The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-04-22
standard Or Ia.ss.,sy Gor wh,s omss-Aola.s..

standard Of Integrity foE Whix omes-hoidsTs.
Ii must be known 10 our readers that the collector OF
the port Of Philadelphia. w. d. Lewis, esq for
long lingering in the Senate before the confirmation
OF his nomination. and was slrenuousy opposed by both
the senators from Pennsylvania. Dr. Sturgeon being
thorough democrat and Mr. Cooper thorough wing, this
opposition could hardly be ascrbed 10 political motives
considerations. These gentlemen themselves based their
opposition entirely upon grounds OF personal uniiness
Mr.. Lewis was finally confirmed Notwithstanding the
hostility Of the Pennsy yania senator's but public dissat
siacion did not subside after the endorsement OF the
Senate Complaints OF a serious nature were preferred
against Mr.. Lewis recently and the administration was
compelled institute an investigation into the truth of
those. complaints. Much testimony taken, which
disclosed various black and glazing facts and yet the
charges against him have been dismissed. in The face OF
this formidable catalogue OF delinquencies We know not
for what reasons, subserve what ends. Mr. Lewis
has been retained, although have very strong inta
tons OF the means brought to bear.
Mr. Lewis has issued appeal the public, in which
he assals. with much bitterness. Senator Cooper and
other persons, HON he charges with deamng his char
ac,er. This is wing fight, in which we feel lille inter-
est and shall take no part-except far the
nifty may be concerned in knowing OF the biecons
to public officer who Yields great influence, aud has
vast public interests confded to Kis charge II seems
proper TO advert TO reply Of Senator Cooper and Charles
Gibbons, esq, OF Philadelphia to Mr. Lewss denunca-
lions and those of his counsel. We shall make
brief extracts from these documents, which have
hand in the form Of neat pamphetthe authors in this
particular initiating the example of Mr. Lewis himself
One Of my for opposing ths confirmation Of his
nomination was his want OF any liked political principles
ny. In his political conduct he resembles those campbell
lowers and plunderers who travel in tho wake armies,
and shout for the vicors in order share the spos At
tached 10 standard exposed 70 danger The combat
first upon the field hen the battle WOO, pre-.
pared appropriate the fruits OF the victory Few
eneo Mr. Lswis as wing, though some alleged that be
a, heart. Few knew him democ ,Ihoush
many believed him to be Tue scales Of the balance he
managed to keep pretty even and possessing much craft
aged get less from the parry power sSti
he had been nomna'ed by whig President. and adj
vocated by some worthy men, had his character been
otherwise oleraby from repoach, and his conduct
officer pionabe, would probably have voted
Tor him, though certainly with reluctance This was not
the case as the following will prove,
" Some time in the winter of 1915, think it was, Mr.,
Lewis being engaged In stock had contracted
to deliver person persons S65 shares ofihe stock
Of the Philadelphia, Wn,ington, and Baltimore Railroad
preached, he found himself unable comply with his
agreement not having the stock, and not being able pro.
cure it, Ga making known his situation 10 his friends it
was suggested thai be might probably procure from
Messrs Harris Co. brokers in the city Of Philadelphia,
and gentlemen OF great respectability and beray who
Of the principal part OF the He
accordingly applied them and, by the iuterces
sion Of rends, procured loan oil the stockb5 shareson
which he paid S2S or $50, gross amounting
about that much per share which was 10 be repaid him
when The stock should be returned For It's return time
was fixed but when II aryed he was unable TO comply
with his contract and was m great distress, nasmuch as
failure involved mis- expulsion from the board OF brokers'
OF which he was be II the rules should be enforced
amongst others he called Charles Henry Fisher, esq
and epresenled to him The state Of his affairs begging him
duce them sell 10 him the stock which he had borrowed
and unable 10 return The selling price OF the stock
hands OF these gentlemen. Mr. Fisher pursuance of the
request Mr. Lewis, called them represented his
condition. urging them sell him the stock Tney desired
to see Mr.. Lewis, accordingly waited them A,
the interview he informed them that, though hts means
estate, which We're not presently avalabo Afer some
they agreed sell him The stock al $50 per
The money 10 paw the cash for it, hey charged him on
books with the difference between the amount which
$780, the amount per share which he had agreed pay
SO 900 S9,ooe-Mr Lewis expressing great salts
'.Some three months afterwards, Harris u Co,
settling their uansactons Ia the stock OF the Pha-
Mr. Lewis their account. which he then refused and
still refuses pay. By act Of the legislature OF Penny
pany, pay able than five days after date,
declared void and consequently iecovelabe by law
beneIacior who had generously beitiended him in the
hour OF his need trusting his honor for payment This
history S Of this tanspe,ion, see depositons Of Joseph G.
Harris and Charles Henry Fisher esqs hereto annexed.
|
"Ths part of the testimony taken before the mayor of
Phi adelpha dsprove which Mr. Lewis declares IN his
narrative IL was deemed unnecessary that single wit
should be called signal says be- was Mr. Coopefs
failure biacken chafaoter II this did not blacken
IT, II must be because Il was too black before to take
deeper hue.
"Regardng this mos, dshonorable transaction too
ing Tor notice. Mr. Lewis declares II TO be- some estt
mate may be formed OF b, notions of poprey and fair
dealing Most would regard this Transaction in
famous Mo. Lewis, however, is of different opinion
:" But this the only Transaction in which Mr..
Lewiss disposition hep himself at the expense OF those
who have been his benetactos is exhibited In 1881
1882, Mesus Edward ID Whitney and William Whitney
engaged, II mistake not In carrying on the business
OF com merchants ia the city OF New York. Meet
with Mr. Levi about this ue, he prevailed them
Philadelphia and open a commission house, in that
city, in which Mr.. Lewis was to be partner BY the
agreement entered into between them, Mr. Lewis
furnish the ,pal the Whineys conduct the business,
under the style OF Lewis Il Whitney. Lewis furnish
500 00g In money $4,000 of which to be paid imme
in the of the year He, however failed to do
this furnishing only about 81 900 and the end OF the
being In debt the firm about 81 900 the end
second year abon 81 00 aud the dissolution of the
in debt TO II something above $4,000 In the time his
conduct anything but proper, frequently dsposing OF
paper OF the in stock ard other specua,on for
his Immediate benefit, at runous discounts, which he
charged TO the firm
Some after this. Mr. Lewis became embarrassed,
aud applied relieve himself to his BROTHER John
The latter agreed to advance him 1000 pounds sterling.
provided ne could the certificate OF Charles Chsun-
cev esq. that such would pay his debts and him
aoat again. HIS Indebtedness considerable to other
900 of the partnership debt above stated
and addition this the price OF BOO shares of the stock
tho Gsrd Bank, purchased by him at $40 per share.
Under these circumstances he called the McsTs.
his brother inaw, Thomas o. Rockhil esq, man OF
considerable wealth, Tor the $4,000 provided they would