Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1847-01-29
Secret lreIaIs

In the Debate which occurred in the House Of Repre-
soniaVos last Monday, ON the complaint Of Mr. Rahbun
Loeoicec member from New York, that the Secretary
Of the Treasury had failed answer resolution of en-
quY, adopted early period OF the session calling on
him for information IN regard the employment OF
secret agents in connection with the custom house C.
the defence OF the Secretary undertaken by Mr. Bay
OF this STATE who, among other things conended that the
call WAS Itself improper, and that ought 20 be an
svvcred, 1t would lead disclosure OF the names of
these secret agents aud they would hceupon be pro-
badly removed by Wholesale This remark suggested the
very pertinent enquiry, whether there exists any law au-
'horzing the employment OF these agents. Mr.
Bayy presHmed there was. but no member seemed to be
sppuzed OF the existence OF such statute, and
Peet that none such be found IL follows II this be
the fact that the Secretary OF the Treasury has
the Of creating these offices OF the necessity of
which the absence OF all legal authority to appoint them is
at least Pr1a taeie evidence, while the danger OF toera
ting class OF official spies, the pay and under tho con-
uo Of the Executive m popular government cannot be
questioned. That they may while thus fastened like
lecchcs upon the public treasury, efficient corps OF
eieefoReeriHS instruments IN behalf OF their employers
manifest And indeed have already before Us an in
stance IN which OF this class employed like the Gus.
tom house agents presume, without authority Of law.
oSionsby or the detection OF eounieriets the nation
a. CON- has been busiy engaged in couupuy interfering
in an important election in the State OF Iowa
IL will be remembered that OF the whir members
ancad, recently stated the House that brbe had been
tendced to HIM, 70 induce him tor two Locotoco
Senator's In the progress Of the invcsgaton which en-
sued, and which was still progress our last dates
Johnson G. Chapman, Locoioeo. and an officer OF the
House testified, among other things that he had been
authorized by Colonel whm Patterson and S,las
Hd=ht say Josiah Clifton lone the members OF the
House, known as an independent that they would
"ener into bond OF thousand dollars # necessary
to secure him an appointment the Land Office as Re
gseT Receiver provided he would vote for the men for
the l. :. Senate whom they would name" And this ~.
las HasAi Of the agents IN the employment
OF :he federal government! Whether, in making tins A.
tempt to bride member Of the State Legislature hy the
promise OF an office under iha; government was acting
90 the line OF hs rrescT5ed duties we do not know but
take Tor granted. that ne had apprehension of in
earring the dsp.easuro OF his employers by contributing
10 effect result an which they feel deep an interest As
IN the election Oi Two Locooco Senator'S from the new
State VI Iowa. Al al events tins incident shows the ten
dcneS o. the secret agency system lead 90 corruption
and vcnar-and lts consequent ncompatbity with the
freedom OF elections aud the puri OF our legislators II
Be sanctioned by law, Congress too soon repeal
statute 60 hostile 20 'hc very spirit OF institutions Ii
'he'o be no such ave- the Executive ought 70 be held to
est accountability for the usurpau0n which 10 mas been
guilty. 30 the organization OF this corps OF secret agents.
who, under the Peenee OF detecting frauds ans counter
let's, may themselves be gully O. crimes OF Tar greater
magnitude.