Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-08-21
FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondence Of the Alexandria Gazette
WASHINGTON. Aug. 81

rian SpotfOrd, which nave been unuer
investigation by the Auditor OF the
Treasury for the State and other de-
partments since last January, are said
10 show shortage of at least $35, 900.
This shortage is said to exist in the pay
roll accounts of the library, and in sd-
dition TO this is the discrepancy in the
copyright and search fee accounts. The
accounts have been examined by an ex-
pert in the Office of Auditor Holcomb,
and his report is believed to have been
carried to President Cleveland at Buzz
yards Bay by Assistant Secretary Ham
lin of the Treasury Department. AT
the Treasury Department no lnforma-
ton whatever can be learned regard
ing the matter, the officials declln-
ing to discuss it, or to reveal the
results of Mr.. Myers investigation.
MIR. Spoford stated to day that, &C
cordine to his understanding no report
of the Auditors expert had been sent
to President Cleveland or to any one
else. 1t was his understanding, that the
investigation was not complete. He
conceded that q discrepancy existed in
his accounts, as ne had previously
stated, and that when the amount was
ascertained, he would make it good.
Mr.. Spofford's reputation as librarian
is world. wide, and his acquaintance
with the contents of the thousands of
volumes under his care, phenomenal.
To members of Congress he is well
nigh invaluable, being able to supply
them with information on almost any
conceivable subject. He entered the
library in 1861, and three years later
was appointed by President Lincoln to
the position he now occupies. The po-
sition of Librarian is probably the only
one of that importance which the Presi.
dent may fill without the advice and
consent of the Senate-it is his abso-
lutely. Section IS Revised Statutes
says: "The President solely shall ap-
point from time to time Librarian to
take charge of the Library of Con-
gress."
1t is reported here that the only rea-
son Why Ambassador Eustis has not
been instructed to demand the return
Of Waller, the negro consul, is that such
o course might weaken the claim for in-
demnity which the United States pro.
poses to make against France for the
conEscation of the rubber concession in
Madagascar. The President and Sec
rotary Olney are, according to this re-
port, now satisfied that Walters mill
tary trial was not conducted in proper
manner, and that his conviction of the
crime of treason was not justified. 1t
will, it is said, be matter of a very
short time before Secretary Olney will
instruct Ambassador Eustis to secure
Waller's release and make claim for
indemnity against the French govern
ment on account of the confiscation of
his concession. Instructions were sent
to Mr. Eustis July S1st to press his en-
phatic request for copy of the record
of evidence on which the ex.consul
was declared felon. Mr.. Eustis failed
TO secure the record, and, on August
5th, further instructions were sent him
even more emphatic than the first.
Communications received from the Am
bassador tell of his efforts to secure a
copy of the record from the French
Ministry for Foreign Affairs and of his
several failures through the temporiz-
ing policy pursued by the authorities.
Alter considerable delay and repeated
requests he has been furnished copy
of the charges and specifications and OF
tho sentence imposed upon Waller. He
then renewed his demand for copy Of
the evidence, and was at first told thai
il would be granted very soon, as the
record had been received in France.
But, according to his latest advices to
this government, the French ministry
has told him that the record of evidence
is in Madagascar, and cannot be furn-
ished without great delay.
The Irish Catholic Benevolent Union
of the United States and Canada met
here to-day in regular annual con-
vention, o large number of delegates
being in attendance, but only one from
Virginia, Mary Casey of Richmond.
Among the several proposed amend
ments to the constitution of the organi-
zation that will be acted upon at this
meeting is one providing that one of
the vice presidents of it shall be a
woman.
People from Petersburg here to-day
say the proposed settlement of the suit
of ex-Marshal Watts against his ex-
friend, General Malone, has been
knocked in tho head, and that the suit
will now be pushed vigorously, for the
reason that the security for the note
the General was to give was his lot in
this city, which is already covered over
with mortgages and involved in suits.
Acting Secretaro McAdoo, of the
Navy Department, has asked the Must
clans Union, of Philadelphia, if it has
any objection to the presence of the U.
S. Marine Band at the Letter Carriers
Convention at Philadelphia on Septem-
Der 2. If not, the band will be ordered
there on that date.
Mr.. Philips, ex-Supervisor of Alex
andria county, and now in charge
of the Washington and Falls Church
Railroad, says work on that road is
progressing slowly, and. that it will
have two branches, one to Arlington
and one to Falls Church.
The q. S. Consul at Shanghai in.
formed the State Department by cable
to-day that the investigation by the
Chinese authorities of the Ku.Cheng
massacre is being conducted with closed
doors. This information has been COM
mupicated to the q, s. Minister at
Picking, with instructions to arrange
matters SO that the U. S. commissioner
at Ku-Cheng can attend the hearings
and not be hampered in getting at all
the facts.