The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-03-22

rom tue ComInlttee on fuDHc Lands, Inc House pro-
ceeded 10 the business the Speakers table The Sem
ate bill for organizing Nebraska and Kansas brought
up Mr. Richardson moved to refer the bill TO the Com
mittee on Territories Mr.. Cutting moved to refer to
the Committee OF the Whole the state OF the Union
which motion agreed to by vote Of ITO to 95 The
motion 10 reconsider the vote laid on the table by
vote of ITO TO 90.
Franklin Pierce, the Friend OF a Frugal Ad-
ministration--the Foe or Pecalation and
Fraud.
Almost simultaneous with the judicial exposure Of the
great Gardiner fraud the people startled by the dis
covery of extensive combination of sharpers. who
had forrished for years by system of unprecedented
perjury and forgery under the pension laws. We saw,
FIRST the melancholy sequel of the first of these crimes
the sequel, at least SO far the principal OF gang of
respectable peculators was concerned and next
called upon to witness the issue of the second outrage
erred TO. Thetwo leading participants in the pension
frauds, both men in high social position in Pennsy
vana, have "6ed the country" leaving money enough
indemnify their sure.ies, who held n large sums
to produce them at trial. These two men are now
wandering upon the EARTH almost afraid to meet human
being, and pursued by the unseepng upes of remorse
One of them has left behind him lovely wife and
children the other is member of one of the Oldest
families in The State, and has for years been most elo
quent and popular leader OF The opposition party. One
Of them, the time of the detection OF the fraud in which
be became hextricaby involved and upon the fruits
OF which he had lived so long unsupported, Judge
on the bench l and we perceive that, by a upani-
nous vote of the legislature OF Pennsylvania, a few
days ago, the governor is called upon formally TO
remove him from office, What lesson for the young
men OF America!
In both these cases. is doubted that the fate OF
the principals is only the beginning OF the end The Gar
diner conspiracy is known 10 involve others in The wide
sweep OF its astounding details, II was monsous
po and ii stands out upon history warning to fu-
ture times and future men, and at the same time as
poisonous blot upon national escutcheon There ia
moreover, much to believe that this s,upendous
crime is not the only committed by high and niuen.
ta politicians since the defeat Of the democratic party in
is4s. Success. in many instances, covers multi
tude Of sins; and when recall the events Of our re-
cent experience and remember how vanly and how
long the attempt made bring one set OF combna.
tons to justice, we readily imagine how The tempt
alton Of being able to commit great offences with i'm
puniy has induced men, heretofore respected and con-
6ded in, 10 sink themselves the most criminal associ.
atoms
In regard TO the frauds under the pension laws they
are not OF recent origin 1t has been heretofore difficult
TO punish the guilty. bu, the existence OF spurious
has frequently been the of soicude among
homes, legislators and conscientious officers There is
something about fraud upon the peHson laws so revolt
ing and so debasing. that almost led TO doubt
the existence OF manly integrity and republican sincerity
when read the shameless details Of these attempts 10
muae statutes intended for The protection Of the brave
men whose vaIor has defended our flag or Of Their pow
eriy stricken widows or children.
In the last annual message OF President Pierce he re-
ieed TO ibis subject in the following emphatic language
Numerous and fragrant frauds upon the Pension Ba-
have been brought to gh, within the last year. and
in some instances, merired punishments indicted but,
in others guilty parties have escaped
through the want Of sufficient evidence
vcton, but in consequences of the provisions Of limitation
in tho existing laws.
"FIom the nature Of these claims the OF the
tribunals pas. upon them, and the mode in which the
proof is, OF necessity furnished temptations crime have
been greatly stimulated by the obvious difficulties of de-
lection. The defects Ia the law upon this subject
apperent ard fatal the ends OF justice that your early
action relating to It is most desirable"
Since this wetmed appeal The great fraud 10 Penn
sylvania has been discovered. Let hope ba, Con.
gress will longer delay in carrying ont the whole
some and judicious suggestions Of the Executive
We are enabled, from daily observation and expert.
ence fully appreciate the unsleeping activity of The
and bis cabnet-and, indeed, of all the
officers OF bis admnisation-n ferreng out the authors
Of the repeated and various frauds upon the treasury
and in enforcing the rigid practices of economy &C
cordng the example and The counsel of the fathers of
The republic. One year has elapsed since Franklin
Pierce inauguraed President OF The United States
10 single department Of the government, aloae be has
in that short time, noby proved bis title 10 the confidence
and the support OF his counymen Taught in the stern
school Of constitutional principles, and deeply imbued
with the idea that ours to be free also be frugal
he resolved, from the FIRST 10 change en-
rely The loose and venaI practices that had been al
most submaied into science OF fraud under another adj
and 10 initiate the rule of by
and impartial economy in the public expenditures The
abolition OF horde Of useless Offices, created to reward
political favories the abandonment OF the system OF de-