The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-03-10
PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATURE.
Senate.

HARRISBURG March 1O.-Mr. Billingfet made
o report from the Senate Finance Committee in
reference to the Treasury investigation, trans
hitting General Twins letter of refusal to tes
tify, with Auditor-Genera Hartranfts certif-
cate of the fact that he Irwin) has squared up
his accounts, ETC., accompanied by the following
resolution:-
Resolped, That the Speaker of the Senate be di-
rected to issue his warrant to the Sergeanta Arms
commanding him to produce at the bar of the Senate
w. w. Irwin, there to answer such questions as may
be prOpounded to him, or show cause why he should
not do so.
Mr.. Lowry moved to amend by adding the
following
Resolved That the Committee on Finance be in
structed to extend their inquiries to what 1t cost
each OF the State Treasurers, since 1880, to be
elected and whom If any, they have paid or pro-
missed 70 pay money and tney are directed 10 swear
nor of the Commonwealth, M. y. Quay, George
Bergner, and such others as they may think proper;
and the Attorney General Is directed to appear be-
fore the committee as attorney for the Common
wealth and the Governor is hereby directed to re-
qulre the Attorney-General to commence proceed
ings forthwith under the laws existing against the
State Treasurer for loaning the funds OF the Com,
mOnwealth, and to employ the whole force and
power of the State therefor
Mr.. Randall believed the design was to turn
the whole thing into farce. He raised the
point of order that Mr.. Lowry's amendment was
not relevant to the subject.
Mr. Lowry then withdrew his resolution,
notifying the Senate that he would introduce
| il at another time.
Mr.. Randall moved to amend ''by discharging
the committee from the further prosecution
of the investigation"
Mr. Billingfelt contended that this committee
| was instructed by resolution of the Senate to
pursue the investigation In obedience to the
| recommendations of the Governor He hoped
| the resolution would pass and opposed dismissal
| of the subject. 1t looked to him as If certain
persons were afraid to have the investigation go
| any further, wishing to screen the men now here
| to appear before the committee. Why make a
nd 10 q in n m
| portant juncture? There ought to be dignity
enough in the Senate to complete an investiga-
tion begun by them formally. Let justice be
| done though the heavens fall.
| Mr.. Rutan offered an amendment that the
| Committee on Finance be directed in the
meantime to subpoena others whom he intimates
! know something OF the matter, and examine
| them as to their knowledge of corrupt means
| used to nominate and elect any candidate for
| State Treasurer. Amendment ruled out as not
| relevant to the subject
Mr. Buckalew said it had been asserted that
| this investigation was a farce; that 1t wonld be
| productive of no good. His opinion was differ
ent from that of the newspapers.
The public had been informed of what had
been done by the committee, and the informa-
tion obtained had been very valuable 1t gave
| some insight into the management of the state
Treasury, something about a vault account not
known on our statute books facts, too, of the
contumacy of men who refused to an
sWer. 1t was well worth while "a
|
sources what can be gathered. The people
would thank the Senate for rejecting the amend
| ment, intended TO smother the investigation and
shield delinquents.
Mr.. Lowry said he had the honor or dishonoI
of Offering the resolution for this investigation
and it had done more than he thought 1t would
The committee had done we'll letting In light
and air upon a subject that stank more horribly
than an unsaltea heather porker; IL was due tC
the honor of the Senate now to go on and
make such disclosure as would make
every citizen pale with horror
Let every member of each branch
of the Legislature, the Governor, and all In
authority be subpnnaed and if the committee
could not finish their work before the final ad
journment, let them be continued through the
summer. He should vote for General Irwin tc
swear and put him in prison if he had done
enough. The Senate would not permit him &c
say that he is too dignihed to testify before the
Senate. The Senate must do more; 1t mus
make Mr.. Mackey answer such questions a'
may be propounded. ...
Mr. Elliott stated that the committee of seven
| of which he was q member TO investigate and
| report whether any corrupt means had beer
used to pass or defeat the Metropolitan Police
bill, had not succeeded in getting quorum tC
| attend its sessions, and that II evidently nevel
would get quorum He therefore asked thai
he be excused from serving on that committee
Agreed to. .. Is ...---,....
also asked to be excused. Agreed to-
Messrs. Hong (Rep) and Brown lDem..
| moved that the entire committee be discharged
Mr. Davis would like to hear the committee
report some progress. (Laughter)
| Mr. Brown, member OF the conhlttee, re-
| piled that II the gentleman would walt until
| the Legislature adjourned. he would get iul
report in the Clarion Denlocfdt (ol whlch Mr.
| Brown is editor).