Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-12-21
cl.ra o. ENC Hon.e Of nepresentatives.

WEDNE SOAS, DECEhbssis AZ ho'''
Cler,s or the House OF Representatives
The public arc informed that some democratic
op,sitiun was made in the lower House OF
Coo-ress 10 the election of J. W. FoRNEY, the
regular party candidate for the Office OF Clerk /;
hut many Of our readers my mol be aware OF the
reasaa upln which it was based. We have ne
,as,s for scandal and would not alude to the mat
Ter further than we have done heretofore, ii 1t
were not q subject of public concern, in reference
to which much interest and curiosity are telt,-
The fec, that majority Of the Virginia delega-
,ion.-snd among them so staunch Democrat as
our representative. Mr.. LErcHER-voted against
FoRSEY, is proof positive that the objection TO
him was Of serious nature and one rising above
mere fealy to party.
Mr.. FoRNEY was for many years the editor OF
the "Pennsylvanian," leading Democratic pa
per published in Philadelphia, and is said to be
man Of fine address and accomplishments. As
reward for his services to the Democracy, heswas
elected clerk of the United States House of Rep
resentatyes for the thirty second Congress, short
" after which event his disgraeetul completely IN
the FoRRrsr divorce case was brought to light.
In the year 1850. the celebrated American TRACE
dian, FoRaEsr, was prosecuting suit tor divorce
from bis wife, charging her with congugal NIL
delity He alleged that she had been unduly IN
innate with an actor named JAMIsoN, and sought
10 obtain evidence 10 establish the truth OF his sus
yicions. Just here Mr.. FoRNrY stepped IN TO
hi, aid. On the 2jth of January, FoRNEY wrote
70 GEoaGE ROBERTS. an editor in New Orleans,
requesting him to obtain, in some way, an admits
sion from JAMIsoN, who was then playing IN that
CITY, He says, FoRREsT suggests that you might
institute intimate relations with j and then induce
him, ei,hsr in your presence or in company, to
ADM, as thing to be proud OF, his connection
with Mrs. F. He is fond of glass, and possibly,
in conyirial mood. might DO communicative"
The letter was marked private" aud the writer
says, This matter mus. DO kept secret Above
all, do not name inc in connection with 1t. Elk
cuse me for troubling you in regard to 1t. My
ardent attachment to glorious FoRREsT must be
my excuse. Now won't YOU help 10 relieve HING
Mr.. RopERrs, however, did not keep the matter
very close, fr the letter gJto out and made no small
STIR at the time Indeed, we have been informed
that one member of Congress could hardly be re-
strained from Introducing resolutions in the House,
denuncatory of FoRSEY's conduct.
- Blu, the affair was hushol up as we'll 'as posi-
be, and as the present session Of Congress APP
preached il was understood that FoRsEY was a
candidate for reelection. The Richmond Eran'-
iaer. among other papers. took up the subject
with its usual boldness II spoke Of the letter an
which FoRSEr proposed to make JAMlsoN drunk
in order 10 extract from him declarations prejudl-
oial to the character of Mrs. FoRREsr, as "inia-
mus" aud said at FoRNEY is elected Clerk
of the American House of Representatives wheth-
er.by force of caucus drill or by voluntary suti-
rape, we shall dcnounce the act as an outrage up
% the national character ~ matter what excuse,
short OF successful denial Of authorship, may be
given sor the letter"
Congress assembled. and FoGNEY, having been
nominated by the Democratic caucus, was tri-
umphanty elected Cleyk of the House, receiving
the votes of Messrs. BAYLY, FAULKNER, KID
WILL. McMULLEx, SMITH and SYoDGRAss, OF
the Virginia delegation. The Eraminer, we be-
ieve, has kept its word.
We have thus given what we proposed, mere
statement, of facts, leaving deductions and COM
ments to be made by the reader.
There is, however, an appendix to the story,
The clerk Of the House has the appointment OF
Librarian, and no sooner was FoRHET reinstalled
in the clerkship. than he removed MIR. PARKER,
Of Virginia, from that Office. This proceeding
created quite buzz among the Virginans in
Washington, who charged that FoRNEY was in-
siigated to ithy desire to wreak revenge upon
the members from this State. who voted against
him. Even Gen. BAYLY was aroused, and lead
eft in the effort to have the rule changed by which
the clerk appoints the Librarian. The effort fail
ed and FoRSEr isso far, triumphant at all points.
lie has recently addressed letter to the Editors
of the Richmond Ea9airer, in which he declares
that he removed PARKER solely because OF his
aeglect of duty. Parker then appeared In the
papers, DENYING the accusation and offering to
p,ove his statement before any committee Of the
House. The Washington correspondent OF the
Enquirer. also pronounces the charge : mere pre-
text, and retcrates his belief that FoRNEY remov-
ed PARxrn to strike blow at the majority ofthe
Virginia delegation.
10 his letter to the Enquirer, FoRNEY acknowl-
edges the authenticity ofthe RoDERr's letter,and
attempts 70 Justify the ground of ''srdent at
isehmes, TO friend"
Board OF Public Works.
Having advertised the letting OF fifty miles oil
the Covington and OHIO Railroad on the Eastern
and twenty-five miles on the Western division o.
1.-The work, the Board of public works convened al