The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-02-03
FORTY-F0URTH CONG RESS
WASHINGTON, February 2.
SENATE.

ununlsneQ Duslness, DelnR nouse JUN
resolution directing the Commissioners o.
the District of Columbia to pay the in.
terest on bonds issued in pursuance OF
the act approved June 20. 1874, out oi
any funds in the United States treasury,
subject to the requisition of said Commits
sioners, the pending question being on
the amendment of Mr.. Herman, submitted
yesterday providing that any further
issue of 3-65 bonds under or by virtue OF
said act of Congress, approval June 20
1874, is hereby prohibited.
Mr.. Sargent defended the Board OF
Public Works. He referred TO the state.
ment of Mr.. Bsyard yesterday, to the ef-
feet that he had been informed that the
fees of the counsel for Sheppard and
others had been paid in 3-65 bonds, and
said that he was sorry the speech OF the
Senator was not on record, that he might
read his exact language.
Mr.. Bayard said he had the manu-.
script before him unchanged, and it was
at the disposal OF the Senator.
Mr.. Sargent said the charge of the
Senator. that these fees were paid in 3-65
bonds, was reckless. By little exsmina-
ton the Senator could have seen that
the Board of Audit had all to do with is
suing these bonds, and not the old city
government.
Mr.. Morton said he had the authority
of one of the District Commissioners for
the statement that the Commissioners
never passed upon or entertained any
claim for the payment of counsel fees
for Shepherd, or any Of the expenses OF
that investigation; and, further, that
they never authorized the payment OF
any money to any newspaper for publish
ing the testimony taken by that commit
tee.
Mr.. Bayard read from mis- remarks of
Yesterday, to the effect that he had been
informed that such payment OF counsel
fees in the 3-65 bonds, had been maze,
and said he did not say it was so, but
asked of other Senators if it was true. He
now asked if either of the Senators de-.
MED that these fees had been paid out Of
the national treasury.
Mr.. Morton replied that they had not.
MIR. Sargent, resuming, said that the
men comprising the Board of Public
Works had made Washington beauti-
fui and healthy city, and that there was
nothing to show that they had
nut a dollar in their pockets
The Senator from Delaware had spoken
of gigantic crime committed by the
Board of Public Works, against Colum-
bus Alexander. There were several
opinions about that matter, and he [Ssr-
gent thought there might be cause in
the sober Judgment Of other people for
the belief that there was some founda-
tion for the charge against him. He
GSa-gent7 could show from the evidence
before the committee that Mr.. Alexander
offered to pay the express charges on
the stolen books. Suppose Mr.. Har-
rington, as it has been alleged,
did set up all this plot. The object of it
was to disgrace Alexander, and show
that he was privy to this crime of steal
ing the books He Sargent did not
know Alexander, and had not the slight
est disposition TO do him injustice, but
when he was lugged in here as the Savior
of the world to be sacrificed beside thieves,
he rSargeaut though 1t worth while to
find out who was the thief and who was
the Savicr. The subject was further de-
bated by Messrs, Morton and Edmunos.
Mr.. sherman opposed the amendment
submitted by the Senator from New
York Mr.. Kernan), and argued that it
would exclude certificates which could
be- converted into 3.65 bonds, under the
existing law.
Mr. Allison defended the action of the
Joint Committee, of which he was
chairman, and which made the invcsti
CATION. He said the Senator from Cali
iornia Mr.. Sargcant) had rsked up the
old dead bones of defunct government
manifestly for the purpose Of putting
somebody, either Democrats or RePubli-
can, on the ,te1sive AS 10 ths courte-
sy or propriety of such cause
He had nothing to say but stood by the
report of the Commissioners. Referring
10 the letter read by Mr.. Sergeant he
said it might be the case that he had
written letters, garbled extracts of which
were read by the Senator from Cslsforn-
ia. He Al'lsonl did not make any
charge against the District Commission
ers and be had every confidence in them,
but believed they had misconstrued the
law and Notwithstanding their high char
&c .er they were public servants and be had
a right as a Senator TO speak OF their
course. He then referred to
the comprehensive plan of improve
nents adopted. by the board OF
Public Works, and said that one Of the
creates. causes Of complaint before the
committee was that real estate ring
had been formed which bought all the
real estate in the northern part of the
city, and that Improvements Were begin
mig to be made in that section to the
exclusion of Capital Hill and other por-
tians of the CITY. The Board of Public
Works mad incurred debt OF eighteen
million dollars, when the act of
Congress, which created them, provided
the debt should not exceed ten millions.
He DID not think the committee should
be arraigned for recommending the sb-
clifton of that government. The debt OF
the District of Columbia amounted 10
one-fburth of the cash value Of all the
real estate here.
Mr.. Logan said he did not understand
how the Board Of Public Works could
create debt OF eighteen millions, when
the law distinctly said the debt of the
District should not exceed ten millions.
Mr.. Morton said the effect of the amend
ment of the Senator from New York
would be TO pay the certificates now ia
sued in money instead of 365 bonds. If
bonGs could not be issued for them they
mus. be paid ia money under the pres
ent law.
Mr.. Edmund. gave notice that at the
proper time he would submit an amend
ment, which provides there shall be no
increase in the present amount OF the to-
tsl Indebtedness Of the District.
Pending discussion the Senate ad
journed-
HOUSE.