The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-12-06

Leedom, who is a man of high character
and great respectability, is completely un-
nerved by the shock, coming Just at the
close of his successful administration of his
office. The defalcation has temporarily
embarrassed many members of the House.
1t is said that Speaker Reed had to borrow
a aquarter to buy car tickets from the capitol
this afternoon. Several other members were
obliged TO borrow larger sums for the time
being. Under the loose practice which has
obtained IN the office of the sergeant at
arms the members practically receipted for
their salaries nine months in advance, draw
ing against the money wherever they might
be as it became due. This made it possible
for the cashier, who had charge Of their
accounts and drew the money on their re-
ceipts endorsed by the speaker or clerk Of
the House, to have 100000 at time in his
possession, with no one to audit his dis
bursements.
AN ANOMALOUS OFFICER.
The sergeant-at-arms is a very anomalous
officer, who has practically no official
standing at the treasury department as a
disbursing officer. He or his cashier dra ws
funds from the United States treasurer on
the members certificates, indorsed by the
speaker or clerk, and the treasurer is held
accountable for the money by the auditing
officers. 1t is a question, members say,
whether the sergeant-at-arms is disburs-
ing officer at all within the meaning of the
law. However, his bond is perfectly good.
Besides the lax system of accountability in
the office of the sergeant-at-arms, there has
grown up an entirely irresponsible system
OF private banking without discounts. De-
poSltS have been received, and in some cases,
at least, advances made by the sergeant-at-
arms for the convenience of the members.
Members who had other income allowed
their salaries to accumulate. Much of this
money, perhaps all Of it, has been taken.
Some members refused to sign certifi-
Gates in advance. Others drew all
and more, including their salaries for
December. Roswell 2. Flower and Gen.
Spinola were among those who had drawn
their $41S for December.
SPINoLA FACETIoUs.
Gen. Spinola amused his less lucky col.
leagues by fiourishing his wad of crisp new
money in their faces and saying: Its a
cold day, boys; the iceman is coming
The members talked of nothing else as they
stood around on the floor after the daily
adjournment than the experiences of the
unfortunate ones.
The great majority of the members lost
part, at least, of cir December salary, and
many lost all of it, and part of November's,
of this back, but, meanwhile, they are
more or less embarrassed. Mr.. Connell OF
Nebraska had been saving up to buy new
furniture for the house he has taken here
His wife and he were to go to New York tC
select it this afternoon. He lost 81, 700, al
he has saved. "Our trip is postponed" be
added, grievingly, in telling of the loss.
THE INVESTIGATION.
The committee to investigate the office oi
sergeant-at-arms held an informal meeting
tonight and agreed to begin the investiga
ton formally tomorrow morning in secre
session. The committee was informed to
| night that the total of the defalcatior
would probably reach $4,000. 1t began
some time ago, apparently, but as there hal
been apparently no tampering with tn,
| books it is difficult 20 trace. Apparentl,
Silcott took few thousand dollars som,
time ago, and then when he came to tht
time when he must give an account
to the new sergeant-at-arms tooh
all he could lay his hands on and left
Stories duplicating Mr.. Leedom and some
of his personal friends in congress, to whom
it is said he loaned the funds, are afloat, bu
cannot be verified. The committee of in.
vestigation may develop some interesting
facts about the practice of advancing sala
ries. One member of the committee ha!
overdrawn his own account 5000.