The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1900-01-30
RENEWED THEIR CHARGES
House Democrats Again Criticise the
Conduct Of Secretary Gage,
House aud, After Lively Debate,
Were Referred TO the Ways
and Means Committee.

The early portion of the session was de-
voted in the House yesterday to a lively
sCTimmage over the SulzeT resolution 10
investigate Secretary Gage, which the
Committee on Rules recommended should
be sent to the Ways and Means Commit
tee, as the latter committee has the re
spOnsC Of the Secretary in its possession.
There was 10 opposition TO the proposed
action, but Representatives Richardson,
Of Tennessee, and Sulzer, of New York.
used 1t as a text for renewing their at
tacks upon the Secretary. Mr.. Gage was
defended by Representatives Hopkins, of
Illinois; Hill, of Connecticut, and Dalzell,
Of Pennsylvania.
Immediately after the reading of the
Journal Representative DalZell, from the
Committee on Rules, reported back ;he
Sulzer resolution for the appointment Of a
special committee to investigate the de
pOsit Of public funds by Secretary Gage
in New York banks and all the transac-
tions relating to the sale of the New
York custom house, with the recommenda-
tion that it be referred to the Ways ana
Means Committee Mr.. DalZell explained
that the response of the Secretary to the
SulZer resolution Of inquiry upon the same
subject had gone 10 the Ways and Means
Committee. and it was proper that that
committee should have jurisdiction.
When he spoke a few days ago. Repre-
sentative Richardson said, he had insisted
that there must be sore reason why the
National city Eank c E.T nrl- had not
completed lis title TO the Custom house
property purchased T. pr -no gov -uraert
The government had taken a pagc- credit
of S2,215c00, which left the pitiful sum Of
$4,000 still due the government. Why had
this been done? Not a dollar of the gov
ernmonts credit at the bank had been
checked out. Why could the credit not
have been for the full amount? There
must be some reason. said Mr. Richard
son, and he insisted that the reason had
developed. 1t had been the intention OF
the Secretary Of the Treasury. he said. 10
relieve the bank Of its tax obligation to
the State and city Of New York by re-
tanning the title in the government. The
government had agreed 10 pay rent for
the property, Yet the bank was not 10 pay
taxes upon il.
Representative Sulzer, of New York.
said the Republican party dared neither
10 smother nor ignore the resolution The
people of the country were deeply inter-
ested in ascert&ining the truth lie char
acterized the conduct Of the Secretary Of
the Treasury as Infamous.
Representative Hopkins, Of Illinois. in
reply said that all this discussion was
premature and out Of place 4 simpIy
rise said he, Ito protest against the an
founded, unWarTanted, and untrue charges
made by the gentleman from Tennessee
Clr. richardson. What right has he to i'm
pute false and fraudulent motives 10 IN
Secretary Of the Treasury Is there any
evidence upon which 10 base them? None
whatever. when the Secretary OF the
Treasury was called upon Tor the facts he
presented a iull response"
The resolution 10 refer 10 the WAYS and
Means Committee was soon adopted with
out q division.