Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-03-18


Mr. COBB inlerposed to explain. He said his objection
the publication, if il would convey information
but he objected because it did not convey TO the mind
satisfactory information He did not object TO sending any
thing before the people that would be useful but this
abstract and satisfactory for the purpose
templated
Mr. STEPHENS said it showed clearly what is done with
their money and il he understood IL that what the peo-
pile want
Mr. COBB said the people want to know whether their
money has been spent nghuy and properly, and that this
document does not show
Mr. STEPHENS Els colleague said ii was impossible
from this document know with accuracy what did become
of the money but if he understood it, 1t report of the
Secretary Of War, made in compliance with call Of this
House Was the object Of the Secretary of War make
report that tell what has become of the
money Was that the pcstion in which his colleague wish
ed to represent the Secretary of War,
Mr. COBB again nterpesed to explain. The document
made in compliance with express law Of Congress,
which required abstract of this kind. This abstract shows
where the money has gone his colleague and the gentle
man from tennessee appeared TO think that the object
show whether the money had gone ghtuly not That
the abstract does not show, cannot.
M< CROLER said the gentleman from Georgia MR. CoBB)
wished to bring this matter down TO single issue. Now he
had the document and he rel Grated that
would show the face Of it whether the
fraudulent not and whether they correct not And
as an nducemen with the committee to recommend
this printing, there which looked though
they correct that might not beso He would say that
they fraudulent they apparently correct and if
this document published persons living at the places
where the contracts made might be able bring them
the notice ofhe committee and give them information which
would 60 t, show whether they were fraudulent not.
Mr. COBB asked the gentlemen from Tennessee put his
finger on any contract that fair
Mr. CROZER referred the transportation of horses He
said further there contracts from his district which
had been bid for prices that considered low but they
rescnded by officer of the United States who made
contract with fayoe by which the Government in the
transportation of one regiment lost from 10 SO. 600.
Some conversation ensued between Mr. COBB and Mr..
CROZIER, and between Mr. FRIES and Mr.. DUNCAN.
Mr. FRIES said, in relation Mr.. Minor of Columbus,
that there fraud it was in the family circle Of the gem
eman opposite, for they all OF the political party
Mr. STEPHENS then resumed. He said this conversa-
ton between the gentlemen from Tennessee and Ohio, if there
nothing else, convinced him of the Importance publish
ing this document Now he again urged the House let these
things go to the people of this country, for it for them
say whether their money has sbeen waseuy and exrava
ganty applied 1t may be, when the people become cogn
zan OF these things they will be struck with the facts light
falls on their vision II for this that information
given to the people, This brought forward with
view to mpeach the contractors but 10 let the people
how their money applied may be the people may
that there frauds committed Ii the contracts all hon
est they will bear seeing What cared he whether indiv
dual living in Ohio Wing or Democrat. AS rcple-
sentative OF the people this floor he to wink and blink
at peculaons OF the public money because Wing stole
it MOI he did not care whether Mr.. Minor Wing
Democrat any thing ese and he trusted the people would
have all the information this subject that would be
say TO explain it, Wing Democrat it made difference
to him. The conversation which had this day taken place
showed him the importance of giving the people this inor
nation HIS colleague said that they his (Mr Ss) side
OF the House had the power proceed with the investigation
Of this subject against the contractors, but he (Mr dis
avowed il, and called upon gentlemen opposite to aid him in
giving the people this light If the contracts honestly
made he why attempt should be Vade to
prevent this publication II the contracts honestly made
would make difference to the conracors they pub
ished the wings of tho wind Why should gentlemen
oppose the publication Of official document from their
fiscal oiIicerl
As TO the cost they were told it would be ang in COM
pason To that of other documents which had been ordered
,e printed Would gentlemen vote to expend $4,000 in
publishing report from the Commissioner Of Patents and
use few hundred dollars to print report informing the
people Of the Of expanding fifty millions of the
public money He trusted not.
Alluson had been the Wing side Of the House
pressing this publication for party enl He trusted that gen.
emen the other side who claimed to be the exclusive
guardians OF The peoples rights would not refuse to let them
know what had become of their money. When of
hem sent agent TO dispose Of his crop he exacted at his
etun strict account Of what he had done with the money
received for and would members Of that House, where the
peoP directly and especially represented the stewards
If their money, refuse them account of how had been
applied
Mr. s. would not insult the House by argument such a
question plain question of common and
non honesty Let the people know how much they were
paying for glory. Let them what millions coming
which they must settle. Mr. s. had objection that his
,eop'e should see the whole truth.
Mr. McCBEkNAND said that this document had already
published by order Of the House. This being the case
he gentleman from Tennessee moved for the printing OF
additional number, and 10 what purpose The gentleman
Georgia Mr. SrEPuESs) discaimed its being for any
mere party purpose.
Mr. STEPHENS inieposing, said that he did dscaim it.
The urged for party purpose it was brought
Onward with view to let the people be put in possession Of
Information which it important for them possess. This
public official document. Let the people have il they
we're entitled to sight oft.
Mr. McCLERNAND resumed The gentleman renewed
he disclaimer but Mr. McC spoke fac not to appear
pre;exts il must be obvious to all that the of
his resolution meant to fix upon the present Administration
he charge Of fraud in reference these contracts He
peaed he speaking to facts not TO preences pro-
essions pretexs Having made th charge Of fraud be
moved for this republication But the gentleman from Georgia
had said that the document proved only what its acc
md what that That large had gone out of the
Treasury, and the people, the gentleman conended had
right TO know for what. Well this all very we'll No
one denied it, But had the gentleman forgotten the fact that
The motion Of the gentleman had been accompanied by
speech The document would go to the country accompa
MED by charge Of fraud.
Mr. CROZIER said that the gentleman from Illinois had
fallen into mistakes in In the first place,
This document had been published at oil and in the
next place, that Mr. O. had charged fraud upon the Admins
raion letting out these FOR supplies So far was
this from being true that Mr. G. had expressly declared in his
speech that gave him pleasure that Of these
contracts had been entered into with the utmost fidelity and
economy.
Mr. McCLERNAND said be spoke to the general effect Of
the gencmans Speech He would appeal TO every who
heard him whether the evident design of this republication
g al. A.