The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-02-12
More Galphinisnl

to exenpiy the mbeeility and corruption OF the wing
dynasty than any which has preceded H. Every one
who has noticed, even with careless eye, the manner
in which the extension Of the Capitol has been carried
on must have been struck with the mism and
want OF energy il exhibited But earelessness and
sloh. added 10 the vague rumors Of corrupt extrava-
ganse which were ahoat. have not prepared the public
mind for the systematic and extensive frauds that have
been committed on the appropriations for the enlargement
Towards the end of last month the Senate appoint
ed committee OF investigation. directed 10 examine into
charges OF fraudulent practices in the erection OF tbs new
wings OF the Capitol. General Houston placed al
the head OF that committees and the evidence which has
been taken before it of the startling character Ii
shows anumeabe instances OF fraud paaking OF every
possible character. by which nearly OF the six
hundred thousand dollars appropriated by Congress has
been misapPlied and embezzed. According to the evil
ience, inferior materials have been used and their
concealed defects in the work have been covered OVER
government property misapped implements and labor
srs used Tor private purposes an extensive system of
ambezzement acted out by which large sums Of money
have been drawn Tor work rendered and aborers
have been employed al extravagant wages, under the
agreement that they should give up large portion of those
wages after they drawn from the pay agent This
system has been carried 10 such extent in
formed to swinde the government out OF about three
hundred thousand doars-one-ha OF the entire appro
priaon If this be true there has been parallel 10 this
fraud the history OF the governments for it is formed ola
larger number of ems extending longer period of
tme and convics larger number of individuals OF
essness and corrupt practices, Than any which has pre-
coded it, We hope to be able in few days to lay the evil
| fence which has been adduced before the Committee of
Investigation before readers We unwilling TO
begin its publication until we continue it regularly
Surely civilized country has been outraged by such
administration that which has, since the 4th of
March, 1919, alternately mortified the pride OF the ma
ton and outraged the public morality by alienation OF
imbecity and fraud, unreeved by single instance of
| manly efficiency sterling integrity.
Having exposed the motives which dictated the abusive
attack made by the Republic certain members OF Con-
gess and having SGT forth the steps by which that jour
na has come be swayed by such motives did not
intend TO recur to the subject; and we do now only
correct the laboed misrepresentation of position
tanned in that journal yesterday We have not said that
The bills on the Speakers table improper and uncon-
si,utional They may may not be. Doubtless many
of them are ENTHUSIASTICALLY of them not ;
but we have gone into that question. We have
simply stated that held to be perfectly proper to de-
/
ducing delay leading their abandonment 1t is i'm
material whether we do do consider any
measure pending improper and unconstitutional.
1t is not our judgnen which must regulate the
conduct Of members Of Congress, but their own
not what we think, but what they think improper un-
constitutional and dangerous TO the public morals ought
to be resisted by them with the weapons which paria-
mentay law affords. Our position is, that when they
really believe of that character, is their
admitted right resort OF delay in order to
the passage OF such Members OF both
parties have frequently gone further. While on this
point we would remark that we have been informed our
illusions the French spoaton bill have been misun
derslood We have not examined into the merits OF that
BILL aud did wish to express any opinion with regard
to it. We alluded to it only OF many bills. an in
terest in whose passage might account for the patriotic
Indignation with which the Republic depounces any de-
lay OF business facious and revolutionary. II
was OF that view alluded 10 IT, With this explana-
iion we leave the subecnot feeling that any other
Misrepresentation OF us in this behalf harm US,
ing from an expiring organ. which mus, shuttle od
this mortal coil without exciting the regrets Of any