The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-03-09
Mr.. Perkins's RcsolutioR.-The Gardiner
Fraud


We look upon the adoption by the House OF Mr. PEI.
kinss resolution in regard the legal nvesg Of
the Gardiner raui, the inauguration of one Of The
most important OF the session. Public atten.
uon has been arrested by the vigilance and energy dis.
played by the executive branch of the government in
ierreling out and bringing punishment fraudulent a.
gressoEs upon the treasury Developments have been
made, from lime time which have distinctly indicated
the determination of the officers whose duty j, is to exc.
cute the laws leave exerions un,ried for the de-
lection and exposure OF guilty depredatos upon The treas
nry. The adoption promptly by the House Of MIR
Perkinss resolution is clear indication that the legss.
tive department, Of the ready 10 second III.
energetic and perseverng efforts Of the Executive TO wipe
out The stigma which has been upon the character Of
official morality by the daring and siupendous frauds
which bave BEEN perperaied within The last few year,
~ neither wise nor homes, in 10 shut eyes the
iac' mai he ooseness oil The official morality OF few
prominent public has seriously affected our national
Character and excited widespread popular ds,rust Of
The integrity OF political transactions This feeling had
more 10 do IN The triumphant election Of President Pierce
than is generally supposed In making this remark,
we would not deusct iTom the prominence which
was given in that contest to The principles OF paci6ca
ton and compromise which the democratic party
had united for the final adjustment OF the slavery ques.
ton, What design distinctly and emphatcaly to
say If, .sl during that canvass a strong impression
rested on the popular mind that change OF adminisl
ton was demanded. well perpetuar the setement
OF The slavery question restore proper standard Of
official and political morality il The dferen, departments
OF the government. Frauds upon The treasury Of the
most startling character believed TO have been per-
peated and names Of large influence were freely assoc
aied with the trantaeons President Pierce entered up.
his duties with io knowe ledge Of the popular sen
ment The subject aud with fixed determination 10
NEE. the responsibility with unshrnking courage The
results show that he has met the responsibility with
httlti aud But il s not enough that the ex.
culiye BRANCH OF The government should acqut itself
win untiring Industry aud fidelity in guarding the off.
ols morality Of lie officers agarsi suspicion and in bring
TX oren4era 10 ltcmp and condigu punishment To
accomplish Tie work q restoring pure and elevated
standard OF political ethics, the exeroas Of the Execu
tive musi be enesetcay seconded by The legislative de
pa'nent We regard Mr. Perkuss resolution as an i'm
poisnt movement moi merely towards the legal nyesl
CATION OF The Gardiner fraud. bot significant indies.
lion that the members Of Congress- feel The Importance
sustaining he efforts Of the Executive, and OF placing
the legislative branch ol government upon the same ELI,
waited platform OF morality with The executive and Judi
ciai departments.
Members OF Congress cannot have failed 10 observe
the persistent efforts ha, have been made 10 create The
Impression That appliances and influences can be brought
to bear upon Their action which are ireconciIsbe with
pure official morality These efforts are made BY some
men who affect much devotion viriuc and great aver
sion 10 vice and fraud, but who assume this garb only
stab the reputation OF their victims with more success
II strikes MS that The mot eff cual answer to such
saulis upon The Integrity of Congress will be given BY
such prompt and energetic movements for The detection
and punishment Of fraud and crime hat instituted BY
the adoption of Mr., Perkins's resolution For The mere
recovery of The money upawfoIy ab.trsced from the
treasury BY The accomplces Of DR.. Gardiner, we do mol
suppose that any acton Of Congress was necessary
Nor was there any necessity Tor congress iona action
with the view OF quckebing the energies OF the Execu
tive in The prosecution OF bose who may be regarded
guilty patcipators IN he plumber The attention OF the
Executive had been already directed with eafnesns"
and efficiency 10 The thorough inyeses cn Of the case
in all is beafings and connexions, To see bis ct
forIs so promptly and cordially sanctioned by the House
OF Representatives cannot be otherwise than crafty
ing 10 the executive officers who have the direction
OF the case The questions involved in the nvestga