Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-12-12
THE slLCOTT DEFALCArION.

THE SlLCOTT DEFALCATION.
Mr.. Payson's Resolution and the Dis
cussion On 1t.
In the House this afternoon, after
the report in the FIRST edition closed,
Mr.. Payson Of Illinois Immediately upon the
conclusion Of the reading of the report offered
resolution for which he asked immediate
consideration, authorizing the committee
not only to examine the accounts Of
report thereon. but to take charge Of all the
assets OF the Office until the further order Of the
House; to receive any proposal from Mr.. Lee
dom, or any one with authority to act for him. for
making good any deficiency; and also to make
full report as to the effect of any deficiency,
and especially as to any unpaid salaries of the
members OF this House. accompanying the report
with bill if necessary. Mr.. Payson said that
the concluding paragraph Of the report Of the
select committee was the explanation for
the Offering of the resolution Quite
number OF members OF the House having
been advised yesterday evening after adjourn
ment OF the conclusion to which the committee
had arrived that, under the appointing
| simply stating the account, it was thought ad-
visable that the resolution Of this character
should be presented. 1t was thought
that the committee which had
already investigated the office could
with more propriety and perhaps with better
efficiency and great CELEBRITY take charge
OF the matter. There seemed to be two opinions
prevailing that the sergeant-at-arms
was discussing officer, and that
he was not, but was simply the agent of the
individual members of the House. Speaking
only for himself he believed-and had no more
doubt about it than about any other
matter In regard to which he had ever reached
conclusion. that the late sergeant-at-arms
was disbursing officer of this body, and that
| the loss, Whatever there might be. growing
out OF this unfortunate transaction was a loss
| the government should carry. For the pres
ent there seemed to be an absolute necessity
that the sum Of money in the safe should be in
the custody of somebody in whom the House
had absolute confidence.
Mr.. Bland (Mo) said that if the sergeant-at-
arms was di.bursing officer of the govern
| ment. part of the treasury system itself, the
money belonged to the government and
should be in the custody OF the
committee or otherwise right to take custody
OF that money unless the sergeant-at- arms had
been acting as its agent? Mr.. Payson said that
the answer was this: The money was there
s1a b there cort was dispute r as
disclaimed responsibility. 1t could not
be given to the new nor to the
old sergeant at arms and the thing
seemed to stand waif, nobody
claiming to have charge Of it. lie
did not by. this resolution propose or
assert which view of the sergeant
alarms Office was right or wrong, but simply
proposed to placed this money, in which the
House had an undivided interest, in the hands
of somebody i'll whom the House had conf
dence.
Mr.. Brec inridge Ky.) asked what right,
under the Constitution or statute, the
House had to take possession of the
money. II the sergeant-at-arms was a dis
bursting officer, then his duty was
to turn it over to his SUCCESSOR if it was
bers of the House it was the duty
OF that officer to pay it to members
in such proportions as he thought they were
entitled to, and if he did not do this, to take
legal steps to recover it.
w. Payson answered that it was because the
House found the money in its possession or in
the possession OF one of its agents. 1t was in a
government office in safe provided by the
government. and nobody would assums legal
responsibility for its care.
IF THERE WAS QUESTION OF DOUBT,
he preferred that the money in which
he was interested should be illegally
in custody where it would be safe
possibly treat 1t as Silcott treated the money
which was gone. Nobody could possibly be in
jured by the passage of the resolution.
Mr.. Breckenridge (Ky.) suggested that if the
house gave the 1undS into the charge or the
committee it instantly discharged MIR. Leedom's
| bondsmen.
Mr.. Payson replied that that question had
| been considered by some of the lawyers of the
House and they had concurred that the legal
| status OF affairs would not be altered
Mr.. McComas (Md.) suggested that the res
| olution be so amended as to request the
| Treasurer Of the United States to receive the
| assets of the sergeant alarms Office as q spe-
| cial deposit.
Mr.. Payson replied that he understood it was
| the purpose of the committee, in case the reso-
buttons were adopted, to take the responsible
ity on itself of having the funds deposited in
| the Treasury as a special deposit.
SUBSTITUTE RESOLUTION.
| After further discussion Mr.. Boutelle (Me.)
| then offered as a substitute for Mr. Payson's
resolution a resolution directing the COM
mttee to report as to the effect or result
of sny deficiency in the cash of the
sergeant-at-arms' Office, and especially as to
| unpaid salaries to members accompanying
their report with bill if necessary.
THE SUBSTITUTE ADOPTED.
The resolution was adopted, as was also one
offered by Mr.. Hemphill 500, directing
Sergeantat-arms Holmes to arrange
with the Treasury department for
| the payment of the mileage Of members and
delegates.
Mr.. Payson subsequently offered resolution
| transferring the funds to the custody Of the
committee but it was defeated.
ADJOURNED TO MONDAY.
I