Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-12-16
WAsHINGrON.o



Trumbulrs resolution now pending In the
Senate. The result is that they agree to
support it, with an amendment omitting
that part instrncting the committee on in
4 vestigati0n and retrenchment to consider
the expectancy of so amending the laws un-
der which appropriations to public service
are now made, as to provide for withdraw
] ing the public service from being used as
an instrument of political or party
patronage. The resolution, as thus
amended, instructs the committee to
1 inquire into the expenditures of all
branches Of the service Of the
United States, and report any and what
Offices ought to be abolished, whether any
or what salary or allowances ought TO ne re-
duced; what are the methods of procuring
accountability in public agents or officers
in the care and disbursement of public
moneys; whether moneys have been paid
out Illegally; whether any officers or agents
/ or other persons have been or are employed
! in the public service without authority of
law or unnecessarily, and generally how and
/ to what extent the expenses of the service
OF the country may and ought to be cur
tailed.
The caucus then agreed on the following
named Senators to comprise the Commit
tee. Buckingham, Howe, Pratt, Harlan,
Stewart, Paul, and Bayard. The last
named is the only Democrat on the Com
mittee. The caucus carefully excluded
from the Committee those who had taken
part in the debate on retrenchment, and
hence Trumbull and Schurz have no place
on it.
SPeeeh from the New AttOrney-Gen-
eral.
This evening large number of gentle
men from the Pacific coast, including mem
bers of Congress, called upon Mr.. Williams,
recently appointed Attorney General, to
tender their congratulations. Mr.. Williams
spoke as follows:
promise all whom 1t may concern that
when am placed at the head of the depart
ment of justice in this government, so far
as my jurisdiction in that department may
go, its mandates will be dispensed without |
fear or favor, and with equal vigor and re-
spect for all classes and conditions of men. |
| know not what may be in the clamor |
now made about official delinquencieS in |
federal office, but so far as the exposure |
and prosecution of such delinquinces shall |
devolve upon the department of justice. |
No partisan consideration will have weight |
and no pains will be spared to bring the |
guilty to a speedy and condign punishment |
deeply regret that in some portions |
the country a spirit of lawlessness seems to |
prevail. will favor every consideration of |
kindness to induce obedience to the laws, |
but if no other means will answer, then |
am for using the whole power Of the coun-
try in the most vigorous and effective man.
ner, to crush out every conspiracy against |
the peace, security and safety Of unofend-
ing citizens.
Governments were primarily established |
to protect the weak against the strong, and |
if this government fails TO perform its func-
tions in that respect, it has poor claim |
upon the support and loyalty of its citizens.
No one, in the light of recent events in New
Yorkand elsewhere, can take office now and |
escape the vigilant eye Of the people, and
nothing but active and upright devotion to
duty will give general satisfaction. l shall
struggle to meet the popular demand, as
well as to meet the expectations of my
friends with how much of success time and
events viii determine.
l have the honor to be the first cabinet
officer taken from the Pacific Coast. Cali
fornia, Nevada, Oregon and the territories
Of the far West, may now consider them
selves recognized and represented in every
branch of the government.
/ do not affect indifference to party mat
tiers because | have been elected to Office.
belong to the Republican party. be-
lieve in its principles and politics.
have strong conviction that its ascend
ancy for some time to come is necessary to
the perpetuation of peace and the enforce
ment of the law, and subordinate to my Of
fetal obligations everything that | can rea-
sonably and honorably shall earnestly do
to secure its triumph at the next Presiden-
tial election.
The Fight against InyestigatiOn-A
Flank Movement.
Special to the Louisville Ledger.
The great debate in the Senate on the
proposition of Trumbull for an investiga-
ton of the abuses, was continued to-day
between the reform and corruption wings
of the Republican party. The latter take
the ground that the administration is pure
and lovely, so that the movement for in
vestigation and civil service reform 10 not
called for. They warmly praise the ad-
ministration of Grant, and treat the present
reform as hostile to him and the Republi-
can party. The reforners say, in reply,
that they are the true Republicans, desiring
to ferret out and correct abuses, and that
the Republican party can not resist the pop
ular demand for reform. Wilson, Trum-
bull and Upton spoke in favor of full in
vestigation, and White, Nye, Morton and
Sherman argued against it. Trumbull's
amendment was defeated by 35 noes to "a
ayes. Among the latter were all the Dem
ocrats and the following reform Republicans,
viz: Alcorn, Fenton, Sumner, Wilson, Pat
terson, Schurz, Upton, Logan, West, Rob
ertson and Trumbull-eleven in all. Messrs.
Sprague, Ferry, of Connecticut, and Hill
would have voted aye if they were present.
The carpet-baggers generally held in the
direction of the concealment and smother
ing of the Investigation.
After the resolution of Anthony was car
ried, Mr.. Trumbull next moved his amend
ment as an instruction to the committee.
This adroit move greatly annoyed Morton
and Sherman, who both assailed him. Sher-
man was excessively rude, and he tried to
prevent Mr.. Trumbull from speaking. The
latter, however, obtained the floor, ard
made most severe and effective retort.
This debate has of course caused a great
sensation. The movement for civil service
reform is antagonistic to the movement for
Grants denomination, and lively time
NAV be expected. This is only the begin
ming of the end. The Grant Republicans
seem resolved that there shall be no investi-
CATION of their charnel-house, and the re-
form Republicans intend TO persist in de
manding,a full investigation as the first step
to reform. This was the first struggle over
Grants denomination, and another was
commenced by Mr.. Trumbull giving notice
that he meant to press the House bills re-
pealing the duties on coal and salt, and re-
form in the civil service. Reform will be
urged in spite Of Grant, to break him down,
as it stands in the way of the denomination
Of Grant The position is already assum-
ing formidable shape in the Senate, and its
counterpart also in the House.
National Bank Failures.
The failure Of the national banks Of New
York have caused great excitement here,
both in political and financial circles. The
Radicals who have made the system one of
their pet party planks, are filled with con-
sternation. Calender, the bank examiner
In the district where these failures have
taken place, was held in the highest repute
in the Currency Bureau. 1t was reported
only two months ago, officially, that these
banks were in a healthy condition, when at
the same time he was indebted, on his own
account IN n very large amount. Callen-