The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-07-22


have abundant indications We do not mean 10 say
whether the Gardiner claim was just or unIust-whetbcr
it came under the treaty or did not under The
treaty-or whether it was supported by Tightiul or
wrongful evidence. On these points we express no
opinion. We have not had 10 any OF the esti
mony given either before the commission o. before the
grand jury of this city, and it is firm purpose never
to make charges or express opinions without facts sup
port and sustain Admitting that the Gardiner claim
just. and that its business fully proved, then
must be conceded that great wrong injustice, and NOR
LITIGATION have been inflicted individuals. For that
would feel regret But still we must say that the
Gardiner claim will lead to developments which will be
of great benefit TO the public, by leading to full appreci
alton the part of the people of system of abuse and
corruption which has sprung up and been almost perfected
an the last two years.
We make these preliminary remarks 10 avoid miscon-
struction; for is desga investigate the jus
tce of the Gardiner claim, but 10 strike great and
growing abuse which, if not speedily corrected must i'm
pose heavy burdens on the people.
Mr.. Corwin, il is well known, was a member of the
Senate when the office of Secretary of the Treasury was
rendered 10 him by Mr.. Fillmore At tina, time, as sub
sequent developments show, he largely inter-
esied in claims before the commissioners appointed
the republic OF Mexico, which our government had by
the treaty Of Guadalupe Hdago, assumed TO the amour,
of three and quarter millions of dollars. This fact
leaked out after Mr.. Corwin went into the treasury
When it did leak out his friends stated truly no doubt,
that he would not 60 into the cabinet could not az
ford TO 60 into the cabinet and renqush his interests in
the claims before the board of commissioners 1t appears
that his interest in those claims appraised by Mr.
John Young and Mr.. Robert Corwin Gf our memory
is not at faHlD at 100000 The defenders OF Mr. Cor.
win state that he did not receive this amount, but that
fifteen per cent. deducted for contingencies and
per cent for cash-leaving to Mr. Corwin about
900 Report says that this amount was for his
interest in the Gardiner claim But that is Of no conse-
quence.
The true point at issue is this senator OF The United
Sates servant OF the peope-and paid for his services
by the people-receves contingent fee, valued
hundred thousand dollars, pending before board OF
missoners appointed by the chief of his PARTY, and
composed, Of course, of his party friends We need not
comment the Is per cent deduction. We throw the
per cent deduction also, and state the cash value
of MIR Corwins interest at about eighty thousand dollars
the which he actually received according TO wing
accounts. Now, be it remembered that great legal
ability required before the board II did not sit like
open court to hear Arguments The parties had 10
present their claims and furnish evidence TO support them
That evidence must from the necessity of the case come
chiefly from Mexico. Then we ask what was Mr. Cor
win paid for What services could he render here in
Washington-a member OF the Senate He could prop
ery do nothing than examine the papers furnished
him, and suggest any deficiency in the proof they set
forth oil just demand under the treaty That was all he
could rightfully do And submit it to the coun
Try to say whether eighty, seventy, sirty or even
len thousand dollars is not exravagant fee for such
service Mr. Corwin has a reputation speech max er
and advocate; but we have never heard that he
was ever esteemed an eminent lawyer in any other
respect There lawyers in this city of equal learning
with Mr.. Corwin. We meet almost daily of ten
times the research. ability, and legal fame Of Mr. Cor
win. Yet any Of these men would, we have no
doubt, have given advice the suciency OF The evil
dence Of any claim pending before the Mexican board for
sthousand dollars in cash. demanding higher
contingent fee-the increase being with the
uncertainty OF the case. Why then, LEI, us ask were
these men passed over And why were political wbig
lawyers employed at such enormous outlay twas not
Tor superior asli,yor the superior ability did not exist
u was not Tor forensic alent-for there forum in
which II could be heard Why, them and for what pur.
pose, were wing senators employed and paid fortune in
fees There is but TO these questions Po
loal influence political friends the thing bought
and the thing sold. wing commission was the court
OF last resort and wing politicians paid high prices
blind man can see, and deaf man hear, the
cret purposes OF the conspraiors Political position and
political influence were the things paid for-political
position and political influence were the things sold
Disguise is useless--evasion is withou, avail
The manner in which Mr. Corwn has been brought
forward in this behalf has induced speak OF him
alone But, there be any truth in the aHcat he
not the only member OF the cabinet who was at first,
u no, TO the end interested in claims before the Mexican
commission. Blu, of this point we are not sure and
therefore pause for direct information For the
present we have accomplished purpose which is to
attract the public attention to the abuses and
unequalied eorrup,ions which must flow from system
which permits officers of the national legislature 10 sell
their political influence The system is growing daily;
it must be abaed II not the annual expenditure will
in FIVE years reach seventy millions or more
We have noticed that some OF our EXCHANGE. .,d
when il was believed that the claims sold by MIR Corvn
did not turn out as profitable expected that, in
that event, Mr. Corwin would feel bound 10 refund
We do pretend to know what authority tina, state
ment was made but il il true, then Mr. Corwin's
sale was a mere nominal sale, and he was much in
teres,ed in the Mexican claims after he went into the
treasury before. But must draw TO close for the
w. h,vn furh In ma he IN this