Democratic Sentinel, Volume 5, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 November 1881 — EXTRA SENATORIAL SESSION. [ARTICLE]

EXTRA SENATORIAL SESSION.

The President pro tern, laid before the Senate a communication from the Secretary of the Treasury in response to the resolution adopted March 24, calling for a complete list of all books, papers, pamphlets, etc., published by the various departments from March 1789, to March, 188 L The communication, which states that the records of the Treasury Department fail to give the information called for, was laid on the table. The Senate confirmed W. W. Dudley, of Indiana, Commissioner of Pensions; Robert F. Crowell, of Minnesota, Deputy Sixth Auditor ; John Cromb, of Minnesota, Register of the Land Office at Crookston, Minn.; George W. Wilkinson, of Nebraska, Indian Agent Omaha and Winnebago Agency, Neb.; Frank M. Tracy, Postmaster at St. Joseph, Mo.; Capt. Montgomery Sicard, Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance, Navy Department; Capt John G. Walker, Chief of the Bureau of Navigation ; Commodores James H. Spotts and JamesW. Nicholson, Rear Admirals; Capts. Samuel R. Franklin, Edward Y. McCauley and John C. P. De Krafft, Commodores. The I‘re.sident nominated John L. Kaine, of Wisconsin, to be Appraiser at the port of Milwaukee, and Edward F, White, of California, to be Coiner at the United States Mint at San Francis jo. Mr. Edmunds offered a resolution in the Senate, on Monday, Oct. 24, appointing Chief Clerk Bhober acting Secretary, which was passed. Ex-Gov. Morgan, of New York, was nominated for Secretary of the Treasury, and the Senate confirmed the nomination after a two hours’ discussion. Gov. Morgan accepted the position, it is understood, with the understanding that he can resign if at any time the duties of the office are too great for his physical strength. Gov. Morgan is over 70 years old, having been bom in Washington, Maes., Feb. 8, 1811, and is said to bo in rather feeble health. Among the President’s nominations were Rev. Henry Highland Garnett (colored), of New York, for Minister to the African republic of Liberia, and John M. Bailey, of New York, for Consul at Hamburg. The nomination of John L. Kaine, to be Appraiser of Milwaukee, Win., is withdrawn, the office having been abolished. Senate confirmations—Receiver of Public Money, Eben W. Cottrell, of Detroit. Registers of Land Offices—Charles M. Webb, of Wisconsin, at Deadwood; Charles W. Pierce, of Nebraska, at Lincoln ; Neb.; Alexander M. Eggett, of Wisconsin, at Eau Claire, Wis. Mr. James F. Meline’s report of the frauds carried on in the custodian’s division of the Treasury Department, and which Senator Sherman’s resolution called for, was presented to the Senate. '1 he report says that the office was created in 1876, ana one O. L. Pitney was ptf. in charge at a salary of $2,400. This iias increased to $2,500 the following year. There was no authority for the creation of the custodian's department, or the appointment of the custodian, and that both acts were illegal and unnecessary. Not only that, but the way in which funds were disbursed was contrary to law ; that only in relation to the purchase of ice, fuel and carpets was there even the semblance of legality; that in the purchase of supplies all tire precautions taken by an ordinary business man were neglected; exorbitant prices were paid; no inventory was ever made of the stock m hand; supplies which were paid for were never delivered, and two prices, drawn from two different funds, were in some cases paid for those undelivered goods. Thus 118 X yards of Wilton carpet and the cost of laying and making were paid for twice out of the contingent fund and once out of the public building fund, and the carpet was not delivered until the investigators had commenced their work. One Moses was paid for 637 X yards of carpet which he did not deliver until the investigation had commenced, and then it was of an inferior character. Cabinetmakers were paid out of the fuel, light and water fund ; fifty-two dozen of fileholders, which cost $502, were never delivered ; $132 was paid out of the gas fund for what was put down in the bill as candles, but Custodian Pitney said that no candles were bought, but that $132 was paid for lemons, sugar, etc.j to make lemonade for the Secretary, fifty-three and one-qnarter gallons of bay rum, which cost $350, was put m the bills as deodorized alcohol. A little entertainment gotten up for some of the friends of Mr. Sherman, who attended the Chicago Convention in his interest, was paid for out of the same fund which supplied the price of his lemonade. In the Senate the oath of office was administered to Acting Secretary Shober on the morning of Oct. 25. On motion of Mr. Sherman, a resolution was adopted authorizing the Librarian of Congress to receive and preserve the papers of Marquis de Kochsmoeau, to await their purchase for $20,000. Among the confirmations were those of Hans Mattson, of Minnesota, to be Consul General at Calcutta ; J. F. Winter, of Illinois, to be Consul at Rotterdam ; Willard B. Wells, of Michigan, to be Consul at Dundee ; and Howard M. Kutcbin as Collector of the Third Wisconsin district. Postmasters—Thomas S. Case, at Kansas City, Mo.; 8. H. Bauman, at Mount Vernon, lowa ; S. C. Glover, at Grand Haven, Mich. Mr. Ransom offered a resolution on Oct. 26, continuing the inquiry into the condition of the Potomac, which was adopted. Mr. Sherman called up the resolution for an investigation of the disbursement of the contingent fund of the Treasury Department, modified so as to give the committee leave to send for persons and papers, and it was adopted. Among the nominations sent iu by the President were those of Charles W. Seaton, of New York, to be Superintendent of the Census ; Frederick Knefler to be Pension Agent at Indianapolis ; Henry M. Cooper to be Revenue Collector for Arkansas ; and Mrs. Jt-re Baldwin to be Postmistress at Council Bluffs.

A resolution for the payment of extra compensation to employes was adopted on the 27th ult A communication was received from Gov. Colquitt, tendering an invitation to the Cotton Exposition at Atlanta. The President sent m the nominations of Charles J. Folger for Secretary of the Treasury. Thomas L. James to be Postmaster Genera), and Frank Hatton to be First Assistant Postmaster General, all of which were confirmed. John L. Beveridge was named as Sub-Treasurer at Chicago, and John S. Harris, of Louisiana, for Su'. veyor General of Montana. Charles W. Seaton, of N.w York, was confirmed as Superintendent of Census. Seven hours were spent in debate over the nomination of Stralham to be Postmaster at Lynchburg, Va., without act on.

The Senate, immediately after going into executive session on the 28th ult, resumed th< contest over the nomination of Clifforc Stratham as Postmaster at Lynchburg, Va. Hill, of Georgia, spoke in opposition to confirmation two houi-s. The debate was ther continued by Morgan, Morrill, Hoar, Shermar and others at great length. The speeches were interspersed with a number of roll-calls on motions to adjourn, and other dilatory proceedings, and wore also diversified bj a spirited colloquy between Logan and Voor'lieps as to which of the two had heretofore shown himself the better friend of the. Union soldier. Tho session Closed at 2:50 in the morning, without any decided action being taken on the nomination. Most of the time after midnight was taken up calling the roll on various dilatory motions.