Year: 1876

reaQ from tnefremhrkS OF MI. OIerInan
to the effect that it would be bold and
wise man who would improve the works
Of Hamilton, Gallatin and other fnanciers
and said that it seemed to him Davis
that this Bold and wise man was found
in 1870 because the accounts were chang
ed.


In conclusion he said that the matter he
had presented and demanded prompt in
vestigation and correction. At first near
ly all the Senators were in favor OF q
special committee making the investiga-
tion, now it was proposed to have 1t BY
the Committee on Finance. A
majority of the members of which were
unfavorable 10 the . administration.
Surely that would be sending
the child to an unfriendly nurse.


The question beng on the amendment
OF Mr.. Edmunds to strike cut special
and insert COMMITTEE on Finance" SO
that the investigation shall be mads by
the latter committee, it was agreed to;
yeas %. nays %.


NJ. Booth voted with the Democrats
in the negative. .


The resolution, as amended, was then
agreed to.


On motion OF Mr.. Morrill, the pream.
Die, alleging that there were discrepan-
cies in the accounts OF the treasury, was
laid on the table.


The resolution agreed TO is as follows:
Resolred, That the Committee on FL
nance be instructed to investigate the
| leaks in the accounts OF the Treasury
Department particularly with reference
to discrepancies and alterations IN the
amounts and figures that have been mace
in them especially those in the annual
stateu.en of expenses of the government
revenue collected and the public debt
contained in said reports and it any such
discrepancies and alterations be found to
exist, to report same, and the extent and
nature therof; the years wherein they oc-
CURED; by what authority made, and, if
any, the reasons that induced them, and
to report generally such other and fur
ther information bearing on the subject
as to them may seem best, and that saic
committee have power to send for per-
sons and papers.


The Senate resumed the consideration
of the bill to provide for commission
on the


subject Of Alcoholic Liquor Traffic.


Mr.. Sherman said this bill had been
fully debated at the last session of the
Senate. The expense involved in the
proposed investigation was not over
$4,000, and the result of it would be a
vast amount of useful information. No
State could make an investigation. be-
cause none had command of statistics to
prosecute the inquiry.


Mr.. Bayard said that in his epinlor
this was not the way nor was this the
proper place to investigate the subject. Ii
investigation was to be made to procure
information in regard to the taxation Of
LIQUORS It was unnecessary, as the Secre-
tary of the Treasury already had the
fullest information in regard to the mat
! ter. He argued that this matter was
within the province of State govern
ments, and could not be treated bv the
United States, and said that the aggran-
dizement Of the powers of States by the
federal government, is one of the radical
evils of our time. He would vote against
the bill, believing that Legislation to re-
form the vice of intemperance or ly in
creased the EVIL. He submitted the
amendment nstructing the committee to
INQUIRE whether the use of opium as
substitute for alcoholic drinks had not
become more general in consequence OF
legislation.


Mr.. Sherman said it seemed to him
that the Congress Of the United States
might we'll give the subject full and fair
examination. He was not in favor OF
prohibitory laws, but he believed the
passage of this bill would promote the
common good and Congress had right
SO pass It.


Mr.. Bayard said any physician could
show where coercivc laws had been pass
ed to prevent the sale Of liquors as
beverage, the use of opium had become
more general and that was far more in
furious than liquors.


Mr.. Howe spoke in favor of the bill,
and hoped that the Senate would not
decline to make the small appropriation
asked for. lie thought the argument of
the Senator from Delaware Bayard
premature, as this was not Il bill to pre-
vent the sale Of liquor


The amendment OF Mr.. Bayard was
rejected.
Mr.. Morrill,, of Msi"e, spoke in favor
of the bill.


Pending the discussion the Senate went
into executive session, and soon after sd-
jOurned.