Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1854-07-15
AIlaeed C. ERUPTION.

claims have been freely INDUCED into the scan
dial of the government, and the dlscredit nf the
Legislative branch. II appears that We are about
10 have an inresfigdtion, which may elicit the
truth and put % stop To- these rnnors, or confirm
their correctness In the House of Representa-
fives. Saturday, when the bill authorizing an
extension of the patent Of Samuel calt,ior an I'M
proyement ia fire arms, was under consideration,
the following proceedings took place
Mr.. clingham said hat extraordinary means
had been resorted to to secure the passage OF this
biil-larse sums Of money having been offered to
gentlemen 10 induce them ia tot for il, or be alb
sent-he would suggest that In Justice to the
House. before the vote should be taken there be
call of the roll, in order to have full attendance
when that bill should be- voted upon in the House.
He would not say that gentleman had been in
hueneed by such offers of money.
Mr.. Pratt said he should like IN know Whit
reasons the gentlemen from n Carolina Mr..
Clingman) had, for making tDat statement!
Mr.. Clngman said that if the House should
think proper TO investigate the question, and
should call upon him for information, he would he
willing to give il. but he would say that he had
no doubt that certain sums Ind been offered to
induce rembcrs to favor the passage of this bill.
He had the information on the Testimony Of per-
SONS whom he fully relied. He did not know
that il had been offered to members themselves,
but to friends Of members. lie had no
more doubt of the fact than he had that he WAS
addressing the House
Mr.. Seward replied, calling upon the gentle
to state facts; and if he knew of any mem
bers who had had sums of n' ney offered them, or
if he knew of any other illegal means having
been resort d to- to speak oft.
Mr.. Clingham explained that he had not said
that the mouey had been offered to members of
the House, but to their intimate friends, suppos
ed to possess influence with members. lie would
BIZ willing to give his information, should the
House oppoint committee on the subject.
Mr.. Seward. If the gentlemen has such intor-
nation and does not communicate it. he stands
condemned be;ore the judgement of the country.
Mr.. Clingham. Raise committee.
Mr.. Seward. tbs not necessary TO do that, as
understand he gentleman TO say that large
sums have been offered to members either not to
vote for the bill or absent themselves.
Mr.. Clingman. do not say that mony has
been offered to members, but to individuals hay
ing influence with members.
Mr.. Letcher said it was his intention when the
comm ttce should rise, to move for select com
mittee to inquire whether money had been Of
tered, or other illegal means resorted to, to in
flucnce members in their votes and TO secure the
passage of the dill for the extension of the pa
tent of San'l Colt.
Mr.. 1hurston submitted the reasons of the
Committee on Patents for reporting the bill
Mr.. Stevens of Michigan, asked why all this
opposition to the extension of this patent Why
did the gentleman from North Carolina, (Alr.
Clingma",) make remarks rejecting on the hon
or and integrity of the House, lie did not sus-
pect the honesty Of that gentleman, but had he
not rs good reason to suspect that he had been
Influenced i'll his opposition to the bill as that
gentleman had to suspect the advocates of the
bill as having been 30 Influenced.
Mr.. Bliss considered no bill had been brought
forward with more fairness than this. He was
in favor of its passage.
Mr.. Iollicotler expressed his regret to hear the
remarks of the gentleman from North Carolina,
CIR. Clingman.) which implies corruption to the
House. lFere was not n member but was inYol-
we'd in the insinuaton. 1t was due to the House
that the matter should be investigated.
Mr. Letcher obtained the flour, but yielded TO
Mr.. Cutting,wh said he had been employed in
counsel for defendants in New York in
case of violation of Colts patent He had
been solicited by his clients, through their eoun-
sci, to withdraw opposition TO this bill, showing
that they desired that the bill should pass. He
had replied that he should be entirely guided by
the evidence adduced by the committee,as to the
course he should take on this measure.
Mr.. c. then proceeded to explain the reasons
why he should vote against the bill.
Mr.. Letcher contended that special legislation
on such cases was great evil The law prov-
ded that the Commissioner of Patents should be
authori2edto extend patents when it was proved
that the patentec had not been compensated for
his invention.
Mr.. Letcher proceeded to argue that the fact
that Colt as erected works near London, England
which had cost $3.50, 900, was proof that he had
made a considerable amount OF cash by the man
utaeture of his fire arms. He went on to show
that Colt had already realized one million of dol
lars, and that before the present patent should be
run out, it was probable that five hundred thous-
and dollars more would he realized. He was al
together opposed to special legslation,a as leading
to great evils in this country.
Mr.. Stanton, of Tennessee, explained his rca-
son for supporting this bill. He contended that
Col. Colt had not enjoyed the full advantage OF
his patent during the time provided for by aw,as
! II was only from 1880 to the present time that he
had really been successfully manufacturing his
! fire arms.
Mr.. McMullcn said there were members upon
that floor who knew how to appreciate the value
OF the revolver. lie regarded it rs one of the
/ grandest and most distinguished discoveries of
the country. and he was in fayor OF enabling Colt
to receive the full benefit % his inventions and TO
make money of the British, too.
Mr. Pratt indicated Colonel Colt, eontonding
thai the putent should be extended to enable him
/ to receive the full benefit of his invention.
The committee then rose without reporting the
! bill TO the House.
Mr.. Letcher offered the resolution of which he
had given notice, that committee of seven men,
! bers be appointed TO inquire whether any illegal
or improper means lad been resorted 10 to secure
the passage of the bill extending Colts patent for
seven years, and whether directly or indirectly,
money had been offered to secure the passage or
defeat any bills during the present Congress.
Mr.. Jones, of Louisiana, moved to lay the res
olution oh the table. He believed il would all
end in nothing; disagreed TO.
ha rpSn ,,,1 f,,,. =, Ill. IL.