The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-04-10
sENATE.--ExECUTIVE SESSION.
wAsH1NeroN, April 3.


Mr.. Trumbull introduced a resolu-
ton, which was adopted, directing the
Secretary Of War to furnish the Senate
with list of the names OF the voIun-
teer officers now in the service of the
government, their rank and particu-
lar duties assigned to them, and that
he inform the Senate under what law
they are retained, and whether some of
them may not be dispensed with with
out detriment to the public service.
Mr.. Anthony offered a resolution pro-
posing new rule, that all resolutions
calling on the executive or any depart
menL for information, shall be referred
to one standing committee to inquire
into the probable cost of furnishing the
required information. T}
Mr.. Anthony said such calls were
frequently made without knowing the
cost involved, clerks having to be en-
ployed for weeks to prepare transcripts,
some time of little value. It would be
well to ascertain the amount of labor
required in such cases, and whether the
result would justify the outlay.
Mr.. Trumbull suggested that the res
olution be referred to the Committee on
Printing, and it took that direction.
Mr.. Thayer said 1t would be recollec-
ted that during the last session of the
Thirty-Ninth Congress the Senator
from Ohio (Wade) offered a resolution
making inquiry of the President of the
United States in regard to the absence
of Alexander Cummings, Governor of
the Territory of Colorado, how long he
had been absent. That resolution was
modified before being passed, so as 10
call for Information regarding the alb
sence of other Territorial officers from
their posts. Mr.. Thayer would now
inquire whether any response had been
received to that resolution?
The Chair replied that no reply had
haoTH
Mr.. Thayer offered a resolution that
the President be requested to inform
the Senate when Alexander Cummings
was appointed Governor of Colorado
Territory, how long a time the said
Alexander Cummings had been absent
from the Territory, whether by permits
sion or not, how much time of said alb
sence was with permission, how much
without permission, whether ON public
business or not, whether his salary had
been paid him during his absence or
not, and how much has been paid him
as salary for the time he has been alb
sent.
Mr.. Thayer said he had been informed
by Senators who had an opportu-
nifty of knowing facts, that Governor
Cummings who WAS appointed Govern
or less than two years ago, had been
absent from the territory during that
time. He was now absent, having
been some four months. He therefore,
regarded it his duty to bring this case
to the notice of the Senate. He knew
Judges of territories to be absent year
after year and go out to them now and
then, as it were on pleasure trips.
Such absences have become SO
habitual as to require the interposi-
ton of Congress.
Mr.. Buckalew desired the resolution
to go over till tomorrow. He
should regret to have the resolution
p assed, and the Senate to adjourn with
out response from the President and
with an e1 Pdrte statementofthe Senate
before the country. There were expla-
nations to be given as far as Governor
Cummings present absence was con-
cerned.
The Chairman said as objection was
made to the consideration of the reso-
luton, it would go over another day.
Submitted.
1t was ordered that 200 copies of the
army register be printed for use OF the
Senate. The order was referred to the
Committee on Printing.
On motion of Mr.. Ramsey the Senate
went Into executive session.