The Republican journal., 1871-12-21
A MuzzIed Committee.


gress has been the consideration of Mr..
Anthony's resolve for the appointment of
a standing committee for investigation in
such matters as might be referred to it re-
garding the civil service. government ex-
penses, &c. In that form the measure
would not be one troublesome to the ad-
ministration. But Mr. Trumbull, of Hi
nois, always ready to support any meas
ure that searches the administration, NOV
edso 80 amend that the committee be re-
quired to report what offices should be
abolished, what salaries reduced, and that
it have power to sit during the recess and
to send for persons aud papers. The
original proposition would create COM
mittee with gag liz its mouth in its
amended form it would have unlimited
power OF research, with liberty to speak
out. The movement created consterna-
ton in the administration ranks. 1t was
bitterly assailed by Morton, Conklin. and
the rest of the radical leaders, and advo-
Gated by Sumner, Trumbull, Schurz and
all the Democrats. Mr. Schurz made a
most telling speech in favor of the amend
ment, saying that the corruption was deep
and wide spread, and that no party could
afford to cover it up.
1t seems that the matter had been I'M
der consideration in the republican caucus,
where it had caused terrible commotion
and that Trumbull's proposition had been
squarely voted down On Saturday this
ghost Of Banquo again rose, and again the
conflict ragged. The following remarks of
Senators Schurz and Upton will show the
manner in which the administration is
handled by the men who led in its crea-
ton
Mr.. Schurz said-The Senator from indiana
Morton1 says my remarks yesterday cast re-
Iectlons on the Republican party. How so;
Do not we all profess to be in favor of reform?
And yet when member of this body attempts
to lay bare gross abuse the cry is raised that
he is trying to injure the Republican party
My motives have been reflected upon, and and
those with whom | act have been asked what
ate. My object is to uncover, TO denounce and
to try to have corrected any and every abuse
whenever | can lay my hand upon it, without
regard to how it will affect the interest or adj
vantages OF party, and without regard to
whether this or that person may like it or not,
am IN favor OF reform, and am in dead earnest.
do not mean to denounce the abuses on the
other side I'd shield the abuses among nv own
friends. / want to put the iron to the very bot
tom OF the sore; and unless we do that we do
nothing.
Mr.. Upton followed in support of Mr. Trum-
bulls proposition He cited Mr.. Mortons state
ment of yesterday, that the object of those who
befriended that proposition was to show that
great corruption exists under the present Adj |
and said that was exactly what he
wished the people to understand. AS to the |
other branch of Morton's charge that this move |
ment was an alta k on the Republican party, it |
was not true. He (Tipton) made no attack
on the Republican party. On the contrary, |
he desired to redeem that party from the
curse that had come upon it through mistake of
the Administration and the corruption of its |
officials. He believed that THERE WAS COR. |
RuPIIoN DEEP AND DANINING AND FOSTERING |
ALL THROUGH THIS ADMINISTRATION. The |
motives OF those who sought to revive the Com |
mittee on Retrenchment were called in ques- |
ton. Could not man believe that even in the |
Senate there might be found better leader for |
the Republican party than the intellectual |
colossus now sitting in the White House, with |
TO the party. Would it be said there was only |
one man in the country under whom the Re- |
publicans could train and be loyal? The Sena- |
tor from Indiana (Nlorton) had boosted that it |
was prompt to punish the wrong-doers among |
its members. He (Tipton) had once believed so |
and had acted upon that belief, but HE HAD |
BEEN PROSECUTED AND PUNISHED FOR IT |
EVER SINCE.
Administration drill, however, was too |
much for the investigators, and the Trum-
bull amendment was rejected, and the |
original proposition adopted.
On Monday, the fight reopened Oh the
of the commit ee and on sub
jects to be investigated by it. This con-
tinued up to the adjournment on Monday
with great earnestness, when the resolu-
ton for investigation into frauds in the
New \ ork Custom House, which had been
offered, went over to next day, without
definite action.