Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-12-06
HAS HE sKIPPEDq
Indications that Edward Silcott is an
AbscGnder.

WASHINGTON, December 5th.-From present
appearances Edward sicott, Cashier TO the Ser
geant-at Arms OF the House of represent atives
has fled, carrying off S72,0l0 OF funds intrusted
Sic)tt was a trusted employe who came here
from Ohio. He was appointed by Leedom six
years seo.
He had good business qualifications and soon
possessed himself of the unlimited confidence
OF his superior.
Last Saturday ne notified Leedom that he
was going to New York and would be back Sun
day.
4 message was received from him, dated New
York, Monday morning saying that he had
been detained, but would re urn that night 4
similar message reached his ife in this city
AS he did not appear Tuesday Leedom was fear
ful that he had been overtaken by some acci-
dent but to satisfy his rising suspicious he began
Investigations. This revealed a shortage of over
81, 900.
The information that Silcott had drawn his
bank balance deepened these suspicious, and
the inquiry was pursued. The enormous Office
safe could not be opened at the moment as sill
colt had the combination, but when an entrance
was finally effected it was found that some $50
Coz, set apart for the use of the Paying Teller,
was intact. Next inquiry was made at the
Treasury Department, where Leedom was in
formed that Silcott had called there oA Satur-
day and had drawn about $4,000. 1t was posi-
BILE for him to draw this large sum without ex-
citing comment as he had for a long time been
charged with the duty of collecting money with
which the salaries of the Representatives are
paid. eilcott was under bonds in the sum of
$4,000
This is, however, an indemnity bond given 10
the Sergeant Arms, and Leedom who is him-
sell bonded in the sum of $4,000. is directly Te-
sponslble for the shortage. Leedom says Sileott
could have tax en- 60,t00 Just us easily
number of Representatives were in the
habit of keeping individual d posts with the
Sergeant alarms, and their losses when ascer-
tanned may swell the sum total considerably.
Later information is to the effect that the Pay
ing 1eleTg tUudg aithOnph in thp Ia
where Sileott kept his money, were protected by
a separate lock and steel door This may ex-
plain their preservation. What concerns the
members or the House deeply is whether in Civ
ipg signed certificates to the Sergeant-at Arms,
on which he obtained money from the Treas,
ury they have not released the Government
from liability for their salaries Opinions ON
this point vary.
n. J. silcott came from youngstown, Ohio,
where he was merchant for many years. Mr..
leedom says he seemed to have no more thar
an ordinary mans share of vices, and was one
OF the most economical men he ever saw. Per-
sons who knew Silcott's habits however, do
not give him good name. 1t is said that he
was intimate with q disreputable woman going
by the name of Louise Barrett, whom be had
supported for some time, and it is asserted that
she is now his companion. This, however, is
open 10 question. He also had the reputation
of playing the races" and of lending money to
his associates at the Capital to book horses
Silcott leaves a wife and three children behind
The Oldest is married son, employed in the
House document room. The object of Silcotts
visit to New York Saturday it is said, was for
the purpose OF collecting $4,000 from ex-Ccn-
gresham Page of Ohio, which amount Siloott
had loaned HIM out of the funds in his custody.
Among the Congressman who lose personal de-
posts are: Rife of Pennsylvania, $500; j. D.
Tay lor of Ohio, $50 0O0 Blutele of Maine, 81,
500; Bayne of Pennsylvania, $1,000, Butter
worth Of Ohio, $50, Herman of Oregon, 81, 800;
tickler of Moth DaSo.s, 5000; Parnen or Ne
braska, 81 100; Owen OF Indiana, s25
Several Congressmen had left their salary in
the Sergeant ntat-A1ms hands for nearly a Year
and these are the heaviest ltsers Mr.. Turner
of Kansas said that the question of the members
losing their salaries would depend on whether
the act creating the Office made the Sergeant
at Arms q Government representative or
whether, as seemed probable from the fact that
members signed authorizations he was a repre-
sentative of theirs In the first case the Govern
ment and in the second the members them
selves would be the losers