The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-12-06
A BIG STIR In CONGRESS.
THE CASHIER OF THE SERGEANT
ALARMS A FUGITIVE.

he is Supposed to Have Carried
Nearly $4,000 Away With Him
a Woman of the Town Said to be
His Companion - His Own Family
Left Unprovided-An Investigation
to be Made at Once.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5.-The speaker laid
before the House this morning the following
communication from j. p. Lsedorn, late
sergeant alarms of the House, directed to
the speaker: 81 regret to report that C. E,
Slcott, late cashier OF the Office of sergeant
alarms, has departed from this city with
out settling his accounts, and have been
unable to ascertain his whereabouts, and
there is a deficiency in the cash of the office.
In view of these circumstances I respect
fully request an immediate investigation of
my accounts under such action as the House
of Representatives may take in the
premises"
AN INVESTIGATION COMMITTEE
Sfr. Adams of Illinois therefore offered
the following resolution, which was unani-
mously adopted:
WHEREAS, ]. P. Leedom. late sergeant-at-
arms of the House Of Representatives, has re-
ported to the House that G. Z. Silcott, cashier
of the Office of sergeant-at-arms, has departed
from the city without settling his accounts, and
his whereabouts are unknown, and that there is
deficiency in the cash in said Office Of about
$4,000;
Resolued, That a special committee consist
ing of seven members be appointed by the
speaker to examine the accounts of the said
Office and report thereon to the House.
A committee which has authority to
administer oathS and to report in whole or
in part, at any time, was appointed by the
speaker as follows Messrs. Adams, Ste W art
of Vermont, Payne Reed of Iowa, Holman,
Blount and HemphIll.
HISTORY OF THE CASE.
t'he history of the case, as far as it can be
gathered at present, is as follows: Mr.. Sill
colt was a trusted employe who
came here from Ohio, and was
appointed by MIR. Leedom, when
that gentleman assumed Office six years ago.
lie had good sbusiness qualifications and
soon possessed himself of the unlimited con-
fdence of his superior. Last Saturday he
notified Mr.. Leedom that he was going to
New York, and would be back Sunday
night. A message was received from him
dated New York, Monday morning, saying
that he had been detained, but would re-
turn that night. A similar message reached
his wife in this city. As he did not appear
Tuesday Mr.. Leedom was fearful that he
had been overtaken by some accident but,
to satisfy his rising suspicious, began an in
vestigation.
WITHDREW HIS BANK BALANCE.
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 mo-
rnent, as Silcott had the combination, but
when entrance was finally effected it was
found that some $4,000 set apart for the
use of the paying teller was intact. Next
inquiry was made at the treasury depart
ment, and Mr.. Leedom was stunned b Y the
result. He was informed that Silcott had
called there Saturday and had drawn
about $4,000. 1t was possible for him to
draw this large sum without exciting COM
ment,as he had for long time been charged
with the duty of collecting the money with
which the salaries of representatives are
paid.
HIS BOND ONLY $50, 900.
Silcott is under bonds in the sum of $50
600. His signers number about fifteen
persons. This is, however. an indemnity
bond given to the sergeant-at-arms, and
Mr.. Leedom, who is himself bonded in the
sum Of $4,000, is directly responsible for
the shortage.
The first news of the state of affairs came
out just before the House met at noon to-
day, and there was an exciting scene In the
office of the sergeant-at-arms. Mr.. Leedom,
who was sitting in the rear of his Office,
was surrounded by a number of members
Of the House who were rendering advice of
all kinds.
THE BoNDsMEN NOTIFIED.
The most practical suggestion was
adopted at once by Mr.. Leedom. who ap-
peared to be completely unnerved and un-
able to act for himself, and kilograms were
dispatched to his suretieS notifying thom of
Sllco t's disappearance, and expressing
Willingness to cooperate fully in every eff
fort to find him and secure the return of
the missing funds. Outside the bank-like
railing, across the room, stood another
crowd Of members evidently anxious for
themselves, as well as for Mr.. Leedom, as
they put many queries as to the amount of
money left in the safe and the prospects OF
getting their salaries.
TRUSTED HIM IMPLICITLY.
Mr.. Leedom says that he would have
trusted Slcott with any sum of money. He
Knew his brother well, and believed that
Sicott himself was entirely trustworthy.
30 firm was he in this belief, that he had
even hesitated to begin the investigation
which had such a disastrous conclusion,
tearing that Silcott had been sand-bagged
In New York, or had been detained by
some untoward happening What to do
next he does not vet know, and is seeking
advice. He was Just about to turn over
his Office to the newly elected sergeant-at-
arms, Mr.. Holmes, but this event necessa-
Tily delays the transfer.
WHY HE DIDN'T TAKE MORE.
Mr.. Leedom says that it was within Sill
colts power to have carried off not
less than $l56,000, instead of the $4,000
which is missing. 1t was suggested by a
person standing near that to have carried
OH the balance would have changed the
nature of the crime from embezzlemenr to
tneft. and thereby have subjected the per-
petrator to extradition even in Canada,
whlther it is already rumored the miss
ing man has fled. This is on the theory that
ollcot, was custodian of money drawn from
1he treasury for the payment OF salaries.
and that his retention of this money would
constitute simply embezzlement, while II he
lad taken the money in the paying teller's
drawer of the safe, it would have been direct
tnett. 1t is stated that Mr.. Leedom was vic
ufnlzed once before by the immediate prede-
cess or OF Silcott, but to an amount lnsig-
Hn'cant in comparison with his present loss.
WHAT LEEDoM CAN RAISE.
a, Mr. Leedom is reported as having said
that he could raise about $22, 900, which
would leave a deficit of $40, 800 to be made
good by his bondsmen-ex-Repr
David R. Page of Ohio and Charles FELTON,
Oh California-provided that the money is
not recovered from Silcott, or his bonds