter
the whole country would Immediately say
that he had been Influenced by Grant
While the president is on very happy
terms with Grant, he is very SEN
sitive about having it said that
he is Grants man. However. if the
house passes the bill Fitz-John Porter will
have accomplished far more than he ex-
pected few years ago. All he wants is
the stain removed from his good name.
The favorable action of both houses of
congress will about do that. The fact that
President Arthur granted Porter a remis-
sion of the unexecuted portion of his SEN