The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1843-04-08
LEGlsLATIyE.

Friday, the 3lst OF March. II shows UP
abe board Of Caua ommissioners, in not
vesy enviable light. We hope the question
will be probed TO the bottom, and if the
Commissioners have been sampesirg with
members OF the house, in order 10 sustain
themselves in their Office, we hope they
will receive that justice q. the hands Of
ihe Legislature which they win SO richly
deserve.
Mr.. HICKMAN submitted the follow.
ing:
Whereas. /. is alleged that certain mem
bers OF the board Of Canal Commissioners
of this Common wealth, have held out in
ducemen,s or bribes 10 tho members of the
Legislature TO corrupt them. and thereby
influence their votes On certain measures
pending before The Legislatures; therefore
Resolved, That select committee Of
three be appointed to examine said charges
and have authority to send for persons and
papers.
Mr.. HICKMAN said il had been sllc-
ged, and he though. i, could be proved, that
the Canal Commissioners had been endea.
vorlng 10 use the influence Of their ofiice,by
holding out inducements 70 members to
vste agains. the expected veto OF the Canal
COMMISSIONERS bill.
Mr.. HINCHMAN.-What veto
M. HECKMAN.-Thst will be in to.
morrow.
Mr.. SHER WoOD.--I hope there will
be no opposition to the resolution.
Mr.. HECKMAN.--I hope not.
Mr.. SHERW00D.-Such 4 grave
charge ought TO be inquired into.
Mr.MORRIS.--But the gentleman from
Northampton, should wait until the bribe
10 accepted.
Mr.. HECKMAN--f perceive there are
members here disposed TO treat this matter
lightly; but there are those present who
on the member from Armstrong, 10 rise
in his place, and state what he knows,
(taughter)
CMr. HILL rising in his seat. half in
clined 10 respond TO the call upon him re-.
sumed il.
Nj. HfNCHMAN--I move that the
matter be referred 10 the committee appoint.
ed. TO examine into the alleged frauds on
che Delaware division.
Nj. HICKMAN hoped .ha. the amend
ment would not prevail, aud that the origi-
nal motion would.
Mr.. SHERWOOD expressed his hope
thar no opposition would be made to the
resolution, and that committee would be
appointed 10 lay all the facts before the
Legislature.
Mr.. LOWRY-I would suggest 10 the
gentleman from Northampton, 10 cover the
whole ground by making an inquiry in
which the charges against certain members
being bought up at 800 per head, 10 vote
for John H. Dimock. IA Laugh.l
Mr.. HICKMAN said that this was a
serious matter. II was matter which he
thought inflicted wound fatal to the liber.
ties Of the country. II members Of the
Legislature were 10 be tampered with BY
Interested officers, il was striking blow a,
the Constitution of the land. The truth
was, and i, could not be denied tha. offers
Of appointments had been made by The
Canal Commissioners TO members Of thi.
HoHse, at ieast 10 one or more, that il b.
woud vote in favor of the veto on the Ca
nal Commissioners bill, they would appon
him 10 any Office he asked. And if b,
could no. perform the duties himself, theJ
would give it TO any one he named, and HI
could get some one TO perform the du,ie
ai less price than he himself should re
ceive, and thus the profits would enure Il
himself. Now if this grave charge was true
II showed corruption to exist which ough
to be rooted out. He would therefore ss
the matter ought 10 be investigated, and
the Canal Commissioners were inGocen,,le
the fact enure 10 their benefit, and il guilty
Yet the consequence fall on their head
where il should fall.
Mr.. HINCHMAN withdrew his mc
ton.
Mr.. BRAWLEY. There has been
committee appointed, of which The gentl
man is the head, and we have not yet hear
from il.
Mr.. HICKMAN. l, was true ,hel
had beer committee appointed in relatio
10 the Delaware division, but there had n
been one in regard 10 the charge of bribel
under consideration.
After some remarks OF a conversation
character between Mr.. BraViey and M
Hsgkman.
Mr.. JAMES observed that il was
mark ahle eoincibenre In eav the least of