Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-01-20
orty.Fourth Congress- First Session.
SENATE.


Washington, January 10,
| Mr.. Sherman of Ohio. presented twenty-one DC.
ttions from citizens of Ohio asking Congressional
| aid for the construction Of the Southern Pacific
railroad. Referred to the committee on Railroads.
Bills were presented and referred as follows :
By Mr.. Conover, to provide for a uniform duty on
| sugar, to the finance committee; by Mr.. Boutwell,,
to provide for the organization of the bar of the
two houses Of Congress, to the Judiciary commit
tee.
sttute for that reported by the committee on
Rules, instrnctng the committee on Rules of the
Senate and House of Representatives to examine,
and after conference report what amendments
should be made to the present joint rules for the
government of the two houses of Congress; and
also what legislation is necessary in regard to the
22d joint rule. Ordered to be printed and laid
over.
Mr.. Sherman submitted a resolution that the
President be requested to cause the buildings and
grounds situated in Columbus, known as the Cap
ital University, proposed to be donated to the
United States by P. Mitchell of Saint City, for the
purpose Of q mint to be examined for the purpose
of ascertaining whether or not said buildings and
grounds are suitable. Agreed to-.
The Senate resumed the consideration of the
resolutions submitted by Mr.. Davis in regard to
the books Of the Treasury Department.
The pending question being on the motion of
MIR. Edmands to strike ont "a special committee"
and insert 1.-THE committee ON Finance" 80 that
the investigation shall be made by the Finance
committee instead Of special committee.
MIR. Sherman spoke at some length in reply to
Mr. Davis, and in defence of the Treasury de-
partnent for the charges against which there was
committee on Finance. That committee would
do the best it could, but he would much prefer to
have the special committee appointed. and let the
Senator from West Virginia look for himself.
The business of the Treasury department was ex-
tensive and complicated. He had often heard it
SAID that the manner of keeping accounts in the
Treasury should be changed but he thought it
would be difficult matter to improve on the plan
of Alexander, Hamilton, Gallatin and other noted
fnanciers.
jure the credit of the Government, but the condi-
ton Of the accounts of the Treasury should be
probed and examined. He was engaged himself
about months ago with one Of the shrewdest
bankers in the Cnted States, in the examination
Of the finance reports from 1871 to 1874. The
time occupied in the examination was about three
weeks, and he did not hesitate to assert that there
was not an accountant in the United States who
could take the finance reports and the debt state
ment and come within $50, 900 900 of the amount
Of the public debt. In his opinion there should
be three departments il the Treasury. One of
public accounts, another of commerce and third
Of public labor. There was something wrong in
getting up the accounts OF the Government and
there should be change.
Mr.. Herman favored the investigation by
special committee.
Mr.. Dawes said if the Senator from West Va.
would state that he had reason to believe any one
had attempted to make the books of the Treasury
Department falsely state the condition Of the pub
lie debt, he (Dawes) would vote for the special
committee, but if the whole purpose of this reso
luton to ascertain if the books of the Treas
ury Department could not be kept in more simple
manner, it was evident to him that the Finance
committee could make the inquiry. The Senator
from West Va, should be more explicit in his
statements as to whether he charged fraud. or
| whether his purpose was to ascertain if the man
ner of book keeping could be smplified.
Mr.. Davis said that not only the Senator from
Mass. but other Senators had attempted to put
, words in his mouth. He Davis had not said
there was frauds or that any one had altered the
books, but he did say the statements sent to Con-
| gress from year to year had been changed, and
| further that the new table Of 1870 did not agree
with the Registers report, but since then the Reg
ister's report had been made to agree with that
table.
Mr.. Dawes said if the Senator from W. Va.
charged that there was fraud, he (Dawes) wond
60 with him in pressing the investigation so that
NO guilty man should escape"
MIR. Frelinghuysen hoped that the amendment
| of the Senator from Vt. lEdmunds) would be
adopted. He said next to the liberty of this coun-
party, to know if there had been laundering in
the treasury. If it WIS true there had been such
laundering, it was akin to fraud.
| Pending the discussion, Mr.. Sherman moved
that the resolution of Mr.. Davis be laid aside, in
| order that the Senator from Ind. (Morton) might
call up his resolution in regard to the Miss. cleo
| ton, and submit the remarks which he was pre-
pared to do. Agreed to.
| The Senate at 3.l5 p. m. proceeded to the con-
| sderaton of executive business, aul in short
time the doors were opened.
Adjourned.
HOUSE.
The centennial bill was taken up at noon in
committee of the whole.
Mr.. Tarbox of Mass, offered a resolution d.
recting the committee on Foreign Affairs to con-
slider the proper legislation necessary to carry into
effect the treaty with Hawaiian Islands. Adopted.
Mr.. Gland Of Mo-, offered q resolution calling
for information on the subject Of the transfer Of
lands within railroad limits, allowed to Union SOL
diers. Adopted.
Mr.. Grape of Mass, offered q resolution for the
payment to the widow of the late representative,
James Burlington of Mass his salary from the
date of his death to November 1875. Referred to
| committee on Accounts.