The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-05-07
rHE REIGN OF FRAUD.

place in the position Of assaing Mr. Fillmore because
the most OF these enones occurred during his portion Of
these four years, We have always entertained high per-
sonal respect Tor Mr. Fillmore and far this feeling
red us have been disposed hold him account
able for the shortcomings Of his immediate advisers
than we to hold General Taylor responsible when the
Galphin corruption coasnmmated under the distn-
gushed patronage Of his cabinet officers Thus much for
our personal feelings in the matter How the wings would
treat democratic administrations democratic President
under similar circumstanceswe leave the reader decide
for himself Even portion Of the wing press il
far lost to decency To gather up and believe the vile crop
Of ISLANDERS against President Pierce whose administration
marked bya rigid and consistent adherence constitutions
al principles and by devotion to frugality and economy
that will render his presidential eminent pa
otsm and integrity his past life has been marked by
unselhsh and singeheared devotion the of State
rights and republican simplicity.
Nor shall the National bateiigeneey put into the po-
son of assailng Ex-Governor Ramsay of Minnesota We
happy TO notice from that paper that the charges against
Mr. Ramsay have been dsproved Certainly far this
journal is concerned have remembrance of having
pursued him with the acrmony and injustice alleged by
the AneHigencr Alluson was indeed, made TO his
to matter Of public commentary but the idea Of retailing
and exaggeratng unounded charges and Of condemning
him in advance is too revolving to feelings to have
been encouraged in these columns least since they
come under control None could rejoice sincere
y than do that he has been onoraby and fully released
from the mputations sought to be thrown upon him.
Thus much for Governor Ramsay, to whom made al
fusion in the article upon which the tgacer comments
with such unwonted animation Friday That article is
characterized by the aeugene "a reckless wholesale
generalization Inasnuch therefore, specific de-
manded, we will accommodate the wing organ with few
Of those at handpremsing by the remark that it is
strange that the wings should be railing in chorus with
the outlawed sanderer Of the New York Herald against
President Pierce who has sgnalized himself by his
cessn resistance and exposure Of corruption while at the
time they demand undying fame for Mr. Fillmore
der whose dignfed administration most odious
transactions were permitted to mature.
Referring to the Galphin fraud, the Lteuigeacr
| marks:
Another of the frauds which this sweeping
denunciaton of the wing administration Is doubt in
tended to include the Gaphn claim called-not
withdrawing the irresistible evidence put before the public
officially and otherwise that this claim had been allowed
valid BY the democratic administered under Mr.. Polk
notwithstanding the proofs adduccd that the State Of Geor
gia had recognised the claim Of interest and that the
United States in assuming the debt stood in the
place ofGeoga and much bound pay
the principal But happened that the gentleman
who had been for the agent Of the claimants had
been selected by General Taylor Of his cabinet This
enough the reckless caumnator to furnish ground
for duplicating Of the distinguished wings in the
country in the frauds begun carried through
all their forms under democratic administration, and only
conummated under that of the wings matter in which
they had nothing to do but to eonsamma,e."
Probably the best answer to this paragraph is be
found in the speech of Mr. Brooks whg from New York
when the Gaphn report 10 the House of Repre-
scntaves in May 1850 lie the editor of the New
York Express. The action of Mr. Folks administration
was confined TO the principal of the claim and the whole
contest in reference the interest demand
ed, and subsequently secured. Mr. Brooks says:
There two very important questions oved in this
matter which would before the House and the country
and be settled Immediately the first is whether the Secre
of War should be interesting himself claims or in III,
collection Of claims, while holding the Office Of Secretary
and the second is whether the the Treasury
should trpe-nay nearly four times the of the
principal of claim interest when Congress in session
and when by law he has been called upon examine and
adjust the claim itself II the executive departments this
have any power necessity for this
House there necessity for Congress and it is in
that the people elect here hold their
strings IL the accounting officers OF tho
to be overruled by the Attorney General dsburse
public money without appropriation the part
gress. Here about $40 600 principal which said
have been appropriated by Congress- though thus ap
proprated think and nearly $500 600 interest which
orney General overriding and overriding the decisions of
the Comptroller Of the Treasury, The principle mostrou
and maintain before the people If such things
can be done, repeat there necessity for this body
hold the pursestrng and you may well 60 home
and abandon your treasury your Attorneys General You
may pile tariff upon tariff Pelion upon Ossa Won can
not raise revenue enough TO maintain the government
principle h established and you abandon treas
urr But II IT y 10 be esabishedf such Is the lawet II
at once be unders,ood-the the better. would
like to have the question decided and decided now would
like TO have before the people, whether by forcble i'm
pcaton BY construction Of the accounting officers or the
Attorney General, the public money 10 be appropr
ated away would like to have it decided whether we are
to permit the giving away Of 500 600 after dav upon
any such construction the gentleman Georgia NAV
give to this lawwhctbcr authorizing only examination
and adjustment Of claim at the reasurywhether we are
hereafter cxpcnd millions upon millions dollars upon no
better authority than this"
Mr.. Schcuck another well-known whig said in the
same debate:
~ inquired Of whether believe It to be proper that
the Secretary Of War while holding Office rs the head of one
the departments Of the government should or
be Interested Mr. Crawford was the prosecution of
claim against the And being thus inquired Of
say win not shrink from my duty Of answering and am
compelled TO declare that do think that proper Such
Is the answer which shall propose by my amendment; II
the answcr which shall be 20 give in some
shape by my vote do not wish enlarge upon the evils
hat might arise from the recognition practice the
act OF relation which thus condemn that wish 10 say
on Tue subject This that do not think the head OF one Of
your departments should have claim depending be in
eretcd IN it prosecution before any Of the other de-
partments Of the government Of which he Is component