The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-09-03
NATIONAL NOTES.

/ The Late Pension Agent at Philadelphia
Tsrdy In settiement-The Court of Ala
bams Claims Defended-Army Oficers-
P-nsionS.
WASHINGTON, August 29.-It is stated
at the Treasury Department that \. Wilson
Norris, late Pension Agent of Philadelphia,
is causing the accounting officer Of that
department no little trouble because of his
failure to forward his accounts for the
month of June last Mr.. Norris was re-
moved July I, and according to the Treas
urer's report, had up 10 July 81, failed to
account for advances amounting to S176,-
iii. Judge Williams Third Auditor of the
I Treasury, has several times requested the
agent to forward his accounts for examina-
ton, but so far Norris has not taken the
slightest notice of his letters. In making
his last formal request the Third Auditor
called Mr.. Norris attention to sections 1922
and 5491 OF the Revised Statutes. which
requires that all officers who hold public
funds for disbursement shall render a
monthly account within ten days after the
expiration OF each successive month, and
provide that officers who fail TO comply
Of enlightenment and subject to fine and I'M
prisonment. This letter, it is said. has pro-
duced TO better effect than its predecessors,
and the department officers are in some
what of a quandary as to how to proceed.
There are no mputatioHS against the sOifi-
cia integrity of Norris.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. August 29-ColOnel
Norris, expression agent being out of
town. Mr. Huckle, his clerk who has been
preparing the accounts of the pension Of
fee for the last month of his chiefs Occu-
pancy of the place, was seen last evening,
and said that only one letter had been re-
ceived from the department since Norris
left his position, and that within few
days. The S176.117 referred to in the
dispatch" said Huckle, never has been in
the possession of Colonel Norris nor could
ne draw against it. The money, as the
Deople at Washington know, is at the pres
snt moment in the Treasury Department.
1t is there to Colonel Norris credit, but he
could not now nor at any time since his re-
mOval draw against it. The money is 10
ais credit as disbursing officer, and rs he is
no longer such he has 10 power over it. or
course until the accounts are all in this
money remains technically to his credit and
ian not be covered into the Treasury until
the accounts are presented and audited.
The delay in presenting these accounts is
owing to the fact that they are being made
Up by Colonel Norris own clerks and are
very tedious. They will be sent down in a
few days"
WASHINGTON, August 29.-Judge Asa
=. French, of the Court of Alabama Claims,
arrived in the city to-day. Speaking in re-
gard to the recent decision of Comptroller
nI,ri, ba iaf tn no
light of the court to employ the necessary
assistants was considered when the old
court was organized, and it was decided
that they had the authority. The new
court was modelled upon the old with the
exception only that there were three Judges
instead of five. Secretary Fish, and suisse
luently Secretary Fre!inghuySen, Comp
roller Lawrence and the other officers hav-
ny charge of the accounts decided that the
court had the right to employ assistant
counsel and clerks. Judge CreSwell, the
special counsel, says tile question was
thoroughly discussed and the authority of
:he court conceded. 1t was impossible, he
said, for the court to do otherwise than en-
oOy assistant counsel to crOSS-eXamine wit
leSSeS i'll various parts OF the country He
says Secretary Fish at one time decided that
The United States Minister at Hawaiian
Islands could receive fees from the court
FOR services rendered as special counsel.
WASHINGTON, August Z9.--But three Of
he army officers affected by Secretary Enid
,ott's recent order, sending men on long
detached duty back to their regiments, have
complied with the Secretary'S instructions.
These are Captain William NJ. Wherry, CT
General Schofeld's staff, who has been on
detached service eighteen years and three
months: Lieutenant c. 3. SchOfield, OF
General Schofcld's staff, on detached duty
six yea and nine months, and Captain }.
:. Wharton. of General liancOck'S staff on
detached duty seventeen years. Several of
lie officers who have not complied with the
order have teIegraphed here asking that cX-
1eptiOnS be made in their cases, and their
friends in Washington have replied that no
exceptions will be made. 1t is reported
;rat some of the officers who have been on
.ong detached service will resign the army
before they will rejOin their regiments.
WASHINGTON, August 29.-The Treasury
Department has paid out about 100000 /
On account of pensions so far this month.
1t is therefore expected that the decrease
IF the public debt for August will not be as
arge as usual.