Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1842-06-25
From the Fort Wayne Seatlne}.


lIcatlons Of Mr., Chamberlain, and more especial
" IN his letter 10 his constituents published In
March last. Ny apology will be found III the {
ceedIng mallgnIty and injustice OF The assault, IA
the position Of the assaIlant member of the
State Senate. and the undue weight with
which he seeks to invest his glaring mIsrepresen-
tations by connecting hem with his position a
member OF the investigating committee. The
delay III printing the testimony accompany ing the
report Of the committee, 10 which shall make
reference, has prevented an carrier notice OF this
letter.
For several years past. bu, more especially du-
ring the last winter, the members of the Sem
ate will attest, the Senator from khar,. has
made me the object Of his imblttered, persever-
ing, and, 50 far know, unprovoked attacks
OF these attacks during all this time, have
found II wholly unnecessary TO take nnv notice.
Ills assaults, according 10 his own show ing, have
not been very effective, lnasmuch have still
continued 10 fiji the sponsIbie station TO which
SIX years ago was appointed, Just 30 long any
sueh officer Chief Engineer required in
the State, the continued efforts OF tins Senator to
the contrary uot~lhs landing.
The duties Ut the station which | have filled
brought the incumbent IN frequent collision with
the individual Interests Of contractors md others
creating unavoIdablv IN many instances, IT the
public treasury was properly guarded that strong
prejudice and Ill will towards the officer, which
naturally arises from disaliowed claims for extra
pay. In some parts Of the State. | may have
in conflict with the strong current OF public
sentiment by declining to unite IN the extrava'
CANT zeal for the rapid prosecution Of their favorte
work, regardless of It's cost expectancy and on
other lines by refusing 10 endorse every argument
IN favor Of the work, however deceptive II might
be- 1t was IN the conscientious performance Of
duty IN these respects, that have IN few in
stances made "rothless and bitter enemies in the
pnbc SERVICE" of which the committee Of inves-
ticafion speak III the conclusion Of their report
The appointment Of Mr.. Chamberlain on that
committee, clothed as he was with the highest
inqaisltorial powers, afforded an opportunity, by
avaiIng himself of these pre- 4dces, to place up.
record IN the most favorable light, every act
of mine, through official service of nine years.
The result Of this investigation is now among tho
public records Of tho State, and to that report and
the evidence, made up under these circums tances
Mr.. Chamberlain himself acting in my case as
had occasion to refer with just pride, rather than
with any fear of rcproach.
The frivolous nature Of tho misconduct sought
TO be imputed, furnishing rs il does, virtual adj
mission that nothing of more consequence could
be alleged, after the most dlligent search, will
probably Itself break the force Of Mr.. Chamber
Ialn's letter. trust the reader will notice that
by tho aid Of a blank subpoena placed in the
hands OF pref idiced individual, no suspicion
could be raised, either OF improper locations for
sinister ends, or of over estimates to contractors,
nor Of any improper use Of the public funds, of
my public station in any way whatever, for per
sonal advantage. But n dishonest Engineer
(3ockwith) had crept into the service having
most efIectaally deceived the community among
whom he Lived, and fer time the pabic officers
also. Although myself the first to ascertain and
expose the estimates of this Engineer, bv ar
resting him on the charge of n penncntnry OIL
fence, at time when his standing with the pub
lie generally, as fair as that Of the Senator
although wholly unjeservug Of such standing
had his true character been known j md though
my mos, jealous efforts continued in prov
ing his frauds, until heavy Judgment was OBJ
tanned against him in favor Of the State-facts
we'll known to Mr.. Charnberlain-yet the unwor-
thy thought conceived BY himself and others
of exciting suspicion that there had been como
degree Of remssness IN not sooner detecting his
misconduct: To the contamination Of this con-
templibIe plot, unbecoming the station he fill
ed the best energies OF this Senator direct
ed for a length Of time, the numerous in,errog-
atories on the flies of the committee in his hand
writing will abundanty prove As the Judgment
Of the committee upon every impntatIon which .
the ingenuity of this Senator and his accomplices
could raise refer TO their report. signed by
Messrs Egelest0n, Parker. Baird and West, which
has heretofore been published in the newspapers. /
The dissent Of Mr.. Chamberlain was Of course
anticipated by every one acquainted with the BIZ
as Of his feelings and the strength Of his pre- Judi
ces 1t was no matter Of surprise. especially
those who had noticed q memorable occurrence
IN the Senate chamber at The CONNIE ncement Of
the session in which he labored earnestly to
place upon the Journal of the Senate. in Gdrance
of the ;arestication. vote of condemnation a
eaiast me- IN violation # the long settled notions
Of mankind, that the trial should always precede
the sentence; which unjust attempt at pre- judging
the case was signalIy rebuked by vote of two
to one in the Senate. (See Journal OF The SEN
ate Of the last session, page 1867
If this dissent were all If his late
scurriilgus letter to his constituents bad been
made part of the report and thus been accom-
panied by the evidence disproye II, this defence
would have been unnecessary. But although has
abusive publication il wholly disconnected from
the oTical report. and - SO opposite to the
al tenor Of the testimony. that Mr. Chamberlain
-. =