The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-07-17

thought the claim honest one then, Tor ne raised
no objection, as he might have done. He seems TO
have been acquainted with the passage of the bill,
and informed his friend the bill 'wW be approved
by the President - for he watched its progress
with parental solictude--watche when the Speaker
signed the bill, and informed DR.. M, Galphin that
the bill "ioiH be approved Wy the President" The
inference is irresistible that the chairman of the
Galphin committee had informed Mr.. Polk of the
merits of the bill that MIR. Polk thought the claim
was just and ought to be paid; and that he person
ally and officially approved the bill.
rhsn as far a bs this aFWy Mr. poa
ned and paid the principal-and the chairman of
the select committee. who stands high in the esti
nation OF his party, who is chairman OF the Com
mittee Military Atiairs-these three distin-
guished Democrats are as thoroughly "Galphin-
lied" as any three Wings can be, in or out of
the Cabinet Let it be particularly observed that,
in his testimony before the committee, Mr.. Robert
j. Walker said of the Galphn claim, "the facts be-
ing OF peculiar character the claim for interest
remains an open question" And he also said,
that if he entertained serious doubts question
OF law, and demanded the opinion Of the Attorney
General on that question, he would abide by his
opinion" The attempt is now made to give this
matter party aspect-to blame the Wing party
for it. The gentleman from Ohio on the commit
tee, (Mr. DIsSEy,) has exerted his talents to the
utmost on the question of interest. The gentle
man has sgnally failed in his effort to Justify
Mr.. Walker for paying the principal, and to
blame Mr.. Meredith for paying the interest The
gentleman, take it, is no lawyer; if he ever
studied law, he did so but short while, and quit
many years since, for he is evidently of those
scholars who 'hod the eel of science by the tail.
His speech has shown he not well informed
in legal matters. The law is jealous mistress,
and requires undivided attention; and when law
yer turns politician, he finds his law know
ledge leaves him faster than Bob Acres legal cour-
age oozed out at the ends of his fingers. have no
respect for the opinions of lawyer politicians. This
same gentleman in speech made in the early part
of this session. declared that though he held the
Wilmot proviso unconstitutional, yet ho should be
glad OF an opportunity of sending a bill with that
proviso i'll il to the President To do great right,
he would be willing to do little wrong, the
argument used by the gentleman.
Now, sir, want no better reply to this speech
and argument of his on the Galphin business, than
the fact that he thinks he could support the Const
tuition of the United States by sending unconst-
tutional measure to the President Truly, Mr..
Craw ford has little to be hurt at the opinion
this gentleman may entertain OF the propriety of
his conduct.
But, MIR. Speaker, wish to call the attention of
some OF those who have come on the stage within
two or three years past to dark page in the his
tory OF the Democratic party in this country. Some
OF the loudest III their denuncaton evidently
uniformed in the history OF Democratic "Gaphin
izing." invite the attention Of the youthful De-
mocracy to Reports of Committees of 25th Congress,
Sd session, lS35-'3g, report No. 3lS After the
whole country had been astounded by the defalca-
ton of Swartwout, and by the correspondence be-
tween Mr.. Woodbury. and certain receivers of pub
lie money, a committee was appointed, who inves-
ugated and made the report have referred TO. Let
me mention few cases in this report: Mr.. William
Linn was receiver of public money at Galena.
On the 23d of June, lS34-mark the dates--Mr. Ia
ney, Secretary of the Treasury, began his
plant, that Mr.. Linn did not promptly depose the
money i'll his hands in bank The correspondence
continued by MIR. Woodbury., as Secretary of the
Treasury, in October, 1884, to January 26, 1888,
when Mr.. Woodbury. informed him his resignation
was accepted by the President and MIR. Woodbury.
regretted $50 large a balance stands unadiusted in
your hands" Balance due from Linn, fifty five
thousand nine hundred and sixty two dollars and
six cents, s 55962 O6.) Is this Galphinizing' or
c not
Take another case-Report No. 3l3, page l67:
w p. Harris was Receiver at Columbus, Missis-
sippi. The correspondence with him commences
in January, 1884. In March, 1884, the Secretary
. makes complaints of Harrs's conduct. In August,
, 1885, Mr.. Woodbury. threatens to dismiss him. In
the correspondence is letter from John F. II. Clai-
borne, dated September To- 1885, in which he speaks
of Harris ''one of the main pillars of the Demo-
cratic cause, and of the earliest and most dis
tinguished friends Of the Administration in Mis-
sssippi. His family and connexions extreme
ly influential and all of them cooperating
with us in the arduous struggle which we now
making" MIR. Harris is represented an hon
orabe man. of "diffused and deserved popularity" !"
This letter was sent by Mr. Harris to the Secretary
of the Treasury or the President
|, In august, lS36-mark the datcs-Mr. Harris
, writes letter to the President, rendering his resig
nation, in which he uses the following language,
which read:
J. ''In conclusion, will take the liberty Of recon-
mending to you, for appointment as my successor,
Colonel Gordon ID. Boyd, of Attala county. You
probably acquainted with his public character,
az he has been for several years prominent mem
Der of our State Legislature, and has been through
out ardent supporter Of your administration, and
an tnyieiding advocaie Of bs principles Of Donoc-
e rdcy."
lie was also recommended as the "warm per-
n sonal friend" of w. p. Harris.
On page lS4 Of Report 81 is this short statement:
. Balance due from Mr.. Harris one hundred and
nine thousand hundred and seventy eight dol
and eight cents, l09 IFS 0S) See statement"
Is this "Galphinizing," ;" or only supporting the
c principles of Democracy?
Is this all? Not quite. In December, 1896, MIR
G Woodbury. commences bis correspondence with
E Colonel Gordon d. Boyd" and continues not
, quite year. Remember, Colonel Boyd
"ardcnt supporter" Of the administration, and can
} unyieldng advocate of the principles Of Democ-
a racy," the chosen successor Of GENERAL Harris,
3 his "warm personal friend''-of Geheral Harris
t who "enjoyed such diffused and deserved popu.
< larty," and one of the "maiu pillars Of the
, Democratic cause" We'll, what was the result Of
a Boyd's appointment In June, 1887, Mr.. Garesche,
, appointed by MIR. Woodbury. to examine the affairs
OF the Office in Columbus, reported follows and
call the particular attention of the ti-Gaphin
orators 10 it, Mr.. Garesche says to the Secretary
of the Treasury:
"Thc man seems really penitent, and am in
clined to think, in common with his friends, that
he 10 honest, apd has been led away from his duty
by the example of his predecessor, and a certain
ooseness in the code Of morality, which here does
not move in so limited circle as IL does with AT
= home Another receiver would probably follow in
the footsteps of the two You will not, therefore,
be surprised If recommend his being retained in
preference 20 another appointment; for he has his
hands full now, and will not be disposed TO specu.
late any more. Page ls9 Of Report 3l3.
And was Colonel Gordon ID. Boyd, the "warm
personal friend of General Harris" the "ardent
supporter Of the administration" the "unyeldiug
advocate of the principles Of Democracy" the
'really pcnitenV Colonel Boyd-was he removed;
No, sir the 7th of October, 1887, MIR. Woodbury.
\ Acknowledged the receipt OF his resignation! On
! page ls9 is this short statement
&C. ID. Boyd is indebted fifty thousand nine hun.
dred and thirty seven dollars and twenty nins
cents, S5O,937 49, as per last settlement at tn,
treasury"
ls this "Galphinizing," or only sustaining the
principles Of Democracy
Next Is the case Of Litebury Hawkins, receive
at Helena On page 1872 Of the report is this state
mcnti
. " Balance due from Mr.. Hawkins one hundred
thousand dollars 100 oo0) per last settlement
the Treasury"
: Mr.. A. g MITCHELL receiver at Cahaba; on pag,
1876 is this remark:
" Mr.. Mitchell, late receiver at Cahaba, is In
r debted fifty four thousand six hundred and twenty
I-... .l-lI. 20. s.N. A