Madison Whig advocate., 1839-04-13

= =
nJ&ake-'6gures never lies
[sHovERHaEST CoRRUPTIoxs.-The Swsrtwou
f1nyestgating Committee have exposed some o
the corruptions of the Government by the ap
pointing of men. to high Offices of trust anC
honor, who possessed no other recommends
tions than those of brawIing par,izans. Among
the number appointed none are more conspicu
ous than Price, the late District Attorney o.
: the United States for the District Of New York
who was according TO the evidence of a num-
Der of gentlemen, examined before the com.
mitfee, considered entirely insolvent and un-
worthy of credit.
Il is said that Mr.. Talmadge, worthy and
highly IneritoriOus mana brother of the SEN
ator from New York-was an applicant for the
office at the same time that Price was, but a.
the special inetance of Mr.. Van Buren,. the
place was given to Mr.. Price-the irresponsi-
4 ble-the insolvent Mr.. Price, because he was
the warmer Partiz1n OF the two, and possessed
more influence in Tammany Hall.
We annex the evidence of several gentlemen
taken before the committee, as to Mr.. Prices
pecuniary responsibility and integrity at the
time of his appointment TO Office by Gen. Jack
son in I834, and bis re-appointment in 1888 by
Mr.. Van Buren:
! .4ler. HaBuiton-Examned BY Mr.. Curtis.
| Question 4. Did YOU know VIM. NJ. Price,
late District Attorney of the United States,
and his general reputation for pecuniarv res
Pons bIlityl What has been that reputation
for fifteen years past!
Answer. | have known him for the period
mentioned, and during the time have under
stood him to be entirely without pecuniary res
possibility.
a S. De Psyster-Examne by Mr.. Harlan
Question 10. Are you acquainted with w.
VI. Price, late District Attorney Of the United
regarded, before and after his appointment, as
a man worthy TO be intrusted with collection
Of large sums of money.
nswer. | am acquainted with W'illiam NJ
Price, late District Attorney, and answer the
question in the negative.
r. H. .Nertps--Examined by Mr. Ovens
Answer 1t was, IN my estimation, and ac-
cordIng to the best of my knowledge, the gen. |
erai opinion that he was utterly unworthy Of |
any pecunIary credit. / have known Mr. |
Price upwards of thirty years. Nv opinion of
hin. has been the same for the last twenty
years. With the public, he NAV have gained
something in the course of the last few wears
prior 10 his late departure.
Question 7. Do you say that Price's reputa-
tion had improved any before his appointment
as District Attorney of the United States1
Answer NOT to my knowledge.
G9rhana Il. Uortt, cashier of the City Bank |
of New York.
was acquainted with VIM. NJ. Price. Nv
impression IL, that Mr.. Prices responsibility, |
IN p5cunlary point of view. was rery hght. |
Prior tn his appointment District ttornev,
his name would have had no treight in bank.
Question 7. Would you, Of it had been |
within the scope OF your duties as cashier of
the City Bank.l relying upon the general repu-
taiion OF Mr.. Price, at the time above alluded |
to. have intrusted him with the collection and |
receipt of any considerable sum of money from |
your bank!
Answer. No.
James B. Murray, late President of the Nor
ris Canal Company.
have been acquainted with Mr.. Price for
thirty years; and have never known him TO be |
considered as of much pecuniary responsibility |
prior To HE being appointed District Attorney. |
| should never have employed Mr.. Price to |
have collected anv demand for me involving |
the necessity of large sum OF money passing |
through his hands.
George Gri.uoH, (merchant.)-T think have |
been acquainted with him for about fifteen |
wears: | should think he had as little reputa- |
tIon for pecunIary responsibility as any man |
YOU could find. | should say his reputation |
was decidedly bad. | never saw the day when
| would trust him with hundred dollars. /
Question g. Was Mr.. Prices reputation /
such, 81 the time Of his late appointment, in |
this community, that YOU should have regarded |
II safe and prudent to intrust him with the
collection and receipt of any considerable sum
of money.
Answer. Certainly not.
jonathan Goodbtc-I have known Mr.. Price
for many years, but not in the way of meeting
him frequently. From what | understand of
his business, in his profession, and of his inhe-
rtance from his fathers estate, and, on the
other hand, of his habits Of expenditure. | did
not suppose his pecunary responsib bility was
of much account. If, indeed. OF any
Question 4. From what YOU know of Mr..
Price, and his general character in the commu-
nitv. would YOU have considered il prudent, al
any time, 10 intrust him wit the collection OF
notes or bonds. to anv considerable amount, -
the money was to pass into his own hands
Answer | should not have considered u
prudent TO do so.
John Hard, broker, called by Mr.. Owens,
Examined by Mr.. Curtis.
Question 6. Were YOU acquainted with w
NJ. Price, late District Attorney of the United
States1 II yea. how long have you known
him! What was his reputation for pecgniary
responsibility al the time of and prior his
appointment TO said Office! >'
Answer A slight Acquaintance for a yesS7
or two past. He was generally considered
without pecuniarv responsibility. | consider
MS general reputation has been eIceptonable
for many years, and have known ii for many
years.
Question TO- Would you, as a broker and
man of business, have regarded il safe and pru- .
lent 10 have intrusied Mr.. Price with the coll
ection and receipt of any considerable sum of
money! u
Answer. should not.
Dar,d Clarkson, President of the Brooklyh
late deposite) Bank. Examined by Mr.. Curtis.
Question. Were you acquainted with VIM.
VI. Price, late District Attorney of the United c
States! and how long have you known him : Q
Answer. For many years. j
Question ?. For the last ten years. or prior j
o and the time of his taking said Office, ,
What was his reputation in this community fds
idelity and responsibility in pecunisry trans
ctions. Would you have deemed il safe and
rudent TO intrust him with your business, if o
our money were consequently TO pass into his s
andst
Answer Since ! have known him have "
Gen. myself, unfavorably impressed TO his =
landing; and his pecuniary responsibility .
uch that should have considered my proper I
irsseclfre in his hands. p