The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-12-06
Carter and Other Northwesters Have
Their Salaries Taken Over
the Line.
The Question Now at Issue, Shall
Uncle Sam Shoulder
the Losses9
rreemPiion Law DecisIon-Ths First
Gan for Tariff Reform-m
House and senate.


Siloott, cashier Of the sergeant-at-arms of
the house Of representatives is missing from
his accustomed place and $4,000. belong
ing 10 members of the house, will materially
aid him in his fight. number of repre-
sentatiyes were in the habit OF keeping in
dividual deposits with the sergeant-at-arms
and their losses when ascertained, may
swell the sum total considerably. The de-
falcation of Silcott recalls an incident of
the Forty-eight congress. John Westly
Reid was member from North Carolina,
but he left the house and went out 10 WASH
ington territory. There we're some un-
pleaasnt circumstances connected with the
affair, and Reid sent his resignation 10 the
governor, but he did not notify the house,
and his salary was drawn by some one, and
Silcott is probably the man. Reid remained
in Washington territory and be-
came member of the constitu-
tional convention. His absence from
the house induced another North Carolina
member 10 inquire IL he had resigned. The
governor furnished the information. and
the member had keid's pay stopped. Sill
cott treated him as il he had done him a
personal injury. Reid. said the North
Carolina member. "istrying TO redeem him
self and hope he will succeed in the new
state"
Representative Hansbrough has been
drawing checks on the sergeant. alarms,
and thus collected the greater part of his
November salary Mr.. Carter is in for a
full month, but Wilson. Of Washington
drew all his salary few days ago, and has
not lost anything. Delegate Dubois, of
Idaho, has about $2.l00 in the cashiers
hands and is out that sum unless the house
decides to reimburse the members. Mr..
Dubois had agreed To pay Mr.. Smith S1,OO0
as n fee 10 argue the Idaho oath question,
and was about to pay him few days ago,
when Smith told him TO postpone IL few
days. The Idaho delegate remarked to-
night that he had Just live dollars TO last
him until next salary day. Hermann, of
Oregon, Jared even worse. He has not
drawn any salary since May, and had about
800 coming 90 him. He expects, of
course 10 get tho money, but he wants IL
now. add he has no way of getting il until
some action IL taken by the house.
Silcott was trusted employe, who came
here from Ohio. He was appointed by Lee
dom six years ago. He had good business
qualifications and soon possessed himself
If the unlimited confidence of his superior.
Last Saturday he notified Leedom that he
was going TO New York and would be back
Sunday. message was received from him.
dated New York, Monday morning, saving
that he had been detained. but would return
that night. similar message reached his
wife in this city. As he did not appear
Tuesday Leedom WIS fearful that he had
been oyertaken by some accident, but 10 sat
lsfy his suspicious, began an investigation,
Information that Sllcott had drawn his
bank balance deopened these suspi-
cionsand the inquiry was pursued. The enor-
nous Office safe could not be opened i'm a
moment. as Silcott had the combination, but
when nm entrance WIS effected il was found
that some $4,000 set apart for the paying
teller was intact: Inquiry WAS next made
AT the treasury department, where Leedom
was informed that Silcott had called there
Saturday and had drawn about $1,000. IL
was possible for him 10 draw this large sum
without exciting comment, as he had for a
long time been charged with the duty of
collecting money with which the salaries of
representatives, are paid. Silcott was under
bonds in the sum OF $4,000. This is, how
ever, an indemnity bond given 10 the ser
k'hhA-hi-Niihns hiiA iAtthOiilt WHO IN 0llneelf
bonded in the sum Of $4,000, is directly
responsible for the shortage.
Persons who know Silcott do not give
him good name. II IL said he was init
mate with disreputable woman giving the
name of Louise Barnett, whom he supported
for some time. He also had the reputation
of playing racees steadily. and of lending
money 10 his associates at the capital to
back horses. Silcott leaves wife and three
children behind. The oldest is a married
son employed in the house document room.
The object of Sllcotts visit 10 New York
Saturday. IL is said, was for the purpose of
collecting $1,000 from ex-Congressman
Page, of Ohio, which amount Silcott had
loaned him ont of the funds in his CUSTODY.
What concerns members of the house the
most deeply is whether in giving signed
certificates 10 the sergeant-at-arms, on
which he obtained money from the treas
ury, they have not released the government
from Inability for their salaries. Opinions
on this point vary.