The Nevada journal., 1854-10-06

during the last session of Congress to pro-
cure an extension of the patent of Col.
Colts revolvers. The effort failed, and
certain whispers of undue influence and
bribery called out an examination:by Con-
gress into the whole matter. The COM
mittee filled TO procure evidence Of any
direct bribing of members, but sufficient
facts transpired to show that members of
Congress are not above suspicion, and that
every practicable species of inducement
are brought to bear to put such schemes
through Congress. The testimony before
the committee, which we find in an Allan
tic paper, is deserving of notice, and re-
minds us very forcibly Of certain transac-
tions in the late California Senate.
Mr.. Clingman, M. c. from North Car
olina, testified that one D. A. ". Wright,
attache of a New York paper, told him the
passage of the extension act would cost
Colt sixty or seventy thousand dollars
that he had said this was the computation
Of Colts brother and a certain member of
Congress, whose name Mr.. C. declined
giving. Mr.. Colt had offered him a pair
of handsome revolvers, which he refused
to accept. Hon. MIR. Jones of Tenn told
him that Nicholson, edit.r of the Wash
ington Union, has remarked to him, in the
office of that paper, "Jones, l heard a man
say you could gel $4,000 if you vote for
the Colt bill.' Mr. Jones said he did not
enquire who the man was.
Mr.. Dickerson, of New York, it was as.
certained, was an agent of Colt, 10 procure
the necessary legislation, and was there
fore not likely to prove very willing wits
ness. Day wanted a conference, and was
told by him to call. They met-these
traficers in congressional legislation. Day
said he represented certain members of
Congress and outsiders, who could pass or
defeat the bill, ands demanded fifteen Mou-
sand dollars for them. Dickerson, in his
testimony, says: 81 told him that knew
who his friends were: that they were a
set of low letter writers, and that I under
stood his plan of attack, which was to libel
Col. Colt and me, and all concerned in the
business and that would rather pay him
and them something, than be libelled and
abused in the papers," He says the mo.
ney expended did not exceed SIS 1000
and the present OF thirty or forty revolvers.
Wright testified that Hon. Mr.. Dean
complained that "lady" had importuned
him to vote for the bill-and had confess
ed she had received box of kid gloves
from Colt, for her influence How far she
had exerted that influence with others
does not appear, but it may be imagined
that handsome and not too prudish women
might be used to advantage in getting
members to do what their consciences
might teach them was improper We
don't send many Josephs to Congress.
One way Of exerting female influence is
explained in the testimony of Mr.. Jones, oi
Tennessee, who states that when the vote
was being taken on swindling railroad
bill, he was called into the ladies' gallery
by two fair creatures, and coaxed very
hard to remain till after the bill had passed
but tore himself away in time to vote
against it.
Horace H. Day testified that Mr.. Dick.
erson, agent for Colt, had offered $4,000
or $4,000 to be used among the reporters
to secure their influence.
1t is shameful that suspicious even
should obtain SO foulIy against those who
constitute the machinery of government.
But thank God, country is never de-
moralieed while its people are true-the
ephemeral holders of power are swept
away by the superior power that created
them, when their baseness is known
There are many Conscientious men in Con-
gress, who do their duty faithfully with an
eye to public interests; but that political
Judases also get there, if it needed proof,
is proved by the very nature of this at
tempt of Colt and his agents.
SHOOTING MATCH.-A grand shooting
match is to come off at the Union Race
Course on Saturday of next week. A purse
of Fifty Dollars is offered by Mr. Hughes,
which. we are inclined to think, will be
sufficient to draw out some pretty sharp
shooting. This being kind of sport very
much delighted in by the majority of men,
there will doubtless be great competition.
The shooting is to be with open sighted
r,no, 40 ,,orl, "a" booJ Pn