Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-01-09
BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION IN IOWA.
I FROM A CORRESPONDENT. ]

BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION IN IOWA.
FROM A CORRESPONDENTS.
The action of the Legislature of Iowa. now a
State Of the Union, as the election of two United
States Senators is to be made is looked to with no
little anxiety, especially by the Locofocos, who in
times past have held entire control over that body.
is doubtless within the recollection of all that the
"Oflical Organ" here, months ago, set down the
return OF Locooco Senators from Iowa as 'gues-
ton beyond dispute. The election returns proved,
however that the people, who have as yet some
say in these matters, were unwilling to confirm these
professions. Legislature was chosen altogether
intractable, in which the Wings, with three INDIE
pendent Democrats--two in the House and one in ,
the Senate-lave the power to do whatever they
Will. In this condition of things in order to make
good the assumptions of the "Organ," it became
necessary TO other than honest means, and adopt
another rule than that of political integrity. Over
lures were therefore made to Mr.. NELSON KING,
a Wing member Of the House from the county of
Keokuk, to desert his friends and vote for the
]" Democratic Senator's" and, to accomplish this,
promises Of reward, present and remote, were most
lavishly made to him. The principal agent in this
most corrupt attempt to defeat the will of the people,
by destroying the purity of their Legislature, is re-
presented to have been Mr.. S. Il. MARSHALL, Of
Lee county, to whom, 1t seems, active 6 aid and
comfort /" were given by a certain Mr.. SToTT and
Government agent by the name of HAIGHT. This
latter parsonage, we have reason to believe, is in
the employment of the Secretary of the Treasury,
under what law we know not at five dollars day,
to detect counterfeers and others guilty of offences
against the United States. Whether his recent
manifestation of fealty to g the powers that be-
falls within the sphere of his secret agency we
leave intelligent public TO determine.
J We rejoice to know that the whole matter is I'M
dergoing strict investigation, and can only regret
that the House has no power to punish the actors
in this most nefarious transaction Zone of them Mr..
MARSHALL, is in custody as they deserve. The
remarks of Mr.. KING, OH bringing the subject be-
fore the House, which are hereto subjoined, will
enable our readers to form proper estimate of the
act and those engaged in it. 1t is only necessary
to add that Messrs. CLIFTON and CoNLEE, lndepen-
dent Democrats, from Lee county, stated to the
House that similar efforts had been made to bride
them.
Nm. KINGS REMARKS.
Shortly after came here Mr.. s. T. Marshall He
called me to him frem my AS owing him small
fee he asked TO pay him said he strapped and that
be wanted the money. told him could pay him then,
but that expected to get some by Christmas The next
time met him he asked how the Wings going
United States Senator'S told him that they wanted 10 get
two Wings, but if they could not do that they would perhaps
put up with one Wing and one Democrat / had several
voting for Dodge. During the times with him he made
the election Of Senators the topic of conversation He offered
one hundred dollar Missouri bill fI would sign pledge
for Dodge for United States Senator said should have
damned fat Office and that need not pay him what owed
him. As he began to make these offers told one
two, Mr.. Goodrich and Mr.. Wallace, about it. / at first
refused to go into his arrangement My friends advised
10 take all could get and then lay the whole before
the House. One time met Marshall, and he told about
the caucusng that they had determined drop Dodge and
then Hall was to be the next who he wanted
for He told me great many tales about in high off
growing rich III DONG the he wanted me to do Mr..
Speaker never in Legislature before but since Mon
day week have and heard Of corruption this
town than dreamed Of Several besides Marshall
have approached but have not offered money directly
They urged me to vote for Dodge MARSHALL said could
have the hundred dollars and much wanted and
whenever wanted money the Democrats Of the South would
let me have He told they going for Dodge and
Judge Wilson, He told me if would go for Dodge should
have Instructions from my constituents insuctng go
for Democratic Senator's and, lived in Democratic
county, it woud all pass off well enough On Tuesday
ing Marshall and he gave two receipsone for
money owed him. and one for what owed SAos Of West
Point He also gave five dollars, and said could have
as much as wanted The instructions came, and the
names Of those who my opposing candidates
them. Mr.. Speaker is true live in Democratic coonty;
had two Locoocos running against me, but knocked the
sand from under both of Them II il for a road, the
like Of that they might instruct me, but in such
this consider myself instructed by the balot-box. Mr.
Speaker, ] am homespun | have money enough to
carry me through the winter With no child to support two
dollars day is enough for could have much more
from them but all want sink swim, live die, to
the world know what kind of man Gen. Dodge is. |
took the five dollars and the receipts Here they are (aying
them the Clerks table.) MARSHALL told that il
Dojges money, and they had plenty Of that thou
sand dollars nothing them In short, by complying
with their request was receive much money
ed and good fat office.
They held out the idea to that should have fat of.
fee, and that would raise in the estimation of the
ling Democrats Of the South To say all in a word, they
promised every thing that good and great They have
told at different times repeatedly that should be the lion
Of the State He is that already, if may put in an
editorial expression here Said Marshall to me, a certain
evening King you have ii in your power raise Dodge
heaven, sink him hell Now raise him. and damn
if you shan't travel as long you live We have plenty
Of money call al any time and you shall have what
you thousand dollars object us. If we can
get Wing vote them damned possums may go he'll for
elect Dodge any way" Said to myself very fine
fish, Mr.. Oyster 5a
Mr. Speaker il may be said hereafter that the reason was
willing to expose this horrible thing is that they not men
Of my party But, gentlemen, this Is the fact here
soemny say that If it had been the best Wing n the world
that approached in this manner would have exposed
him. srs Whenever any q care not who he is) thinks
that can be bought for few hundred dollars that my own
sentiments, or the sentiments Of my constituents
tered away say when they think this they bark up the
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