Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-11-23
THE FOUTX-FIFTH CONGRESS
EXTRA SESSION.
SENATE.


WASHINGTON. Nov. lg.-Mr Davis said as
objection had been made 10 the employ
ment of clerical force by the committee,
to investigate the finance reports, books
and accounts of the treasury department.
he was willing to modify 1t to autho;iZe the
employment OF q stenOgrapher and two eX-
perts.
Mr.. Morrill, said the investigation should
be done by Senators and not he delegated
to so-caled experts who might be III ses-
sion six months.
Mr.. Bayard said the inquiry was one of
great labor and would probably consume
much time. and to deny the committee the
use OF ordinary machinery To ascertain iacTs
would be like attempting 10 make bricks
without straw" It was tine duty of those
who desired that the accounts Of the public
money should stand in a clear, unembar-
raised condition, 50 the people might lee.
that the money taken from them by saxP-
had been properly used. to favor the fullest
Investigation. the alleged discrepancies
were ~ grave in amount a. 20 throw strong
suspicion that there must be something
wrong, either in the administration
of the department or in the manner
the accounts wero kept Last year
Mr.. Boutwell,, who Tor six years
was secretary Of the treasury, was utterly
unable 10 give u satisfactory expiration Of
the discrepancies. They amounted 10 more
than two hundred millions dollars. sum
grave enough To at, ct not only she cnrv.aI-
ence but the morality ct the people. lie
huped 1t would be found thar the dISc.epap-
eie- arose from IA system of tIlso statements
of accounts, but 1t would not de- for the
Senate to avoid any method OF satisfying the
mind OF every reasonable man rs 50 how
they originated.
MIR. Dawes said he had never thrown the
slightest obstacle In the way OF the fullest
investigation. but he desired the Senator
from West Virgin to state distinctly what
his charges were lie wanted him To state
distinctly if he had the slightest evidence
that the books of the treasury had been
tempered with, but he had not been able
to yet II reply MIR Boutwell, hud explain
ed the discrepancies satisfactorily wear
ago. The changes were only m thc method
OF making debt statements and they were
made iOr the purpose Of making the state
meut- more IntellisIh!g and satisfactory
Mr. Biyard SAID a year ago the present
secretary ct the treasury was chairman Of
the Senate committee uu finance. and with
the senator irum Massachusetts Boutwell,
objected to the appointment ut 4 special
Committee Not 81 gle figure showing
the Discrepancies cited by Mr.. DAVIS had
even been impeachcd.
Mr.. Morrill, had q particular horror Dtex-
pcrts aud o-p,cialiy OF seil-StN led experts,
aud he Jaw ~ use of allowing a special
committee to have & large force The pres
cnt secretary at the treasury would net
throw the slightest obstacle in the way oi
the Invc@ticatlHu-
MIR, payIs sand every figure quoted by
a ! q
reports lie argued that papers and ne
counts IN the registers office we're not Ok
ahmed Nhcn the change was made in 1871.
hat It was on the order OF the secretary Of
the treasury. The log iStrr was the official
buos keeper Ut the gcverpment and the
statements sent 20 Congress should agree
with his books.
The resolution for the investigation was
agreed TO-