The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-04-03

We copy from the Republic OF yesterday the following
notice of one of the which were Investigated and
reported on by the Senaes committee on frauds, &c
The committee il will be seen. acquil MIR. Walker OF the
charge of having his services in procuring
the passage OF amendment to the naval appropriation
BILL adopted by the first session OF the last Congress- CIV
ing extra nav TO officers and seamen who had served
the Pacific coast.
II has been known the whole country for some years
past that the prosecution OF claims before the depart
ments and before Congress- and the procurement. OF the
passage of laws to subserve private interests, IS a
profession followed by many persons residing in
Washington and elsewhere. The delay necessarily
attending the transaction of public business in Wash
ing,on, and the prevailing ignorance OF the rules
and rec uIa,ions TO be observed, make the aid oil
counsel absolutely necessary in many instances; and
il would be violent presumption to suppose that
last claims TO be acted on by Congress be safely left
to that body without being urged cared for further than
BY presenting memorial and filing evidence to sustain
them But while we say this, ii is impossible even for
casual observer in Washington during session of Con-
pess not TO perceive that the agency business has been
carried of late years far beyond all legitimate bounds
and that combinations formed not only to carry through
unius, claims but defeat mertorious applications FORE
lei, unless ntaFy pdiu w obchS "Hu ioooJ
bers or are encountered with other projects which cannot
stand on their own merits
Some months ago il was ae ged by Mr. Hale in the Sen
ate and by New York journals of different political hues
that considerable of money had been exacied by
certain individual from officers and sailors in the navy I'M
der the ae that he had procured the passage
of the clauses appopris bilganting 10 certain
Of their number pay IL was understood at the time
that Mr. j. Knox Walker formerly of this city, and now OF
Memphis Tennessee, the party referred to- and the
subject referred the select committee appointed by
The Senate inquire into alleged frauds and abuses and
we now append much of their port relates TO this
charge 1t will BE- thai the statement OF the
committee Mr.. Walker from all the blame that
has been implied in the PREMISES
"Mr Walker having been informed OF the proceedings
of the committee, before it, and desired to be sworn
witness in order to make satemsnt in vndication
ter examination of the testimony tile, he submitted u
statement writing, signed by himself as his testimony,
and accompanied win corrooofatng statements Of Mr..
CIwn of The Senate and Mess +. r. Stanton and Thorn.
as ). Bocock oil the House" - -
"From this testimony it appears that Mr. Walker had
the character oil his services in procure
ing The incorporation oil the provision IN Tue naval appo'
piiaon bill whereby the pay allowed, but that
he drew the amendment himself presented H. irs TO tho
Naval Committee of the House and then to the Naval
Committee OF the Senate, and induced both to adopt tand
report and subsequently, after 1t was rejected by the
House. he spoke several members Of the committee
OF conference 10 retain II; and that win some modihcs-
lion, il became the law for although Mr. Gwin stated,
will be in the debate in the Senate that Ibis pro.
vision passed 10y the unanimous consent OF the com
mittee and without the procurement or nfoence OF any
individual whatever and iurer, that any s'atenen to
the conusry absolutely and Internationally false,
yet he has since stated ia writing that MIR Walkers esti
mony in this respect given above, is oubedy correct
Aud he explains the dcre paney between his two state
by saying thar lie supposed at the tune that Ms
Hale alluded another bill. tSee postscript TO Mr. Walk
| ers testimony in Appendix. case c, No 81
Against the first part Of the allegation herefore-thai
of obtaining the money he received In this under false
pre- nces-Mr Walkers defence be successful
and conclusive for without undertaking say wherein
how far his services either necessary even use
full to the benehcaes OF the question, the commit
find doubt that he excrted himself asdu
ously ia the prosecution of their interest and the cireum
mi ght well have warranted him in supposng that
his eYcftions secured the passage of tue provision
Against the second part of the alegnonhat Of using
his assumed influence with members of Congress and
Others whereby personal Interests subserved at pub
lie expense by means of special egisaIion-Mr Walker
makes defence. He seems 10 mink, the contrary
that required desirable for the vndcstou
Of his character Indeed he and folly sets forth,
something considered by him entirely proper in ITSELF
that had been bis regular professional employment for
years past OF which pubic notice had been given IN all
newspa pers OF Washington city, prosecute claims
before Congress and the Departments"