The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1857-01-24
THE INTEGRITY OF CONGRESS.

We have not INDUCED in any conjectures to the char
Of the developments that may be made by the special
investigation now going in regard to alleged corrup-
ton in the House of Representatives 1t may out
that the charges 80 confidently made unounded and
if such is the shall not regret the result The
promptness and energy with which the investigating
mittee have prosecuted their abors will for its
port whatever it may be- the public confidence and
necessary consequence result in much good But without
anticipating the consequences that may follow the abors
of the committee we deem it matter of special moment
that the committee have reported and Congress has passed
bill which is calculated to elevate the character of
federal legislation and for the proceedings of the
two houses much more of public confidence and respect
than they have lately enjoyed The passage of the bill
for the punishment Of conumacous witnesses consti-
tues an important in congressional legislation and
the promptness and unanimity with which it en-
acted will do more relieve the House Of Representa-
ves from the suspicious cast upon portion of its
beers than any step that could have been taken. We
visions but they are such defects will neutral
lie its efficacy, and such experience will develop and
call for amendment is solid objection the law
that its necessity suggested by special Most
Of our statutes have similar origin but being made
not liable to objection because they suggested by
special case If more time had been taken the bill might
have been more perfect bat what might have been gained
in this respect might have been lost in the moral effect of
prompt and decided remedy for evil which threatened
to defeat the ends of justice.
must be apparent that something decisive was
sary public confidence in the integrity ocongres
siona legislation Charges had repeatedly been made
through columns Of journals divide circulation that
legislation of Congress had become system Of pill
lage and plumber that the public mind becoming rap
idly impressed with suspicion that the charges true
When specific charge made, duplicating large
number of the members in schemes of bribery and
rupon felt that the House of Representatives owedt to
Its own character to institute investigation We thought
the House erred in manesting disinclinaon
into the Investigation upon the charges OF newspapers and
their correspondents But the investigation was order
ed, 1t is not material to comment the untepable
grounds assumed by those members who deemed it be-
heath the dignity of congressman to notice charges of
rupon made by the press. All agree in awarding to
Speaker Banks praise for the udcious selection of
mitte and their conduct has already fully INDICATED the
justice of this praise If they effect more, they will
nave achieved great good in bringing upon the statute
DOCK law which will hereafter enable either house to
'ihoioae its character for purity and integrity 1t is
~" "ncn cuts up by the roots the outrageous idea that
WITNESS can listen to dishonest proposition and when
oeo 70 testify that he shield himself under the plea
s' nc recevee the proposition in confidence The very
' nat the witness would receive such communication
" '0dence places him in attitude so suspicious that
ioomos was well warranted in charactorzng the
as the code of honor amongst rogues The
PSseo aDoshes this CODE and opens the way to restore
CONGRESSIONAL legislation to that purity which it must
"'''"'A'n the government is worth preserving.
governor Newell, of New Jersey, inaugurated at
Trenton on Tuesday last
The Secretary of the Treasury has purchased two lots in
dubuque Iowa. site for the new custom bonae autbor