Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-10-22

can senators yesterday We're fierce for
the prosecution of the senate inquiry
into the charges against State Treasurer
Boyer and Auditor-general McCamant.
They wanted this inquiry to be thorough
and prompt. They were lions in the
way In the form Of want of money to
make the investigating mare go, and a
doubt as to whether tho senate could
administer or delegate to any one the
power to administer oaths.
BY the aid of the attorney.general
and the Democratic senators, all obstacles
were removed to-day, and tonight there
Is every prospect that the Republican
senators will secure just what they were
so eager for yesterday, thorough.
prompt and careful investigation into
all the vital points at issue.
ARRANGING ABOUT PROCEDURE.
While the senate adjourned until next
Monday afternoon the adjournment was
made under an arrangement which will
clear away all matters irrelevant to the
cases in hand and save the threshing
over of old straw. A committee Of
three senators, the attorney general and
the counsel for the accused will meet in
Attorney Shapley's office on Saturday
and agree upon plan Of procedure and
the necessity of introducing testimony
as to matters upon which no disagree
ment exists as to facts. This is a plan
usually pursued in all important cases
in court and was agreed to at the sug-
gestion of the Encouragement and in
the interest of speedy determination
OF the matters at issue.
In addition the question of the COM
pensation of senators and employees was
settled, proper officer to administer
oaths was designated in the person of
Judge Simonton. Attorneys Shapley
and Gilbert read their opening answers
to the charges against McCamnnt and
Boyer and the part the attorney general
Is to take in the proceedings was clearly
defined. In other words, all the knotty
points in matters of procedure and
jurisdiction were disposed of and the
investigation inauguratcd in the way
that will most facilitate its speedy de-
termination.
GOOD DAYS WORK.
In view of the fact that like pro-
Aseeding under like circumstances was
never instituted in this nor probably
any other state, this may be set down IS
o pretty good days work; certainly
one this morning. The senate met
promptly at 10 o'clock this morning. 1t
was evident that an unusually interest
ing session was anticipated. The re-
porters' desk had been moved to one
side to admit two large tables for the
use of counsel. Behind the tables at the
right sat Richard @. Dale, whose firm
lower jaw reminds one of the late
Samuel j. Randall. At his left sat
Lyman ID. Gilbert; in front of the table
facing Dale and Gilbert, Rufus i.
Shapley chatted with Judge Oryis of
Bellefonte. At the left table Attorney
general Hensel and his deputy, j. A.
Stranahan, were seated, with Steno-
grapher Gilbert at the end.
McCamant sat in the back row of
senate seats near the library door, and
Boyer circulated about consulting with
counsel, and Senator Finn had given
up his seat to friend and occupied u
chair in the aisle leading to the library
door with Judge Simonton in his rear.
Executive Commissioner Whitman, of
the states Worlds Fair commission,
looked on from the senate rail and Adiu-
tant general McClelland came around
the back way to the speaker.
LARGE AUDIENCE.
The senate galleries and aisles were
crowded as they have been at every ses-
sion since the senate convened. No
time was lost in getting to work. Gen.
Gobin reported that the attorney general
had been notified and agreed to be
present, as had the auditor-general and
state treasurer Senator Hall then
offered resolution to request the gov
ernor to lay the testimony taken by the
legislative investigating committee be-
fore the senate for its consideration.
Goblin and Ross INDUCED in q debate
on this resolution, the discussion turn
ing on whether the evidence be required
Tor the consideration or information of
the senate Goblin got chance at this
tame to get off u little partisan buncombe
In declaration that the majority were
willing to give months and months to
fairness and justice, but not an hour to
partisan consideration. No one but
Goblin could see that the word "consider-
alton" suggested craftsmanship "Infor-
nation" did not, and Hall agreed that
"information" should be substituted for
consideration" and the resolution as
amended was adopted.
WANT TO SUBPOENA LIvsEY.
The first laugh of the day was in
dulged in when Ross offered resolu-
ton instructing the sergeant-at- arms to
subpoena William Liysey, late cashier
of the treasury and secretary of the
Sinking Fund Commission, to appear
and give testimony before the senate.
The senate passed the resolution and the
sergeant-at-arms looked unhappy. lie
wondered if the late cashier would
kindly wait until the subpoena caught
up with him. McCreary said the COM
mittee on expenses had been looking up
the question of meeting the expenses Of
the session, but wanted little more
time.
Goblin and Grady thought money was
more important than time, but they
didn't say so, and the extension was
granted. Goblin then moved that the
investigation proceed, and at 10. 80 Rufus
u. Shapley rose to read McCamants
answer to the charges made i'm the gov
ernor's message. The reading consumed
nearly an hour, and every ear was strained
catch every word and sentence that fell
from the readers lips.
Attorney Shapley, who read impress
sively, closed Az 11.18 and Lyman ID.
Gilbert took the floor to read Bowers
answer. Unlike McCamant he admitted
that the law required quarterly pay
ments from county officers, but said that
his predecessors had not enforced it for.
40 years. He admitted the payment of
the school warrants, but claimed that
they were paid legally and asserted
that they were paid upon the certified
demand of the Philadelphia board of
education of the date of December Goth,
1890.