The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-03-23
The Capitol Frauds.

The Louisville Journal speaks OF the embezlemsut
alleged 10 have been perpeuaed BY persons engaged on
the Capitol extension as about the only Il real
or supposed fraud the wings have committed" This is
decidedly cool. Ii is remarkable an exhibition Of
brazen ehrontery have with in our read
Ing experience. Since the wings into power in
s49 nearly every grade OF their officers from cabn,,
advisers 10 petty postmastes. has furnished instances
OF corruption The wing dynasty had not been in Office
sixty days. before god-mning adventures were sent to
California at the public expense. Twelve months
had not elapsed when cabinet operation on the
treasury detected. OF sufficient magnitude IN
add new word TO the language, and furnish a
new name for the process OF pundefing the pub
lie exchequer Although the offices were filled bv
wings, and The records OF the government were in
their custody large number of frauds have been fully
established while unus6abe expenditures and unneeet
ssry payments from the public funds have filled lons
list OF supposed frauds which examination Of parlicu
lars WILL in all probability, add to the number already
actually established and proved to be real.
AS to the frauds connected with the Capitol exensop.
we understand that the Senaes committee will report at
an early day--perhaps The report has been
drawn up anu agreed to; and informed that /,
proves far than has yet been stated in any
press for what we have said in this behalf but hay.
ing exhausted the materials a, our command. and
other matters engrossng the public attention. We waited
patiently for the action OF The committee Of inves
gation--feeling perfectly assured that the evidence
given under oath would than sustain all that
had stated In few days the report and the les.
mony will be before the public, and then will attempt
to do justice. However, in the mean time, we would
correct false statement which have seen in many
whg journals, which says that we forced 10 aban-
don our charges by Mr.. Stanton, OF Kentucky. This
is not irue Mr. Stanton only attempted correct US
in two particulars, which had spoken Of on the
authority of debate in The Senate, and they not Of
sufficient importance TO require controversy. The first
was, that we had wrongly designated the 100000
appropriated TO the Capitol extension by the deficiency
bill as deficiency, excess OF expenditure over
estimates. Subsequently, Mr.. Underwood, who sustained
the appropriation in the Senate, admitted il def
cheney by saying tina. il necessary for continuing
the work until the first OF Jaly II II an excess
over estimates, it ought to have been; for Congress had
expressly forbidden any greater expenditure for the fiscal
year than the regular appropriation and i was The plain
duty of those having control OF the work 10 have
ned thar estimates for the year TO that amount Surrey
they cannot plead violation Of the law in Tie
second particular the statement. derived have
explained. that SIXTY odd thousand dollars bad al.
ready been improperly paid for marble. In reply, the
public told that that had not been paid all.
properly or improperly, for marble. But are in.
formed that the committees report proves that. a.
though the mentioned had not been paid at tie
time the debate took place. three bundled thousand dol
lars will not the loss to the government when Il
marble contracts have been performed, and the marble
has been paid for in accordance 10 established Pre-.
cess" Having disposed OF these matters. we await the
committees report. Then shall see what we
shall see.