Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1871-12-22
DEBATE IN THE U. y. SENATE ON
THE NEW YORK CUSTOM HOUSE
FRAUDS.

day, upon the resolution introduced by Mr. |
Conkling (Rep), OF New York, which |
reads:-
RssoIuSd, That the Commtte c.. Investl-
cation and RetTenchment be instructed 10
inquire into the matter fully aud particularly
whether any cOlusion or improper connec-
tion with such business exists on the palt OF
any officer of the United States, aud that
said Committee furlher inquire whether any
person holding office in the Custom House
IN New York has been or is known by his
superior officers to be guilty oil bribery or
taking bribes, or of other crimes or misde'
meanors, and said Committee is here autho.
rized 10 send for persons an papers.
Mr.. Anthony (Rep), OF Rhode Island,
offered resolution for the appointment OF
the following Committee on Investigation
and Retrenchmenl: Messrs. Buckingham,
Pratt, Howe, Harlan, Stewar', Pool aud
Bayard
Mr.. Sumner said he was surprised at the
absence OF certain names on the Committee.
He found on this list net the name OF a single
Senator who urged this Investigation, or
who voted for the investigation in tho
strongest form, unless 1t be the Democratic
Senator from Delaware, Mr.. Bayard.
Mr.. Anthony said-This is the first time
in my experience in the Senate that lave
ever heard Committee objected TO on ac-
count of the character OF its members, and
am glad that the first experiment has been
tried upon Senators against whom so little
can be said.
Mr.. Thurman (Dem }, of Ohio, said
There is difference in opinion in the Sem
ate as TO the existence Of frauds and the
necessity fer investigation.
Mr.. Conkling- What diiierence2
Mr.. Thurman-The Senator from Nevada
said, the other day, that there was no ne.
cCssty for an investigation at all; that this
Administration and its officials were so
pure that there was nothing to investi-
gate.
Mr.. BlYa-d (Dem.N, of Delaware said Mr.
Summers criticism upon the appointment of
the Committee was just He was willing to
give his time 10 the discharge OF any public
duty that might be imposed upon him, but
he wished the country TO understand, in ad-
vance, The manner in which the Committee
was 10 be made un. He knew from ex'
peTlence Low difficult it was for single
representative on Committee TO protect the
interests Of the minority, and believed the
design in making uD this Committee with
only one Democrat upon 1t was that lie
should no. be present Ut the whole Of the
proposed investigation, US he could not
possibly be-
Mr.. ConkIug-Now, wish once lor all
-cufTfE1r u sI7i my 'IITTHi -TIUII efus
ware. Mr.. Bayard, and bis friends in this
chamber, by saying that as often as he or
any other member OF this body will propose
alY investigation as TO individuals Or officials
or il that is asking them to assume dis
agreeable responsibility, whenever any one
will point out any fitld, will designate any
branch oi the public service, any matter OF
thing which lie desiiGs to have investigated
will 90 with him TO the very verge and
vote for the mot Radical, sweeping and
searching investigation which lie knows
how TO cOntrive,
BIr. Bayard said lie would accept the Sen
atOr's pledge, and would offer as substitute
lor tie preceding resolution Mr. TrumbulP'
substitute for it. The Senator from New
York, Mr.. Conkling, had voted against tina
proposition LeiOre, but probably lie woull
vote for it now.
Mr.. Conkling SAID he wshel the country
10 understand that there was no monopoly
OF public virtue on tie part of tue gentlemen
on the other side. The Senator from Della
ware Mr.. BayRrd, knew him Mr. Uonkng
well enough TO know that he was earnest Il
lis desire to discover and punish fraud.
Mr. Bayard said was still under the impres
zion that there was some Inconsistency be
tween the POSITION Of Mr.. COnk1ng las
Thursday, on the Trumbul reso'u ion, am
lis position to-day. The Seuaior had III
doubtedlY voted agair st the proposition.
Mr.. Conkliug-lf We add it now as an il
struction to the Committee, won't be just O
welP
Mr. Boyaid-Win the Senator vol
loritP
Mr.. Conkling-Why, l said in the yer
debate we are speaking Of that | would.
Mr. Bayard-Yesl but the Senator vote
against it. [Laughterl
Mr.. Conkling-No.
Mr.. Bayard-Well, l can only refer
the record. will lei the Senator's explan
tion stand on one side, and the record
the other.
Mr. COnkling-On The same sidCl
Mr.. Bayard-Ile may get them as nei
together as lie can. LaughtCr.l
Mr. Bayald went on to say that VII
alarmed the people was the discovery III
the discipline In the puellc service was
lax, that abuses and frauds can 90 on i
years, as in the recently developed cases
Hodge and Colender. 1t was singul
thing, too, that Notwithstanding the eaTne
protestaton of q desire for reform, every mi
who ATTEMPTED to initiate any reform,
even to point out abuse in the Administl
lon, had been attacked and, II possb
crushed. David A. Wells, genuine al
valuable TelOrmer, had been treated in Il
way, and there was q manifest dispOsli
on the part Of the Administration champiO
10 treat labor Teormers in the same wa
Another singular fact was that whenel
any one on either side OF the house asked
an Investigation of fraud or corruption,
was at once accused of aiming al the Pre-
minisiraiion identify their chief with
abuses? Neyeitl eless the country wol
insist on an investigation ift was true,
stated by the New York Tribune that
affairs Of the Republican party in New "
State had been controlled by Federal petr
age under the management Of the late
lector OF New York. The people would !
10 know whether it was true That Cabi
ofIicers had gone into other States and
terposed in State matters; whether,
instance, the Attorney General Of the u vi
States went into North Carolina pendinl
State canvass involving the Rmendmen
the State constitution, and there attemr
10 in,imdale tie voters by telling them
after thew had reformed that constitul
and made il more acceptable TO the pee
their action would he nullihcd by a TeCog
lion Of the Sa.e Government which
been rejected by tue voice OF the peO
The county would like TO know whel
IL was true that the Executive power
even cast its shadow into this chamber
ntiempted to influence tie action of sena
either by he ducet tones OF promise OF
ward. or tie threatening ton,s Of vengea
10 be taken uron those wLo had tue
otune 10 be the offenders iiiends.
these were fit subjects ot investigation,
ueinvesligation TO effect anything mus
made ty men who a c willing to investg
Il was lot question OF character bI
opiuion. The Senator iTom Indiana,