Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-04-22
WASHINGTON MATTERS.

1
---------
WASHINGTON MATTERS.
The draft of the report upon the Sanborn
contracts will favor the unconditional repeal
of the law under which the contracts were
made. 1t will review the history of the law,
and question the authority of The department
to execute it in the manner disclosed by the
| evidence taken and documents submitted. 1t
will maintain that the effect of the law as ex-
ecuted was to take away from the internal
revenue Office large share Of the duties en-
trusted to it exclusively, by law. 1t will
show that the commissioner of internal rev.
enue was not in any way responsible for the
irregularities which have been developed.
The report will make little distinction in its
censure of all those in the department in any
way connected with the execution of these
contracts, but will reflect severely upon all Of
them. There is very pointed personal con-
troyersy in progress at the Treasury depart
ment, the parties to it being Messrs. Richard
son, Sawyer and Banfeld. While the first
two are not thoroughly satisfied with each
others testimony, both agreed in characterize
ing Mr.. Baufields statements in very severe
terms. Several points in the controversy turn
upon the responsibility of Ex-Secretary Bout
well in the matter.
There are many indications to show that
the Howard Court of Inquiry will adjourn
early in May, as up to the present time the
only testimony which has been presented has
been for the prosecution. But it is already
stated by the friends of Gen. Howard that
that gentleman is willing to rest his case upon
the evidence adduced. Those who hold very
intimate relations with the members of the
court are of the opinion that the verdict will be
an entire acquttal of Gen. Howard of any
personal responsibility for the defalcation Of
| his subordinates.
| The Senate Select Committee on Trans
portation at their meeting Saturday night
agreed TO the report prepared by the Chairman,
Senator Window of Minnesota. The report is
elaborate, embracing a large mass Of statisti-
cal matter not before colated and contains a
discussion of the alleged defects and abuses
of the existing systems of transportation. and
also the proposed remedies in detail. The
remedies discussed are included under four
general divisions, viz: First, unregulated
competition between railroads; second, d.
rect Congressional regulation of rates and
fares third, the ownership and control of one
| or more freight railways by the General Gov
eminent, and fourth, the improvement and
creation of water routes. Each of these
subjects is fully discussed, and the conclusion
generally is in favor of improved water routes.
Several specific recommendations are made,
but these are withheld by the committee until
Thursday next The committee are not
unanimous on the measures of legislation they
propose with reference to railroads, but are
on their recommends as to water courses.
The constitutional questions are fully dis
cussed. Senator Window will, after making
the report, fully epitomize and explain its
contents.
Mr.. Dawes, in the House on Saturday,
when the salaries Of some of the leading off-
Gals of the Treasury were under discussion,
Uaue very 'iSoIouS speSCH, PIoteotiHb
against all increase of salaries. ~ SHALL" he
said, "vote against the raising of any one of
these salaries. | shall do it because in all
time past they have proved sufficient. When
the expenses of living have been greater than
they are how when the difference between
currency and gold has been greater than it is
now when the duties Incumbent upon the
different officers have been more complex and
varied and exacting than they are now, they
were able at their salaries to discharge these
duties and discharge them well. 1t is only
within a short time, within few years, that
these parties have been coming here to Con-
gress and importuning to add to their compen-
saton. trust this House will raise no salary
whatever, but will apply the remedy to any
defect in the Administration in another direc-
ton and upon another principle