The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1878-01-17
GARFIELD OPPOSES GIVING EVERY FACILITY

A member present who objected to any
investigation of any public officer on any
reasonable ground, but what was the
present proposition 1t was that eigh-
teen committees, without any allegation
whatever, should go forth to search Tor
something to investigate. He would not
object to even this if they were told sim,
ply to use due diligence in order TO ma
whether everything was right in thelr
respective jurisdictions. What was com
planned of was that these eighteen con-.
mittees were empowered, in advance OF
any allegation, to send for papers and
persons anywhere in the United States
that they were armed with plenary au-
thority to command any private clllzen
from Maine to California 10 leave his bu'
siness TO come to Washington as Wit
ness to bring bis books and his papers
and disclose any of his private affairs, and
that not by express command OF the
House delivered in case proposed Dut
by the vicarious power of the House CIV
en- in advance by few gentlemen IN
committee room. IT. was that feature OF
the resolution which he regarded as un-
wise and utterly unjustifiable by. any
facts known to the country he did not
propose to consent to throw drag net
over forty-four million citizens to drag
any one ofthem into the committee room
without any hearing and without any
authority of the House. g.,
Mr. Banks said the pending proposition
was in conflict with article four of the
Bill of Rights, which protect citizens
against unreasonable searches and sell
zures, The Senate had once passed an
order calling on officers of the Govern
ment to appear before it and testify as to
what they had done, and great man,
who was then President Of the United
States, (Jackson). declared that no officer
of the Government under his Admins
tration would be required or allowed to
obey such an order.
Mr.. Buckner did not understand that
the object of investisations was to make
political capital. It's main object was in
the interest of retrenchment and reform,
as it was impossible to reduce expendi
lures of the Government unless such
power were given to committees
Mr.. Garfield called attention to the
fact that Just such drag net resolution
was passed last Congress and had cost
the country $500 900. Did the gentIe>
man believe that the investigation by the
Naval Committee was worth $4,000,
which it had cost
WHAT WAS GAINED BY THE NAVAL IN
yESTIGATIoN.
Mr.. Clymer said the investigation
made by that committee last year would
enable the Appropriation Committee to
make a reduction much larger than the
investigation cost.
Mr.. Garfield replied he was glad to
hear it, but he still believed that when
ever any gentleman wished to invests
gate he should state his charges. If the
gentleman wished to investigate the
Presidential title, let him make the
charges and he would help them at the
earliest possible moment.
Mr., Tucker said he could not see any
danger in allowing committees to pro-
ceed with investigation without being
obliged to ask special permission of the
House.
Mr.. Conger said when this subject was
up for consideration at the last Con |
gress, a gentleman from Virginia TUCK.
er) had exclaimed that there should be |
a continuous onward investigation. He
had cried in the unknown language of
Pocahontas, his ancestor, "Nulla vestigia
retrorsum," (laughter) and taking it for
granted that it meant "No step back |
ward, >" investigations had gone forward |
1t had cost between 700, 900 and $780, |
900 to make them. The country had |
been disguised with the whole proceed
ing. Witnesses had been subpenaed |
whose oaths would not be taken any
where. No honor had accrued to any |
body from those investigations except to
his theatrical friend from Pennsylva MIA |
(Clymer,) who had fancied a mares |
nest with horse on it Qaughter,) and |
brought it to the House, mounted the triN
bunal and presented his case with so
much glorihcation that the country had |
been astounded while the House had |
stood trembling with terror daughter; y |
that had stimulated every other commit
tee to emulate to equal the gentleman
from Pennsylvania who had caught the
first fish. But all had failed to emulate
the illustrous example of that gentle
man. There could not be two such big
transactions in the country. (Laughter.)
The human mind could not bear the
strain oftwo such performances, Laughs
ter,) The object of the present resolution
was to set the drag net al work all over
the country when the country was al
ready disgusted with the practice of in
vestigation.
Mr. Burchard did not think it wise in
advance to give the committee such ex>
power, though he was willing
to give them such power when they
should come forward and ask for them.
BURCHARD'S AMENDMENT ADOPTED
The general debate having closed,
the question was taken on Burchard's
amendment authorizing committees to
apply to the House any time for power
10 send for persons and papers and it
was agreed to by vote of % to 90.
Mr.. Foster offered an amendment inN
structing the Committee on Public Ex.
penditures also to investigate expendi~
lures of various sums appropriated by
the Forty-fhhCongress for the purpose of
investigations, and to report specifically
to whom and for what services various
payments have been made. He did not
believe, he said, in this drag net process
of investigation.
Mr.. Wood remarked that Fosters
amendment might be very harmless, but
was entirely disingenuous. He.thought
the design was to throw an additional
obstacle in the way of any investigation
at all Gentlemen who were opposing
the resolution might for the time being
succeed in making it appear that the
House was against these Investigations,
but woe to the party that would attempt |
10 obetr,,ct ;pouiry into official conduct |