The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-12-15

WASHINGTON, Dec li.-The Evening Star
has the following developments in the case
of the shortage in the accounts of the SER
geant-at-arms of the house; while they do
not fix dishonesty upon anybld ldy but Sill
colt, they show an astounding looseness in
the financial transactions throughout that
o.liee. Members Of the house criticize
Leedom for this, and for the alleged fact
that he discounted the members notes out
of public money. The thing that they con
denim him for is that is they any, he was
perfectly aware of the bad habits of Silcott,
and vet trusted him in the face of this
knowledge. Leedom and Silcott were both
fond of attending races aud betting, therefore
Leedom knew the habits of his cashier and IL
is alleged knew Silcott was Leading fast
life in other respects. This was known of
course 20 n number of members also, and
the habit of dscounting notes appears 10
have grown out of the rapid pace which GER
tain members Of congress were going, 10
some extent il is thought, in company with
Silcott. The moral atmosphere within GER
tain circles in intimate association with the
serpeant-at-arms' Office does not appear 90
lie clear. While thirty.fye notes referred
10 in the Star some days ago, are alleged TO
have been forgeries, there are a lot of notes
in the safe which are genuine, and this
loose discount business appears to have been
going on for years. The committee nre
under the impression, as indicated by some
of its members in discussing tins matter,
that the advances which were mnde were
from the public fund. and If Leedom WAS
not aware of this fact il was because he
knew nothing about the state of his own or
the'public finances ia the hands of Silcott.
On this subject Leedom stated the dis
counting during the session of congress
WIS done with his own money, or with pri
yate moneys deposited with him, not out of
the public funds. and when congress was
not in session the discounts were negoti-
ated with the banks. When he was notified
by the paying teller that he had oyerdrawn,
he simply got money out of his own fund IN
Silcoti's part Of the safe and made the nee
essary deposit. IL appears from the books
of the sergeant-at-arms that Adams who IL
chairman Of the investigating committee.
has oyerdrawn his account 10 the amount of
$40; that x-Speaker Carlisle has overdrawn
his account To the amount of S4lG; that
Reed has overdrawn accounts 20 the
amount Of $l9.A. Other oyerdrafts are al
so shown.
A reporter made an investigation in the
case of Speaker Reed and discovered II was
in fact nm overdraft Reed placed his GER
count, when the money WAS due for addl-
tional salary as speaker. and authorized the
preferment Of draft for the amount ON
New York. He got the draft. His certid-
cate should have been taken TO the treasury,
the money drawn and the drift procured.
1t appears. however. the money WAS not
drawn from the treasury and the proper
sum was paid Reed. Thus il has the ap-
pearnnce of an oyerdrnft. Adams Illinois,
chairman Of the Silcott investigation COM
mittee. said his account with the sergeant
alarms was oyerdrawn 10 the amount Of
$40 through misunderstanding.
The house committee investigating the
defalcation Of Cashier Slcott held a session
to-day, under the instructions Of the house
that the committee immediately begin an
examination of the laws bearing upon the
subject. One Of the members Of the com
mittee said IL IL Was decided the sergeant
nt-arms is the disbursing officer, then the
question arose as 60 how individual deposits
and the accumulated salaries Of members
are 10 be- regarded; while II II should be
held the sergeant alarms IL not n disburs-
ing officer, then the extent of his agency
and other vexatious questions remain Co be
settled. The special committee Will
probably take further testimony Monday,
aB some facts have come TO light which cast
a suspicion OF forgery or fraud on certain
transactions had by SilcOtt with the
National Metropolitan bank