The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-03-16

was unwilling to print because the people could not
derstand.
Mr.. COBB As usual the gentleman is far wrong as
he was before. But the gentleman himself has already
admitted that from the abstract alone the committee was
unable at first TO tell whether certain contracts were JUST
and honest or whether they were fraudulent
Mr.. CROZlER. | stated this: that there were CON
tracts there enormously high, that anybody could I'M
stand that something was wrong about them ana mar
there others which, on their face might appear 10
be fair, but which, on examination proved olherwise
Mr. COBB. The gentleman, IN hls argument yester
day. gave one OF his reasons Tor TINS pruning hal y
and corruption by which the public money had been
squandered under the sanction of the War Department
But the gentleman admits-and so will any gentleman
ACQUAINTED with il admit-that. examination of
the document, no say whether the terms OF
contract have been made in fraud or in honesty. The
gentleman from Tennessee will not pretend TO say that
this abstract communicate knowledge of the nature
of contracts The gentleman refers TO the price paid for
the charter OF certain steamboat at eighteen thousand
dollars But when was that contract made w Tho author
zed it What were the circumstances which made the
service necessary Did all this appear from the alb
stract contract under one set of circumstances,
might be fraud and outrage yet, at another time
the thing would be contract meeting with the APP
prevail of every man who would iamlliarze himself with
horses any thing else. The circumstances would
characterize the act and the contract would be fraudulent
honest according to the circumstances which con-
rolled it, 1t under this view OF the question that
Mr. c. protested against the publication of this abstract
When this abstract of contracts shall 60 before the
country there would arise this further objection that the
carried before the people under the same stigma when
ought TO attach only to the dishonest and fraudulent
Mr. C. then appealed to the OF justice OF gentlemen
having the power here that they should forbear to make
this party question lie called them to do Justlce 10
their political friends well as to those with whom
Mr.. c. was associated Let honest men be protected,
and let those who have outraged the public confidence be
held up to public scorn This subject had already been
referred the proper committee and he hoped they would
do their duty. What he proposed right and proper
and would commend itself favoraby TO the consideration
of THAT the committee charged with the examination
of these cases OF fraud and corruption proceed with their
Investigations out with their reports and let us all
aid in holding up those who have been derellc to the
fN MT. STEPHENS explained what he conceived to be
his colleagues misapprehenson of the object sought by
the gentleman from Tennessee; and expressed his own
preference give to the people the best knowledge he
could OF the expenditure and outlay OF every shilling and
every sixpence of their money.
Mr. COBB understand The document you would
publish will not convey the information which gentle
wish TO throw out 1t is mere abstract, and Who'll
Mr. STEPHENS. 1t will show pretty clearly, Mr.
Speaker what has gone with the money, If understand
Mr. COBB, Yes; but, to answer the purpose it ought
to show whether the money went rightly frauduenty
but that is what the document does not show
rotary of War to give this information in such shape that
nobody can tell what is gone with the money!
Mr. COBB Understand not saying the docu
ment does show where the money went The abstract
shows where the money went. But my colleague has
lost sight Of the issue object to the printing because
|
ed was rghtfully or fraudulently laid out
Mr. CROZIER objected to this sticking the matter
down to a single issue. He had examined the document
and reiterated his know ledge that would show IN
MANY instances, whether the contracts were fraudulent
Mr. COBB l call on the gentlemen, then, to put his
Mr. CROZIER had already referred TO one case in his
own State where a contract which had been made under
published proposals rescnded by the department and
new contract made by which the lost three
thousand dollars.
Mr. COBB. Do these facts appear from the abstract
| Mr.. CROZIER explained how the matter OF the abb
stract might lead TO the discovery of fraud
Mr. FRIES stated the facts OF the of the horses
purchased in Ohio; and said that Mr. Minor, of Colum-
ardent whig and the gentleman with whom he made
the contract (Mr Stanton of the Quaremasters Depart
ment was also whg; So the gentleman from !ennes.
see perceive that the whole business was wing from
beginning TO end and if there has been any fraud about
it, it will be shown, examination, to belong altogether
to his own family circle; Laughter
Mr. STEPHENS followed, showing that the ciIcula-
ton of the abstract might lead to the detection of fraud
and dscalm nj e. any Pary feeling on the subject
Mr. S ERR said The h,9 hSm
should we print extra copies' The gentleman from
Georgia disclams any party purpose in this matter. Nev
ertheless fact when all pretences set aside,
that the object stated by the gentleman from Ten
nessee, to fix the administration charge OF ex.
pending fraudulently large sum of money The usual
number of this document had already been printed.
Mr.. CROZIER said the document had moi yet been pub
shed at all The gentleman says my speech contains a
charge of fraud whereas said 1t gave pleasure to
that many contracts appeared to have been made
with view to economy.
Mr. McCLERNAND said such the effect of the
speech all events and he reiterated that II was no less
than party movement to censure the War Department
But so far from the charge fastening the administra
ton, by the gentemans showing, the first case OF
guilt has been fixed those of his own political family
The gentleman from Georgia Mr. CoBBl asks for par
cuar investigation of these OF Fraud and he and
all should desire that by all MEANS they should not be
founded with those who have acted in fahulness Be-
sides, the document already printed for the use OF
the House
Mr. STEPHENS said the document had been ordered
to be printed, but the order was not yet filled.
| Mr.. McCLERNAND knew that the printing was or
dered; which the same TO him as though the Job was
done. He saw no popriety In the argument Tor extra
copies.
Mr.. THOMPSON. of Kentucky, recapulated the mat
ter, beginning with the resolution by the gentleman from
Tennessee looking to the printing OF these extra copies,
and defending that gentleman and his friends from any
mputation of acting from party feeling lie desired, by
sending out this abstract to show the country every case
of for the government at exorban prices and
every attempt any manner to defraud the government
Fairness in this business had been sought by publishing
proposals for these contracts beforehand He charged
no fraud, and no man should fear investigation. He
would to lay the motion to reconsider on the table
but gave way for
Mr.. MCKAY, who promising to renew the molon)
said he presumed the object of this printing to
muncate information to the people. With regard to the
principle which Congress had adopted OF printing large
numbers of the documents, he considered very ques
tonable. But waving this he proceeded to show that
this abstract of contracts could not embrace an account
of the expenditure of much money supposed by the
gentleman from Tennessee, by perhaps thirty millions.