The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-07-30


when corrupt practices charged him. and sup.
ported by prma faeis evidence According 10 the
theory of government public servants are always
and all times amenable 10 the public which is their
master Under such theory, the officer who refuses to
lay open his transactions well nigh makes confession
of guilt
Within the last few days we have heard various and
conflicting tumors. We use the mdest term for in
many have heard statements as facts not as
rumors. But not meaning to make any statement as a
statement of fact, unless feel 20 confident in the
OF our information as 10 vouch lis accuracy we
prefer 10 the word "runo,s" and draw our own de-
auctions The rumors them which have 7, ached us are
1. That Mr. Corwin was interested in the Gardiner
claim as counsel only
O. That Mr. Corwin was interested both as counsel and
part purchaser,
3. That Mr. Corwn sold his claim before he went into
the treasury.
4. That Mr.. Corwn only agreed 10 sell his claim before
he went into The treasury.
5. That the value Of Mr. Corwins interest was not de-
ermned on until after he went into the treasury and
that the valuation not made until after the board had
met
We do not TO vouch for the accuracy OF any OF
these statements, although would be justified con-
sidering Mr. Corwns silence, in taking for granted the
truth OF the worst of them
But, to begin with the beginning will suppose that
Mr.. Corwin was interested only as counsel and that
e-fourh of the Gardiner claim had been given him
purely fee. Now, the Gardiner claim amounted to
S1,6oOooo. One. fourth of that is just 100000
Now, ask, ,'if Mr. Corwn believed that the claim
just claim would he have taken 100000 for one
fOur nf hr Cor.
wins interest thought that the claim was Just and well
subsantiaed would they have appraised one-os,th of
il at 800, ooo-deducting fifteen per cent for con,in-
gencles and per cent for cash payment? There
is something singular here which we might (bu will
not just now attempt 10 explain.
Bat further, on this supposition If Mr. Corwin was
simply employed as counsel and promised or given
contingent, fee for his services what we ask with all
Difference, had he to sell and dispose Of if he retired from
his post of attorney before his duties were performed
Nothing His acceptance Of position which forbade
him to act counsel annulled the promise to pay fee
The promise of the contingent fee annulled and that
fee reverted 10 Doctor Gardiner, who was alone author
lied TO in order to procure other legal assistance or
political influence 10 further his interests The idea is
preposlerous that lawyer employed TO obtain tract OF
land for his client, the promise Of fourth the land
recovered have his interest appraised and sell that
interest 10 entire stranger his Client and then fail to
appear in court True he might do wrong to his eli
ent on these two suggestions
That although he had sold his interest 10 stranger
his talents and his influence icodd still be used for his
client, or,
D. That the verdict as knorcn before The terms Of sale
Were fired.
Our unsophiscaied intellect cannot perceive any
escape from this reasoning and understand
how ii be avoided in the Gardiner case if Mr. Cor
wins interest smpy-as his friends have stated
counsel or attorney. II there be any reliance in log
cal deduction, must say that on any OF the rumors
afoat Mr. Corwin cannot be defended for each
and all Of them would convict him OF a wrongful act
either to the government to his client, leaving
out Of view the remarks made about week ago,
showing that a senator he had no right to accept fee
before the Mexican board
But let make other supposilions-supposiiions
which are in strict accordance with the principles of
Euclid.
Mr. Corwn either sold he did no, sell his ineres, in
the Mexican claims before he into the treasury
II be Gid sell il before he went into the treasury,
have already shows he still interested in them,
less he sold his client at the time II he did not
sell il before he went into the treasury, then he
cepted office deeply interested in claims against the
government may be said that he agreed to SELL and
had found purchaser before he into the treasury
but that the prioe not fired until after he went into
the treasury. In reply that idea have say that
the price is part OF every SALE and that agreement
to sell personal interests can diyest the vender Of
bis claim in the thing sold until specified
price is agreed on and not then, II recoect
the commonaw nightly, unless something in the shape
Of earnest money is paid in hand True, a manual
delivery Of personal property passes the title, but that
principle does not apply to agreement TO sell and de.
liver
But we have said enough this subject for one day
We will not, however close remarks without repeat.
ing again that know nothing Of the justice the in
Justice OF the Gardiner claim We speak OF it and rea
son about in the abstract-no meaning that the Ian
guage toward those who have been improperly
and wronguly connected with it should be interpreted
by any one impeachment Of the claim itself What
we have sad would say ag sn even IL the claim
as just any preferred against the government
We are dealing with the justice the injustice Of the
claim. Our purpose is to bring the public view the
conduc, Of high officers OF the government who connect
themselves with claims agains, the government
II the President knew that Mr. Corwin wa. interested
in the Gardiner or other claims, then he is culpable
a, Mr. Corwin himself il not, then Mr.. Corwin must
have felt the cupabe weakness of his position, he
would not have resorted TO t,aphin concealment But