Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-29
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

(Cmmittfe~ Sefftfefy tteefurfs hts>t"h'
IRON our Regular Correspondence
WASHINGTON. January 2S.--Gen-
ersl Bazen, chief signal officer, has
Gotten himself into good deal Of trou-
lie from time TO time since he as
mnsd charge Of that very useful branch
Of the service lin ls80), but be has al
WAYS managed TO save his Official head
in some way. The Second Comptroller
Of the Treasury has just issued
printed memorandum covering nine
pages Of letter-sheet relating to the adj
iustment and disbursement of the ac-
counts Of the signal-sergice for the pc
Rod covered by the incambency
Of General Ilszen. In this il
appears violations Of law have
been the rule throughout tie whole
term. The Comptroller specifies the
instances in which there have been mis-
appropriation Of appropriations, un
authorized contracts for supplies, large
amounts for furniture, rugs, &c., paid
out of the appropriation for the obser-
vation and report Of storms, detectives
employed without authority Of law,
large accounts for construction Of tele-
graph lines without anything to show
where they are or what became OF them,
buildings erected and others leased in
Washington contrary to law, illegal al
lowances Of pay to officers and men,
the maintenance of a printing Office, and
many other violations Of Law and army
regulations, far too numerous to be
even referred 10 in this correspondence.
The Comptroller's memorandum is
issued for the guidance Of officials in
the department in passing upon the ac-
courts OF the Signal Office; but it is
likely TO make q stir outside Of the
Treasury Department, and may lead to
smother court-martial in which General
Hszen may be the chief figure. A re-
solution authorizing congressional in
yestigation was introduced to-day.
The three Democratic members of
the Committee on Invalid Pensions
who voted with the Republicans in
favor Of extending until 1888 the limit
of time within which claims for arrears
of pensions may be filed have been
urged by some Of the Democratic lead
ers to retrace their steps. This may be
done at the meeting Of the committee
tomorrow, as the Commissioner OF
Pensions has furnished an estimate that
the project would add hundreds Of mil
lions to the charges upon the Treasury.
OF course, that would blight the hopes
Of the tariff reformers.
At the meeting Of the Ways aud
Means Committee this morning Mr..
Morrison handed to Mr.. Hewitt for ex-
animation a tariff bill covering about
forty pages OF manuscript. Mr.. Hewitt
says there is too much ad ralorem in
it, which would seem to indicate that
his first impressions Of Mr.. Morrison's
new tariff project are not favorable to
an agreement between the two tariff
leaders.
Mr.. Randall remarked to-day that
the Free Traders would probably bring
in a bill, but they don't mean to do
any harm.
Secretary Of the Commonwealth Flour
nov had interviews with the Secretary
Of War yesterday and again to-day in
regard to the executive journals Of Vir-
ginia Of the years from 1861 to 1865,
inclusive. which he desires to have re-
turned to the State, leaving copies in
the War Department. The Secretary
has directed that Colonel Flournoy be
furnished with list of the State docu-
ments that are in possession of the De-
partment, and there is hope that his
mission may be successful.
Mrs. Barbour, wife Of Hon. John S.
Barbour, about whom there was some
alarm yesterday, is recovering from the
effects Of the accident.
Ii is understood that Mr.. George
Laferty, son of Rev. DR.. Latierty, will
be appointed one Of the two official
stenographeTs to committees. The ap-
pOintments to these places are made by
the Speaker. The salary is $4,000 a
year, and there is nothing to do when
Congress is not in session.
Colonel Trigg has experienced good
deal Of trouble in procuring from the
Treasury Department the data in rela-
ton to Virginia claims that was needed
for use in preparing the report to be
submitted to the committee next week.
But he has succeeded after spending
two hours day for several consecutive
days.
Colonel Cabell has secured a good
place in the coast survey for Colonel
Henry Eaton Coleman, Of Pittsylvania,
who is an accomplished engineer and
draughtsman. lie will be located at
Washington.
William Randolph and Johnston
Jones. of Asheville, N. c., are in the
city.
Postmasters' commissions we're is
sued to-day TO Alice Mustoe, at Hot
Springs, Va, and Jonathan Weather.
holtz, at Printz Mill, Page county.
The latter is new one.