The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-02-20
From The N. Y. Journal Of Commerce, FEB. Is
THE CORRUPTION CASE.

Seeing we know pretty nearly the circumstances
about the affair which, on the authority OF the Spy
in Washington" occupied the House Of Represent
aives in warm discussion all Monday, we shall
crafty the curiosity of our readers and break no
bones, by stating what we know. The corruption,
be it for better for worse is based on the state
ment Of Mr. Jones' of New Jersey, OF the city Of
Newark we believe. Mr.. Rugges Senator from
Maine, is the person accused. The story OF Mr.
Jones is something like THISTLE had invented an
improved lock, and went to Washington for the pur-
pose of getting patent. AT Washington he called
on several members of Congress, and among The
rest on Mr.. Ruggles, whose attention he succeeded
in fixing SO far as 10 get some examination of his
lock. Jones had made no specification OF his i'm
proyement, and this was necessary before patent
could be taken out. Mr.. Rugges undertook to make
out that paper for him. and considerable discussion
ensued, and considerable time was occupied in fix
ing on what The improvement was in distinction
from all other lock inventions, and in putting the
matter in secure legal shape. TWAS finally agreed
that in compensation for this trouble or something
else, Mr.. Rugges should own one-fourth part of the
patent right and writing was drawn up 10 that ef-
feet. In the mean time, Jones .ntinued his calls
on members showing his lock and endeavoring to
interest them about IT, putting locks on their trunks
&c. Several Of them spoke 50 favorably Of the in
venton that upon the whole Jones concluded not 10
part with any portion of his right to accept of
the result of Mr.. Ruggles' labors in preparing the
specification paper. On making this change in his
views known to Mr. Ruggles, a conversation en-
sued, in which Mr.. Ruggles said that he thought
some contracts might be obtained for the of the
lock on the mails; But" said he, you know Mr.
JONES' that in order to get such contracts it is
sary to pull the right string, and think it would be
in my power to facilitate the negotiations and bring
them about" This is the story as Jones tells it, or
at any rate as friend OF ours got it pretty directly
over in Jersey day or TWO since. How Mr. Rug
giles will tell the story, if be should think 1t necesSa
ry to tell il at ALL we do not know. The corruption
is supposed to lie in the last words which we have
quoted, as spoken by Mr.. Ruggles. This is the
Corruption in Congress" the offer TO barter his
services and influence for compensation" which is
charged upon some unnamed member There is
one difficulty in making out the corruption, viz :
that the subject was MOTTO come before the Senate
Mr. Ruggles could not act officially in the business
so it was not his official influence which he offered
to SELL but only his influence as citizen. Besides
as Mr.. Rnggles is pretty determined Conservative
his influence with the Postmaster General would
not be likely TO carry corruption 10 such depths as to
endanger the Commonwealth. On the whole, we
cannot help thinking if Mr.. Jones had been accus-
toned To go far from home he would not have this
sogreat affair In fact the story of Jones himself
implies no corruption or thought of any thing i'm
proper and the attempt on such ground to get up an
excitement and injure tie reputation Of man held
so deservedly high in public esteem as Mr.. Rug
giles, is only worthy of such trio as Matthew L.
Davis, the Courier and Mr. WISE Of Virginia.
Nothing would suit Davis so well as TO be called
before the bar oil Congress. II would make him the
greatest man in the nation for that day. and if he by
1t should be convicted of gross SANDER and lying it
would not do him or his reputation the least mis-
chief in the world. But before Congress call him
up we must tell them story. When Aaron Burr
shot Gen. Hamilton, Davis gave it out that he could
give most important evidence in the case This Of
course, reached the ears of the coroner and Davis
was summoned to disclose his important knowledge,
when to The surprise of the coroner he kept his
knowledge pent up in himself and refused to an
swer a word. He was committed TO prison for
contempt The next day he refused again, and was
again committed. This went on for week, when
Davis consented to answer and being sworn, the
coroner says, What do YOU know about this melan-
choly affair." Mr.. Davis ~ "Nothing at ALL sir
said Davis, and so the matter ended But he had
been town talk, and very important man, for
week.