Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-04-15
FORTE-FOURTH CONGRESS.
SATURDAY, April
SATURDAY, April Is.
THE SENATE was not In session to-day.
Smith. Journal Clerk OF the House.
20 be InYesfiHafed

To be Investigated.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIV ES,-Mr
White tKy) rose to a privileged question
and had read an extract from the New
YORK Tines, embracing a circular and pro-
posed agreement by Charles H. Smith,
journal Clerk of the House, in refer ance ID
his acting as claim agent for bounties in the
event OF the passage of tile bill now pending
before tie House for an equalization OF the
hOuntles, and Offered resolution directing
the Committee on Military Affairs to inveS.
liz ate and report TO the House whether any
officer or clerk of the House are acting as
claim agents, and whether any further IeyIs-
lation is necessary to prevent off cers or
clerks acting as claim agents and becoming
interest il legislation Involving appropri. .
atiOns from the Treasury.
The Speaker said IL was the duty OF the
Chair To lay before the House a comnuuica-
LiOn received from the Journal Clerk by him
etOre the assembling of the House TO day.
The Clerk then real a letter from Mr..
NTH, stating that his attention had been
allied 10 criticisms on the above subject,
and he desired to make statement OF facts.
On the 10th of March he left for his home in
New Hampshire, and while there for the pur-
pose OF voting at the state election, he read
in Boston paper toat u Dill eQnaliZing
bounties had been reported In the House on
the 18th, and would probably be passed. He
then determined on the passage OF the bill TO
resign his position and enter on the practice
of his profession as an attorney at Washing
ton. AT that time he had full knOwiedge of
section 1873 OF the revised statu eS prOh BIZ
ing any O1lceT from acting as attorney or
agent for any claim, and he could not see
how prior to the passage of bill one could
be claim agent on claims depending upon
its becomiog law. II the bill passed il was
his intention TO resign the position of journal
clerk before attempting ID prosecute any
claim. He had not acted as attorney or
agent for any claim while an officer of the
House, and he did not think there was any
improperly in his course so long as he did
not use his public position TO promote his
private interest. He had never spoken TO a
member about II, or attempted to use any
influence to secure the passage Of the bounty
bill or any other matter before Congress. He
closed by inviting the fullest Investigation
and scrutiny into his conduct.
The House, after discussion, referred the
subject to the Committee on Rules for in
vesttgatiOn and report Smith was not iu
the House while the matter was pending.
Mr.. Douglass (Va-), from the Committee
on the FTeedmen's bank, reported a bill to
amend the act of June so, 1871. amending the
charter of the Freedmen's Saving and Trust
company. Ordered printed and made the
special oder for April 22d after the morning
hour.
Mr.. Knott, from the Judiciary Commit
tee, reported bill To provide for the adj
ministration Of oaths in the Senate. Passed.
Nr. Singleton (Miss.), from the Commit
tee on appropriations, reported back the
senate amendments TO the consular and dip-
lomatic bill, and moved non concurrence.
aid that the House recOnnmit the Dill and
amt ndments, which was agreed To.