Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1857-01-17
CoSTuptton--Lo Agents-A B0mbshett-
Ftutteration--A .few things an connection,

ClC.
WAsHISGTos, Jan. 10, 1857. :
The New York Daily Times, If the 9th inst,
contained both letter from its Washington
correspondent and an editorial article based
thereon, charging at least forty members of
Congress with gross corruption, and forming,
with .'tle gentleman of the lobby" coInbi-
nation Sufficiently strong to pass or revent
the passage of any bin whatever. The word
''scoundrels" was mentioned in tie connect on,
and the Minnesota Land Bill was designated
as one OF the plumber schemes.
These newspapers articles occasioned not a
little excitement among the honorables. The
charges were SO sweeping as to expose every
member, no matter how honest, TO the suspi-
cion of the country. An parties were accused
ofcorruption, aud the editor of the Times said
be could produce evidence to make good his
startling assertions.
The House yesterday afternoon, having been
engaged in the consideration of private bills
and passed score of them, the members be
gan TO put on their shawls, overcoats, and
bats anticipating al immediate adjournment,
when Mr.. kelsey, of the Republican" party,
from The State of New York, risug to 3 ques-
ton of privilege (the highest known in the
parliamentary law,) offered resolution for
the appointment of Il select committee of five
members to Investigate the grave allegations;
with power to send for those important aids,
persons and papers"
The Introduction of such q resolution was
anticipated; but, notwithstanding some of the
members were thus prepared for it, the actn>
al bringing forward of the proposition produc-
ed the greatest possible flutter, and sharp,
spirited debate ensued. At first several gen.
tlemen were not disposed TO dignity the accus
stations of the New York Times editor with an
investigation, for similar charges have over
and over been heretofore made and passed by
in cOntemptuous but digni6ed silence. But q
new turn was soon given to the entire affair
Mr.. Paine, of North Carolina, a distinguished
member Of the American party, plainly and
boldly asserted that the article in question
was not wanting in truth; for last December,
member, whom he would not n0to name, had
offered him fifteen hundred dollars for his
vote for the Minnesota Land Bill. Great was
the anxiety of the majority to know the name
of the offender; but they may soon be satisf-
ed only through the agency of the select COM
mittee
Mr. Sneed, another member of the Ameri-
can party, remarked that Mr.. Paine, at that
time, acquainted him with the facts and that
he had committed them to writing. And he
(Mr. Sneed) also refused to tell the name of the
accused. He was not at liberty to do so. The
debate finished, the resolution for the appoints
ment of a select committee was adopted. 1t
consists of Messrs. Kelsey, Orr, Davis, of Ma
ryland, Richie, and Warner.
a member from Mississippi (Mr. Barksdale)
wished to make inquiry on another subject,
but was not permitted to introduce a resolu
ton for that purpose. 1t having been charged
that the members had sold their books, he
wanted the investigation 10 cover that point.
Truly, the morality of members of Congress
seems to be grade or two lower than in times
past; or, perhaps the facilities for discovering
their imperfecLions are more numerous than
heretofore
1t has likewise been charged, but never con-
tradcted, that members of the House have sold
their eligible seats in the Hall for pecuniary
cunsideration-say fifty to a hundred dollars
and taken positions in ''Sleepy Hollow" or
on ''the frontiers" But, although the act is
not such as would be eagerly seized by bog
rapher as gem to adorn the life of his sub
ject, there is nothing actually fraudulent in
such transactions. IL is a bargain and sale,
the parties trading with their eyes open. The
propri9ty of the transaction is another matter
and one on which your readers Can make their
own comments.
Far be it from your correspondent to lessen
the character OF Congress; he would prefer to
elevate the members, adding his mite for that
purpose on all proper occasions; but he may
mention a fact that may not be generally
known, to show that stationery, among some
of the members, is interpreted to mean hats,
pantaloons, breast pins, earrings, hack-rides,
&c. BY resolution of the House, a certain
=, l. L. In.
ton was passed to prevent stealing by one Gf
not more) of the members, few years ago. a
representative, who was the publisher of pa.
per, at that time distracted his wrapping pa
per from the public storehouse under the
pretence that it was necessary TO enable him
to discharge his official duties! Hence the al
lowance for stationery. But some of the men,
bers have no occasion for the supply which
could be purchased with so much money. SO,
when they buy such articles as those to which
alIusion has been made, they cause the mer
chant or trader to make out his bill for sta
tiOnerY this, as weihave already remarked, be-
ing term To include even boot blackingl The
account is presented and paid at the proper Of
fee; and it is nobody's business to ask ques,,
tons. These are facts, and the practice has ex.
listed ever since the distractions of the afore-
said Western editor.
We should have mentioned, in the former
part of this letter, that there is no doubt what.
ever of q strong combination Of lobby men,
bers, industriousy at work, trying to press to
a passage laws, professedly for the interest Of
the country, but in fact to benefit themselves;
particularly grants for railroads. Some ofthose
gentlemen are ex members of the House, which
truth gives them the privilege of the floor,
and they may frequently be seen circulating"
among the "lIouorables, )" talking about other
matters than the state Of the heather, and the
last chop" at the hotel.
Affairs are now redaced to this; that the
most desirable measures are regarded either as
So many ''inlernal machines" or as covering
up rank and fostering corruption, and :he best
men are liable to be included with those whose
moral aud political virtues would not CON-
Insnd premium even among q Murrel-gang.
VERITAS.