Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1886-03-12
THAT LITTLE ACCOUNT.


last, in which is contained the official re-
port OF the discussion and proceedings in
the Senate, on the previous day, on the
introduction OF Mr.. Cullom's resolution
of inquiry as to Utah's indebtedness to
the United States for moneys advanced
to meet court and other expenses in this
Territory. The report is reproduced be-
low in full, and, as showing the humor
OF several prominent Senators when any
measures affecting the Utah situation are
under discussion, it will doubtless be
read with interest by all:
ACCOUNTS WITH UTAH TERRITORY.
Mr.. Cullom-I ask unanimous consent to |
be allowed to introduce a resolution now, as
l shall have to leave the Senate, which is |
important to be acted on, if at all, to-day. |
| l ask that it be read.
Mr.. Blair-I do not object.
The resolution was read as follows:
| Resolued, That the Secretary of the Treas
ury be, and he is hereby, directed to report
| to the Senate what, if any, amount of money
| has been expended by the United States in
behalf of the Territory of Utah since the pas
sage of the act of Congress of June %, 1874,
| entitled San act in relation to courts and ju-
dicial officers in the Territory of Utah." and
if any such money has been so expended,
| whether the United States has been reim
bursed therefor; and that pending the answer
to this resolution, and until an investigation
Of the subject may be had by Congress-, the
honorable the Secretary of the Treasury and
| the Secretary of the Interior are hereby re-
quested to withhold any and all compensa-
ton or allowance to any member or officer
of the Legislative Assembly of the Terri
tory of Utah.
Mr.. Cullom-I desire to make statement
of the case in word or two.
l understand the fact to be that Utah Ter
ritory is indebted to the United States nearly
100000. l have letter before me stating
that fact. The Legislature has been in ses-
sion some sixty days and has done nothing,
but the members arc now calling for their
pay, and the Secretary of the Treasury, un-
less something is done to cause him to with
hold action in sending n warrant for that
purpose, will feel himself compelled to do
it. l ask that the resolution be adopted 80
that the Secretary will be justified in wait
ing until we investigate the subject before
| sending the money out.
Mr.. Harris-Is this Senate resolution?
l Mr.. Cullom-A Senate resolution.
Mr.. Blair-I object if it leads to debate.
Mr.. Cullom-There is to be no debate. L
am through.
The President pro tenpore-Is there OBJ
lection to the present consideration of this
resolution?
Mr.. Hoar-Is this resolution proposing
by one branch of Congress to request the
the performance of legal duty?
: Mr.. Cullom-In the first place, the resolu-
, tion calls upon the Secretary to state the
!, amount of money. in which that Territory is
indebted to the United States and in the
= meantime to withhold sending money to
pay the Territorial Legislature until we can
: | ascertain the state of the case.
: Mr.. Hoar-I think the resolution had bet
| ter 90 to the Committee on Territories or
some other committee.
The President pro Temperatures the Sen
ator from Massachusetts object to the pres
ent consideration of the resolution?
e Mr.. Hoar-No, L do not object.
Mr.. Ingalls, should like to hear it read
. once more.
8 The President pro tempore-rhe resolu
:. tion will be read.
The Chief Clerk read the resolution.
p Mr.. Hoar-I suggest to my friend from
l. Illinois that to avoid what seems to be al
assertion of authority that the Senate does
not possess, he put in after the word with
:. hold'' the words 80 far rs the law author
= ICES"
'i Mr.. Cullom-I have no objection; but this
y ought to be done in theinterest of the United
20 States. have in hand n letter from the
First Comptroller of the Treasury, Mr.. Dur
ham, which shows very large amount o.
indebtedness from the Territory to the Gov
ernment, and its Legislature has refused t.
make the appropriation necessary to REIN
4 burso the Government of the United States
for the current expenses or the amount o
Of money sent out there.
=, Mr.. Ingalls-I should regret to have tn,
Senate committed to the idea that is con
), tanned in the last section of this resolution
v that it is within the competence of one bod,
I. or the other to interfere with appropriation
III which have been made and expenditure
le which have been directed by existing laws
l sympathize with the object the Senate
from Illinois has in view; but | think th
very slight reflection we are able to give II
N it now will convince him that it is hardl
- nDmnntent for II IL. III iptarfarp with IA an
l. existing appropriation.
a Mr.. Cullom-I think the suggestion of tn
Senator from Massachusetts will remedy tn
4 evil that the Senator from Kansas seems t
IN fear.
-, Mr.. Edmunds-There is no doubt at al
u that the Legislature of Utah have omitte
rs to make appropriations for paying the ex
,t penses of the courts, jurors, witnesses, etc
~ which all the others Territories are bound b
G. law to do and this Territory as well, becaus
"a they do not like the Congress of the Unite
nv States
ut 1t is equally clear that the laws of tn
re United States provide for paying out of tn
- Treasury of the United States the salary Q
IN per diem of the members of that Territorii
as Legislature; and have no doubt, though
IN have not not looked it up, that there is Il
'N appropriation now standing in the Treasur
out of which these persons are entitled {
Ad theirpay. The only ground on which th
Secretary could refuse to pay them would /
81 that they had been dereliot, as they clearl
We have been, IN their duty in taxing the peop
- of that Territory and raising the money
eI pay these judicial expenses that they ougi
Sc to pay and that they are bound to pay.
IA But would that justify, on II resolution
III the Senate alone, the Secretary of I'll
We Treasury in withholding the money that hl
IN been appropriated by law for a particulJ
purpose, and the particular persons in who
he favor it has been made are entitled to it o
n the face of the statute, upon the ground thu
-. they personally or in body have miscoi
NJ Quoted themselves? 1t may be open to som
mt question / should be very much afraid tl
,d- Secretary could not do it.
'N' The President pro tempOre-Is there IN
;es objection to the present consideration
;os this resolution?
Mr.. Blair-I must object if there is to
)n- debate.
al Mr.. Cullom-Will the Senator allow OF
further suggestion to see whether there wi
ms be any difficulty in consideration of the SUI
md ject after thatI by consent of the Senate
of will ask that the resolution be changed I'M
VI a concurrent resolution, if that will remel
ley the difficulty
ere Mr. Ingalls-A joint resolution.
Mr.. Cullom-Well joint resolution
teu The President pro tempOre-The Senat,
to from Illinois modities the resolution 80 as
-, put 1t III the form of Il joint resolution
"h there objection to the present consideratiu
ler of it in that formY
tho Mr.. Brown-I object to the further col
slderation of 1t at present.