The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1846-02-28

md regret, that any man possessed OF
character and reputation and Mr.. M
Cook appears from the evidence 10 have
peen could so far forget what was due
TO himself and TO his fellow men, TO
voluntarily attempt and actually con
'ummaIe, an offence second only in its
bllghling consequences seainst The we'll
being OF Government 10 Treason itself
1t is proper for your Committee to
say, that in their opinion, there is moth
lng in the conduct Of Me- PioIIsl, con
neced with this transaction, calculated
10 throw the least suspicion upon him as
membar OF this body. He aclsd
Throughout under the advice oflhe Hon.
j pha Laport-, Surveyor General, the
Hon jesse MiDIer, Secretary Of the
Commonwsallh, and Jeremiah NJ
Bdrrel, E'q., a highly respectable mem
ber Of This legislature, who oil urged
upon him the beneficial effects that
would result from such an exposure as
couId only be mad- by permitting the
oaance 10 be consun mated by the sctu
al paym.nr Of the money. Aad your
ComlIlec concur in the opinion, that the
Exposure and proper punishment Of this
|highhanded outrage, will leud to preserve
unimpsred Tho confidence OF the people
n The purity Of legislative action
The committee deem il due o Mrssrs.
l1llands, S eel and Barber, the three
members OF the C0mmlte on Banks,
who are mentioned 10 The testimony, as
being understood 10 be favorable 10 the
l4ehlgh county B'nk, that there is not
the slightest evidence for a supposilion
that they had been tampered with in Is-
Iaion 10 this aIiir: Their characters
for honor and integrity fOrbid' this idea
and it w1s clearly proved that they had
Oever exchanged word with M". NJ
Cook, and that they did not even know
him, until after hi, arrest by the Ser
gent at Arms.
In view OF all the circumstances, our
Committee is constrained 10 say, that a
most gross contempt Of tho dignity of
The House, ard H'granl altemp, 10
corrupt one Of lis members, ha, been
perpeIrated by Daniel M'Cook. The
evidence is clear, 10 the point; and
leaves no room for doubt. If any
loub could possibly exist in the face
of The paid testimony in the case, they
mus, all al once be dispelIed, by the
production Of the identical money with
which the corrupt attempt was made.
Upon this conclusive fact, rests a con.
'ideralon Of much Importance in this,
and all similar cases
1t may be slIedged, that i, was the
duty Of gentleman who was approach,
ed, TO repsl Inc attempt at the irsl bIosh,
1t mnst be remembered that previous
attempt was made on Mr.. L,porle, lor
The purpose of reaching Mr.. PIolle,, by
M'Cook, and that an in,ma'lon and .
warning, was gwen to Mr. PioIle, that
he "oud probably be corrLplIy ap-
preached. aud that it was for The purS
pose Of making a complete exposure,
that he concluded 10 let the matter take
such course, and go just as far as the
author Of it intended, and would push
II. 1t is insufficient TO say, and is mol
sustained by the evidence, that NCook
was drawn in, and induced to act as be
did. His previous deliberate intention,
!. clearly proved, and that he carried it
out, is no mans wrong but his own,
No man Of honest purpose, could by
possibility he induced 10 commit . {
crime,by he mere fact that no man stays Z
his hand.
The offence being then clearly proved i
The question that presents itself, is this
what action shall The House take 10 in.
sure The punishment Of The olandsl3This
case being without preceden, in this
CommonwealIh, it is important that the
action Of he House upon it, should be
dictated by prudence and care, as it will II
doubtless hereafter, in some degt ees, be a
looked upon as precedent, aIlhough it a
IS TO be hoped, that as il is The first, so it
may be The last case chat may ever he
acted upon by Pennsylvania Legis.
IsIure.
Your Committee can scarcely find Ian.
suage sufficiently strong 10 express their !
and delesrslion of The per pc. 9
rators OF such offences as The one they {
we,e charged investigate They strike c
A deadly blow at Our free institutions, -.
poison the head springs Of legislation, h
hwort The high Snd pure purpose Of The
people, and laugh al law aud morality d
It they be permitted to go unwhipt OF II
ustice, and be thus encouraged 10 pros. o.