The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-04-14

What, Mr.. Chairman, has caused this
enormous expenditure? The answer can
be obtained in that single word. which, in
sepulchral voice, comes 10 US from the
empty vaults OF your national Treasury:
Galphinismi
i 1t may be asked, perhaps. what has all
this to do with the bill under consideration?
answer, sir, that you cannot prevent these
frauds and corruptions, 50 long as your
national revenues are raised from indirect
sources. But. sir. the moment you call
upon the people by direct taxation. that
moment they will awake to the enormity OF
these frauds. The moment. sir, you touch
the pockets Of the people. this galvanlzing,
this resurreciing operation will cease.
Government office holders will no longer
bring to life claims that have been dead
and buried for more than half century.
Then, sir, Cabinet officers will cease to
act as claim agents; then. sir. your Craw-
fords and Corwins will cease to use their
official influence. to procure the allowance
of disentombed claims, by which they can
pocket their hundreds ofthousands Of dol.
lars; then, sir, the names Of Crawford and
Corwin may cease to be associated with
public plunder.
Sir. let me divert the attention Of this
committee for single moment to charges
that common rumor fasten upon the pres.
ent Secretary OF the Treasury, and which
the country demand to have Investigated
by this Congress. refer, sir. to his con-
necton with the Gardiner claim. Public
rumor charges, sir. that Mr. Corwin re-
ceived $79 900 as the agent Of this Gardi
ner claim. Now, sir. the inquiry naturally
arises. Why did Mr.. Gardiner stipulate to
pay Mr. Corwin this enormous fee! Was
Mr.. Gardiner so dumb that he could not
act as the agent Of his own claim! Not so.
sir; he is man belonging to one OF the
liberal professions, and cannot he suppos-
ed to be devoid of common sense; and,
sir, if his claim was just one. he could
himself present it before the proper tribu-
nal and ask decision upon its merits.
But if his claim was bad, he would natu.
rally desire to bring the stronger influence
to its support. He could not have select
ed Mr.. Corwin because Of his great elo-
quence; for. sir. plain. simple statement
of facts was all that was allowed, before
the tribunal. He could not have selected
him on account Of his legal acumen in
taking and arranging testimony, for, sir,
this case was prepared and the testimony
taken in Mexico; and every one knows
that Mr.. Corwin, though great favorite
in Mexico in consequences Of his "bloody
thand and hospitable grave" sentiments,
was never in Mexico. Nay, more, sir; a
grand inquest Of the county. upon their
oaths, have said that this whole case is
forgery. Why then. sir, was Mr.. Corwin
selected? The answer is obvious: Mr..
Corwn is great man with his party. He
has been made so, sir, by the Wings Of
OHIO. They made him their Representa-
tive first in this House; then, sir, they made
him the standard. bearer Of the party in
Ohio, by selecting him as their candidate
for Governor; then, sir, they sent him to
the Senate Of the United States. But this
is not all; he was at one time the favorite
Of his party in Ohio, as candidate for the
Presidency His name. in connection
with that office, was at the masthead of
his party press. Sir, Mr.. Gardiner, as
shrewd man, knew all this. He knew that
this man must be possessed of great influ-
ence with Wing Administration; and for
the exercise Of influence. Tor the power Of
this position, Mr.. Gardiner could afford 10
give Mr.. Corwin 100000, if thereby he
could get allowed his claim Of $48O, 900.
But. sir, in what light does it present Mr..
Corwin before the country! The people
had sent him here to guard their interests;
they were paying him eight dollars per
day to watch the national Treasury; they
supposed, sir. that with the vigiant and
| ever-watchful eve of Mr. Corwin upon the
Treasury, all would be safe. But, sir.
rumor says that they were mistaken in
their man; for whilst receiving pay from
the people to watch and guard their Treas.
ury. this Mr.. Gardiner, knowing his man.
feed him upon the other side-he onlbid
the people. Gardeners 100000 was as
omnipotent over your national Treasury
as was the "Open sesame" of Ali Baba
over the cavern Of the "Forty Thieves"
But may be told. perhaps, by some
political friends OF Mr.. Corwin, that there
was nothing in all this-that Mr.. Corwln's
duties as Senator did not come in conflict
with his duties to Mr.. Gardiner. Let me
ask such friend of Mr.. Corwin. il he has
one, if this case is not a parallel one with
taking fees upon both sidesl Yet. sir, if
a lawyer should be guilty Of such prac-
tice, you would silence him before any
court in the United States.
Mr.. CAMPBELL, of Ohio, (interrupt.
| ing) If the gentleman will allow me to
correct him, understand that my honor
able colleague has charged upon the Sec
retary Of the Treasury dishonorable and
dishonest connection with the Gardiner
claim. Do so understand himl
Mr.. OLDS. lhave made my statement
clearly and explicitly. If my colleague
I