Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-05-01
The sanhorn Csntrnct- In,c-,irntIon
SENATOR BoCTwELL's TEsriNoN

SENATOR BorTWELL's TEsrINoNN.
Senator Boutwell, appeared before the WAYS
and Means Committee this morning Ia rct-
erence TO the SahbOrn ami other similar can
tracts. lie stated that he had been ili tor tso
months, aud. with the exception OF ms Samnsr
eulogy. had performed no lsbOr OF any Kind. tie
had not even read the evidence In the pending
investigation, and therefore scarcely knew what
the committee wanted. lie would consequently
prefer 10 make no statement, but simply 70
answer any questions winch might be pro-
pounded. In answer 20 quest ons, ne stated a. AZ
IL was ms desire when Secretary Ottbe rreasa.y
10 execute the law OF Congress according 60 ifs
spiilt snc intention. and he consulted Solicitor
Banteld, and together they drew up the form OF
contract. which Sas subsequently adopted Tue
Sabborn contract as never the subject OF cpu-
Nersstion between himself aud Bsnneld. Tue
latter Was legal adviser OF the department anf
he Boutwell, never acted 10 doubtful legal mat
tetswithOut hrst consulting him. Never had auy
personal relations with SanbOrn Ia any way.
shape or form. Special A gent Sanborn came -
his Cfhce in office hours Only. and ne regarded
him A. q faithful Oftcer. As Secretary OF ne
Treasury he could not fully ffiFesttgate every
paper lac signed. unless his special atteRti N
was scaled TO u. DID the department have three
secretaries they could not have a psr>bnal
knowledge OF every transaction. much depend
ence must necessarily be placed urOu subori A.
mates. The witness admitted that perhaps the
wording OF bis circular letter 20 superyi-o-s,
collectors and assessors OF internal re senue D
assist Sanborn in prosecuting his business Was
little unfortunate in the light OF suhseq lent
events, but his intention was 10 simply awe
-E@Ieea - 10 tUlt on Tue A-st
books simply to see whether & or n. whom he
believed delinquent, had been assessed aud not
10 place him over Internal revenue officers, az
some persons supposed IL virtually did. lie
ia not think u would have been proper a. tie
time 20 have informed the Office OF internal re -
enGe OF The contracts made bv the deaarrm mt
iOT the collection of delinquent taKes, for tue
reason that Il would have been turning tue M a.
Ter over 70 the officers Of the bureau who h.I
Jailed 10 do their duty, aud a contest wOnII
have arisen between them and the contractors.
PERHAPS ua 49, ~, -.
notify the proper accounting OFF sers OF tue ex
ecutipg OF the contracts, and direct them MOI ID
pay any contractors claims until the internal
revenue buTeau furnished information that
they Lai made the necessary collections. In not
doing thus perhaps the department erred. II
BAnheld SPOKE 10 him about giving Sauborn A
contract, he Mr.. Boutwell, doubtless con-
CURED. He did not necessarily UNDER
stand and thoroughly examine every cor
tract lecause he depended upCn the solici-
tor, = hose duty u MAS 20 see thar tie Law wxs
complied With. He was asked by Mr.. Dawes Il
De considered II Sss proper 70 insert ApplstOn's
Guide an The SanbOTn contract. aud REPLIED
That be hoped ne would be excused from giving
an opinion Of any act OF the department ior
which he could not properly be held rcspon-t-
bic. In answer 70 Mr.. Wood, he said Il Wa h's
practice, A. Tar A. Possible. when SecTetArv. %
examine laws IA reference To the Treasury de-
partmeht-nOt necessarily all CT them. Tor there
was DO necessity. bat special acts were Rlwavs
brought 20 his personal attention.