Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1876-09-14

House, Mr. Vance openly showed
that this was the only part of his
work in which he felt a deep per-
sonal interest. He was so open and
earnest about this section, however,
as to excite universal remark.
When Mr.. Randall, who saw at a
glance the impropriety of the House
directing such a contract, rose and
began to indicate his views, Vance
lett his own seat, ran down to one
behind Randall, and, in the presence
Of the whole House and of the gall
leries, attempted to control and stop
-Randalls opposition to this contract
clause of the bill. 1t is doubtful
whether any paid lobbyist ever made
more open exhibition of himselfon
the floor, than did Mr.. Vance on this
occasion, and, as it is charitable to
suppose, without pay.
COUSIN ALEsHIRE VISITS WASHINGTON.
Among the vouchers of the Vance
investigation are two which will in
terest his constituents. Under the
pretense of being witnesses, or ex-
perts, or something else of use to an
investigating committee, a great
many people obtained, or rather
made the chance of visiting Wash
ington, and seeing the sights. Among
others came Mr.. j. P. Aleshire, of
Gallipolis, Ohio, a cousin of Mr..
Vance. His neighbors would hardly
have suspected it, but Cousin Joseph
Aleshire came as an "expert in print
ing" What particular element
there may be in the soil of Gallipolis
that produces better experts in print
ing than can be found nearer Wash
ington, Mr.. Vance has not yet made
known. But he will doubtless make
it plain before long. However this
may be, here is copy of the voucher
upon which Cousin Joseph made a
free trip to the National Capital
sort of an Innocent Expert Abroad,
as it were:
s'HoUsE OF Representative
OF THE L. S.
"To Joseph p. Aleshire, Dr.:
"For services as expert before the
Committee on Printing of the House of
Representatives, investigating the pub
lie printing, under a resolution of the
House of February 81, 1876, $780,
"Approved, JOHN L. VANCE,
"Chairman Committee Printing"
"May 9, 1876. !
ssReceived of George NJ. Adams,
of the United States, 500, in full, of
the above account.
''J. p. ALEsHIRE,
''GALLIPoLIs, o."
The report is current here that Mr..
Vance is explaining that this money
was mot for Joseph as an "expert
in printing" but as an "expert in
bookkeeping" Under late law it
is necessary to write on the face of
each Government check the purpose
for which it was given, and so
Cousin Joseph's check, which has
got back to the Treasury, is good
evidence on this point. Here is
copy:
ssNo. 2,07l. WASHINGTON,
May, 4, 1876.
OF THE UNITED STATES,
WASHINGTON.
''Pay to j. P. Aleshire (expert Pub
lie printing! or order, one hundred dol
lars. [$lOO.]
GREEN ADAMS,
"Chief Clerk House of Representatives.
This check was endorsed by Cousin
Joseph, and paid by the Ohio Valley |
Bank at Gallipolis.
Two facts show that Mr.. Aleshire |
was not here simply as an expert.
Two other gentlemen were summon
ed from New York in that capacity, |
and received exactly such vouchers
and checks as Cousin Joseph. But
the difference is, both were examined
before the Committee, while he was
neither summoned regularly, nor ex-
amined at all.
Besides this, there is a little
for Mr.. Vance himself to
explain. All that is known about it
at the Treasury is that it is most un-
usual for member of committee,
sitting in Washington, to incur per-
sonal expenses in connection with an
investigation. Either the Clerk or
the Sergeant-at-Arms pays all proper
expenses.
But, here is Mr.. Vance, as Chair
man of the Committee, paying him
self mon ey: H
House of Representatives of the Uni
ted States,
To John L. Vance, DIR.
"For expenses incurred in prosecu-
Ting the investigation. of the Public
Printing, ordered by the House of Rep
by resolution of June 13
md February 81, 1875, $4s.5O."
MAY 6, 1875.
"Received of George NJ. Adams,
Clerk of the House of Representatives
If the United States, forty-eight 50-l00
dollars, in full of the above account.
"JoHN L. VANCE"
The gentleman who approved
Cousin Joseph's YOU cher, and sign
ed the above receipt for himself, now
has the floor. H. V. B.
AN article signed S. P. Vaughn,
IN the last Journal, speaks of 'the
drunken Allen" Is it possible that
,he writer of that article was Rev.
). P. Vaughn?-Bulletin.
For the GalliDolis Journal.