Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-06-26
CONGRESSIONAL.
WASHINGTON, June 25.
SENATE,

DGN
The President pro tem., Mr. Thurman,
was absent to-day, owing to illness, and
Mr.. Eaton took the chair.
A communication from the Secretary
of the Treasury, transmitting informa-
ton in answer to the resolution regard
ing the action of the National Board OF
Health under the act authorizing a con-
tract for refrigerating ship, @c., was
referred.
The Senate took up the concurrent
resolution submitted Yesterday by Mr..
Beck, providing for joint committee
of five Senators and seven Representa-
tives, to report next December what
change, il any, should be made in the
mode of guarding and collecting the
revenue, and as to whether any changes
should be made in the method OF APP
propriatlng money, whether by annual
or permanent appropriation.
Mr.. Beck explained what he believed
to he the necessity of such in
vestigation. He thought the heads
of the departments would not
object to it, but rather welcome it. The
two parties were now nearly balanced in
Congress, and it was favorable time
for an impartial review of existing prac-
tices. Millions of dollars could be saved
TO the government by cutting off useless
offices of custom houses, etc. He was
willing to have the subject referred to
any OF the standing committees, il the
Senate thought it advisable.
Mr.. Davis (W. Va thought the reso-
luton long step in the right direction.
He read statistics showing the need of
reform in the expenditures.
Mr.. Morrill, thought the subject should
be referred to the Finance Committee.
Mr.. Beck agreed to its reference to the
Finance Committee, to be reported OH
in few days, and it was so referred.
Mr.. Vest introduced the following
Joint resolution;
That the complete RECOMMENDATION of
silver to its full restoration as money
metal, and its free coinage by the Gov
ernment of the United States, are de-
manded alike by the dictates of justice
and wise craftsmanship. Ordered
printed.
Mr.. Vest gave notice OF his intention
to speak upon it tomorrow.
Mr.. Burnside introduced joint resO-
luton substantially as follows:
WHEREAS, The people of the Union
for fifty years have adhered to the Mon
roe doctrine, that the nations of the
American continent, by the free and in
dependent condition which they have
assumed and maintained, are henCeforth
not TO be considered as subjects for fu-
ture occupation by any European pow
er; therefore be it
ResOlred, BY the Senate and House of
Representatives, that the people OF these
States would not view, without serious
inquietude, any attempt by the powers
of Europe to establish, under their pro-
lection and domination, ship canal
across the Isthmus of Darien, and such
action could not be regarded in any
other light than as a manifestation of an
unfriendly disposition toward the
United States.
Referred to the Committee on Foreign
Affairs.
The Joint resolution providing addi-
tional pay for the employees OF Congress,
was considered, the pending question
being on the amendments adding the
language Of the recent judicial expense
bill.
Mr. Beck gave notice of his intention
to offer two amendment, one in sub
stance making it penal otfense for any
officer OF the government TO violate sec
tions 3,G7S and 3,679 of the revised
statutes, and the other being similar to
the political contribution bill now before
the House.
Mr.. Window read what he called a
political speech, reviewing the record OF
the Republican and Democratic parties
for the past twenty year.
Mr.. Window challenged any Demo-
cratic Senator TO name a single instance
of Republican peculation revealed by
Democratic investigation.
Mr.. Salisbury said if Mr.. Window
was so blind as not to see such corrup-
ton, it would be impossible to enlighten
him.
Mr.. Davis, of West Virginia, said that
in thdpublic debt statement OF 1869, there
was a difference Of S9i, 100000 between
the statement sent 10 the Senate and
House and published to the country,
and what the real facts were. The COM
mittee OF investigation into the affairs
of the Treasury Department had under
consideration facts which would bear
out this assertion.
Mr. ingalls, said he was member OF
that committee, and for once its Chair
man Mr.. Davis had seen fit to remove
the seal of secrecy from its proceedings.
He would say that the testimony before
the committee shows every apparent
discrepancy that exists in the debt state
ments have arisen in consequence Of
the change in the method of stating ac-
counts on the books OF Treasury, and
not OF mal-appropriation OF the funds, or
misconduct OF officers. There was no tes-
timony to bear out the charge Of official
corruption.
Mr.. Davis replied that he would not
refer 70 the testimony before the COM
mittee, but would say that he differed
from Mr.. ingalls,, and would prophecy
humiliation to the Republican party
from the report Of that committee.
Mr.. Salisbury said that, without nam
ing individuals, he would advise Mr..
Window to think over the San Domingo
scheme, the whisky frauds, the Freed
mems Bureau, the Belknap disgrace, the
management OF the funds OF the navy,
etc. What had become Of Sl75, 100000
TO $500, 100000 appropriated under Gen.
Grants administration Eor the navy,
and in despite OF which our navy was
disgrace to the country by its inefficien-
cy. The only explanation was that the
money was spent in jobs and
election coTuptions. Had the SEN
ator forgotten the Credit Mobelier?
Mr.. Salisbury called on Mr.. Window
as an honest man TO admit the faults OF