The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1871-12-21
WASHINGTON.
CONGRESSIONAL.
Senate.

SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Dec. IS.
A bill was introduced BY Mr.. Trumbull
and referred, to provide for the erection of
public buildings at Chicago.
Mr. Anthony offered resolution Tor =
Standing Investigating and Retrenchment
Committee Of seven.s
Mr.. Trumbull moved 10 amend so that
the Committee should be required to report
what offices can be abolished, and what sal
aries reduced. and that they have leave to 81.
during the recess.
Mr.. Sherman favored the original resolu-
ton; said if any Senator knew Of any abuses
he could easily have them referred TO the
committee.
Mr.. Wilson favored both propositions.
Mr.. Thurman favored the amendment, and
said that a committee which had power
to investigate only such charges as might he
referred to it by the Senate, would be useless
As means of reforming the public service.
Mr.. Trumbull said if Senators were earn
eat in their desires to- correct the abuses IN the
public service they would not hesitate to
appoint a committee with suificien. powers.
Mr.. Edmunds said that, considering the
numbers Of persons employed in the public
service and their duties, the administration
of the Government, for the past three years
would compare favorably for efficiency and
purity with any previous administration
whatever, even that Of George Washington
himself, and therefore saw no need of COM
mittee with extraordinary powers.
Mr.. Cassidy commended that the commit
tee proposed by Mr.. Anthony would be mere
nudity, having no power to originate inve.ti-
cations. He had heard of transactions con-
nected with one of the highest departments
and fit subject for investigation, but would
not take upon himself to move an inves,i-
CATION unless there was committee like
that proposed by Mr.. Trnmbull, with power
to originate investigation.
Mr.. Schurz did not regard this As 4 new
Proposition. 1t was merely a proposition
on the part Of Mr. Trumbull to revive the
old Committee on Retrenchment armes. with
powers that made the old committee - use
full and efficient. The Senator from Yer
mont, Mr.. Edwards, had told the Senate that
the civil service had improved greatly un-
der the present administration-and un-
doubleday it had = yet. in the whole history
OF the country it would be difficult or i'm
possible to find for consecutive months dur
ing which so many deialcatiOns, enlbezzle
nents by public servants have been brought
to light as in the last four months. Most of
these cases had been discovered without care
lCl investigation, had been almost stumbled
upon, and therefore it was but fair to infer
that careful investigation would expose
great many more which are now hidden.
Now, gentlemen. tell YOU, whatever may
kln saId s,f he
taken place, the people of the United States
are startled at the frequency and enormiiy of
the disclosures which are made from day to
day. DO not give yourselves up to
any delusion on the subject, for the
American people are onthe point o: demand
ing an honest government, and t ey want to
have all means used for tina. object that are
compatible with the laws OF tie country.
They demand the exposure and overthrow of
corruption, regardless of the interests of any
party or any person. IL seems to me that
We are standing at the threshold OF moral
revolution, that bids fair to go beyond the
overthrow OF the Tammany Ring, and in that
revolution the science Of how no; to do it will
be OF but little avail, neither will cheap dec
lamation against corruption in the abstract, or
against the sinfulness Of sin in general, and
the beauty of virtue avail much. We
have had enough of all that. The people
will not much longer take that worthless
currency as legal tender. Ii We wish to serve
the country and command it, confidence,
We will have TO make it clear to the country
that We hate no party no more than We hate .
corruption; and that We love no par more
than We love good government.
Mr.. Morton declared himself in favor of .
Mr.. Anthony's resolution, because it was
broader than Mr.. Trumbulrs, and embraced .
all matters relative to retrenchment. lie 4
also spoke of the extraordinary purify Of the
present administration, ::and It's promptness
in Furnishing direliction of duty in its officers. /
Without reaching any conclusion the Sem
ate adjourned.
Mr.. Halsey, from the Committee ON Pub |
lie Buildings, reported bill appropria,ing
g, 000, O00 for public buildings in Chicago;
referred TO the Committee on Appropriations. |
Mr.. Wells, of the same committee reported !
a bill appropristing $500, 900 for like |
purpose in ST. Louis, which was similarly re-
lerred.
The House then commenced the discussion /
of the Appropriation Bill, bat after long
discussion in Committee ofthe Whole, of no I
public interest or importance, the committee .
rose without taking action upon it.
Randall, from the Committee on Rnles,
a new rule that the Speaker appoint
one territorial delegate on the Committee on
Territories, and the delegate from the Dis
trio Of Columbia on the Committee
!or the District of Columbia, such delegates
however, not 10 have the right to vote in the
The rule was agreed 10.
The Speaker ;hereupOn appointed Cha &c,
Of Colorado, as member OF the Committee
Oh Territories, and Chapman as q member
Of the Committee Tor the District of Column
bia
Mr.. Hoar, from the Committee on Educa-
lion and Labor, reported bill for the APP
pointment by the Pre- ident with the advice
md consent of The Senate, of a commission
Of three persons TO hod office for two years,
unless their duties shall have been sooner ac-
who are to investigate the SUBJ
ect of wages and hours of labor and divis-
between labor and capitalists and the social
'ducatIon and the sanitary condition Of the
aboring classes of the United States, and
how how the same are affected by existing
avs regulating commerce, finance and cur
ency. The commission are To receive 4
alary of 5000 each, and may employ
,ierhs, and they shall report the result o:
heir investigations to the President, TO be
" him transmitted to Congress.
Mr.. Hoar addressed the Home in expla-
lation and advocacy of the bill
House adjourned.