The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-02-11
gmemtp- seoemth Congress.
IN sENATE,
SECOND SESSION
TnuRsDAY, February 10, 1912.

ihc hEolJFsNl idiu bcioiO tio SN""'S $50 -
lowing communications, viz
i. From the War Department, IN compliance WIN
resolution OF the Doth uliimo, covering a report
from the Acting Surgeon General, as TO what steps
have been taken to obtain meteorological observa-
tons at military posts.
= From the same Department, enclosing copies oi
the Army Register for the year lS4l
g. From the Navy Department, in compliance with
resolution of the 18th utimo, directing the Secre-
tary of the Navy to communicate 10 the Senate the
number of vessels of war belonging TO the navy
during the years 1885, 1910, and le4l, distinguishing
those in commission from others in ordinary the re-
spectiye classes and the number OF guns; aso the
expenses of the navy for the same period, distin-
gushing between active service and ordinary, and the
number of officers and seamen and likewise direct
ing the Secretary of the Navy to furnish to the Sc
nate similar information for the years 1922 and 1924
Mr. CHOATE and Mr.. TALLMADGE presented
remonstrances against postponement or repeal OF
the Bankrupt law.
Mr.. WRIGHT presented memorial from de-
legation of the Stockbrdge tribe of Indians, residing
in Wisconsin, asking for settlement OF their ac-
counts with the United States.
On the motion Of MIR. PORTER, it resolved
| that the Secretary of War communicate TO the Sc
| nate any documents which may be IN his possession
relative to the survey of the Northern and Northwest
ern lakes.
| On the motion of MIR. SEWER, it was resolved
that the Secretary of War furnish to the Senate CO.
pies of the proceedings of the Court of Inquiry, held
some months since, the case Of DR. Maxwell, OF
| the United States Army
| MIR. MOUTON asked the Senate to proceed to the
consideration of several bills of Importance to the
| State Of Louisiana and stated that he would not
make the request if this not the last day that
he would remain IN the Senate, and as he intended
to leave the city in the course of the afternoon
| MIR. WALKER desired that his resolution relative
! to claims Mexico be considered If it should not
be disposed of in five minutes he would agree that 1t
should be laid aside to enable the bills suggested by
| the Senator to be taken up.
has IaI m fhn Ifl.ra-
ton of the following resolution. heretofore submitted
| by Mr.. BENTON, viz:
| Resolred, That the Secretary of the Treasury he
directed to report the Senate l. A statement show
, ing the annual amount Of drawback paid on the ex-
portaon of n fined sugar from the commencement TO
I the end Of the year 1912 ,. monthly statement Of
/ such pay menls for the year 1912 3. The estimated
amount of such payment for the year 1912; 4. The
amount of duty Annually paid ON imported brown su-
gar, nearly as il can be computed 8, The annual
amount Of fishing boLnes and allowances paid since
The CONNIE Of the same, with the annual
amount of the salt tax per busheI, and the annual
gross product OF the salt tax, and the nett product OF
| the same after dtductng the fishing bouniies and al
| lowances d. The estimated amount oi fishing bouh-
~ and allowance from the year 1917 and The
ross and nett amount OF salt tax tor The year
i Mr.. EVANS proposed an amendment, as follows:
| " Also statement OF the number OF vessels IN the
aggregate, and the aggregate OF the tonnage OF the
| same and the number OF persons employed IN the
i fisheries other than the whale hsherles.
| The resolutions as amended, was adopted.
1 THE NEW YORK CUSTOM. HOUSE INVESTIGATION.
| The resolution of Mr.. PIERCE, was taken up for
consideration, as follows
Resolved, That the Secretary Of the Treasury be
directed to communicate to the Senate copy OF any
commission or other authority issued for the purpose
# Investigating the affairs OF the New York CUSTOM
house. and the law under which the same Issued
Also copies OF all letters or other documents accom-
panylng The said commissions that he furnish the
names of the commissioners, the times when they re-
specyey entered upon their duties, and where said
duties were performed and how long they continued,
expected to continue; and also state the TACT
whether the commissioners first appointed made re-
port, either verbally or In writing and, so, why II
has been made and the reasons set forth by said
| commissioners, or any and which of them, for the
appointment OF new commission; that he also re-
port detail the expenses with copies of the vouch
ers) that have directly orndrectly arisen in the ex
ecution of SAID commissions the names OF all parties
| employed, and how employed, and the allowance
made to each, including all items OF Incidental expen-
ses, and from what fund such expenses were paid
Also the number and names of witnesses examined
| by the commissioners, whether the commission still
continues and which OF the commissioners are still
acting hereunder, and who are now employed by
them. And also to report copies OF all letters or
communications made to or from the Treasury De-
partment, file there in regard to or in any man
ner affecting the course OF proceeding by said COM
missioners, the acts alleged to have been done by
| them any of the persons IN their employ
Mr.. CLAY said that the extravaganza practised in
the New York custom house, az well as in other
branches of the pubic service, demanded an lnves-
CATION. lie had understood thai, on a revenue OF
less than eight millions of dollars collected at New
York there had been extravaganza in the collec-
ton amounting 10 nearly eight per cent? which was
larger; Icy three four tunes than the expense ncur-
red when the revenue collected at that port was six
teen millions. When Jonathan Thompson the
collector, and when the revenue was fifteen or sixteen
millions, the collection was made with less than one
third OF the number OF persons now employed
This fghliul Increase persons engaged collecting
the revenue and The consequent Increase OF expenses
| occurred when the Senator from New Hampshire
| Mr.. Woodbury. was at the head of the Treasury
Department. He supposed that that gentleman could
have objection to investigate thus NATTER and as
report for revision ofthe taiih was IN preparation, he
hoped that when it came before the Senate, the ex
| travagance would be probed to the bottom.
| Mr. PIERCE said that the Senator was not more
DESTROYS than he to examine into frauds at New
York or any where else-and retrench wherever
it could be done with benefit to the public service
His object introducing the resolution was to oh
tain if he could, the information which it called for
from the Treasury Department, but which the Sena-
tor had derived from some other source The pub
lie press had teemed with various accounts relative
to this matter and much had been said which APP
peared dscreditabe to the Government He was
assured this morniag that one report had been made
by the commissioners and, if they could procure it,
they would be enabled to make some progress with
the inquiry into the affairs OF the New York Custom
| House. The Senator from Kentucky should have
his help, humble as was, IN any measure oil reform
! which might be proposed and as the resolution was
| likely to create some discussion, he would move that
/ it be laid, for the present, upon the table
| Mr.. WOODBURY. assured the gentleman from
Kentucky, that he would go as far as the Senator
! himself in retrenchment. As to the increase Of
officers and expenses he would remark that, T
when the imports increased from one hundred
to hundred and eighty millions in single
year, every gentleman must that II was me-
cessary to increase the force of the house and
whether the imports be free dutable there must be