The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-12-14
CONGRESSIONAL.
WASHINGTON, December Is.
SENATE.

L
Bills were introduced and referred as
follows: ''>
By Mr.. Conkling-To provide for the
erection of a building for postoffice and
other purposes at Utica, n. Y.
BY Mr.. Trumbull-To provide for
the erection of public buildings al
Chicago.
The House bill to provide for the
deficiency in the appropriation made for
taking the last census passed.
Mr.. Anthony offered resolution pro.
viding for a standing committee of In.
vestigation and Retrenchment to consist
of seven members, to be elected by the
Senate, to have power to investigate
and report upon such subjects as NAV
be committed to it by the Senate.
Mr.. Trumbull moved to amend by a
provision directing the committee to in
quire into the expenditures in all
branches Of the Government service;
whether any, and if so what, offices
ought to be abolished, and what salaries
or allowances ought to be reduced; &c,
assigning it power during the recess OF
Congress.
Mr.. Sherman favored the original
resolution. If any Senator knew of anv
abuses he could easily have them re-
ferred to the committee.
MIR. Wilson was in favor of both
propositions, as they both looked to the
same end-the protection of the public
Treasury.
Mr.. Thurman favored the amend
ment, and said that committee which
should have power to investigate only
such charges as might be referred to it
by the Senate would be useless as
means Of reforming the public service.
Mr.. Trumbull said that the object for
which the committee was required was
to seek out abuses in the public service
and suggest how they might be re-
formed. The committee ought to get
information for the Senate, but if the
Senate was to be required to get infor-
nation for the committee, why, then,
little would be done. If the Senators
were III earnrst in their desire to correct
the abuses in the public service they
would not hesitate to create commit
tee with sufficient power.
Mr. Edmunds said that the subject
of reforming the civil service had been
discussed by some Senators as if they
wished to impress the people with the
idea that they were being plundered in
every direction by the officers of the
Government and that we had reached
climax of corruption which could only
be met by reviving committee whose
existence had expired with the last
Congress. The Senator from Illinois
(Mr. TrumbulD had drawn a very hard
picture of the public service at this
time. Yet he undoubtedly knew that,
considering the number ofpersons en-
ployed in that service and their duties
for the last three years. they would COM
pare favorably for efficiency and purity,
with any previous Administration what.
ever, even that OF George Washington
himself. There was, therefore, no need
for q committee with extraordinary
power.
Mr.. Sherman said there was many
persons in the country who would
not take the, word and whitewashing
of Mr.. Edmnnds as to the purity and
efficiency of the public service, but
would require further evidence. The
Senate might either pass a resolution
which would indicate desire to dis
cover and expose the abuses, or it might
pass the pending resolution.
Mr.. Anthony and Mr.. Casserly both
spoke on the subject.
Mr. Scott contrasted the prompt pun
ishment meted to the defaulting Treas
urer in Philadelphia with the delay ex-
hibited in bringing the New York plum
derers to justice.
Mr.. Casserly instanced several cases
Of defaulting United States officials who
had gone unpunished.
Much feeling was exhibited during the
debate
The Senate, at 4 P. NJ, adjourned
without taking action.