The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1871-12-23
The Investigation Committee.


between the conservative Republicans
and Democrats on one side aud the
Administrations Senator's gu the other,
on the motion FOE committee of gene
raj Investigation and retrenchment with
pleuary powers, was brought TO au end
on Tuesday, BY substantial triumph
Of the former, in the adoption of 10,
structions to the committee to inyesti-
gatethe New York custom house aud
all its abuses, its recent influence over
the Republican State convention in New
York, the Treasury defalcations, the
Hodge defalcation, aud the case of the
National Bank examiner, Calender,
who was involved in the late bank sus.
pensions in Ne& York. The instruc.
tons proposed by Messrs. Schurz, Trum-
bull aud Upton, ofthe Republicans, aud
Bayard aud Casserly, of the Democrats,
which had been voted down in effect
last week. were all accepted by the Sen
ate without dissenting voice. Indeed
the committee were unanimously in
structed to go ahead and send for per.
sons and papers. This newborn zeal
for Investigation, as Mr.. TRANQUIL term.
ed it, was bought about by the tone Of
public sentiment expressed 10 letters
and newspapers sent to Senators There
is still want of confidence ia the COM
mittee, as it remains composed Of re-
publicans who we're originally opposed
to investigation aud only two Democrats
The committee is composed Of Messrs
Buckingham, Howe, Pratt, IIsrland
anl Stewart, Republicans and Messrs.
Bayard aud Uasserly, Democrats, The
Republican Senator's voting with the
Democrats for the investigation, we're
Messrs. Alcoru, Fenton, Logan, Pat
terson, Schurz, Robertson, Sumner,
Upton, Trumball, West and Wilson.
The discussion has had the effect to
summon to Washington ex Collector
Murphy, aud the firm interested 10 the
general order business Of the New York
custom house, and to cause uneasincss
in other quarters where congressional
Inquiry is feared. The committee is
clothed with ample powers, and it re
mains to be seen whether it will stifle
inquiry by policy of inac;io1 or not.
The whole batch of Federal rogues are
represented to be III Estate of great
alarm.
The New York Tribune, Of Tuesday.
commenting upon the course of Grants
friends 10 the Senate, who at first so
strenuously resisted investigation, says
The sharp comments of the press Of the coun-
try, and unmistakable manifestation of public
opinion have had an effect on the close lines Of
the pro- administration xealots in the United
States Senate. Reluctantly and grudringlv.
to be sure, but tolerably effectively, the liitie
handful OF men whom Mr.. Conkling has been
able TO lead gave way yesterday aud surreu-
dered with such grace as they could. The
eominittee which is TO investigate the condition
OF the public service is not one in which the
country can have great confidence, but IL now
has the powers for which an ardent struggle
was made in the first instance. Senate ETH
quettee would not now permit, we suppose, the
reorganization Of the committee, though The
resignation Of Mr. Pool gives the pro- Admin
istratson Senators an opportunity to retrace
their steps somewhat, and correct the political
and parliamentary error which they made
when they selected the committee, But.
though "the child has been put to nurse tn at
cares not for ito quote Mr. Sumner's illus-
tration--the gentlemen who have been so active
in their hostility to making the committee
worth anything at all have conceded enough
70 ciotne u with nearly all the powers asked
for it. The Tribune has steadily adhered 10
the proposition that the Administration will be
more injured BY any attempt at coucealment
than BY the most broad and omen invitation n
inspection and exanination--eyen though
some abuses may really be exposed. And we
are glad thata conviction Of the Justice OF this
position has at last dawned on Mr., Conklinv
The spirit however, with which this reluc-
tant concession has been made DESTROYS half its
value And the saddest thing about the reform
movement, which began so magniieently in
this city, Is the attitude assumed by men. whom
We believed to be with US, the moment the re-
form reaches the confines OF the Ma tionaf Cow
ernment- In an instant they change parts.
adopt The tactics and employ the very language
OF the members Of the Ring. First, like Hail
ana Iweed, they resist Investigation. Next
IKE Hall and Tweed, they propose to have
little private investigation under their own
auspices-an appeal TO the Chamber Of Com
merce, or to joint committee Of citizens and
Aldermen And all the while, as they note
the growing indignation of the press and peo-
pie, they say, Never mind; it's merely those
snarling newspapers that are disappointed
about something or another. 1t will SION
blow over"
But 1t does not blow over, Mr.. Conkliurl--
You are learning, sir but Il is as slowly and
reluctantly as Tweed and Hail. You have
found that opposing all investigation won't do.
lou have found that Investigation, By a com
mitfee opposed to IL, won't do You perhaps
found out yesterday that the petty pretence OF
setting the non-lnyestgating cammittee 10
work on the Cust0m-hDuse deceiyes nobody.
BE assured that now, as before the people are
IN earnest EMISSIONS, halfway concessions.
bubbles, and equivocations, will not answer
the imperative demand Of the hour. This
thing will not blow overi
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