The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1889-12-13

Democratic sergeant-At.AEmS for Hi
Msthods-HoW He Made Money Out oi
HIS Onlss-sileott Not the Only Crooked
Man.
WASHINGTON, D, O., Dec, l2,-The re-
port Of the silcott select committee
gives a detailed statement Of the assets
and liabilities Of the office on December
5. The shortage is stated at $70,70s o.
II states that the committee has not YET
made sufficient investigation Of discounts
and notes. Many notes the committee
believes were forged TO erdeialcations
already existing, 1t also says that the
committee cannot too severely condemn
the manner In which the Sergeant'at-
Arms conducted the affairs Of his office.
II appears that II has been the custom
OF the Sergeant-at-Arlns 10 discount the
notes OF members given 10 anticipate
their salary at the rate OF S. 90 per
month on a note Of SIG, which amounts
TO a little more than 10 per cent per an.
mum that the amount OF discount re-
Ceiyed by Mr., LeedOm from the 4th OF
September, 1888, down to the 9th Of De-
cember, 1880, was 81 ,S59, as appears from
the books kept by Mr.. SilGott, II also
appears from the evidence that not all
oil the discounts were entered upon this
book, 1t Ia claimed by Mr.. LeedOm
that some OF these discounts were made
from his present funds deposited IN the
safe, but the committee fud that ia
several instances where notes were dis
counted the money was taken from the
Government fund and paid over the
counter by the paying teller; and that
In general the amount OF the note less
the discount, was placed TO the credit nf
the maker In his account, and the
amount Of the discount appropriated by
Mr. Leedoui.
Mr.. Payson, OF Illinois, Immediately
upon the conclusion OF the reading Of
the report in the House, offered reso-
luton, for whiChShe asked immediate
consideration, authorizing the committee
not only to examine the acCounts Of the
Seargent.at.Ar office and To report
thereon, but to take charge OF all the
assets Of the office until the further
order OF the House; 10 receive any
proposal from Mr.. Leedom, or any QUE
with authority 10 act for him, for making
good any deficiency, and also 10 make
full report az to the effect OF any detiCi.
ency, and especially as to any unpaid
salaries ofthe members Of this House,
accompanying the report with bill, II
necessary.
Mr.. Bland, OF Missouri, said that ifthe
Sergeant oi.Arms was u disbursing Off
Ger OF the Government, a part Of the
treasury system itself, the money be-
longed TO the Government and should
be 10 the custody OF the Treasury. How
had the House by a committee or other.
wise, right to take custody Of the
money unless the Sergeant.at.Afms had
been acting as its agent?
Mr.. Breckenridge, OF Kentucky, asked
what right under the constitution or
statutes, the House had to take possess.
OF the money. II the Sergeantat.Arms
was a disbursing officer, then his duty
was To turn It over to his successor; II
1t was the individual money Of the mem.
bers Of the House, 1t was the duty Of
that officer to pay II to membersin such
proportions as he thought they were en-.
titled to, and II he did not do this, to
take legal steps to recover 1t.
Mr.. Payson answered that 1t was be-
cause the House found the money In It's
possession or In the possession OF one OF
It's agents. 1t was In a Government office,
In q safe provided by the Government,
and nobody would assume legal respon-
sibility for It's care.
Mr.. Breckenridge, OF Kentucky, sug.
gested that II the House gave the funds
into the charge OF the committee, II In.
stantly discharged Mr.. Leedom's bOAds-
men.
Mr.. Payson replied that this question
had been considered by some OF the law.
yefs Of the House, and they had con.
Cured that the legal status Of affairs
would not be altered.
Mr.. Cannon, OF Illinois, suggested that
the Sergeant.at-Arms might distribute
such funds as he had on hand.
laughter
Mr.. Boutelle, OF Maine, then offered as
q substitute for Mr.. Payson's resolution,
q resolution directing the committee to
report as TO the effect or result OF any
deficiency in the cash OF the Sergeant.
alarms office, and especially to unpaid
salaries 10 members, accompanying their
report with bill II necessary.
The substitute resolution was adopted,
as was also one offered by Mr.. Hemp.
bill, Of South Carolina, directing
Ssrgeant.at.Arms Holmes to arrange
with the Treasury Department for the
payment Of the mileage Of members and
delegates.