Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1838-03-10
From the Baltimore American, Feb. IA.

The subject which engaged the atten
ton Of the House of Representatives ex.
cusiyely on Monday, as stated in our
Washington correspondents letter insert.
ed yesterday, will perhaps be more fully
understood by publishing the motion made
by Mr.. Wise, for committee Of inquiry,
which he presented in the following terms:
"Whercas, the following publication APP
pears in the New York Courier and En-
quirer, to wit:
"CorrnptiOn in Congress.--We yester-
day published letter from the Spy in
Washington directly charging member
Of Congress nth corruption, and offering
to prove the charge before committe of
either House, when called upon for that
purpose. We republish the charge to-
day, and call upon Congress promptly TO
institute the investigation thus challenged
both as an act ofjustice to itself and to the
country. The Spy in Washington it
may be said, lie not an ostensible or respec-
table person; but we desire at once to OBJ
viate this difficulty, by stating, as we now
do, that he is known to us, and whenever
called upon by committee Of Congress,
we pledge ourselves that he shall be forth
coming, and that he is one whose standing
warrants an immediate proceeding on the
part Of Congress.
Extract from Yesterdays Courier g. Enquirer.
"The more brief my statement, the bet
| ter it will be understood. 1t is in my pow
er, if brought to the bar Of either House,
or before committee, and process allow
TS p F aS|BS hs Hds3 81 respectable
and unimpeachable citizen, as we'll as by
written documentary evidence, that there
is at least one member Of Congress who
has offered 10 barter his service and his in
fluence, with Department or Depart
ments, for compensation. 'Why, sir, said
the applicant for the contract, if my pro-
position has merit, it will be received. II
it has not, do not expect it will be &C.
cepted.' And what do you think was the
answer Of the honorable member2 will
give it to you in his own emphatic Ian
guage: 'Merit,' said he; 'why, things do
not go here by merit, but by pulling the
right strings. Make it my interest, and |
~slI puii the strings for you.'
The SPY IN WASHINGTON -
"Therefore resolved, That select COM
mlttee of - members, with power to
send for persons and papers, be appointed
to enquire into the charge Of corruption
therein contained against member of
Congress. That as soon as the committee
ascertain the name of the person accus-
ed, they give him notice to appear before
them, and attend such examination and
that they report to this House."
| In the course Of the discussion
Mr.. Dromgoole moved to amend by stri-
king out all after the word "resolved,n and
inserting:
"That the subject matter of the charge
contained in the foregoing publication, be
Investigated at the bar of this House and
that subpoena be issued requiring the at
tendance of - - to be examined
touching the same.n
Mr.. LOOMS moved to amend Mr.. Drom-
coolies motion by striking out after the
word "that" and Inserting foliows.
"Thut Matthew L. Davis be forthwith sub
pGnaed to the bar of the House, to testify
uHu give ONluOuCO Vi WHAT lie may KNOW
respect the name of the member implica-
ted, and the authors of his information"
Mr.. Rives moved to amend Mr.. Loomis's
amendment by inserting after the word
"member," the words "fa member of this
House."
The amendment Of Mr.. LOOMS was ac.
cepted by Mr.. Wise as substitute for that
part of his proposition proposed to be
stricken out.
Mr.. Underwood gave notice that if this
amendment were rejected, he should move
the original proposition as it stood before
the modification ofthe mover.
Mr.. Thomas moved an adjournment.
The question being taken by teIers, re-
suited as follows: Ayes 72 noes 81.
Mr.. Underwood moved to strike out the
whole, and to insert the original PROPOSE
ton OF Mr.. Wise.
Mr.. Cushman demanded the previous