Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-02-10

Congress, Yesterday.
Both branches of Congress were engaged yesLer-
day in the consideration Of private bills In the
Senate large number were passed. The bill for
the relief Of the owners Of the brig General Arm
strong was defeated.
In the House the bill extending Colts patent
was discussed for several hours, and was finally
defeated by a decided vote. During the discus
sion, rather exciting scene occurred between Mr.;
Clingman, of North Carolina, and Mr.. Edgerton, Of
Ohio We quote from the report of this mornings
Istelhgencer:
Mr. Edgerton resumed the remarks commenced
| by him on Saturday last in support of the bill He
said that the first intimation known TO him touching
| the integrity of members of the House was con-
tanned in an article of the E0eai,g Star" Of this
| city He called the attention of the committee TO
this article because he supposed it was written by
the reporter of that paper upon CHS floor, whom
| he presumed was one of its editors; 80 that this
| gross infamous SANDER upon the American Con-
| gress originated with man who gained admission
| to the House as a reporter A few days since the
| House expelled reporter because he refused to
testify before the select committee appointed to in
vestigate this subject and at the same time sus-
tanned the position taken by that witness that they
had no right to compel him to answer their ques-
| tons. But here was reporter who had slandered
1 the American Congress, and yet was permitted to
| occupy position upon this floor.
The charge which thus originated with the Star
of this city was afterwards reiterated in the "Sci
entifc American" of New York, the Evening
Post" of Philadelphia and in other papers and in
| which impressed upon the minds OF the people
the idea that the American Congress was q cor
rupt body. II was next repeated In the House by
an honorable member, and gentlemen gave cur
rency to it by standing up here and insnuating
that members Of Congress were open to bribery
and corruption, but yet had not the courage to
make specific charges against any one.
Mr.. Clingman. To whom does the gentleman
allude?
Mr.. Edgerton. alludc to any gentleman who
made general charge, without specification.
Mr.. CGngman IF any such remark was intended
to apply to me, it is gratuitous falsehood.
Mr. Edgerton. The gentleman cannot possibly
4 get up any personal controversy with me.
Mr.. Cnngman would not have made the re-
mark II the gentleman had not repeated his asser-
ton again and again the other day, and also to-day,
and felt it due that should make disclaimer
Mr.. Edgerton. All have to do is to state the
fact and that fact is, that member of the Amerl-
can Congress stood up in his place here and reit-
Grated this rumor.
Mr.. Clingman. When the gentleman says that
a member has not courage enough to make spe-
cifc charge, when he charges him with cowardice,
take it ne violates the rules of order. As he was
not called to order for it the other day, nor to-day
felt it to be my duty to repel the charge in the
way did.
Mr. Edgerton. doubt not that every member
of Congress has the courage to state what he be-
lieyes to be true. If he has truth to state have
no question but that he would give it utterance. 1t
is because he has not truth to state, because he
has not specific charge to Make that he confines
4 IN 10 tod
the gentleman did. Not being able to fix the
charge upon any body, he made general insnua-
| ton He did not fix ii upon any body because
| there was no truth to sustain it. This special
committee was raised to ascertain whether charges
1 could be made against members, not whether any
really existed. Hence termed it an inquisitorial
committee, and such believe it to be.
Daring Attempt to Rob the United States
/ fS2OO ,OOOl
Is the exclamation of the National Democrat over
| the following extraordinary letter:
WASHINGTON, Dec. 20, 1854
! can send you some rich facts in relation to an
effort made by Forney, Cushing and the President,
to force Secretary Guthrie to surrender Illegally
SEC, 900 of the United States money into the hands
| Of the proprietors Of the Union At the close of
the last session of Congress, the House passed a
resolution increasing the pay of the employees of
ton, Judge Nicholson and Forney put in nearly
$20,000 extra pay as printers. But Secretary
Guthrie refused to allow it, as 1t did not come
within the intention Of the resolution of the House.
Upon this, Forney went to the President, who inn
mediately wrote to Guthrie, asking him to hold
open the case until he could ascertain the opinion
of the Attorney General This request was CON-
piled with, and Gushing wrote out long argument,
fortified by corroborating opinion Of distinguish
ed politician from Alabama. With these decisions,
Forney again called on the Secretary and demand
ed the $4,000; but the old Kentuckan still re-
fused, even without stopping to read Cushing's
long rgmarole. Said be, {" am as good lawyer
as Mr.. Gushing but this is not question of law
at ALL IL is simply question of fact, and Of the in
tention Of the House In the resolution" At this,
Forney took fire, and his language was 80 far in
sulting that Guthrie brought his sledge-hammer
fist down upon the table, as he exclaimed, "Well,
Iii be damned II pay it,"
Forney again went to the President and told him
that Old Guthrie says he win be id II he will
pay that money, when the President few into a
rage, shifting the table with bis first aud excaim-
ed, I'll be damned he shant pay it." He instantly
despatched note TO Guthrie, asking him TO csll at
the White House on the matter Of the "money
due the Union" The Secretary Immediately obey
ed the summons, and after some little talk said,
"Mr. President, l am your officer, but still am
responsible, 10 some extent, for the conduct Of my
department. and TO pay this money would not only
greatly damage my character, but is opposed TO
my sense Of right IL viii give me great pleasure
to resign, either voluntarily or on receiving let
ter requesting my withdrawal from YOU
This bold stand taken by the Secretary, put For.
ney, Gushing, and the President 10 their trumps.
Congress was to meet in twenty days, and TO allow
Guthrie TO resign at that time under such crcum.
stances, would be impossible to close. The matter
was therefore put of until the end Of the presen,
Congress. These are facts without embellishmen,
or eIaggeration.
We find the above going the rounds of the
press, and we insert il ON the authority Of the
National Democrat Of New York city. Ru-
mors, Of the scenes described In the letter,
have been for two months prevalent in
Washington. We have, Of course, no means
Of ascertaining the correctness Of the ale
cations made. II untrue, let the Secretary