The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-02-21
The Alleged c.pttol Frauds.


of Capitol Hill.
1t has published series of articles contain
ing gross charges deeply affecting the honor of
the Administration and the integrity of Its en-
ptoyes in the matter of the Capitol extension.
A Vine friend, somewhat excited by these
attacks, expressed great surprise that they
were not replied to by the Republics they
were directed against the PRESIDENT himself,
as well as inferior officers of the Government.
We announced that, having no access to the tes-
timony before the committee, we could only de-
fendin the dark; and that, if We only allowed our
contemporary little more rope, he would GER
tainly hang himself. Moreover, as from it's acili-
ty in walking backwards, the Union is evidently
of the crab species, we thought we might take
a lesson from the fox-of which we are told by
an old writer that ssthe fox catches crab-fsh
with his tail, which CLAUS Magnus saith he
himself was an eyewitness Of" We were
quite sure that some shrewd DEMOCRAT would
bring the Union out of water, before long, in
the same fashion,
That our readers may understand the alle-
cations Of the Union, and compare them with
the last sad disburdenings of conscience
it retracts them alive annex the articles to
which we refer: eg
From the Union Of Sunday, February Is.
+ The CAPITOL GALrHIN.-The developments re-
Gently made of the frauds connected with the
Capitol extension have created much sensation.
The witnesses make no secret of the purport of
how have oivo bofo tbo,
tee of investigation. We are therefore informed
of the manner in which the embezzlement has
been carried on; but the report of the committee,
and the evidence itself, will be necessary to enable
US to estimate the extent to which the public has
been plundered. From the information sclich has
reached us, oneha.f Of the appropriation has bee,
stolen and the rDork executed for the other half is in
many respects deficient the Of construction
and the quality Of the materials used.
The recklessness with which these frauds have
been committed is matter of astonishment; and
those engaged in them must have felt assured that
the Administration was utterly imbecie, perfectly
Indifferent, or thoroughly corrupt. The witnesses
testify to various forms INSTRUMENTATION as
various as the operations to be performed in con
structing such an immense ediice as the Capitol
enlargement. The grossest improperly in giving
out contracts, and wrong measurement in pa yin q
for work, have been testified to. The use of infe-
nor materials, conceament of defects in the work;
the employment of labor paid for by the Govern
ment in aid of contractors, and Of mechanics and
materials Tor private purposes, making a consd
cradle aggregate of plumber, are brou ght to light
The testimony states that laborers were employed
at high wages, with the understanding that they
should pay over large portion-in some instances
seventy-hve CENTS and in others one dollar day-
from wages of two dollars and quarter; and IN
addition, that certificates were given for longer
periods than the Ia borers had been in employment,
on which pay was drawn.
This system of frauds, carried on in the face of
the Government, was accompanied by efforts to
raise MODS to Insult Senators and members of Con-
gress who opposed the five million appropriation of
last session. Attempts were made to induce the
laborers to burn in effigy Senators Borland and
Walker, and MIR. McNair of the House of Repre-.
senatves, because of their opposition to that ap-
preparation. Taking all the features of this sys-
tenn Of frauds into considerations it is unparalleled
in our history But better days are at hand -Four
years of experiment have fully satisfied the people
OF the value of Wing protestations to purity virtue
and patriotism; and in few days an administra
ton will be installed which will expose the corrupt
practices of that plundering crew which Wing
dynasty has quartered on the public treasury.
From the Union of February Is.
The CAPITOL FRAUys.-The mismana cement of
the Capitol extension and the alleged msapplica-
ton and embezzlement of the appropriations for
the work gave rise to sharp debate in the Senate
, eS'S' ooy hio iIdttot CduuOt ldll 10 attract
sooner or later, large share ofhe public attention
II any dependence can be placed in the concur.
ring testimony of the numerous witnesses who
have been examined before the Senate's committee
OF investigation, the country will be startled by
the exhibition not of fraud only, but of system
of frauds by which the treasury has been robbed of
nearly three hundred thousand dollars. We trust
that there is time enough to go through with the
nd IN he
fore the adjournment of Congress
In the remarks we have made on this subject IL
has not been our purpose to cast unmerted CEN
sure on any one. We hope that the testimony
will fasten on each individual his due responsible
ty, and acquit each of every thing of which he
may be innocent. One witness, we understand
testlfies to improper conduct in giving out the
contracts, and subsequent improper measurement
oy which vast sums were wrongfully taken from
the treasury and applied to private uses. But we
think it right to state that the superntendent who
stands charged with innumerable instances of en-
bezzlement, was not appointed by the architect
We have been informed that the architect objected
to his appointment, but without avail and that he
was appointed through the partiaty of Mr.. Fill
cording to the witnesses who have appeared before
the committee of investigation, the superintendent
permitted the of the labor and materials of the
Government for private purposes; that he employ
ed labore.s at high wages, requiring them to pay
oyer to him large portion, and permitted such
laborers to charge for days and weeks when they
were not at work, he receiving his share of the i'm
proper allowance. According to the witnesses-and
they make no secret of the testimony they have
given-Mr. FiIlmore's favorte superintendent
used the power of his position to NEEDLE actively
in elections and to interfere yrannically with the
political rights of the Government employees under
him; and actually went SO far as to attempt to
raise mob to insult Senators and Representatives
because they condemned the work which had been
executed, and opposed the appropriation of half
million for its continuance. In ordinary times
such developments would elecrify the nation; but
under the rule of Wing patriotism and purity the
public mind has become SO accustomed to reck-|
lessness, inefciency, corruption, and fraud, that
nothing but some great outrage can produce feel
ing OF surprise. No party ever exceeded the Wing
party in pharasaica professions of virtue; but the
experience of the last three years has taught the
people to estimate those loud professions at their
true value, and within few days the Wing party
will go hence covered with merited disgrace.
From the Union of February 49,
THE CAPITOL FRAUDs.-We publish to-day the
debate in the Senate, of the 18th instant relative
to the frauds connected with the Capitol enlarge.
ment. Our readers will find by looking over the
debate that all we have said the subject is fully
sustained The Deficiency bill brought these
frauds before the Senate. That bill appropriates
the sum of $500, 600 to meet deficiencies in the
fund provided for the enlargement, altbou oh il