Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1854-09-15
vEHALITY AND CORRUPTION AT
WASHINGTON.
THE VEIL PARTLY WITHDRAWN.

DARLINGTON.
THE VEIL PARTLY WITHDRAWN.
1t viii be remembered that, during
the recent session Of Congress. a Com
mittee was appointed for the purpose
Of investigating certain charges Of
bribery and corruption. Mr.. Letcher
was selected as Chairman. and subjoin-
ed is an extract from his report:
That the evidence does not show
that money has been offered to MEM
bers Of the present Congress for their
aid. influence, or votes in favor OF any
particular measure, nor does it show
that money has been Offered to induce
them to oppose any particular measure
which has been or is now before Con-
press: nor is there evidence to show
that they have been improperly influ-
enced in their action. The means and
appliances which are resorted to by in
terested parties, to secure the success
Of their measures are numerous, and
such as are supposed to be adapted to
the characters, views, necessities and
objects Of those who are to be iniluen-
ced. Ambitious views are held up 10
tempt some; pecuniary considerations
lave their influenced upon others; and
third class. who possess in high
degree, social qualities, who cultivate
and enjoy the pleasure Of social in
tercourse. have such temptations spread
before them in the greatest profusion,
and richest abundance.
Those who are employed in the
prosecution Of claims. or are endeay.
oring to secure the success ofmeasures
Of a personal or private nature, are
generally shrewd. experienced. and
intelligent. who have seen much OF the
world and its ways, and who have
schooled their thoughts and task
ed their energies to advise the
best means Of comprising their
ends. Such men. By their tact and
talent, know what means can be used
most effectively. what appliances will
be most likely to secure the end they
are seeking to attain, and as their prof
its are most generally contingcnl.they
are ready to use such as will. in then
view. apply to the case Of each indi-
vidual. Dealing with such men, it il
exceedingly difficult to get at the OK
act state OF facts, in such invesliga
tons rs this committee has been pros
ecuting, and hence it is that the evi
dence herewith presented proves tina
they have refused to respond to sucl
questions rs will show the amount o
money or other means which they
have used 10 secure the success Of th,
schemes in which they are interested
and the exact individual application o
the money. Agents. attorneys, ant
letter writers, have been employed, n
proven BY the testimony. to urge th'
passage Of Colts and other bills. ant
yet, when the committee came TO in
quire rs TO the amount Of money which
had been expended for these purpo
ses. il is found impossible to get defin
lie information that was in any deg @,
calculated to inform the Committee Ell
her as TO the amount expended. or n,
10 its application. Witnesses refuse,
to answer inquiries directed to then
on these points. on the ground tina
the Committee had no right To inquir'
into their '.private business" Sufi
cient. however. was obtained TO satisf,
the undersigned. that means had bee
improperly used to secure III
passage OF variousbills mentioned an
referred to in the testimony. that com
binations had been proposed an
formed by various interests. and thai
in some instances. these combination
had been successful. The undersigu
ed believe. that il Is clearly establish
ed by the testimony. that money ha
been literally used to secure the pass
age Of bills. and they verify believ
that much more evidence could b
procured. II time had been Above
the Committee to make more thor
ough investigation of,he fact connccte
with the measures which have been,C
are now. pending before Congress.