Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1874-05-14

Ex-secretary Boutwell, testlaea before THE
Ways and Means Committee In the Sanborn
investigation on the LIST. He said he was sure
the Sanborn business was never a matter OF
conversation between himself and Secretary
Richardson, and he had never had any per-
sonal relations with sanborn, only hearing Of
when inquiring into the qualifications OF sew
cral special agents. The fact thai Snnbon had
q contract was not brought to his knowledge
officially or personally, nor had he
officially or personally a knowledge Of the
contracts made with anybody else under the
law. Mr.. Boutwell,, In his testimony, sus.
tains Mcssrs. Richardson and Sawyer In the
assertion that Solicitor Banfe!d knew more Of
Ganborn and the details OF his contract
than any other officer OF the Treasury.
Mr.. Boutwelps attention was called to
m order signed by him and addressed to
Collectors and Assessors, directing them TO
assist sanborn In such way as he might ask In
the examination of official records. Mr..
Boutwell, said he stood by this as legal and
proper; 1t merely allowed him TO see the
records In Assessors and Collectors offices
with reference TO persons who have withheld
taxes due TO the Government, so as to avoid
going after those who have already paid their
taxes.
The Committee on Ways and Means on the
4th reported on the Sanborn contracts, recit-
Ing the circumstances under which they were
executed and the conclusions they had
reached. In the opinion Of the committee q
very large percentage, II not all, Of the $437,-
~ 4.x, III,
proper subject Of contract under the law, and
the taxes should and would have been col
lccted by the officers of the Revenue Bureau
in the ordinary discharge OF their duties. Re-
fcrring to the conflict Of testimony between
the Secretary, Assistant Secretary and the So
HECTOR Of the Treasury, the committee say:
"Thc disagreements and contradictions given,
respectively, by these gentlemen, ms appear
from the testimony, Is a matter greatly de-
plored by the committee, as by 1t they are I'M
able to fix upon anyone, or anywhere. the
responsibility for the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. of
this law; and they look with serious apprehen-
sion upon the apparent efforts Of these gentle
men to transfer the responsibility each from
himself to the other. While the committee,
therefore, are unable TO determine where
the responsibility rests, they cannot
In Justice to themselves ignore the fact that
these three persons deserve severe condemna-
tion for the manner In which they have per-
mitted this law TO be administered" In view
Of the facts presented the committee recon-
mcnded that the law Of May 8, 1872, be re-
pcaled and that the contracts made hereunder
be revoked and annulled. They submitted
tho draft of bill for that purpose.
The Comptroller of Currency has called
upon the National Banks for reports exhibit
ing their condition at the close Of business on
Friday, May l.
An appeal has been published In Washing
Ton urging immediate relief Of sufferers by the
floods in the Southern States, and stating that
over 142, 900 people have been driven from
their homes and are now without food or shell
ter. and that to furnish these with provisions
alone will cost t25, 600 day.
1t was reported In Washington on the 9th
that Hon. Elihu b. Washburne, Minister to
France, had been offered and had accepted the
position Of Secretary Of the Treasury.