St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-12-13
ALL CLAIM To RE HONEST.
Congressmen Charged With Bal
lot Box Frauds Demand an In
vestigatiOn.

Congress Charged With Bal
lot Box Frauds Demand an In.
veStigatiOn.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 12.-Immedlately
after the reading of the house journal,
Mr.. ButterwOrth, Of Ohio, rising to
question of privilege, offered preamble
and resolution, setting forth the fact
that the Cincinnati Commercial Gazette
and other public journals had published
an exact copy of a certain contract, said
TO have been entered into by certain
members of the house and senate. and
that this contract was basis for charges
of corruption and fraud in the matter of
the proposed purchase of certain ballot
boxes. and providing for the appoint
ment of committee OF i've TO lnveStl-
gate and report by whom the contract
was prepared, and whether the apPend-
ed signatures are forged or genuine;
who is responsible for the forgery. if it
exists, and whether any Of the members
named have any improper interest in
the ballot boxes mentioned, Mr.. But
terWOrth said in explanation that in the
original
PUBLICATION OF THIS CONTRACT.
the name of James Z. Campbell alone
appeared. 1t had been rumOred that
the names of Senator Sherman. Repre-
sentatives Mckinley, ButterW0rth ami
others were on the paper. 1t then de-
velOped that the contract was a forgery,
and the Commercial Gazette so stated.
After this statement was made, it was
bruited about that the whole matter had
been suppressed, because the members
of both parties were interested III tne
deal. Mr.. ButterwOrth said that he
fh1. nlIIfi
nous reQuest.of the three senators ard
of every member whose name appeared
on the paper, except that of the late
Hon. S. S. Cox. Mr.. Breckenridge, OF
Kentucky. whose name was appended
to the alleged contract joined with Mr..
ButterWOrth in asking the lnVeStlga-
ton. Incidentally he said that he
wanted to be put on record in denial of
the truth of the story. The resolution
was adopted without division. Mr..
Adams, chairman of tie special commit
tee TO investigate the office of the SER
geant-at-armS, made a partial report
from the committee. Mr.. PaysOn. or
Illinois, offered resolution authorizing
the Leedom committee to examine the
accounts of the sergeant-of arms office
further and to take charge of all the
assets of the office until the further
order of the house: to receive any pro-
pOsaiS from Mr.. LeedOm or any one
with authority to act for him; to
MAKE GOOD ANY DEFICIENCY
and to make full report as to the ef
feet of any deficiency, especially as to
unpaid salaries Of members of the
house. Mr.. Bland, of Missouri, ques-
toned the right of the house to take
charge of money which belonged to the
government. and in the custody of the
NJ cntH hnf m
treasury denied jurisdiction or response
bility. and that the question being in
doubt, the house could take possession
of it.. Some of the lawyers of the house
had concurred with him in the decision
that this section of the house would
not alter the legal status OF the affair.
1t was he intention of the committee
to have the funds made special depOS-
it with the treasurer of the United
States. After further discussion the
house adopted the substitute for the
Payson resolution, offered by Mr.. Bout
well. of Maine directing the committee
to report as to the effect or result of any
deficiency. and especially as to unpaid
salaries. The house adopted resolu.
ton offered by Mr.. HeInphill. of South
Carolina. directing Sergeant at
Arms Holmes to arrange with
the treasury department for
THE PAYMENT OF MILEAGE
of members and delegates. Mr.. Brewer.
of North Carolina, introduced bill to
repeal the tax on tobacco, which was re-
ferred to the committee on ways and
Means. A resolution offered by Mr..
Dingley. of Maine, providing for call
of states for the Introduction of bills
Monday next was antagoniZed by the
Democrats and referred to the committee
on rules. Mr.. Dalzell. of Pennsylvania,
introduced JOINT resolution for the ap-
pointment of Gen. A. l.. Pierssn as one
of the managers of the soldiers home TO
fill the vacancy caused by the death of
Gen. Hartranft. 1t was referred. Mr..
Wilkinson. of Louisiana, announced the
death of his colleague, E. f. Gay, and
as a mark of respect the house adj
iourned until Monday.