The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-04-24

quest. but Bliss insisted upon a full
compliance with the require
ments of the original contract
in one instance claiming i,
allowed him to charge for arguments
a sum IN excess of 800 per day, which
| refused to grant, and on the 4th OF
November, 1882, he wrote a letter
threatening to withdraw from the
case if his account was not paid
While the cases were in progress ]
thought it injudicious to insist upon
the concessions, which would bring
about the withdrawal of Bliss. Idon't
think the amount received by Merrick
and Kerr excessive, or out of proper.
ton to that paid in cases even of less
magnitude between private par.
| ties. In the fir t trial OF the
cases against Dorsey ct. al, !
personally appeared in court as
| often as my other duties would per-
nit, and followed the case with care
| from day to day, and made the closing
| argument before the court and jury.
Two of the defendants were con-
victed on the first trial, but the irreg-
ularity and incongruity of finding the
subordinates guilty, and failing to
| convict the organizers and general
| conspirators-those who made the
| whole gain, and those who set on foot
the whole scheme to rob the govern
ment-was so manifest that the YER
dict was set aside upon motion by the
government. On the second trial
| Kerr was acquitted. The public men
who were involved in these cases were
| not on their trials before these juries
| alone. They were on their trials before
! the people of the United States, and
they were convicted by the common
Judgement of the whole country.
They are not punished by imprison-
! ment, but they had better be in prison
than now at large, objects of scorn
| and aversion. These prosecutions
have not been without their useful
ness either. Ihaye been informed by
| the post-office that they have saved
the government in that department
/ alone 100000 per annum. Their
effect has been to deter all adventures
to throng about the department
in Washington, and some officials
have assured me- before these cases
were began the halls of the postoffice
department were swarming with these
dishonest jobbers. They are there no
more, for the wholesome terror of
these trials have expelled them. The
thoroughneSS of these Investigations
has made it plain that there is no
place so high that it can become a
a sanctuary for thief or public
jobber. (Signed)
BENJAMIN II. BREWSTER,
Attorney General.
WASHINGTON, April 17.-Ex-Sena-
tor Mcdonald was formally an
|-nounced candidate for the presi-
dency by the Indiana democratic as
ISOLATION of this city tonight. Rep
resentative Cobb offered the follow
ing resolution
Whereas, the name of the Hon. j.
e. Mcdonald, of Indiana, has been
prominently mentioned as a fit and
available candidate for the presidency,
therefore,
Resolved, by the Indiana democratic
association at Washington, that
we recognize in the Hou. j.
e. Mcdonald patriot stat man
and democr who has ever been
faithful to his party and his country !;
that in the Judgment of this associa-
tion the nomination of Mcdonald for
president by the democratic national
convention would establish harmony
in the party throughout the country,
and result in success to democratic
principles ut the approaching presi-
Dental election.
Senator VOORHEES, made speech in
support of the resolution, which was
unanimously adopted.
WASHINGTON, April 16.-Mr. A. E..
Bateman, OF the firm of Bateman 81
Co, bankers of this city, to-day filed
with the secretary of war letter in
which he says: 1t becomes my duty
to prefer charges against Brigadier-
General Swain, at the head of
the bureau of military justice,
United States army for fraud and for
conduct unbecoming an officer and
gentleman. 1 stand ready to prove
th at said D. q. Swain has committed
fraud to all intents and purposes upon
the banking house of Bateman & Co.,
of which l am member. Some
two years ago, said d. G. Swain, having
deposited the sum of 5000 received
on his departure for the west, simple
due bill at his request, to have in case
that accident should befall him. This
amount was checked out subsequent
to that date by said d. E. Swain,
for which we have a num-
Der of vouchers. After having
drawn all the money out, and settle
ment being made, he negotiated and
transferred the due bill for its full
amount with certain parties in this
city. I am further ready to prove
that said Swain assisted to nego-
tiate certain army pay vouch--
ers with our firm, which he
knew to be fraudulent. and merely
triplicateS of outstanding accounts.
l ask that court martial be ordered
for the trial of said Swain on the
charges preferred. / desire, when 1T
is ordered, to amend this by present.
ing other charges under the head OF
conduct unbecoming an officer and
gentleman
/ am, very respectfully,
A. E. BATEMAN.
To his honor the SECRETARY of War
WASHINGTON, April second
Assistant Postmaster-Gen III. d.
Lyman was examined before the
Springer committee to-day with rela-
ton to claims against mail contractors
for fraudulent over charges. He said
the Saulsburys were anxious to
procure an arbitration, but the govern
ment declined. He said in 1843
routes, where expeditions were made
which had been Investigated, there
was a large amount of fraud. The
whole amount on forty-three expedi-
lions was $2,172,832. The governor
meant to sue for the whole amoi1n of
the money known to be stolen on
these expeditions. He Thought not
expeditions could be made safel yum
der the expiring law, the law
being very imperfect. This
he thought, should be amended.
WASHINGTON, d. c., April 49, The
anniversary of signing the emanciipa-
ton proclamation was celebrated by
the colored folks OF the district to-
day by a procession that eclipsed in
all particulars any that ever preceded.
It would be difficult to estimate
the exact number in line, but it GER
tainly approached 10000. The militia
ry display was exceedingly creditable,
and the religious, social and other or
ganiZatlons were in line, either on
horseback, in carriages, or on foot
The streets were thronged, and many
houses decorated with flags, and
the city has a holiday appearance
| WASHINGTON, April 16.-Thehoust
committee on coinage, weights an6
measures to-day unanimously In
structed Representative Lacey to re
port favorably his bill to prohibit thu
| issue of treasury notes less than fiv'
| dolIara- aud nr0vida for tho isaua n