The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-20

Mr.. Snnlsburv,s Resolution.

Whenever u resolution Of inquiry il intro
duccd in the Senate which may in any way
expose tho suspicious operations Of the
Treasury, OF drag from the dark rccesscs of
It's bureaus evidence of past corruption or
iobbery, it is always met with technical OBJ
lection and parliamentary distractions. II
Took two sessions Of Congress for Mr.. DAVIS
pf West Virginia to pass resolution To IN
Vcstigate the enormous discrepancies, OIL
sally reported by the Secretary and Regis
Ter OF the Treasury, in regard to the public
scbt; and when II was finally allowed by the
Republican majority, restrictions were in
sentionally imposed intended To thwart the
purpose of the mover aud to cripple tho
means Of pursuing the examination.
In spite Of these obstacles. it will be found
when the report of Mr. DAVIS is made and
The testimony is published. that all tho
charges he preferred will be more than vim
hicatod by the contradictions contained I'm
The public books. by the letter OF Mr.. Bour-
WELL when Secretary Of the Treasury to
MIR. ALLISON, then Register, requiring him
TO adopt arbitrarily false figures in the OIL
cial reports Of the public debt, and by more
than n thousand erasurcs in the books OF
The Treasury affecting many millions Of
dollars. Mr.. MORRILL,. the successor Of
JOHN SHERMAN as Chairman Of the Finance
Committee, was the principal antagonist OF
Mr.. DAvls's movement.
MIR. SALISBURY of Delaware introduced a
most important resolution in the Senate on
Friday last respecting a subject which ought
long ago to have been strictly inquired
Into, and would have been investigated
but for neglect ON the part OF the House Of
Representatives and for its occupation with
far less important matters Mr.. SALISBURY
proposes, under specific heads, to ascertain
what commission or other compcnsation
has been paid to bankers, brokers, firms.
companies, syndicates, or individuals for
services In negotiating the sale OF bonds
and other obligations Of the United States
from 1862 until the present time, the dates
OF these transactions, and the names OF all
the persons connected with them; also
II any commission or compensation has
been paid, and II so, to whom and when
for services in rcfunding any bonds Of the
United States; also whether interest has
been paid on called bonds at the same time
that interest was accrung on bonds sold TO
redeem the same, and whether such double
interest was uniformly paid while the re-
funding operation was in progress, or on
bonds sold for resumption purposes, specify
ing whether there has been any exception to
such payment ~ double interest, and who
was the Secretary Of the Treasury at the
time Of such exception, and how much dou-
bic interest was paid on each class Of bonds,
and the total amount thereof. Also,whether
the money received by any bank or synd-
cato has in all cases been allowed TO remain
az L.
rs repositories pending tine call Of bonds,
specifying the names Of the banks and tho
length Of time during which the proceeds
Of the bonds sold have been left on deposit
with each bank, and whether at any time
gold coin has been delivered by the Treas
ury to any parties concerned in the nego-
tiation for bonds or otherwise in exchange
for or upon the security of United States
bonds on which interest was allowed or
paid up TO tho date Of the maturity Of the
call, and also whether any money in the
Treasury held for the payment of overdue
called bonds has been left on deposit with
out interest in any Government depository,
and what was the largest amount thereof
at any one time stating the names of the
banks in which such money was deposited
and what security tho Treasury held for the
payment thereof when demanded.
Mr.. MORRILL, was promptly on his feet en-
deavoring to cOnsign the resolution 10 the
Finance Committee, where he could quietly
strangle it by non-action. The customary
suggestion of " imposing vast amount Of
work on the department was made and
when Mr.. SALISBURY properly answered
that 1t was not usual To refer an inquiry of
this kind to any committee, while the Treas
ury was able TO answer without difficulty,
the parliamentary device Of an objection
threw IL over The country wants this in
formation, and will get it 10y another
method ii the Republicans Of the Senate
should be foolish enough to follow Mr.
MoRRILLs lead in his attempt TO kill the
resolution by reference to a committee Of
pxecutioncrs.
If n full and honest answer Is obtained, 10
Will doubtless be found that millions have
been paid cut to personal and political pets,
In the way Of commissions, for sales of
bonds; that enormous sums Of public money
have been deposited with favored banks and
bankers without interest, aud used 10y them
Rs banking capital; that large amounts Of
double interest have been paid in the pro-
cess Of refunding; and that by other methods
IN this category particularly named by MI
SAuLsBURY, certain banks, combinations,
and individuals have reaped a rich harvest,
all tho proceeds Of which did not 60 into
their own pockets
Through this agency aud others like IT,
The money needed 90 carry elections is fur
nshed tothe campaign committees and the
tens OF thousands that were poured ont like
water ia the close Congressional districts Of
Ohio last fall were drawn from this uniail-
Ing source, and added to the amount ey-
torted from oillcchOldcrs in the form Of
voluntary contributions" Large fortunes
have been created through favontism and
collision, and it is high time that the poo
pie who have to bear the hurons and to
foot the bills for these spoliations Should
know the names Of the benellciaries and tho
extent Of their profits Ii there be any