New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-13
SCANDAL HUNTERS ACTIVE
NEW PHASE OF THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST
SECRETARY GAGE.
FATE OF SUFFERS RESOLUTION IN DOUBT
THE ADMINISTRATION READY TO
MEET ANY CHARGES.
MEET ANY CHARGES.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.

TBY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNEl
Washington, Jan. 12.-The scandal hunters In
Congress who have been trying to fasten on
Secretary Gage various charges of favoritism
in his dealings with the National City and Han
over National Banks of New-York, sought to
put new face their campaign to-day by in
itiating a Congressional investigation of the
Secretary's alleged lapses into interested par
TALLY Mr.. Sulzer was put forward in the
House of Representatives to offer resolution
for the appointment of a special non-partisan
committee" which should inquire into all the
transactions covered in Secretary Cages recent
reply to the request of the House for corre-
spondence and information. Mr.. Sulzer's reso-
luton not privileged one under the rules
and on objection from Mr. Hopkins. or ILLINOIS,
and others, II went over until next Monday lts
fate then IS uncertain; for though the Repup-
Hcan majority in each branch has shown the
fullest disposition to grant any reasonable de-
mands made by the opposition, and RepuOhcan
opinion favors the freest scrutiny of the De
partment's operations the policy OF undertaK-
ing protracted and expensive Investigations on
charges which have already been exploded ana
answered does not appeal to the common sense
of the Republican leaders at the CAPITOL IL
is held by most of these leaders that secretary
Cages reply to the House resolution OF Janu-
ary 3-a reply which has not yet been printed
-
analyzed before any further inquiry is sug-
gested.
ACCUSATIONS NOT SUSTAINED
Such portions of the reply as nave been pup
lished certainly do not sustain the extravagant
accusations OF partiality brought against 'He
Department. From the correspondence fur
nshed 1t appears that the designation OF certain
National banks as repositories of public money
is clearly authorized by law. and the Secretary
is empowered to exercise his discretion in select
ing such institutions as he may consider most
fitted to receive funds in excess of the current
needs of the Treasury. The two banks toward
which Mr.. Gage was charged with showing
partiality were, moreover. not designated as de-
postories by the present Administration Ihey
were used by the Treasury for that purpose
under the preceding Administration. and II
favoritism was to be shown it would have been
shown far more effectively by the diversion of
Government funds to other New-York banks
not previously resorted to.
Much clamor has been raised in the last two
days by Mr.. Cages assailants over letter ad-
dressed to him by Vice-President Hepburn, of
the National City Bank. in which that official
urged the Secretary of the Treasury not to
strike that institution off the list of Govern
ment repositories. The letter alluded to ser
vices done by certain persons connected with
the management of the bank in the PRESIDENTIAL
canvass of 1896. But there Is no evidence that
this reference governed Secretary Cages de-
cision t. allow the bank te sustain Its former
relations to the Treasury as a depository; ana
the fact that the Secretary included this per
sonal and unofficial note in the correspondence
sent to Congress clearly indicates that he was
willing to have his motives subjected TO the
severest and most hostile scrutiny.
WILL WELCOME INQUIRY.
If an investigation Of Treasury policy or Of
the Administrations dealings with the Filipino
Jpsurvauts prjor TO and Immediately after the
fall Of Manila seems to be demanded by any
considerable sentiment in Congress. there is
every ground for saying that the Administration
will both welcome and facilitate the inquiry,
For If the search for scandals and sensations has
no other Issue, it will at least put an end TO the
wild and reckless talk which has been heard In
both House and Senate by the proposers or
Claptrap resolutions.