The Cairo daily bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1870-1872, 1871-12-16
CONGRESS-.
INFRINGEMENT AND REFORM.
SCHURZ TO THE RESCUE.

WAsHIEGTos, Dec. l3.-Mr Anthony
offered Il resolution providing for stand
ing committee Of investigation and re-
trenchment TO consist Of seven members to
be elected by the senate, and 10 have the
lower to investigate and report upon such
subjects as may be committed 10 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 abolish.
ed. and what salaries or allowances ought
10 be reduced &c; also giving il power to
| sit durng the recess Of congress.
Mr.. Sherman favored the original res
olution. II any senator knew Of any abus-
Is, be could easily have them referred TO
the committee.
Mr.. Wilson favored both propositions.
Mr.. Thurman favored the amendment,
and said that the committee, which should
have power 10 investigate only such charg-
es a. might be referred 10 it by the sem
ate, would be useless as means Ofreiorm-
ing the public service.
Mr.. Trumbull said if the senators were
earnest in their desire 70 correct abuses In
public service, they would not hesitate to
create n committee with sufficient powers.
Mr. Edmund's said that, considering the
number Of persons employed in the public
service and their duties, the administration
Of the government for the last three years
would compare favorably for efficiency
and purity with any previous adminstra-
ton whatever-eyen that OF Geo. Washing
ton himself. There was, therefore, no
need for a committee with extraordinary
powers.
Mr. Thurman said there were many per-
sons throughout the country who would
not take the round and withdrawing
statement of Mr.. Edmunds for purity and
efficiency Of public service, but would re-
quirc further evidence. The senate might
either pass resolution which would in
dictate real desire to discover and expose
abuses, or it might pass the pending res
olution Of Mr.. Anthony, which shows peo-
pie that the frauds and corruptions In
the government service were 10 be white
washed and covered up. The country
would hold the party Of the majority re-
sponslble.
Mr.. Cssserly contended that the commit
tee proposed by Mr.. Anthony would be a
mere nullity having no power 10 originate
Investigations. lie had heard OF a trans
action connected with one OF the highes,
departments and 1T subject for investigs-
ton, but would not take upon himself to
move an investigation unless there were a
committee like that proposed by Mr.Trum-
bull, with power to originate inyestiga-
tons.
Mr.. Shurz regarded this as not by any
means new proposition. 1t was merely
proposition on the part of Mr.. Trum-
bull to revive the old committee on re-
trenchment armed with powers that made
the old committee useful and efficient
The senator from Vermont, Mr. Edmunds
had told the senate that the civil service
had improved greatly under the existing
administration, and undoubtedly 1t had
yet Ia the whole history Of the country i,
would be difficult or impossible to find -four
consecutive months during which 30 nun,
defalcations and entertainments by pub
lie servants have been brought to light, "A
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