Windham County Democrat. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1836-1853, 1839-02-28
THE INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE.
From The Ne,s. York Epeniuo Past

From The Ner- York Euening Post.
The course taken by the committee who came
the other day from Washington to investigate the
Swarwout defalcation, occasions much CONVEX
sation. Notwithstanding they sit with closed
doors facts have traspired in relation TO their
proceedings which are commented on with the
strongest expressions Of reprobation and CON
tempt.
1t is generally understood that one of the first
steps taken by the committee was to refuse the
proposition of the minority, that the proceedings
should be open and public A course of proce-
dure carried on under the public eye, subject to
daily observation and criticism, would not have
accorded with their purpose The Holy Inqusi-
ton afforded them better pattern-its proceed
ing were .secret-and the committee accorJinp-
ly sit with closed doors
In regard to most of the witnesses, they have
been held to make their answers in the presence
% tue committee: This Is props proper n
are familiar with judicial Investigations. But
while the committee have held others to this rule,
it is known that they have relaxed it in favor of
those witnesses who were expected to furnish
matter of accusation against the Administration
1t is known that in such case the witness has
been allowed to frame his answers at leisure. out
of the committee room. What monsrous per-
version of all rules of equity is this We only
reports to be made by the committee.
After having resolved to conduct their pro-
ceedings aoof from public inspection, the COM
mttee appear to have considered themselves pri-
vieged to enter upon all enquiries which would
be open to a whig safety committee appointed by
an assembIage at Masonic Hall. They have re.
Gently entered upon the investigation of the a.
mount of money spent by the democratic party
at the elections, and of the persons by whom it
was contributed. Mr. Curtis we understand, has
been active in these inquiries. The prodigious
sums lavlshed by their own party on such occa-
slons, do not of course come within the scope of
their nvestlgatlons-they confne themselves to
what has been done on the other side A late
-Unrer vi the custom house mas been called be-
fore the committee, to testify to the amount of
money which he was asked to contribute at some
recent election. The subject thus begun was
still farther pursued-other witnesses were sent
for, and the committee room, for time, presen-
ted the singular spectacle of a set of men acting
under the authority of the General Government.
meddling with our State elections. The minor
lty of the committee undoubtedly oppose these
improper and extravagant proceedings, and we
judge, from what is related by some of the wit
nesses who were called on, that they have sue
ceeded in checking this insolent intrusion into
concerns with which they have no more right to
interfere than they have to investigateour house
hold arrangements
We venture to say, that if the report of the
committee should contain full and minute ac-
count of their proceedings the result will be
highly disgraceiul to the members who compose
the majority.