New-York tribune., 1876-04-22
,ey TsLgcRnn TO rHg TRIBUNE.

INVESTIGATIONS.
iBY TELEGRAPH TO rHE TRIBUsE.I
WASHINGTON, April 21.-Rcprcsentatiye Cate
OF WISCONSIN, during the session OF the House yesterday
introduced the resolution embracing some accusations
recently published against Secretary BrsOw In conncc
ton with the bark Mary Merritt Instead Of asking that
the resolution DO passed and TINS promptly setting on
foot an gaton he moved first that IL be referred
70 the Committee Ways and Means, and subsequeny
when very few members Of the House giving their
attention the Committee Expenditures in the Treas
ur Department. In this way the charges which have
already been printed in Milwaukee and elsewhere were
introduced INTO The Congressional record, but pro
vision Tor any immediate inquiry in regard 10
them was made The Committee on Expenditures
in the Treasury Department, If - disposed,
might keep the resolution for weeks before Il concluded
TO nd an Investigation Of the subject at ALI and
in the mean the Secretary would have to wait Tor hls
vndlcation. Immediately after the reading Of the
journal this morning. Mr. Kasson called attention 10 the
apparent change OF reference, and moved reconsider
aon giving notice at the time that he desired to
offer q slight amendment. Mr. Ely OF New-York said
that tine Committee Oh Expenditures in the Treasury
Department prepared 70 give the resolution I'm
mediate attention Al the close Of the morning b)nr
Mr. Kasson called up his motion 10 reconsider, moved
his amendment and offered further one providing for
open sessions Of the Committee, and report
possible. On ths the vote taken by Yeas and Nays
when 81 members, mostly Democrats, voted In the
| negative.
This action OF the House has called public attention TO
the manner IN which many OF the Investigations are now
| beng conducted Members OF committees are placed
under nUumctiOn5 or secrecy and testimony of very
damaging character is received sometimes rrcspon
sibe Witnesses who often swear, not 10 their own
knowledge but to what they have heard other persons
say. Then instead Of keeping the matter secret until
tire other side is heard distorted and exapcefatcd YER
| sions OF the testimony are given by democratic
member OF the Committee to correspondents Of news
papers which will print sensatiOu and unfair reports
In this way throwing mud upon honest officials who are
given opportunity 10 meet accusations made against
them, 10 make explanation until after the stories
have been printed all over tie country This course has
not been followed by one Committee but by many
Many OF the fair-minded Democrats already
disgusted and have expressed desire either to have
the doors Of all the Investigating Committees thrown
open the press TO require the membcrs OF Inves
eating Committees to observe the injunction OF secrecy
is placed upon them until all testimony in any given
has been obtained and tho exact truth in regard TO
! any accusations that made has been learned.
Gentlemen from the West, who have given the subject
much attention, believe that this last attack upon
tary Bristow connection with tho Mary Merritt suit
Ia inspired by the Milwaukee Whisky Ring The grounds
for ths belief these: Some weeks ago q resolution
introduced In the House nquring whether any
newspaper In Milwaukee Chicago, st. Louis have
been paid for rendered against the Whisky Ring
Secretary Brstow replied that many OF them had
dered the Government very valuable services but that
Of them paid dollar. The resolution not
In the handwriting OF the member who introduced IT.,
and very conclusive evidence has been obta ed that
written by Of the leading attorneys OF lie Milwaukee
whisky Ring 1t is said to havo been prepared In ex-
Senator Carpenters Office In this city and Democratic
Representative has reported that 1t came from the at