The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-01-19

show a change from day to day, but he
did not understand how the figures could
be changed four or FIVE years after they
had been reported to Congress.
Mr.. Edmunds said the charges which
the Senator complained of were the
Result OF Bookkeeping.
One OF the good things which the Sena-
tor from Massachusetts, did while he was
Secretary of the Treasury was to go
through all these accounts, and simplify
them as far as possible.
Mr.. Davis SAID he understood there
was no double entry in the bookeep-
ing in the Treasury Department. In
the remarks he made the other day he
had no intention to throw any discredit
upon the Treasury Department or na-
tional credit. If errors existed in the
Treasury Department they should be cor
rected. The Senator from Massachusetts
Boutwell, admitted the figures he
fDavis] presented were correct, but de-
MED that the books had been tsmpered
with. Was it possible that the books OF the
Treasury would not bear out the figures
of the finance reports from which he
+ Davis had taken his figures?
Mr.. Edmnnds referred to the error
mentioned by Mr.. Boutwell,, where a
clerk added the internal revenue to the
public debt, and humorously spoke Of such
clerk as being a bad boy.
Mr.. Davis-It appears to me that
there are a good many bad boys
in the Treasury Department, and
l hope some of them will be found
out. Laughter Continuing his re-
marks, Mr.. Davis said he desired to look
over the remarks Of the Senator from
Massachusetts, [ Mr.. Boutwell, and would
have something to say in reply hereafter.
The Senator from Massachusetts, had
overlooked several instances where he
[ Mr.. Davis showed there were errors.
Mr.. Sherman, of Ohio, said he had no
objection to voting for the
resolution, and the debate could
be resumed when the report Of the
committee should be made. He thought
the Dest thing for the Senate to do was
to adopt the resolution without the pre-
amble; that he could not vote for it, for
he did not believe it to be true.
Mr.. Edmunds also favored the passage
of the resolution, but said he was opposed
to appointing Il spectral committee. The
Senate had Committee on Finance; that
could do the work better than
any special committee. The Finance
Committee was composed of gentlemen
from both sides ofthe chamber and q far
report would be rendered by them.
Mr.. Thurman did not agree with the
Senator from Vermont rs to having an
made by the Finarce Com
mittec. Although the Democratic party
was ably represented on that Committee
by two members, they had not devoted
any particular attention to the subject of
the treasury investigation. The Senator
from Connecticut Eaton] and the Sena-
tor from West Virginia Davis] had
studied the subject, and they should be
members Of the Investigating Commit
tee.
Mr. Edmunds said the expenses of
every inquiry made by special COM
mittee was very great. 1t could be
made by standing committee for one
half the sum.
Mr. Sherman said he saw no reason
why the committee should be authorized
to send for persons and papers. The
committee could go to the Treasury De-
partment to the very place where these
books were kept, and examine them.
They could go with the power of the
Senate to make such examinatiyns.
MIR. Edmunds moved to amend the
resolution so as to have the investigation
made by the Finance Committee instead
OF a special committee
Mr.. Bayard favored the appointment
of special committee.
Mr.. Thurman quoted at length from
the speech OF Mr.. Boutwell, on Thursday
last, and said the main question now be.
fore the Senate was as to the truth of the
finance reports upon which the people of
the country had relied. The Senator
from Massachusetts had distinctly said
that the accounts of the Register of
the Treasury did not state the exact
truth in regard to the public debt for the
long period OF eight years. When the gov
ernment was seeking loan from the
people of Ohio, and said, our public debt
is so much; our interest is so much,
the people relied on that statement. Now
the Senator from Massachusetts said to
these people that they were very simple
to rely on these reports for truth. If
they were good accountants, and went to
the Treasury, they could ascertain
there whether the figures were correct or
not. 1t was high time this inquiry
should be made.
Thanks OF the Country Due Mr..
Davis.
The thanks of the Senate and of the
country were due TO the Senator from
West Virginia, for calling attention TO
this subject. The Investigation should
be made. not IN party sense, but on bus-
ness principles, to see if the accounts Of
this government could not be kept the
same as the accounts of great railroad
and mercantile establishment. He favor
ed the appointment of select committee
to make inquiry.
Mr.. Morton said he was in favor of
having an investigation, but 1t should be
made by the Finance Committee and not
by select committee. No special CON-
mittee would be more energetic or de-
termined than the Committee on Fl
nance.
Pending the discussion, at AIS the
Senate went into executive session, and
soon after adjourned
House
Mr. Knott, from the Judiciary Com
mittee, reported a proposed amendment
To the constitution, as follows: No per-
son who has held, or may hereafter hold,