Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-03-01

considered this part of his official duty under
the resolution already referred to- In this view
he was undoubtedly correct and the superin-
tendent very cheerfully and gladly aequieseed
in it, -
Hc wrote the clerk, giving him some sugges-
tions about the matter, and the clerk addressed
note to the tradesman employed, as general
furnisher, authorizing him " to do such uphol-
stery and other work in the new Hall of the
House OF Representatives and its galleries a.
Capt Meigs might designate and direct
Under this authority, he proceeded and pro-
cured the identical carpet selected by the Su-
Perlntendent, laid it down, and presented 70
the committee of accounts bill at two dollafS
per yard, and twenty five cents for laying it
down, making profit Of nearly 81 900 on the
single item. 49,.
1t Is proper to add, that the testimony shows
that these profits, consider erable as they appear,
were enjoyed by the tradesman alone. neither
the clerk nor any Of his subordinates partici-
patinS IN them; and in the matter of the carpet
lt appears that the clerk personally had no
other connection with ii than to give the order
I'm the manner stated, having one Of his subor-
dlnates to supervise the laying it down accord
ing to the wishes of the Superintendent.
Among other duties deyolved upon the late
clerk, the House by resolution of July 7th,
1906. ordered him 10 purchase for each new
~
certain catalogue of books. This order 1t seems
he had in part executed when, on the 5th of
March, 1897, the same was modified so far as il
remained unexecuted, by giving reduced
number of books to such public library in each
OF the districts as the number might designate,
and ut the same time the sum of Sl38, 900 was
appropriated for the purpose of indemnifying
the clerk for books already purchased, and to
enable him to execute the order in full.
Soon afterwards. the clerk upon consultation.
according to his usage in eases new and doubt
fui, with the moro experienced of his corps of
assistant clerks, drew u rcquisition upon the
treasury for 1000, for the purpose of indem-
nifylng himself for previous purchases, and 10
provide fund for future purchases to be made
in his contemplated absence from the city.
This requisition was challenged and dishon-
"red ut the Treasury, and was followed by a
correspondence between the clerks Office and
the Secretary, not necessary to be noticed fur
ther than TO state the conclusion arrived at
On the 18th of June, 1857, the Secretary Of
the Treasury addressed letter to the First
Comptroller, reviewing the two resolutions of
July 7th 1856, and March Sd, 1857, and max
ing decision in reference to the purchase of
books by the clerk under the resolutions He
says that the resolution of March J, 1857.
- cOntemplates two distinct objects Ist To
indemnify the clerk for books already pur-
chased by him; ID To enable the clerk to
obtain and forward to public libraries the books
set forth In the law" He adds that the object
of this latter branch of the law was doubtless
to secure the purchase of the books, 'as it
had been repeatedly charged that members
were sometimes in the habit of receiving the
money instead of the books"
Commenting upon the resolution of July 9TH,
1896, the Secretary says: Upon examination
of similar resolutions of previous Houses. ind
that they substantially agree in their directions
to the clerk with the one now under considera-
ton. The clerk, to the extent that he acted
in carrying out this resolution, frffh the recog-
nt-n aud apprOred precedencs of his prede-
cessors is entitled to protection. and such
have ne doubt was the intention Of Congress in
framing that part of the law which provides
for his indemnity. He should be required to
produce to your Office satisfactory evidence
that he has so acted. -
Pursuant to this decision, tho clerk, on the
18th Of July 1857, certified that he had pur-
chased of one Hugh Tyler twenty-fonr sets of
books, had delivered twenty-one sets to as many
members, as appeared by the receipts which
he produced, and had three sets still on hand
undelivered.
1t was charged that this certificate was un-
true, and that, in fact, no books had been de-
lIvered. This charge In three instances was
sustained; the facts as they appear in evidence,
are as follows
Your committee examined as witnesses a
large number OF the members, whose receipts
appear in this list They find that in sDme
cases the books were in fact delivered as the
receipts purpOrt. They have found but three
exceptions; Hon j. H. Jewett of Nv, testifes
IN substance Il did not take the books of Mr.
Cullom, but that was at my own instance;
never had any interview with him upon the
matter at all When the resolution was passed
L was about visiting sick son. 1 had always
understood that to be sor; Of additional com
| pensatiOn to the members. One day, one of
the clerks came to my desk with paper, and
asked me If l would take the books under the
resolution; l said would take the books; how
ever, immediately upon the passage Of the re-
| solution, had received a letter from Sherrard
Williams, formerly a member of Congress, Of
| fering me his books at a much lower rate than
| they were to be furnished; also in course Of a
private transaction with Col. Stone NV pre-
| decessor, matters had so transpired that his
\ books could also be obtained at less price
| than they would be furnished here. / there
fore proposed. through my colleague to Mr.
CullOm, to take money instead of books as
preferred to do so. Mr.. Cullom furnished me
list Of books which he said he put down at
the catalogue prices; L gave him receipt for
them. If there was any fault in the matter
it was with me and not with hihl"
Hon. ID. >. Walbridge, of Mich, testifes
that he received money for a portion of his
books. ''When went for them, told Gen
Cullen that had already bought some of the
same works, the Register of Debates, the An
nals. and also the Congressional Globe and APP
| pendix, and they were at my house in my
| library; and proposed, if ii suited him, that
| he should give Inc the money instead Of these
| books, Of which already had copies. He said it
made no difference with him, and he did not
know as it would make any difference to any
any one else lie accordingly gave Inc the
money instead Of those books"
Hon. John Williams, Of New York, testifes
| in substance, that on the jth Of March, 1857,
| one of his colleagues undertook to procure for
| him his books, and to have them sent to him;
that he signed a receipt at Willards Hotel and
| enveloped it to the clerk; made no examination
of the receipt, and remembers nothing of its
contents; finds the same receipt on file in the
Treasury Department, dated July ID, 1886; had
| no interview or communication with the clerk;
gave no directions, and made no provisions for
the freight of his books, and had not received
them, but had been assured by the clerk on the
morning he gave his testimony, which was the
first time he saw him, that the books were
| awaiting his orders No money was received
or proffered to be received by HIM
Tho First Auditor on the 9Th Of August, 1851,
4 4lxS 4. Al Il. a .