The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-04-12

We cannot tell TO what extent mans
credulity may be carried by careful cul-
tiyation of the sscredulous organs" II
we can judge from the manifestations in
the columns Of our opposition contempt
rary, a man can in time bring himself to
believe any thing, however marvellous,
if he only sees it in print or good legible
manuscript. Indeed, il would seem that
our venerable friend who presides over
the destinies of the sole organ believes
every thing he hears. All is fish that
comes to his net. Rumors of the most
wild and absurd character he receives
and circulates as if they were well-sub-
stantiated facts. One day he hears that
Mr.. MEREDITH is creating deficit Of
$16, 600, 900, by paying all manner of old
and rejected claims; and believes it, or
pretends to believe it. Another day he
tells US that at the end Of the session "of
Congress of 1847-'48, perhaps on the
very last days of that session, clerk of
the House shuffled up this Galphin bill
out Of its place, and thus caused il opass
the signature Of the Speaker; and that,
but for this ex-parliamentary maneuvre,
it could not have been reached and
passed"
The old gentleman believes this--or
thinks it worth repeating--because some
body or other (name not given) has adj
dressed to him communication in which
he makes the same extraordinary and in
credible statement in the following terms:
.sThe Galphin claim was an imposition; and but
for the Isgerdemain of certain parties who shuf1ed
the bills on the clerks table, the Galphin bi, in the
confusion and hustle at the time, would not have
received the signature Of the presiding officer of the
House of Representatives and approval of the
President. II is we'll known that this Gaphin
claim would not have been passed but for an ex-
press arrangement between certain interested par
ties in species of Legislative logrolling not lit
tie extraordinary, it constructively fraud
ulent.
at is to be hoped the investigation ordered by
the House of Representatives will be broad well
as misunderstanding to all the official parties
through whose agency or acquiescencc that pay
ment was made, and the bill procured 10 be
signed by the Speaker Of the House Of Representa-
fives. We should know all about it. There
certain matters and persons in connexion with
this claim which should be made known; and if
certain persons summoned before the commit
tee, they will astonslthe public. Verb. sap.
"INaUIRENDo."
This is libel upon all the clerks at
tached to the House of Representatives at
the time referred to. The charge ought
never to have been made on anonymous
authority-for it is as grave charge as
can well be imagined. If there is slight
of hand in the management of bills, and
they are to be shuffied and dealt with
like cards-and marked cards at that
it is quite time that the people were
made acquainted with the mode of ope-
ration. It is cruel and base to assail
all the clerks of the House by a blind,
general allegation Of this sort. We
cannot believe that there is a word Of
truth in it. If there is, the country is in
terested in knowing it. If there is not,
what manner Of reparation can the Union
make to the innocent men whom it has
assailed-to whom character is every
thingi