The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-01-07


mittee; and that the committee be authorized to
employ clerk sssn.s-~.,-+~s=..as
And then, on motion - re J.: s-.a
The Senate adjourned to Monday. - II
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THE GARDNER INVESTIGATING coMMITrEE.
MIR. PRESTON KING called up the report here
tofore made by him from the select committee ap-
pointed to investigate the connection of Thomas
Corwin, Secretary of the Treasury, with the al
legged fraudulent Gardner claim, and asked for the
reading of the bill to prevent frauds on the trea.
sury Of the United states,'' which accompanied
the report. ~ ti d." '-s .-.E
The bill was accordingly read. 1t prohibits the
prosecution OF claims before the Departments by
members of Congress and persons holding places
OF honor and trust under the Government, except
in cases Of those obtained by inheritance or mar
riage. Violations of the law to be visited with
punishment, on conviction, of payment twice
the amount of the claim, and imprisonment in the
penitentiary for the period Of one year or more
Mr.. KING said when the committee made the
report, it was their design to submit the testmo
ny in the case, together with bill, in the hope
that it might provide remedy against frauds
on the Government, and correct the imputations
not only upon members of Congress, but officers
of the Government. It was due to their honor and
character that they should be indicated, he did
not believe that the charges were true He then
briefly explained the provisions of the bill.
MIR. HAVEN submitted amendment, to the
effect that any person Offering to member of
Congress, or any officer of the United States, a
bride, in consideration Of the prosecution of
claim shall on conviction be sentenced to the pen
itentary for the period of three years. and forever
be disqualified from holding any office of honor or
emolument under the United States.
Mr.. OLDS then addressed the House, stating
that the committee which made the report was
appointed in consequence of the adoption of re-
solution submitted by him during the last session,
in relation to the subject under consideration. In
submitting that proposition he discharged duty
ich he TO
He was aware that pensioned dependents, hired
correspondents, and i'd telegraphs, were en-
ployed to forestall public opinion; but, notwith-
standing this he was willing to wait for and abide
the verdict OF the people upon the facts involved.
Those correspondents were seconded by gentle
men on this floor to turn upon him the odium of
Gardnerism. He then examined the report, com
mented upon it, and reasserted his former posi-
tlons, saying that the report does not exonerate
MIR: Corwin from the charges made against him.
In fact, every word of the bill speaks trumpet
tongued. The very title is, tto prevent frauds on
the treasury of the United States.'' Gardner, he
said, private individual, was made to disgorge
the money received by him; and now that Waddy
Thompson and Thomas Corwin were aware that
the claim was a naked fraud, it remained to be
seen whether they would come forward and give
up their share of the plumber.
Mr.. STANTON, of Ohio, moved that the bill be
recommitted; pending which
The House resolved itself into Committee of the
Whole on the state of the Union-Mr. BAYLY in
the chair-and took up the Deficiency bill.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
Mr.. MARSHALL, of California said that it was
his intention to Introduce in the House resolution
to this effect that the Committee of WAYS and
Means be directed 10 report bill setting apart and
putting at the disposal of the President under the
incoming administration, five ten millions of
dollars, to be used in his discretion to meet such
emergencies in our foreign affairs particularly,
and the general condition of the country, which,
1t ls admitted on all hands, likely to arise. He
wanted to present the resolution to the House, be-
cause it would afford for debate question having
some significance and meaning; and because the
Democratic party Of the House should come I'D to
some full and significant expression, by vote in
the lace OF the country upon a subject having
weight and confidence. The committee had been
listening to abstract opinions and the discussion
OF questions which may never arise, except in the
remote future, and which do not tend to the deci-
sion OF other questions which exist, and threaten
this country, and which, so far as they have been
examined at all, show that America stands now in
the eyes OF its own citizens and the world de-
graded and dshonored
he should yet introduce the resolution and call
upon the members of this House to announce to
the incoming administration that confidence
which the vote recently given at the polls in the
election expressed upon the part of the
people.
A vote of this kind was not without precedent in
our history, and is supported by presidents from
that government II ON which own customs and
usages are derived. He repeated, he should ore.
sent the resolution, If his purpose should not be
foresalled, and call upon his fellow Democrats to
discharge most important duty, and contribute
to the formation of " Use and patriotic opinion in
relation to national questions.
His purpose in rising was 10 call attention to the
eondoct OF this Government with regard to Hayti
and Nicaragua. He had selected these two topics
OF complaint against the Adminstra ton because
California ieels a deep interest in them There
were no people on whom the DEGRADATION of the
Government would strike with more sickening
n h ,f hof Co.
that the Amer can eagles wing is strong enough
to bear its flight all The and that its
eeak and talons are sharp and strong enough to
project the objects committed to its care even
though the lion of England should be arrayed
against IT, in its acknowledged power. He did
not consider Cuba a ractical question, and with
which, probably, this generation would be called
upon to deal. He would therefore leave it. with
whatever difficulties surround it, to the wisdom,
courage, and patriotism, of those to whom it NAV
b' come, In the course of events practical cues
tim In this connexion he wished TO note a curl
GUS fact. MIR. Owen, the late American consul at
Havana, who pur sued precisely the quiet and in
significant course which the Administration re-
commended, was kick ed out of office.by this very
Administration, and handed over to the indgna
ton OF every one in the community
After replying to Mr.. VENABLE's remarks. de-
hVered lew days since, in which he opposed the
acquisition of Cuba, Mr.. MARSHALL said that the
acquisition OF territory in the abstract, has ten.
dency to strengthen rather than weaken the Gov
eminent by which the territory is acquired. The
annexation Of territory is blessing, because it
tends to the diffusion of Democratic opinions and
practices, which is clear and positive advantage,
and unmixed good. 49,. .... = .,
He then alluded to the Island of Hayti, describ.
ing its position, climate, soil, and commercial ad
vantages, and said that it held Cuba absolute pris
oner, which would be absolutely powerless unless
both were in the same hands, But by the conduct of
the administration with regard to it, every single
American right and principle connected with our
t'reign policy has been sacrificed There has been
violation Of the Monroe doctrine, and every
principle IT manhood and honor has been openly
ana wahtonly sacrificed by the negotiations with
'nat island: The central Democratic organ-he
~ouIa 1iush Tor it, if be could-had selected this
certainly most disgraceful transaction for COM
lnendaton. He wished that there was come Demo-
cfac newspaper established here that did not want
" make money, and which would attend to the bust.
ness o. political organ, inform itself, and learn
111I1neihing' and deal it out Laughter ] The
On'o had exhibited the utmost possible Ignorance
on subject about which tatempted to treat or has
not expressed the opinions Of the informed or bet
ter po ton OF the masses The editorial article to
WI, Which he referred has been copied BY the Republic,
the organ OF the Wing party, which commends
and eulogses it. That ia enough TReneweJ