Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1839-02-12
Extract from the Speech Of Henry A.
Wise, in the House Of Representatives,
December 21st, 1888.

Extract from the Speech Of Henry A.
Wise, in the House Of Representatives,
December 2lst, 1888.
"First came the explosion of the pet
banks-nOlO come the explosion, one after
the other in quick succession, of the sub
treasures, who were, or are 10 be, substi-
tuted for banks, and will show you that
they prove all ever charged to be true.
lsaid that in December, 1886, when
Gen. Jackson gave his certificate that all
was well, honest, fair, this very leg.treasu.
~, Swar' won't at New York, was in de.
fault SS36,7ls. Well, sir, now it ap-
pears that in twelve months after, he was
in default to the tune of $l,016,755 f! aud
three months after that time was default
er in the still larger sum of 81 ,225, 705
3d.! Previous to my attempt at investi-
cation, he had been stea ing public money
at the rate of $65, 900 per annum. Af-
ter the cal acds beLled, he stole in one year
$6sO,236 81. Yes, sir, after the Presi.
dent had given him certificate of homes
tv, and y2tI, sir, and the House, and the
committee, and the Executive, had shield
ed him from all scrutiny, he stole in one
year the sum of $3.50, 236 IS, and in the
next three months at the rate of more
than &l70,000 per annunl, for seven
years-aad this zoe are told iCithOat The
least suspicion - A Jew may believe it
but l DON'T
SIR, said the other day that I did not
rejoice at these public losses and calami-
ties, though / confessed did feel thrill
of triumph at having gained victory for
truth. The pet bank system and the sub
treasurers have exploded, as l said they
would, and exposed their hidden enormi-
ties, concealed until they could be conceal
ed no longer; but | do not rejoice at it. /
made me no booth 10 sit and watch for the
destruction of corrupt Nineyeh. But,
sir, there is one poor human being upon
this earth-alone now in the world
wrecked in reputation-blasted-slighted
by men not BALI as worthy as he IS
whose soul at scenes like these, does re.
ioice, must exult. Who and where is he
Sir, if you will go down Pennsylvania
avenue TO the corner of Four-and-a.half
street, beneath Mrs. Peyton's boarding
house you will find a grey headed man,
stricken in years: his name is Tobias
Watkins That nan, for borrowing mo.
Iiney of public officers. funds in their
hands. not converting funds in his own
hands to his own use, was imprisoned on
the l4th of August, 1929, and tried on
three several indictments, on all of which
he was convicted and fined, on one of the
sum Of $3.50, an another $500, and or
the third, $4,000. He was sentenced to
be imprisoned three months on each in.
dictment, in all nine months and though
imprisoned in August, 1929, he was moi
released until March, S33. Kept in jail
three years and six months for real OIL
fictitious defaIcation Of $1,000! Where
is Swartwout, after embezzling public mo
ney for eight years in succession, till he
had taken and carried away a million ane
a quarter? Where is Price 7 Where j.
Gfatiot? How long since their carriage
wheels proudly hurled the Olympic dus
Of the fashionable avenues Of YOU
metropolis Of court and 3ashionl Nc
marshallsat their lIeels-z no district attoF,
neys prosecuting against them triple in.
dictmcnts they ran away or walkeC
away unforbidden, and none 70 hinder
them Where is Boyd that land Of
fee 1efaulter, who appealed 70 he NJ for
times of speculation" 70 elect him to the
Senate Of the State of Mississippi
These are alkinnocent and unfortunate d
escaping delaulfers! These are full han
ded public plnnderers. and 60 "nnwhip
Iped Of Justice. Sir, so was Tobias
Watkins unfortunate. He was born and
bred gsniIeman -dazzled by the tinse
| glare 81 this metropolis Of " splendid miseF.
and shabby spIendor, " Gas il was once
with equal force. truth and beauty, De
scfibed 81 that uuequalled orator Of VII
GINA, John Randolph -of liberal mind
and habits too. he lavished some fhre
thousand, improvidently, thinking ii b
| hear, that he should Be able to replac
that sum and moro. and make 4
straight, and be was imprisoned for b
innpfudence for nearly four years, al
made 10 bear ielon's brand! All! 81
but be vas d est -hebelonged tod
the decency, 10 The silkstoclEing gentry
ne Nas nel one Of your Loco Pc.
dsiaHlfe as not aiIlflrfllnais "a Il
anoaul s n1i|Iiona ie wa not 100 Il
) handed "a Be touched BY the rude hanl
Of The tips -he vas not q defaulter