Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1881-12-31
THE TREASURY INVESTIGATION.
From the N. Z. Snn.l

Scandals from the treasury were free
ly circulated last summer, and Senator
Sherman's name and the expenditures
OF the contingent fund OF the treasury
appeared In q most unsavory cOmbina-
tion. Mr.. Window had ordered an in-
quiry, and when tho report OF his Ow q
officers was made, he suppressed it upon
tho ground that it was personal mat
ter. There being no explanation from
Mr.. Window how an investigation In q
department OF the public service could
be made q personal matter, the suSpi-
cious already existing grew stronger,
and there was q general demand for
luton on the 26th Of October, at the ex-
ira session, which in view Of all the cir
oumstances may be called remarkable.
1nstexd OF asking an Investigation on
the specific charges which had obtain
ed large currency, he proposed that the
committee on appropriations should in-
vestigate 1.-The accounts for the cxpendi-
ture of the several appropriations tor
contingent expenses OF the several exec
utlve departments since July I, 1884,"
The plain purpose of this resolution
was to bury out OF sight under load Of
extraneous matter the subject which had
30 attracted public attention, and then
to claim the credit Of having moved an
inquiry "a = sufficient answer to the
charges. This conclusion Is justified by
Mr.. Sherman's course In resisting the
publication OF the testimony upon which
the report OF Mr.. Windom's subordi-
mates was founded. The report itself was
what might be expected from clerks
fearful OF losing their places, and timid
in asserting what they had discovered.
The COMMITTEES on appropriations 70.
ferred the resolution to SUB committee
composed Of Mr.. Allison, Mr.. Logan,
Mr.. Hale, Mr.. DAVIS of West Virginia,
and Mr.. Cookrell. They took no action
at the extra session, and only organized
. day or two ago from absolute neoessl-
ty. Mr.. Pltuey. better known as John
Sherman's custodian and private
agent, submitted statement intended
to remove himself from the position OF .
scapegoat for others more prominent,
and TO give the secret history OF his con-
necticn " ith the transactions that have
provoked such deserved criticism.
The committee was necessarily COM
| pelled to take notice of this paper, and
The first question presented was wheth-
or the inquiry, starting upon this foun'
dation, should be conducted with open
or with closed doors. There is said to
have been sharp discussion over this
point. without reaching decision be
fore the adjournment.
| Now, il these three republicans and
two democrats who are charged with
the investigation arc wise, they will
forthwith remove every obstacle to q
full disclosure OF the truth, no matter
whom, it may help or whom it may
hurt. Any attempt at concealmen
will only stimulate the public curiosity
and will surely fail in the long run.
When Mr.. Blame offered the credi
m0bilier resolution in pretty much th.
same spirit that moved Mr.. Sherman il
this case, the committee began by goinf
everybody from their meetings. Ths
numbered at the doors until they wsr'
, forced open, and with what result chris
tian statesmen like Schuyler Coliax ant
q others who perjured themselves in vail
f are best able to answer.
+ Every poas,ble obstacle was throwl
, in the path OF that investigation, and
with the exception of single member
! there was not = man on the committe
a of either party that meant it should b
I thorough and honest. The work wa
I only halt done, but the corruption wa
SO transparent that the guilty coul
not be saved. Mr.. Allison has occasion
to remember the credit mobilier bushes
q for he was scorched. As tho chairma
a OF the present committee We advis
9 him to let the daylight shine on it, pre-
ceedings.