The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1889-12-11

Cashier snoott Absconds with the
Government Money.


WAsufxcroN. December 5.--C. J.. siicott
cashier IN the Office Of the Sergeant-as-Arfni
of the House, has sbscondcd, taking wii'
him between So. .oeo aud sieeo0c. which h'
had drawn from the treasury 10 pay the sal
aries Of the members for the month Of No
vember. II Is supposed he i now member
Of the boodlers' colony in Canada, although
H.. has not been trzced vet.
This startling news was impaired 10 Ton
ertss iust sfter it opened this morning. To-
night there are just 529 coEgFessnien in
town who have not received theirpay, While
Cashier silcou is enjoying his plunder with
a woman ranaed Bartlett. who disappeared
with him. A penniless wife and three chill
dren bear the brunt OF the dishonest mans
crimes ST their humble little home on Capt.
tol Hill. Il was known that something IN
usual was in the air before the House CON
vened this morning and there were vague
rumors that S;lcott was a wrong-doeF- These
little whispers rapidly grew in the corridors
and when the House was called to order ev-
erybody was in a state Of nervous expecta-
ton to know the truth Of the matter.
When Speaker Reed arose there was 81
lence. as each member held bis breath await
ing Mr.. Reeds words. Glaucing at piece
OF paper which be held in his hand the
Speaker read the following communication
from the Sergeant-at arms Leedom:
4 regret TO report that C. Z. silcott late
cashier Of theoifice Of Ssrgeant-at- Arms has
departed from this city without settling bis
accounts; and have been unable to ascer-
tain his whereabouts and there is deiicien-
CIV in the cash Of the ofiice. In view Of these
circumstances respectfully request an i'm
mediate investigation Of my accounts under
such action as the House Of Representatives
may take in the premises.
There was an instant's confusion, and then
Representative Adams. Of Illinois, was on
his feet with q resolution authorizing the
appointment Of committee Of seven TO in
vestigate the accounts of the Sergeant-at-
Arms This was adopted, and then Mr. Nc
Kinley moved an adjournment until Mon
day, and in few moments the big room was
deserted by the members who focked into
the corridor 10 discuss the situation, while
others hurried around TO the Sergeant-ai-
Arms Office to ascertain some more particu-
lars.
silooit was appointed by Mr.. Leedom six
years ago. and until last night he bad every
confidence in him. Silcott comes from Ohio,
and is Democrat. The abseonder has had
every facility for getting hold of the mem
bers' money. For number Of years it has
been the custom for the Sergeant alarms 70
send into the members a printed slip, on
which the Congressman acknowledged the
receipt of their money. This slip was then
given 20 the cashier, who took it TO the
Treasury Department, secured the money
and then returned the cash or deposited irin
the safe, as the members wished. This saved
the members a trip to the Treasury Depart
ment and a wait in line
In addition to their salaries number Of
Congressmen had private accounts at the
Sergeant alarms Office and these are the
heaviest losers. Some Of the wealfbier mem-
bers have not drawn their salaries for eight
or nine months, allowing it to accumulate
and using it as the occasion demanded.
In this way, Rife, Of Pennsylvania, lost
s., 500 and J. d. Taylor lost 5000. Other
losers and their amounts are Catchings, of
Mississippi, s2.40O; Boatelle, OF Maine ST.
600; Bingham, Of Pennsylvania, 5000 !;
Mccormick, Of ofPennsylvanis, 500; Osborne,
SAG; Riley, Of Pennsylvania, SAG; Akin
son. Of Pennsylvania, 81 500; Harmer, Of
Pennsylvania, S4l6. Judge Kelley, Of Penn
sylyania, S49l; Mckinley, of Ohio. $500 {;
Mutchler, of Pennsylvania SAG; Owens, Of
Indiana, 81 500; Buiterworih, of Ohio, 500 ;
Adams. Of Illinois, 500; O'NeiIl, Of Penn
sylvania, SIG: Randall, OF Pennsylvania,
SIlG; Darlington, of Pennsylvania, $1,000 ;
S,un, OF Pennsylvania, Ssiiie; Dalzell, OF
Pennsylvania. SIG; and Bayne, Of Penn
sylvia MIA, 81 600.