The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1881-10-29
NEWS IN BRIEF.
Compiled from Various SourCeA
UNITED STATES SENATE.

UNITED STATES SENATE.
TIE Senate resumed its session on the
2lst Mr.. Sherman called up a resolution Of.
fored by him prior to the recess, calling on
the Secretary Of the Treasury for the reports
of James F. Melin. Mr.. Farley offered an
amendment TO include with tho report the
testimony taken during the investigation.
Messrs Dawes and sherman opposed the
amendment The amendment was lOst-ayes
81, nays, %, and the resolution was adopted
q party vote, and Davis (Ill.) voting with Re.
publicans. Mr.. Mcpherson presented pet.
ton of certain members of the State OF New
York against the titles of Messrs. Miller and
laphNn. Referred to the Committee on
Privileges and Elections After an executive
session tho Senate adjourned.
On the ed, the President pro TEN. laid
before the Senate a communication from she
Secretary OF the Treasury in response to tho
resolution adopted March "a, calling for list
of books, papers, etc, published by the vari-
GUS departments from March, 1879 to March,
1881. The communication, which states the
records of tho Treasury Department fail TO
give the Information called for was laid on
the table, and the Senate went into executive
session.
THE President pro tenn. laid before the
Senate on the oath communication from the
Secretary of the Treasury transmitting copy
OF the report of James F. Meine to the Treas
ury Department. 1t was laid upon the table
and ordered printed. Mr Edmunds on be
half OF the Judiciary Committee, stated I'm an
great doubt whether the law warranted
the method which had been followed
Tor the disbursement OF money for the
expenses of the Senate since the death of Sec
rotary Burch He then offered as an individ-
ual act resolution for the appointment of
Chief Clerk Shorber as Acting Secretary of the
Senate until the vacancy caused by the death
of Secretary Burch should he filled, and en-
powerng him to perform all the official du-
ties pertaining to the office of Secretary. Mr.
PendletOn said he had been prepared to offer
n similar resolution. The resolution was
adopted without division. The nomination
of Edwin ID. Morgan for Secretary of the
Treasury was received and confirmed without
opposition.
THE MELINE REPORT.
May lastJ. i. Meline, John Walker and
w. IL. Hills were appointed u committee to
examine the disbursement contingent ex-
penses account of the Treasury Department
June Ii the Secretary called for the report
covering the investigation up to and includ-
ing that date. This report was called for by
a resolution offered in the Senate by Senator
Sherman, which was adopted on the 2lst lust.
The report was to day submitted to the Sen
ate. The committee say that lowing to state.
ments made to us by the Chief Clerk we have
not made examinations OF the accounts for
stationery, but have conflued our in.
quiries to accounts and expendi.
lures under appropriations for other
contingent expenses" The attention of the
Secretary is called to various sections of the
Revised Statutes, prescribing the powers ami
duties OF certain OfncerS OF the department. in
relation to the accounts under examination,
all of which are quoted in detail. The
ganization of department officers and sal
aries are noted, and the report continues:
For several years there has been in the do
partment Il quasi officer called the Custodian,
who has, under direction of the Chief Clerk.
conducted most of the business connected
with contingent expenses of the Treasury De-
partnent, and had custody and disposition
OF purchases out OF appropriations for con-
tingent expenses. The present Custodian, o.
L. Pitney, was appointed by the Secre-
taIy OF the Treasury June 1915. with
per annum. This compensation was in.
creased to 81 500 per annum from July |, 1877,
and is paid out OF tho appropriation for the
pay of custodians and ianitors for all pubic
buildings under control of the Treasury De,
partment. Your committee are of opinion
that there l. no authority in law for either tile
appointment or payment of this Custodian.
The requirements of Sec ton 3,709 Revised
Statutes, seem to have been observed only in
the purchase OF fuel, ice and carpets. In
making purchases and mourning expenses to
be paid out of the appropriations for other
contingent expenses OF the department, ordi-
nary precautions adopted by business men
have generally been neglected, and in many
cases eXorbltant prices paid" AS an instance
OF the methods employed in making pur-
chases, the committee find that large
quantities of rich carpeting have been paid
Tor, some OF 1t twice, as proven by
duplicate vouchers, and in some cases at
least carpets OF an inferior grade have been
received; sugar and lemons were paid for as
candles, out of the appropriation Tor gas and
lunches were provided for in a similar man
ner; overcoats were purchased billiard
cloth, for covering desks; a cask of bay-rum
as deodOri2ed alcohol; $500 was paid out of
the appropriation for ice, ostensi6ly for file
holders, none of which were ever received in
the Department, and of which transaction the
Custodian refuses to make any explanation.
Over S., 900 was received from sales of waste
paper, OF which no official return has been
made. Various other details are cited in tho
report, and, in conclusion the committee
says: I'VE are not at present prepared to
submit any recommendations relative to
changes we think necessary in the system of
making purchases and disposing of them. We
will say, however, that we think the system
at present in vogue is very loose and liable to
great abuse, and in our opinion it should be
materially changed"
Communications from Assistant Secretary
Upton, covering the period during which he
was Chief Clerk of the Department, and Major
Power, present Chief Clerk, accompany the
report. Each of these communications refers
In detail to the various statements OF the COM
mitee, and maintains there was no neglect
during their respective terms relativ to max
ing purchases after proper advertisements
had been mnde and proposals received. They
maintain that the records of the Department
bear them out in this statement.
PERSONAL AND POJITJCAJ,