New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-02-13
FRIDAY, January q, 1872
THE WARRANT CLERK.

THE WARRANT CLERK.
A communication being received from J.
Pinckney Smith, Warrant Clerk, Mr.. Black
man moved that it be referred to special
committee of three.
Mr. Hunsaker said there was special
committee appointed last session. consisting
of Lieutenant Governor Pinchback then
Senator Pinchback), Senator Campbell. and
himself, as chairman, to investigate the
books and accounts of the Warrant Clerk.
This committee had only refrained from
reporting because they wanted the views OF
Senator Coupiand; they wanted him salts
fed on the subject.
Mr. Lewis-This committee that has had
a year before it, has certainly had time to
make a report long since. and should at any
rate have been ready to report Immediately
on the meeting of the present session OF the
Senate If they can not make their report
now, after having had ten months OF leisure,
with no legislative business to attend TO,
there is little hope of their making report,
now that their legislative duties are added
to their other avocations. This is demand
of the Warrant Clerk, who has been
publicly assailed on the streets, IL
the press, and everywhere, as beng
connected with. the swindlcs of the last
legislature For an investigation / see
no disadvantage in having an additional
committee. so that one may act as a check
on the other. This is supposed to be Leg
islature of dishonest men. The people so
declare it: and if it be so, propose to put
a check on dishonesty by setting conflicting
interests TO work so that we may arrive at
the truth. Ii there has been dishonesty
either on the part OF the Committee on
Contingent Expenses or Warrant Clerk.
or any other officer. let the fault fall where
it is due. There is no risk in this additional
committee: on the contrary, the appointing
of two committees will prevent either of
them specializing Oh the interest OF any
body, even if they are disposed to DO so.
| second the motion.
Mr.. Coupland-So far as tie regular
standing committee TO investigate the War
rant Clerks books is concerned. would
like to state that there was no disposition
shown on the part OF the majority OF that
committee to examine into his books
at all, especially by the chairman,
up to the twenty-ninth of Decem-
Der last. / got notice, after the
adjournment of the last Legislature, that
the committee would meet in the Senate
Chamber at twelve o'clock M. on a day
named. | came here and met Senator
Pinchback. Mr.. Pinckney Smith was here
with his books, but the chairman was not
present. l got another notice. and came
here and met Senator Pinchback again. and
again the chairman was not IN attendance.
The thing slept until the twenty ninth OF
December last. ten months. when received
written notice to meet in the Senate Cham
Der, to make report. This was on a Fri.
day. We had Friday and Saturday Only to
examine the books preparatory to making
report to submit to the Legislature on the
following Monday. Tney had allowed the
Warrant Clerk to go on for ten months; they
had alio wed him to be mandamused and ell
joined: and now to come III at the last hour
and make such an examination as was
proposed, | would not do, because in
the time left us we could not make report
creditable to ourselves or Just to the Warrant
Clerk. There has been no disposition on
the part of the regular committee co examine
into this matter, and | am in favor Of
special committee.
Mr. Hunsalser-There have been some re-
marks made with a tendency to reflect upon
Ire.
Mr.. Coupland-Not at all.
Mr. Hunsaker-The President of the
Senate will bear me out, and | call upon
the Sergeaut-at-Arms to confirm he, that
notices have been sent to the Senator sew
eral times.
Mr. CouDland-I rise
Mr. Hunsaker-I will produce the en-
velopes tomorrow. The Lieutenant Gov
ernor and myself went carefully over the
books, but declined to report until Mr..
Coupland was satisfied. | have nothing to
conceal or cover up. l AIN as far removed
from the Warrant Clerk aud his interests
as ANYBODY. | have never received a dollar
from him except as mileage and per diem.
have never even had voucher paid by
him except for mileage and per diem, and
if the object of The gentleman be to reflect
upon this committee, want an investiga
ton. Ii | have not made a report 1t Is be
cause | wanted the Senator from the third
district to examine into the matter, aud L
ask him now to name day to go over
these books and papers. | promise during
the next week | shall make a report, and
then L shall urge myself that an addi-
tIonal committee be appointed to examine
these books and accounts; but the only
reason why oppose the appointment of
TINS additional committee now is because l
desire that the committee of which | am
chairman shall be respected. | will not
allow my motives to be impugned by any
Senator on this floor.
Mr.. Lewis-I desire to cast no aspersions
on my intimate friend, Judge Hunsaker; | !
have no doubt Of his honesty: but | did say |
If did not l meant to say-that it is a
general belief that, where opportunities Of |
fered, committees often blackmailed Der |
soEs interested in order to get a report in |
their special favor. / think it would be JUS |
tice to the Warrant Clerk and protection !
to my friends, that another committee, with |
different interests, should be appointed, so !