The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1876-05-16
Dsnecsrssss Rxsravasancs IN wit
mess Fees.

The reckless sxtrsvagancs Of the
committees OF Investigation OF the Con-
fsdsrats House Of Representatives sur
passes all that has taken place Ia SUM-
moning Witnesses during the history OF
the country. So reckless, indeed. have
the Democratic chairman OF these CON-
mittess been, that an entirely new ap-
preparation was asked for under the
disguise of Miscellaneous Items" am
ounting to $50, 900. The magnitude
and novelty of the item were develop
Cd a. the deficiency appropriation bill.
in charge OF Mr.. Wells OF Missouri.
was discussed; and the following sx-
trsct from the Record shows how the
discovery was made:
Mr.. Hoar. move TO strike out the
last word in the pending paragraph,
for the purpose OF asking the gentle:
man from Missouri what his appro-
priation Of $50. 900 for miscellaneous
items IL for.
Mr.. WELLS, Of Missouri. hold in
my hand Q communication from the
clerk OF this House asking for the sew
sral items here. And among them 10
this, "for miscellaneous items. Geo.
000," for the purpose Of paying the
witnessos Who have been summoned
before oommittses Of the House. The
communication gives list in detail OF
what IL required for each committee.
These Witnesses arc paid out OF the
miscellaneous appropriation. III there
be no objsction ] viii have the oommu-
RIcstion read.
Mr.. HALE. Will the gentleman al
low me TO ask him Q question: II this
not an entirely unexpected call aud de.
mAud for IN appropriation not at all
considered last year2
Mr.. WRLLs, Of Missouri. II 10 30
understood by the Committee on Ap-
piopriations
Mr.. Hale For the payment OF the
numerous witnesses that have either
been summoned here or have cone here,
and are tsstifying or are waiting in
attendance on the committee OF this
House.
Mr.. WxLLs. may state further
that / am informed by the Clerk OF the
House in person that thsse items are
made up in accordancs With the sus-
gsstions Of the respective chairmen OF
Of the committees. He called on them
oflcially to sccertain the amount they
would require for the payment OF their
Witnesses, and the amount according
10 the list 10 over $50, 900.
Mr.. HALn. / desire TO ask TO an
Mother question OF the gentleman, ~
he has looked into this matter mors
than have done. Does he know that
in some cases in reference TO some OF
the committees these charges or esti-
mates have been largely swollen by
the fact that Witnesses have been about
here for days and weeks without being
examined, and claiming to draw pay ell
the while for their attendanceY
Mr.. Wells, OF Missouri. have no
such knowledge myself. but have no
doubt il 10 30.
That il an admission that shows the
reckless way in which these committees
are using the public money in paying
witness fees. Any hummer who says
he can testify against . prominent
Republican can get q subp1na. The
result is that the city has been over
run with lot Of Democratic strangers
whom you could swear knew nothing;
and when they did swear they proved
il. But the subpenas issued so fast
and furious, and the witnesses put in
an appearance so rapidly, that the city
was . perfect correl OF lov-browed,
rednosed people. Aud since tns VIII
80. sess h.ve rnn out, and 800, 900
more was required TO make snnother
collection OF the same Kind, every
one Of whom says he knows some
thing dreadful against q republican till
you ask him. the people have ceased
TO be surprised at the muddiness OF the
Potomac water. They know the reas-
on Why, and would bo willing to sub
scribe themselves to get rcd OF the red
nosed Democrats visiting us-the de.
termined foes OF truth and cleanliness.