Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-02-05
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA INFESTE
CATION.

The affairs of the District of Columbia are
to be investigated. When the matter came
before the House on Monday, it was decided
that Joint Committee of Investigation should
be appointed, consisting of five Representa-
tives and three Senators. The Representa-
tives named on the part of the House are
Wilson of Indiana, Hale of New York, Hub
bell Of Michigan, Clymer of Pennsylvania
and Jewett of Ohio. There is no doubt says
the correspondent of the Boston Journal,
THAT the Senate will concur in this resolu-
ton. II has frequently been charged that the
Eastern congressman, as rule, were kindly
disposed toward this District, and more in
clined to build up city here than Western
men. Speaker Blaine, in making his selec-
iions in the House, has chosen the men from
the localities which have been supposed to be
somewhat antagonistic to the interests of the
District. 1t may, therefore, be confidently
expected that the investigation will be most
exhaustive, thorough and impartial. When
the report is made, the indefinite stories about
corruption and Encouragement Of public af-
fairs here will either be confirmed or their au
thors be COMPOUNDED. Although no debate
was 10 order there was considerable informal
discussion preceding the vote upon the reso-
lutions. The basis of the resolutions was the
memorials from wealthy anti-tax-payers of
the District, similar to those of last week pre-.
scented in the Senate.
The resolution creating the committee is
very broad in its terms, and covers apparent
ly all conceivable subjects of inquiry. The
assertion was made in debate that the teach
ers of the District have not been paid since
September last, and that there are arrears due
the police force dating as far back as June.
The statement as regards the teachers is true
to some extent. but tho delegate of the Dis
,rict declared that the reason of it was not
that the funds had been diverted from their
proper purpose, MS charged, but that the law
did not warrant sufficient levy for the ex-
pensive school system here, and that many OF
the tax payers, including the memorialists,
had declined to pay even their portion Of the
small amount which has been levied.
In the course of the debate, Judge Poland
made some remarks personal to himself, in
regard TO reports published, to the effect that
his resolution Of last week was perfectly hon
est in it's purpose, and that he had no interest
whatever. different from any other man in the
honest administration Of District affairs. Mr..
Eldredge, Democrat, whose name has been
connected In various ways with the District,
and who was on a former committee of inves-
legation, declared that he did not believe that
a committee of angels could satisfy the carp
ing memorialists, and that for himself he did
not see what further investigation could be
made.
Gen. Chapman, delegate Of the District on
behalf of the District authorities stated that
the officers did not object to the most search
ing investigation into their affairs. He did
think, however, as there had been an xami-
nation into the affairs OF the District every
year of its organisation, that ii was aimee
sssary that another investigation should now
be had. An accountant on behalf Of the Dis
irict has already nearly completed an exami
nation Of the books OF the debt Of the District
since 1902"