Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-01-03

in consideration Of the SPECTATORS usual punc'u-
ality.
Rich Scraps from tn. Beautiful Record
of Henry A. Wise
II hiss been asserted in high quarters that there
is not a single flaw in the political record oil Mr..
Henry A. Wise, the Democratic candidate for
Governor and grave attempt has been made to
show that his heart "has ever been with pure and
indebted Democracy. We have heretofore
presented few facts in the political history ol
that gentleman. Of themselves sufficient to upset
the ludicrous claims to immaculate consistency
which are seriously urged by his Democratic
friend, in these latter times. By way of'cllnch-
inc the nail,n however, let us turn again tor
moment to tina, brilliant portion Of Mr.. Wlse's
career in which he acquired all the reputation
that he now possesses. In the year 1893 he was
acting with the Wing party, and we shall en-
deayur to show from the "chrunlcles ofhe times. 4"
and from no less competent witness than Mr..
Wise himself, that his heart was with the Wing
party too,
On Friday. the 2lst day of December, 1883,
| Mr.. Wise made celebrated speech in the House
of Representatives, which occupied, when printed
ts.n,v-eight columns in the National Intelligent
cer-amust as lengthy as his speech in the Viz
qina Convention, the publication Of which was
commenced in the immortal "Supplement." but
we believe never concluded. That speech in the
House of Representatives was remarkable, not
only for its extreme length hut for its fierce as
sault upon existing corrupticns, its bold denun-
citation of certain officials. and its convincing
proofs of the speakers deadly hostility to Den'oc-
racy, which he preferred to denomnate. in The
bitterness of his heart, Locofocoism. The spe-
cial subject Of that harangue was the detalcaon
of somewhat noted individual. named Samuel
Swar,wout. who had been appointed Collector al
New York. and subsequently, proved deiaulter
to the tune of 81 300, 0J0-its special object in
exnsure OF tina, vile corruption Of the Admins
tration. generally, and of Levi Woodbury.. the
Secretary of the Treasury, in particular. Fran
this speech we propose To Gull few extracts,
which will doubtless satisfy the public that Mr..
Wise stands now precisely where he stood in 1888
The Honorable gentleman commenced his re-
marks by laying down the following proposition.
Let him speak for himself and the public will
better understand him:
Let gentlemen understand me. Imeasure my
terms speak in no spirit Of brayado. dcctam
not when say that. If a majority of this House
would do their duty without fear. favor. or atfec
lion. the Secretary of the Treasury would befipre
this House adjuurns, be impeached. IL ever a Tel
ON deserved the hangman's knot the Secretary OF
The Treasury. Levi Woodbury., deserves impeach-
ment! That is the proposition which viii now
proceed to demonstrate"
Mr.. Wise proceeded to review the history OF
the previous jackson Administration. of which he
saws the administration OF Van Buren, was only
continuation-''a different stage Of the same dis
ease" and declares that although the Admins
tration of Gen. Jackson came into power profess
edly reform Administration" as soon as 1t ''had
been bong enough in power 10 conceise tnquity and
bring forth co,ruptoa and crime. oorse-fcnto'd
biaeker than had ecer before been perpeirdted," a
different tone was heard from 1.-The party"
"The cry of corruption was now heard from an
other quarter-the trumpet blast came loud and
lone from 4 different point OF the field. The Post
Office Department was first charged with every
crime in the calendar of malverSati0n and NAL
feasance in office. The charges were denied.
those who made them vilified, and investigation
was scorned and Scotfed at until the complaint be-
cane too popular TO be unheeded longer; COM
mittee was at last granted by both Houses of
Congress, their Investigations could not be stifled.
aud their reports from bath sides, in bUth branches
of Congress, eXpoSed more bribery and corrup-
ton, more fragrant violations of official duty and
crying abuses of official puwer ID trusts. than had
ever been charged or dreamed IL exist. The Adj
ADMINISTRATION made narrow escape; they ran Inc
gauntlet through this exposure, and they were ny
il tauuht lesson which they have ever since re-
membered-not foot;shiy again 10 grant on yem
TO another Investigation. To appease the public
Indignation MIR. Barry. the only honest man a
mlnu that den of thieves. was given over to the
tender mercies of-what? FOREIGN MISSION!
O B. Brown was permitted To resign with eclai
and the gains he had laid up against day Of rou-
BILE from the profits OF favored mail contractors and
the rest and wurs of the robbers were retained In
their places"
But Mr. Wise was not for permitting the Adj
ministraiion TO be '.rhipped and cleared' after
conviction upon indictment against one Depart
ment alone He believed that investigation was
more necessary in The Treasury Department than
any other. Although the knowledge of Swar-
wout's and other outrageous deiacatlOns "was
kept snugly concealed in the chamber OF MI
Woodbury's secret cabinet" Mr.. Wise guess
ed" great deal, challenged the opportunity Of
investigation, and in 1887, lit was granted"-
grudgingly. drlusively, hypocftically it is true,
but it was granted OF the disposition to cover
up the corruption Of the Government officials Mr.
Wise thus spoke, addressing himself 10 James x.
Polk, the Speaker Of the House:
Sir the whole party, from the President dawn
10 uou. sir. resored To every device to evade. and
finally defed and denounced. all inquiry and all
investigation. You all attempted TO bell the cot
You warned the rats. YOU hid them. After os-
tensby giving full scope in the resolution OF In
ouiry. to gull the People with fair pre,enslons,
Won shut the doors of the Departments; you 81
fenced all resolutions and interrpgaons In the COM
! mittee rooms -
Under tbs resolution of January. 1887, Com
u,ittee of investigation was appointed. Of which
MIR. Wise was Chairman. This committee,
which Mr.. Wise declares was "stocked" by MIR.
Polk. consisting of "sir good liege men and true.
to three in favor of investigation" made three re-
ports. Mr.. Wise gave at length the history of
that Committee and its investigations. and refer
RING to the letter Of the President. thus speaks of
Gen. jackson and Amos Kendall
Sir, the President, in this letter, prated about
the records of the Government an1 the public doc
nments as il he had read and examined them.
doubt whether he ever examined, or read TO exam
inc. any one subject thoroughly whilst he was in