The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-06-20
The Gardiner Claim

This business il gering TO look and On
the h instant the Senate by resolution called upon the
Secretary OF State for all the information in his posses
sion in re gard 10 it, The resolution did not contain the
usual provision making the call contingent upon The
Presidents view OF the public interest in the maer-an
omission which shows we appehend, that in the Juds
OF the Senate the public nteres, could not Poss y
suffer by the publicity of the information sought II
appears, by report of yesterdays proceedings
OF the Senate, that the resolution has been answered
by report from the Secretary OF State in which
he states "ihat he has laid the same before the Pesi
deut. who is of opinion that communication OF the
information desired would not compor with the public
INTEREST," in which opinion also the Secretary OF Safe
entirely concars" Now, be it remembered that the pr
mary question in this matter is TO the justice and
validity OF this claim which the Mexican claims CON-
mission allowed, which the treasury officers duly paid,
and the avas OF which, the view that there was
something wrong in the Business afterwards sequss
ated by the government and the claimant subjected to
progress of which has been most strangely delayed.
These have their due importance, and the truth
about them will, hope, come out in due form and
season.
But preliminary question before the country and
claim be good bad, how stands the present Cabinet
or at least member of it, in connexon with its prose-
cuon, allowance, and payment The allegation has
gone forth broadcast that the present Secretary of The
Treasury agent OF counsel for this claim having
conditional interest in it OF about hundred thou
sand dollars; that, upon taking office Secretary Of
the Treasury, he transferred that interest, in whole
or in part, TO relative; that such transfer was,
from its nature and circumstances, conditional; and
that in this state OF facts the claim. being allowed by
the claims commission, duly paid in pursuance OF
the Secretary's warrant 10 that effect.
Now, il this be so-and we reccnty quoted wing
journal, the New York Times, TO the effect that
such is the general impression of the public mind
then it behooves all parties concerned lha, the public
should know all about tbs branch of the matter al
least, withou, delay. However, it may be with the
interest of The administration, submit that the
public interest cannot possibly be injured by giving
the people an opportunity TO know clearly and at once
whether or not this is another Gdiphin businsSs-
whether high official misconduct improperly is in.
volyed in -and if so, then the extent and degree OF
such maladministration.
Upon all this branch OF the case and upon the whole
Of it, the President reports to the Senate that the pub
Tic interest does not permit him TO give them any in
formation
Now, II this be all fair and straightforward il does moi
look and this administration and its organs may al
well bes themselves 10 put better face on the matter
without delay.
What Is u that Mr.. Slocum has found out in Mex
leo what is il that the President has found out here
in relation TO this matter which must not only be
concealed from the public eye, but which cannot
even be conhdenially communicated 10 the Senate
Can nOiing be told about ii Cannot the cabinet con
nexion with il be explained Is il so bad that it must
all be eosked up impenerably TO a formal call Of
coordinate branch of the government
Is in order to convict Gardiner that the seal upon
these documenspublic in their very nsure-is not 10
be broken II this be the ground on which the govern.
meat is acting, that il very dangerous ground
Gardiner may be innocent, he may be guilty. On that
point express opinion But whether he be innocent
guilty. il is suspicious and Unlocking fact for the ad
ministralion thus in State prosecuonibe government
against indyidual-to shrouI its own proceedings
and the facts Of the In mystery. The truth in such
case does no, hurt the innocent and the guilty deserve
all the sharpness Of its sting We object 10 Glrdiuers
trial being put forward reason for refusing the in
formation which the Senate has called for and which
the country has right to have. .
We urge this matter on the public attention We
think il demands such attention more at this moment
than ever before.
Illinois.
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