New-York tribune., 1883-06-04
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.
THE OTTMAN COMPROMISE.
ABOUT CASE WHICH THE ATTORNEY
GENERAL IS TO EXPLAIN
iBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRTBUsE.l

FURTHER ABOUT CASE WHICH THE ATTORNEY
GENERAL IS TO EXPLAIN.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUgE.l
WAsHIyGToN, June 3.-The statement is made
that the name OF ex-Congressman Richard Crowley
does not appear on any of the papers relating 10
the Ottman case which are on file in the Depart
ment of Justice. This thought to be strange, IN
view Of the fact that Mr.. Crowley acted
for Ottman by virtue of a power OF at
torney to which George Bliss was the witness.
As Ottman's attorney Mr. Crowley engaged to do
certain Things, among which was to recover and
receive from the Treasurer of the United States
certain moneys which Ottman alleged belonged to
HIM. 1t is understood to be held that Mr.. Crowley
did not violate section 1,7S2 of the Revised
Statutes by contracting to take fec
from Ottman in his case, because the
matter was one pending in the courts and not bo-
fore any department or bureau of the Government.
Nevertheless the case settled by the two agents
of the Department of Justice-Mr. Crowley acting
for the defendant and Colonel Bliss for the Gov
ernment.
1t may be worth while here to quote the substance
of section 1882. which provides that
no Senator, Representative, etc, ''shall
receive or agree TO receive any compen-
sation whatever. directly or indirectly,
for any services rendered to be rendered. to any
person, either by himself or another in relation to
any proceeding, contract claim controversy,
charge accusation, arrest or other matter or thng
In which the United States is party directly or
indirectly interested, before any department. court
martial, bureau, officer or any civil, military or
naval commission whatever" The penalty for
violation of this law Is fine and imprisonment, and
the guilty person Is also disqualified from holding
any Federal Office of honor, trust or profit.
1t being the intention Of the Attorney General TO
furnish full statement of the Oltman comprO-
mise" foI publication within day or two there
can be no improperly III anticipating his action by
publishing at once copy of the release executed
by Ottman. tho original OF which is nov ON lilo
IN the Department OF Justice. 1t is as follows
supreme Court, District OF Columbia; Uni
ted States against William ii, Ottmah;
Circuit Court, Eastern District OF virginia Umi's1
states against william H. Otnan Ia CONSIDERATION 0.
the discOntnuance of the abovecnttled action ana OF
the abandonment o. the United states oi the 1alis Is
serted therein, william H. OtIman hereby release anu
discharge United States, s officers aud agents. anu
the Commissioners OF the District of Columbia ana the
officers and AGENTS OF sai commissioners ana m u uno
government oi said District, from any ana a!l claims
BY my and imprisonment, or by reason
oi the seizure and attachment Of my property. and rom
all clam for damages against tuem or either OF theuand
seizure aud detention OF money, bills and properly DC
longing me- hereby transfer ana act over 70 the
Gnllan. Of the United states. deposited wtn
nim with other moneys ny tue coinlssohers % I' pd tlo
District OF Columbia. ths twenty third Oh day Dece
Der, 1879. ,
This release is dated June 3, 1882. is signed by
William II. Ottman and IL witnessed by 6eorge
Bliss The consideration in behalf OF the Govern
| ment WAS q discontinuancc OF the suits against
| Gilman and an Abandonment by the United States
of It., claims TO its own money-eXcept @lZ''oo-
which Ottman's attorney generously agreed to
hermit the Government 10 retain. II may be noted
fh,t loth the mower Of attorney ana the release
! bear the same date--Junc J. lss2. Inc compTonlse
| appears 20 have been quickly and quietly enecteu,
as perhaps was 20 be expected IN view oil the iact
| Ibst th,. oppo-ing interests represented by
/ officers OF lac same Department..
IL is understood that another consideration III
hehaif OF Ottman not mentioned In the release was
III removal of his picture from the Once oi the
secret service division of the Treasury Department,
where II had hung for some time among 'hose VI
| offenders against the law.
| THE ATTORNEY -GENERAL's INTERFERENCE
The right of the Attorney General to interfere III
the Ottman case at all is questioned. 1t Is asserted
that the Solicitor of the Treasury IS the only law
| officer of the Government who has authority TO
| instruct lin matters and proceedings pertain
| ing TO suits in which the United States Is
! n party IN interest" under section 370 OF the Re
vised statutes The first knowledge the Solicitor
! of the Treasury had Of the Ottman compromise ="
was through the publication in THE TRIBUNE OF
last Monday. The stolen money was found In
closet by detectives of the District Government and
turned over to the District Commissioners
| who deposited il with tho United states
Treasurer for safe keeping. 10 get 70 OUT OF ,he
Treasury Commi ssiOncr Morgan called last OotoDer
signed n receipt aud turned tho money over to the
! Attorney General. who covered Sl27OO OF the
amount back into the Treasury. retaining the bal
ance his was an irregular proceeding, 1t is as
| serted, us the District Commissioners had no au-
| thority to pay any money TO any one without an
order from the Court.
mo reason under Heaven" said prominent law
officer of the Government today, can be gwen for
tLis most scandalous compromise Either the Gov
ernment owned the money or Ottman did
II it belonged TO him he has
been robbed OF Sl2,70O; If IL belonged
TO the Government, the United States has been
robbed second time" There Is SAID to be still on
deposit IN Alexandria an additional $1,000 depos-
tied by Ottman in the German Bank OF that city.
The Government has "A suit pending for the recovery
of this money. So lar as known 10 the Solicitor OF
the Treasury no effort at compromise had Dceh
made m this branch of the case. The release exc
cuted by Ottoman, however. shows 1t to have boon
,l.1