The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-03-12
The Hesitation of the British Government
in Requesting the Arrest of sheridan
The Sd b. B." Check Again.
Rumor that Edmunds Will Not Long
Retain the Senate Presidency.
Anxiety of the Populace to View the Ex-
pectant Bridegroom, David Davis
Notes and Gossip of the Capital.
A TREASURY RING.


An Investigation Probable Into the Office of
the Supervising Architect
National Republican, Saturday.
For several days vague and unsubstantial
rumors have been afoat to the effect that
Supervising Architect J. G. Hill would be
asked to resign, and that there would be
general shakingup of dry bones about the
Treasury Department. Yesterday it was
learned that charges had been preferred
against Mr.. Hill and perhaps a dozen others
in the Treasury Department, and that these
charges had been laid before Secretary Fol-
ger ten days or two weeks ago. The allega-
tions are said to be of a very serious charac-
ter, and in general terms it may be said that
they relate to the alleged operation of
combination or ring of building contract
ors and treasury officials Everybody who
knows or ought to know about them proved
to be very reticent when approached on the
subject. 1t is understood that the party
bringing the charges attacks the reputation
OF some very distinguished gentlemen, and
makes free with the names of persons of ma
tional reputation.
A reporter for the Republican last evening
met J. G. Mills, who has been employed to
lay the matter before the Secretary
II would willingly and even gladly put
the press in possession of all the facts" he
said, but Secretary Folger has asked me to
say nothing for the present, and cannot go
into particulars, | can only say that the
party l represent is a man of high standing;
that he is not in the department; that he has
no claim before the department.; that he is in
every way responsible, and that he makes a
specific charge of corruption, involving
quite number of persons in and out of the
Treasury Department, and covering period
of six or seven years"
rs he contractor
mo, he is not contractor and never was
contractor that l know of, although he has
large dealings with the contractors. l may
state, further, that the charges constitute an
attack upon treasury ring. Ny client is at
tempting 70 break up this ring He may or
may not make a success of it, but am salts
fed the Secretary will probe the matter
to the bottom The party. who brought
the abuses to his notice made it
condition that the inquiry should be
conducted by persons in whose integrity
there could be no question, and that the
persons accused should be suspended pend
ing the investigation. 1t is quite possible
that this court or commission of inquiry
has already been created. In fact, 1 think
steps in that direction have been taken, and
that the charges, specifications and accom-
panying papers and proceedings will be given
to the press the first of next week by the
Secretary"
"Your client is striking pretty near the
throne, is he not?'
"Yes, very near" was the reply.
SIS A. B. Mullett the man." asked the re-
porter, abruptly.
mo. He knows nothing about the
charges, though he may be called in as one
OF our witnesses to testify TO some matters
we think he may know about"
There is inside whispering to the effect
that eight or ten Quarry-owners are implica-
ted in the arraignment, including several
children of destiny in Massachusetts, Maine
and other States. What will come of the
charges or whether there will be any inuui-
ry is question that cannot now be answer
ed. Mr.. Millss client may be somebody or
he may be nobody He may have facts
to back up his allegation. or he may not.
Certain it is however, the charges have been
preferred, and that the Secretary is giving
them due consideration. If they are serious
enough to demand an investigation, it may
be stated with confidence that there will be
an investigaton-othe not.
DETAILS OF THE CHARGES.
Special to Commercial Gazette.
1t is understood that others are mentioned
besides Mr.. Hill who hold high and promi-
nent positions. The granite contracts from
the Maine quarries have long been the sub
ject OF investigation and comment, and the
movement of the Brooklyn bridge inquiry
of last summer in that direction is believed
to have resulted in sufficient discoveries to
turn attention to Washington. The names of
Perry Belmont, of New York, and ex-Con-
gresham Murch, of Maine, are mentioned
In connection with the charges fled as being
the persons who put them in motion. The
frie nds of Mr. Hill are confident that moth
ing corrupt can be proven against him, and
the supervising architect says he is anxious
for the closest scrutiny into all his official
acts