The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1881-11-09
UNITED STATES SENATE.
Extra Session.

On motion OF Mr.. Sherman the Senate pro-
ceeded to consider the resolution, previously
offered by him, calling upon the secretary of
the treasury for the report of James +. Meline.
Mr.. Farley said that he understood that
the report referred to had been made by COM
mission appointed by the treasury department.
and was q matter with which Congress had
nothing to do. Mr.. Sherman replied that he
had already stated that the investigation was of
such q character as it was not usual for Con
gross to have anything to do with; but the
public prints intimated that there raj something
in the report that might injure q member of
the Senate-he (Hr. Sherman) being the Sena-
tor referred to-he deemed 1t his right and his
duty to his colleagues therefore to call for the
report. If the statement was true that the re-
port reflected upon him, it was proper for tho
Senate to inquire into the matter. He very
rarely noticed newspaper attacks, but when
any paper or man impugned in the slightest
degree his personal integrity he wishedt to have
an Investigation, and to have the question
tested, not only by law but tho ~strictest rules
of personal honor. Mr.. Farley stated that he
had never seen the article referred to by the
Senator from Ohio, and did not know that any
reflection had been made upon that gentleman.
He wished to suggest if the report had
10 come to the Senate at all,
that the testimony taken before
tho commission DO also transmitted to the
Senate. He put that suggestion in the form of
an amendment. After further discussion Mr..
Farley's amendment was rejected-yeas 81,
nays %, o party vote, and Mr.. Davis, OF Hi
nois, voting with the Republicans. Mr.. Thur
mans resolution was then adopted. MIR. Nc
pherson presented the petition Of certain mem
bers of tho New York legislature protesting
against tho right of Messrs. Miller and Lapham
- xIok Ckoko ~ fha T1ntfnl Sfo Soo
Senate. Referred to the committee on privi-
leecs and elections.
The president pro tenn. laid before the Senate
O communication from the secretary OF the
treasury transmitting o copy Of the report Of
James I. Meline to the treasury department, as
directed by a resolution of the Senate recently
adopted. The communication was laid upon
tho table and ordered to be printed. %. Upon
motion of Mr.. Edmunds, Chief Clerk Shober
was appointed acting secretary of tho Senate
until tho vacancy caused by the death of Sec
rotary Burch could be filled. Tho president
pro tenn. laid before tho Senate d message from
the President, transmitting o communication
from the secretary of state in response to Senate
resolution calling for information as to whether
any action has been taken by the government
since the last Congress toward protecting the
rights and interests Of the United States in the
Panama canal. Referred to committee on
foreign relations.
Mr.. Sherman offered the following resolution:
"Resolred, That the finance committee be ALL
thorized and directed to investigate the accounts
of the expenditure Of the several appropriations
for the contingent expenses of the treasury de-
partment since July l, 1871, including the
methods of making such disbursements, the
character and disposition of the purchases
made, and the employment Of labor paid from
such appropriations; and to report on the sub
ject at as early q day as practicable, and what
further legislation is necessary to secure the
proper disbursement of such appropriations;
and that tho committee have leave to send for
persons and papers," At the suggestion of Mr..
Davis, of West Virginia, who stated that he
might desire to offer an amendment, the reso-
luton was laid over.
Mr.. Butler offered O resolution directing the
committee on printing to inquire why the agri-
cultural reports for 1880 have not been dis
tiibuted 10 Congress. Adop'ed.. Mr.. Sher-
man called up the resolution offered by him on
tho preceding day for an investigation into the
disbursement of tho contingent fund OF the
treasury department, after having modified it
20 as to read as follows: "ResolUed, That the
committee on appropriation be direcled to in
r~estigatc the accounts for the expenditures Of
the several appropriations for contingent or
OtncT EXPENSES Ol INC SEVERAL ueparluleHls, LII
Guiding the methods of making such disburse-
mcnts, tho character and disposition of pur-
chases made, and the employment of labor paid
from such appropriations, and to report at as
early 4 day as practicable what further legis-
lation is necessary to secure the proper dis
bursement of such appropriations, and that the
committee have leave to send for persons and
papers and to sit during the recess Of the Sen
ate" The resolution was adopted, and on MIR.
Sherman's motion the Meline report was re-
ferred to The committee on appropriations.
Mr.. Allison offered a resolution authorizing
the committee on appropriations to conduct by
subcommittee the investigation ordered rs to
the disbursement of the contingent and other
expenses of the various departments OF the
Senate. Laid over for the present. 80. The
president pro ten. laid before the Senate o
communication from Governor Colquitt, OF
Georgia, rendering to him and through him to
the members of the Senate the cordial invita-
ton of the officers and executive committee of
the Cotton Exposition to visit the exposition
now being held in Atlanta, Ga. Laid upon the
table and ordered printed.