The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-01-17
MENDAc1rY OF THE OFFICIAL ORGAN

MENDACITY OF THE OFFICIAL ORGAN
The Globe Of Tuesday night, referring to the pro-
ceedings in the House, on the resolution for Sc
lect Committee of inquiry into the defacations Of
Collectors and Receivers of public money, says
"The Opposition, who proposed that the House
should appoint the committee instead of Speaker,
have resisted violently the amendment offered by
the Democrats that the House shall appoint by
riUa vote. This shows distinctly that the Wings
want TO pack such committee, by the secret ballot
as will take care Of their Censervavefrends in the
inquiry and which they dare not take the response
biliy OF appointing by an open vote. This proves
that the Wings and Conservatives, who fear the re-
suit of full inquiry, il they cannot slave il of,
are resolved to contrive some means TO make
committee friendly to those who are supposed TO be
implicated with the late collector and who will be
thus screened from exposure"
"The Wings and Conservatives who fear the re-
suit of full inquiry" Why it is they who are
urging full inquiry, and it is the Van Buren, Sub
Treasuryites who are striving TO avoid it, and have
partial inquiry, mere embarrassing affair for
the Secretary of the Treasury. Mr., Cambreleng
at FIRST sought to confne the investigation to the
case of Mr. Swarwout only. Mr.. Garland, Of Vir-
gna, offered an amendment, which went to extend
the investigation, so as to embrace all defaulters,
Price, Lyle, Boyd, Spencer Wagner, and the
franklin and the Commonwealth Banks of Boston,
This amendment was accepted by Mr.. Cambreleng,
excepting the appointment by ballot. He insisted,
that the committee should be appointed by the Speak
er. And why2 Because the Secretary Of the Trea-
sury under whose administration all these defaca-
tons have taken place. fears the result of full in
CURRY! He is ready for an investigation, provided,
the committee is appointed by the Speaker, in other
words and in fact by himself
7, al hat fhe alrara I,payc Su1t
the Secretary before the appointment of the Finance
Committee Of the House, and does any one suppose
he would not do SO in this case, wherein he is so
deeply interested An investigation now, by COM
mittee thus appointed, would be mere mockery
The proposition subsequently made by Mr.. Cam
breleng to appoint the committee, pira pOee, was
another mode resorted to for the purpose Of avoid
ing full investigation The proposition is in di-
rect opposition to the standing rules of the House.
The 7th rule says: All committees shall be APP
pointed by the Speaker, uness otherwise specially d.
reeted By the House, IN WHICH CASE THEY SHALL BE AP-
POINTED BY BALLOT"
To rescind this rule would require vote OF two
thirds The very persons who talk OF voting pira
poee, would against proposition to suspend the
rule under the hope of finally defeating any nves'i
CATION
The charge made by the Globe of members not
daring to "take the responsibility of appointing BY
an open vote, we look upon as direct insult TO the
whole House. What honorable men will do that
covertly which they will not dare do openly! The
piua roee vote is contrary to the written laws Of the
House. and is resorted to for the exclusive benefit
of the Executive We understand that there are
many of the supporters of the Administration who
are in favor of thorough investigation, and for the
purpose of efecting it will vote for the appointment
of committee by ballot II the rra poce vote should
be adopted, and any one of them should dare to act
independently of party, he may be certain to be at
once denounced by the licensed hetor of the Globe
That the committee will be appointed, and BY bal
lot, we do not entertain doubt The result OF their
investigation will show who seeks for full one, and
who seeks 10 screen" their friends from exposure,
We will not anticipate it.