Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1889-12-27


MIR. Mckinley, chairman of the new
ways and means committee, proposes
to go to work at once upon the tariff
bill which is to be passed ut this session.
1t is probable that what was known us
the senate tariff bill ut the last session
of congress will be used us the bass of
the new bill. Trusts too are to be look
cd after by the same committee. The
election committee will take up the
contested election cases and push them
through as rapidly as may be consistent
with justice to all parties concerned.
The more that is known about the de-
falcation in the office of the sergeant-at-
arms of the house, the worse things look
for all concerned. A committee of the
house made hurried Investigation of
the business methods of that office, and
in its reports to the house said enough
about its looseness to Justify almost any
kind ofrumors. Sergeant-at. Arms Lee
dom's personal account was discovered
to be $3.50 short, and the books show
that he has used the government funds
right along to discount notes for men,
bers of the house and put the profits in
his own pockets. The amount stolen
by silcott the absconding cashier, is
within q fraction of s722 900, and who is
to lose it is still Il dcbatable question.
Either the government or the members
for whose pay the money was intended,
will have to be responsible, as it seems
to be generally conceded that owing to
the peculiar circumstances surrounding
the case, nothing can be made out of
the $50, 900 of Leedom. What makes
the thing look worse for all concerned,
is chat no serious effort has been made
to trace Silcott and try to bring him
back. The fact that Leedom and Sill
colt have been the boon companions of
a lot of fast congressman makes many
people believe that Lcedom and quite a
number of members and ex- members of
the house would be very sorry indeed to
their turn might come next.
The investigation Of the books of the
sergeant-at-arms showed Speaker
Reeds account to be over prawn S! 1884.
This created big sensation when it
first leaked out, but was quickly
squelced when Mr.. Reeds attention was
called to it, by the following statement
from that gentleman: II have never
over drawn my account, in fact have
never drawn a cent until it was due.
After l was elected speaker there was
due me 81 1884. l handed in my ccrtih-
cate that the money might be got for me
from the treasury in the form of draft
on New York. l got my draft in due
time, and / cannot understand how the
draft could have been issued by the
treasury without the deposit of my GER
tificatc in the regular way. That's the
whole transaction and / don't see how
it can be called an over draft 1t was
certainly not due to any act of mine"
Mr.. Reeds experience shows the care
less manner of doing business which
was prevalent.
The death of Mrs. Harrison's sister,
Mrs. Scott-Lord, has cast social gloom
over the White house thas will remain
during the entire season. 1t will, of
course, not prevent the Official enter
On motion Of Representative Butter
worth, the house, without Il division
passed a resolution authorizing the
speaker to appoint committee of five
to investigate the Ohio ballot box for
gerry. Mr.. Butterworth made q: few
manly remarks in asking the house to
vote for his resolution, and every hon
orable man must wish that the congress
sional committee may succeed in run
ming down the rascal that committed /
the forgeries Tritfing with the good
name of a man is very grave crime,
and punishment should follow close up !
on detection.
The pension Office is just now receiy-
ing an average of 700 letters day from
and as their requests take
precedence over all others, it has had |
the effect OF delaying all other CORES
pondence Of the office very much, bu it
Is only temporary. The congressman
will soon obtain the Information they
desire and then the other fellows viii
have a show.
A red-hot fight is being made against
the combinations of Mr.. Morgan, indi-
an commissioner, and Mr.. dorchester,
superintendent OF Indian schools.