Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-08-19

tons may be described in general way as cover.
ing every possible source, cause, occasion or OPP
portunity of fraud, corruption or official misdong
1t would seem to have been enough TO instruct all
the standing committees Of the House, as they
were instructed by the Morrison resolution, to in
vestigate everything within their jurisdiction;
nevertheless more than three-score special inves-
LEGATIONS were ordered, several of them requiring
the appointment of select committees. Among
the more interesting and important Of these are
the following:
The famous inquiry into the purchase by the
Union Pacific Railroad Company of the Little
Rock and Fort Smith Railroad bonds-an inquiry
which, having served its purpose, now hangs in
curious state Of suspension.
The investigation of the affairs of the Freed
mems Bank, which resulted in the exposure OF
corruption already discovered and checked, but
afforded material for an excellent democratic cam
paign document.
general inquiry into the affairs of the Pacific
railroads. with view of ascertaining whether
they have complied with the conditions under
which their subsidies were granted. This has yet
produced no result whatever.
The general investigation of the management of
the several navy yards, conducted by sub-commit-
tees of the committee on naval affairs, producing
little else than mass of testimony so enormous
and ill-arranged that nobody can be expected to
read it.
The inquiry into Minister Schenck's connections
with the Emma mine speculation and the Machado
claim, resulting in the passage OF resolution OF
censure upon Schenck.
The investigation of the government printing
office by the committee on printing, the majority
Of which found the congi essional printer deserv-
ing of Impeachment, while the minority were of
quite the contrary opinion.
The inquiry lease of the Alaska fur seal fishery
to the Alaska Commercial Company, and whether
the company has observed the conditions Of the
contract. The result Of this inquiry was highly
favorable to the company.
The Investigations of the subject of straw bids
l.l...C A..
offices and post-roads The report of the commit
tee on this subject is so recent as to require no
further notice.
The investigation of the so called real estate
pool in the District of Columbia, and the ndebt
edness of Jay Cook & Co. to the government, pro-
duced the Haet Kibourn sensation and resolu-
ton asking the judiciary committee to see if they
could find any evidence in the testimony concern
ing Secretary Robson upon which that officer
could be impeached. The Judiciary committee, it
is well known has postponed the question until af-
ter the Presidential election
The inquiry by special committee into the
prosecution of the whiskey ring at ST. Louis with
the purpose of discovering whether there was any
interference with the prosecuting officers or be-
trayal of evidence to the defence, meaning Bah
cock This cut off by adjournment, but may
be resumed next fall.
Then there was the investigation Of the conduct
of federal office holders in New Orleans, the Mary
Merritt case, and others, ordered by special resol
utions, besides the scores of inquiries prosecuted
under general Instructions, such as the Belknap
matter the mule case, the Pcndleton claim bust
ness, and the scandal against Speaker Kerr.
AS little as all these Investigations amounted to-
they afford quite as much satisfaction to the par
tisan majority in the House as the results of the
numerous resolutions Of inquiry addressed to the
executive departments. Some of these resolutions
required an immense amount of clerical labor ;
one, in particular, calling for list of all the stock
holders in the national banks, necessitated the
constant employment OF obout twenty clerks for
a month. In response to request for the infor-
nation in his possession relative to the Alaska pur
chase, the seal fishery, etc., Secretary Brstow
sent to the house at leas. ten pounds of manu-
script and documents, which made something like
fifteen hundred printed pages.