The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-03-01
WASHINGTON.
Pacific Mail Investigation.


WASHINGTON Feb. 27.-In the House to-day
Mr.. Kasson of Iowa, submitted report from
the Ways and Means Committee in regard to
the Pacific Mail investigation, accompanied by
a series of resolutions, to the effect that copy
of the evidence taken before the committee
upon the question of a corrupt use of money
to procure the passage of bill giving subsi-
dy to the China mail, to be delivered to the
clerk of the House of Representatives, to be
by him laid before the House at the next ses-
sion of the Forty-fourth Congress. to the end
that they make further inquiries and take such
action as they may deem proper in regard to
William S. King and John G. Schumacher
Second, that the Clerk of the House OF Repre-
sentatives transmit to the United States Dis
tr:ct Attorney for the District of Columbia,
COPY of the evidence taken before the COM
mittee. with the request to lay so much OF it
as relates to the truth of the testimony given
by King and Schumacher before the grand jury.
Third, that any reporter or correspondent VINO
occupies seat in the reporters gallery of the
House, and who received any portion of the
money used in procuring the subsidy, be CEN
sured and deprived of his seat in said gallery.
The resolution and report were ordered to be
printed and recommtted.
y The report concludes as follows:
In order that another Congress may have
power to pursue this inquiry until the guilty
parties, if any. are discovered, and that the
disgrace belonging to such discovery! may at
tach exclusively to the individuals involved,
and not rest upon the AID Congress as body,
they recommend that the evidence especially
that relating to money paid to these two par
ties and to the action of Alden Is. Stockwell,
be delivered to the Clerk of the House OF Keep
resentatives, to be laid by him before the next
House of Representatives, of which y. u Schu-
maker and William G. King are members elect
Mr.. King is not member of the present
House, and not within It's jurisdiction, and the
committee is not prepared therefore to make
any recommendation effectirg him except as
embraced in the accompanying resolution 1t
is evident that the testimony of Stockwell may
be of vital importance to the creditib'ity OF
Schumaker'S evidence The committee there
fore think il may better tend to just DISPOSE
ton of his case to give opportunity for further
evidence, and with the strongest motive on the
mart of this witness to furnish more satlstac-
tory explanation of his connection with these
disbursements. The enormous evils attendinS
the existence of an unregulated LOBBY; WIN
licenses to appear before committees ana urge
measures upon members upon fraudulent pre-
fences that they are acting for the public inter-
ests, when they are privately retained by ir I
ested parties, calls for further legislation. Inc
committee deem it necessary for the prctectlon
of Congress against transactions as dlscredlta-
Die as these they have now brought under
review that law should be passed requiring
every person appearing and advocating meas
ures for private interest to appear in his true
capacity as retained attorney or AGENT They
have presented bill designed to throw some
guards around Congress and the public inter-
ests in this respect, and recommend its passage.
The facts of this case also disclose that sums
have been paid to influence the action or in re-
ward of the action of two employees of this
House and to persons entitled to the privilege
of the reporters gallery. Such practices merit
the condemnation of the House. They also
present in the bill provision to prohibit in the
futnre this class of persons from using their
position corruptly or for pay, to defeat or pro-
cure the passage of any measures pending be-
fore Congress- and recommend its passage.
The committee dc not recommend further ac-
ton IN the case Of the two employees OF the
House, who after Lba passage of the act recev-
ed reward as shown in their evidence, being
informed that both of them have resigned.
Various Matters.
The President according to a Tribune des-
match, even if several of the appropriation bills
iail, will not call an extra session of Congress.