The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-12-14
q O m @ r E S s.
LIVELY TIMES In BOTH HOUSES.
Proposal to Resurrect the Investigating
and Retrenchment Committee.
A BREEZE in THE SENATE.
sTrumbull's Buffalo Charge on the Ad.
ADMINISTRATION -Edmunds' POOh.pooh.
lng-Schurz Slashing C0rrup.
ti0n-R0scoe to the Rescue.
The international on the Floor
Of the House.
1 Labor and Capital Inquiry Commission
Bill introduced by Mr.. Hoar.
jumping Over Party Lines to
It's Support.
The international on the Floor
of the House.
1 Labor and Capital Inquiry Commission
Bill introduced by MI. Hoar.
jumping Over Party Lines to
It's Support.


vgu0 lOT D kOvcIuIncub UuluLuk III OtiCd~ ~ hppIO-
PIRATES 100000 for the erection OF building IN
said city, to accommodate the Post once, United
States Courts ana Internal Revenue oflces.
OUT OF TIE FIRE
BY Mr.. TRUABuLL, (rep.) Of lll.-To provide for
the erection OF public buildings at Chicago.
Providing for the condemnation ana pur.
chase, under the statutes OF Illinois. OF the re-
mainder Of the Custom House block IN Chicago
OF block within two squares thereof, on which
70 erect new government building, at total cost
OF 6,0O0. OOo $2oOo,ooo Of which the bill proposes
20 appropriate Immediately.
BILL PASSED.
me following bill was passed.
The House bill to provide for deficiency in the
appropriation made for taking the last census.
STANDING INVESTIGATION COMMITTEE
Mr.. ANTHONY, (rep.) OF r. l., offered q resolution
providing for q Standing Committee OF lnvestiga-
uon and Retrenchment, to consist Of seven men,
ber TO be elected BY the Senate and to have power
70 investigate and report upon such subjects may
DO committed to 1t BY the Senate.
Mr.. TRUMBULL moved to amend by a provision
directing the committee to inquire into the expend
lures in all branches Of the government service
whether any, and, II 30. what oIices ought to be
ABOLISHED and what salaries or allowances ought to
be reduced; also giving 1t power to sit during the
recess OF Congress-
Mr.. SHERMAN, repl Of Ohio, favored the original
resolution. II any Senator knew Of any abuses he
could easily have them referred to the committee.
Mr.. WILso N, trep.) Of Mass, was IN favor OF both
propositions, as they both looked to the same end
the protection OF the public treasury.
Mr. THURMAN. tdem) OF Ohio, favored the
amendment and SAID thar a committee which
should have power to investigate only such charges
q might De referred to 1t by the senate would he
Mr. TRUMBULL said that the object Tor which the
o0mmittee was required was TO seek out abuses IN
reformed Inc committee ouaht to gel iniorm "a
ton Tor the Senate but II the senate was to be re
ihen little would be aone. If the senators were
earnest IN their desire TO correct the abuses In the
6ommittee with sufnclent powers.
M: EDhUNDs. rep: Of W. said that the question
some Senators II they wished TO impress the peo-
pie with the idea that they were being
PLUNDERED IN EVERY DIRECTION
BY the officers Of the government, aud that we had
reached q CLIMAX of corruption which could only
Cs met nss wS he last
rhe senator from Illinois tMr. Trumbull had
arawn very DARK Rn actare OF .ne Pubic service
sr1ng the number OF persons employed III that ser
vice and tnelr duties, the administration Of the
vious administration whatever, even that OF George
need Tor o committee With extraordinary powers.
Mr.. THURMAN said there were many persons
throughout the country who would not take the
round aud whitewashing statement Of Edmnnds
for purity and emc.ency OF the public service,
but would require furtner evidence The Senate
might either pass resolution which would lndl-
cate q real desire 70 discover and expose
Hr. Anthony which would snow the people thai the
defects ana corruption IN the government sersSs
country would hold the party OF
THE MAJORITY RESPONSIBLE.
M aemm Of fa saI Say tst the com
W originate Investigations or send tor persons and
papers. would be mere nudity. II had been sug-
fnl NJ m nm m lphr
move TO have 1t referred 10 the committee Tor nyeS
ugati0n but in practice that would no generally De
done. He mr. Uasseriy) since coming 20 Washing
ton this Jnle mad heard u transaction connected
with one of the highest departments ol the govern
insestlgaton, yet ne would not take ii upon himself
70 move Tor SUCH an investigations; out II there
oull, having power to originate such an invesCga-
ton. he would not hesitate to suggest the subject TO
with. II was with regret that he had heard ap-
peais adroiuv made to partisan 1eelng upon this
American people Of both parties were honest. lie.
cent events In New ork had demonstrated that the
party TO which ne Mr IT, Cssery oe0aged aau pao
upon Its own denquents; anu II would De very un-
wise ior any party al TINS time to interpose OBJ
stscles In the way OF the most thorough mvestlga-
son OF a branches Of The public service.
Mr.. scHcR<, lrep.l Of Mo-, remarked tnat thus was
merely proposition on the part Of Mr. Trum6ulI 10
rovtve the old committee on Retlenchment. armed
useful and efficient, The committee had beeu
created in the first place as means Of redeemlng
she civil service from the demoral,zed condition
into which 1t mad fallen under former ad-
ministratlon, and II thai was good
equally good reason for reviving 1t. unless, IN
deed, the civil service Itself. wncn was acknow-
Ssoome perfect. the Senator from Vermont ed
munds) had told tile senate that the civil service
had improved greatly under me existing admins admins
history OF the country II would be difficult or I'm
possible TO hnd TOUR consecutive months during
so MANY DRFALcATIoNs AND EMBEzzLEMENrs
by public servants nave been brought to lgnt as IN
discovered too, without careful searching or nves
tlgation; had been almost stumbled upon, and,
therefore, u was far 70 nler ,ns caren a nvesusa
Il had been suggested that t would be better TO
create committee with ordinary powers
suggest subjects Tor investigation. But the history
Of tho old Committee Oh ketrenchment showed that
some OF the most valuable iaoors were originated
~ ITSELF as the discovery OF the smuggling on the
transit route and OF the frauds on the po5ta. con.
while engaged in one Of It's most impor ant works
sno investigation Of the New York Custom House
and ma. IN, aa
voLy noCesssery It was that sucn committee should
pave ,,sa such powers as that had and as Iram-
echurs read At length from the testimony Of New
YORK merchants inclading A. I. stewart, William
lnquitses 81 the general order sJsteln." rus part
81 the custom BUSINESS said was
IN THE HANDS or ruE MEN
Leet and Stocking. Leet mad been one or General
Orsnts a,ds during the war; had gone to New YORK
from General Grant to Mr.. GrinneiI, and md soon
afterwards obtained this general ORDER bustness Hs
York from atty TO SunaeG S Ho
lars year. anu were admitted by Lee himself 10 be
swsnty.nv, ccd thousand and not content win
harmed out portion OF the business to man
named Yixb7 for Ave thousand year. These
ABUSES HAD BEEN THOROUGHLY ExPosRD
N The Committee Of RotTonchment and also hy \