Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-12-07

the Chemical Rank made the following r,
port Ia both Houses Of the Legislature IL.
"Wednesday. The Report bears heavy upo
number Ofgrntiemen whose names are Civ e
in full. After The reading of II in the Hous
OF Assembly. Mr.. Flagg gave uoiice he shoul'
Introduce bill to repeal the law Incorporating
the Chemical Bank. MIR. Wright gave
similar notice in the Senate. Mr.. Talmadg
offered resolution 10 the assembly, directin,
William j.. Caldwell to be brought to the ba
Of the house, and there discharged. Mr.. Cald
well was accordingly brought to the bar ant
discharged.
ALBANY ARGUS EXTRA,
November "a, 1924.
REPORT
0fMe joint Committee on the Chemical Bank
hlr. Sudan, from the committee appointed
in pursuance 81 the annexed resolution of both
branches of the Legislature Of the state Of New
York, To inquire whether any corrupt or un
Jar practices were used for the purpose Of OBJ
tanning an act Of incorporation for the Chemical
Bank, and 10 inquire into the conduct of the
agents OF that application, and Of all circum-
stances attending the passage ofthe bill,
RESPECTFULLY REPoRr,-
That they have been diligently employed
since their appointment, in performing the
duty assigned/to them by the two branches of
the legislature. The committee were well salts
fled that the dignity and character of the legisa-
ture, the honor of the state, and the senti-
nents and feelings of the public, required full
and thorough investigation Of the subjects
submitted 10 their examination and thew
have, to the best Of their ability, performed "a
trust no less delicate than important in every
respect IN which the subject matter of the
resolution may be considered In the course
ot the examination, they have entered very
fully into the spirit of the resolution by which
the committee was raised, as well for the honor
oil the legislature, as from full conviction that
40 member Of either house would shrink from.
but rather court full and satisfactory enquiry.
The charges Of corruption, or unfair means.
IN procuring the charter of the Chemical
bank IN aid of the Chemical manufacturing
company, originated, rs is well know n.
trem disclosure made by William ].
Caldwell, ofihe city of New York, who was
an agent in this city last winter, for procuring
banking privileges 10 the said manufacturing
company. Mr.. Caldwell was The avowed a.
gent oi MIR. Morrison, the principal, and it al :
mitled by Mir. Morrison t., have been e,,nlovsd
by him To assist in procuring the passage of the
bull. Caldwell is the only person who has
brought charge against any member of either
branch OF the Legislature, Of oorruptly giving
their vote for the Chemical bank In the opin.
ION OF the committee, their duty {under the
concurrent resolution) was 10 inquire
LIST. Has any member of either branch ofthe
legislature been influenced In his vote i'm favor
OF the bill, by a reward, or the hone thereof
either directly or indirectly
g What WAS the conduct Of the agents for
that bank, and the means made use of y them
IN procuring the act granting banking privileges
to the said manufacturing company?
Isl. IT IS hardly necessary 10 say, that the
only person who charges corruption in pro-
curing this charter, either directly or Indirect
W, Is William j. Caldwell now in custody by
order OF the Assembly, for contempt. The
committee, having been furnished by the
Attorney General with the affidavit Of Mr.
Caldwell heretofore made, proceeded TO ex
anime him in regard 10 all the facts within his
knowledge or belief, attending the passage of
the bill in question. Caldwell states that he
was employed by Mr.. Morrison, the applicant
for the bank, in the fall of l8gS to solicit its
passage through the Legislature, and was 10 re-
ceIve $4,000 II the banking privileges were
granted and he produces written ap,.e-
ment, signed by Mr.. Morrison, of the dat. or
18th of February, 1894, as prODf o. the sum ne
was to receive. He says, that he was tn
receive this sum of money for nrocur-
ing the Passage of The bill giving banking
privileges, by fair and honorable means and
he expressly swears, that he knows of no uo-
fair means made use of by himself, nor any
'uer of money, or the value, Of il, or the
receipt oil money, to vote for the bank. except
the case Of Mr.. L. Spencer, of the Assembly,
ana what Morrison told him in regard to Mr..
heyes ana Mr.. Brunson. of the Senate, which
las charge VIII be hereafter noticed. The
case oil MIR: i. Spencer, Ofthe Assembly, is this,
,l,. l...f I..f
the passage Of ibe bill in question in the
Assembly, and the day preceding that on
which the question was to be taken in that
house, Caldwell called on Mr.. Spencer, al
the request of Mr.. Morrison, (who had under
stood that MIR. Spencer was about to leave
the city on bus'ness) 10 persuade him to re-
main IN town until the vote had been taken
That MT. Spencer said he was opposed to
banks, and that he must go to the Dorihward
To raise money from friend or relation to
meet his engagements That Caldwell went
back and told Morrison Of this that Morri-
son said If it was money Mr.. Spencer wanted.
he could lief him have II and that he would
go and see him: That Morrison went up 10
see Mr.. Spencer, who lodged at Smiths and
on his return, called on Caldwell. at Mr.. Gouf-
lays, and told him MIR. p. Spencer would stay
and vote for his bill that he fMorrison) was
10 lei MI opencer.pave the money, and SpeD-
Ger was to use bis influence with M. G.. Smith,
who lodged IN the same room with Mr.. Spen
Ger, also to vote for Morrison's bill That Mr..
Spencer, the next day, voted for the bill, and
used hrs influence afterwards, IN procuring lis
passage through. the Senate That previous
In Caldwel's leaving this city for N. York ,and
while the bank bill was pending in the sol
nate, Morrison handed him some bills to p,af
over To- +. Spencer, who had lust sft RIorSf-
son, and was going over to the Capitol Inn.
kept by Mr.. Benjamin; Morrison sad - did
0Ot like, to be seen paying money, for krsr Of
suspicJOn That Caldwell rc,t 10 ,&c ;,c