Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1856-01-05
Corruption In Conaress.


An exciting debate was incidentally in.
troduced in The House of Representatives.
on Thursday last, involving the character
ofcertain members in regard to bargains
ing Tor votes for Mr.. Banks, in which the
Pesnsy lvania delegation figured.
MI. Millward Of Pennsylvania. sa,d he
had been approached by one Of his col.
leagues who had proposed that If he would
vote for Banks, he (Milward) should be
made chairman of the Engraving or L,h-
osraphing committee, or Printing Conn
mltttee and have good thing of it,
Laughter and cries Of name him." "who
IS he." &c.
Mr.. Millward replied-"Mr. Pearce Of
Pennsy lvania."
This announcement caused great sensa.
ton, nearly all the members rising to the ir
feet and much interest was manifested in
all parts OF the hall.
MIR Banks, amid great confusion, denied
emphatieaIIy anybody had authority to Of
fer such propositions from him.
MIR. Pearce rose AMID cites of "crder,"
let's hear him. clown in 'front.'" He
said he had not been authorized BY Mr..
Banks to make such pledge 20 MIR. Mill
ward or anybody else, although few mo.
menis ago he asked that gentleman how
he would like to be chairman Of the COM
mitteee on Engraving. Laughter.
MiilwaId asked MIR. Pearce, did you
not say that il II was no. against ms COM
SCIENCE to vote for Banks, could make a
good thing OF it : Laughter | asked
how? You replied. that could be made
chairman OF the printing. llthographing OF
engraving committee" asked how do
you know l can be made chairman, when
you responded II have just had con.
versatiou with Mr.. Banks, who said that
any promise shoula make you'd be car
ried out BY him."
Mr.. Pearce. l deny what my COL
league has said He has m,sconstrued nv
remarks.
Mr.. Millward. could not miscon.
strue them. Great confusion mingled
with cries Of order
MIR. Humphrey Marshall remarked that
he had advised Mr.. Mllward to make the
exposition.
Mr.. Pcarce. 1 alluded to the matter
merely in play fulmanuer TO my colleague
Laughter.
Mr.. Miliward. l don't consider 1t play,
sir.
Mr.. Florence. Such thing is disgrace
| full Ia our State, (Pennsy lyania.) and were
II in order l would at once move COM
miltee OF Investigation.
| MIR. Miiward, Ito Nj. Pearce) Did
you not tell me that Mr.. Banks assured you
in case voted Tor him, he would give me
VIVA: you promised
| MIR. Pearce. l did not.
nr. Millward (emphatically say you
did. Hac you any conversation at all
with MIR. Banks
| MI. Giddlngs. Chs form standing out
prominent amid the stormy calmly ex-
pressed the opinion that the House had
enough OF these proceedings.
| MIR. Banks. No man has any assurance
from me with regard to the formation Of
Committees. stand, il elected TO thr Office
I'll Speakeiship, perfectly Tree to do what
is .'ight and proper for myself, for the coun-
try and OF that am the judge and for
doing which | would be responsible to
the Ho. Use aud the country, Applause.
Mr.. +. ,dd sald hr trusted his colleague
(Mr. Nl.i.varJ) would oe more guarded
hereafter i'll attacking the character OF gem
tlemen. The Pennsylvania delegation are
independent, gu arded by right and truth
acting inteIhg emily, asking no pledges, and
guilty of no lal> pl'etences
Mir. Millward said he was not to be
frightened by ben, tod that be must be
guarded. He had OILY alluded to one gen
leman from Pennsylva nia, ana that was
Mr.. Pcarce.
Mr.. Campbell of Prnnsy 'vani, =, remars-
ed that he had frequently me, Mr.. nahAs
socially. and he had never heard h WI az
any time or under any circumstance III "iAe
any remark which could be construed l.. -
10 a pledge.
MIR. Paine thought that the House ought |
to be obliged 20 Mr. Millward for his rev
elatiop. He (Mr. Paine) heard Mr.. |
Pearce say that he had assurance from Mr.. |
Banks that the latter would so constitute |
of Pennsylvania. He could prove the |
fat.
Mr.. Pearce replied that lie had assur.
ance that Pennsylvania interests would |
be cared for, but he never had it from Mr.. |
Banks, but from his own colleagues.
Mr.. A. X. Marshall said he was per-
ierty satisfied that !. these charges were
true they untitled Mr.. Banks for the Speak
eiship. In consequence of The absence
Of some members. psoof cannot now be pro-
duced, as other revelations might be made |
He desired that all further voting BIZ dis
psnsed with to- day.
After some further discussion the episode
ended, and the House again voted for
Speaker.