The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1882-03-23
SUBMITTED TO THE SENATE.
The Evidence in the sherman Investi-
CATION.

The Evidence in the Sherman Investi-
CATION.
WASHINGTON, March 15.-The evil
dence, submitted in a vOluminous report
of the committee on appropriations in
regard to the so-called Sherman inveStI-
CATION, was submitted to the senate this
afternoon and shows that great deal of
work was done by the employees of the
treasury department on Sherman's new
house and paid out of the treasury. Car
pets were sold at private sale to sundry
employees by Pitney and his subordi-
mates. Great Irregularities existed in
the sales and payment lof money. The
committee also find great irregularities
and abuses in regard to the abuse of
waste paper and the payment of the ex-
penses Of asserting the same and keep
ing an account in regard thereto. Copi-
Gus extracts are given from Sherman's
testimony, who states that Pitney was
employed by him to collect rents for his
houses and stables, attend to repairs and
pay bills, etc. For expense incurred on
account of such property, the ex-secreta-
ry stated that he never heard of Brad
Adams bill and is mortified that, in
spite of all checks and guards of the
treasury department, it had been paid,
apparently to advance his political in
terest. He had been trying to recall cir
cumstances that would lead him even to
suspect that anybody was using the sta
tionery and getting money, or making
the treasury in any way responsible for
his expenditures, and hecould not recall
single incident that ever raised sus-
picion in his mind that such a thing
was in progress and had occurred, until
Pitney told him about the Brad Adams
bill.
He emphatically denies that any men
worked for him, while secretary of the
treasury, who were on the roll of the de-
partment, bnt what he believed were
paid by Pitney, or out of his own pock-
ct. He never restricted the expenditures
of Pitney in regard TO the property en-
trusted in his care, and never disputed
his bills. In regard to this testimony,
the committee says that any funds of the
treasury which were used for his indi-
vidual benefit, or otherwise, are unsup-
piled for the years prior to 1881.
The pay-rolis of persons employed IN
the cabinet shops, bindery and laundry
of the treasury department were made
in blank without any amounts, which
were inserted after the employe had
signed This abuse was corrected in
June, 1881. Articles were purchased in
one fiscal year beyond the amount APP
propriated for that year and afterwards
paid for out of the appropriation for the
next year. Persons were employed TO
do certain kinds of labor and were paid
therefor out of the appropriations for an
entirely different kind of labor. Excess
i've prices were paid for articles and
larger quantities were purchased than
were actually needed and purchases
were made in opposition TO the statute
requiring public advertisements
These. say the committe, are some of
the instances of fraud, abuse and irrega-
lariLies in the disbursement of the CON
tingent fund and cannot be too severely
condemned. After quoting largely from
the evidence with respect to the fraudu-
lent vouchers, the report quotes the
opinions of the heads of the different
departments as to the existing system
and in conclusion it is stated that the
existing laws. when enforced are suf-
ficient to secure proper and legitimate
disbursement of the appropriation for
contingent expenses. 1t is recommend
ed that the treasury storekeeper be q
man of anquestiOnable integrity, and in
dependent of every officer, except the
secretary or the treasury. Annual or
semi-annual examinations of accounts
and methods of expenditures of appro-
priations of each department are also
recommended, such examinations to be
made by trusted and reliable employees.
The report concludes: The duty inn
posed on your COMMITTEES has not been
an agreeagle one, nor is q committee of
congress. during the session, well adapt
ed to make proper investigation All
members Of this committee sign the re-
port