Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-01-10
70 reoent charges against their intspritx sm

to recent charges against their integrity, en-
bra ed in the following extract from an edi.
toriai in the New York times
I'VE know that a corrupt org,niz alton o.
members Of Congress and certain lobby agent:
at w ashington has existed since early in the
session Of last year Wo are we'll satisfied
that this organization holds balance of pow.
er In It's hands sufficient in most cases to kill
or carry any measure pending in the House
at Representatives,, and that its power has
been exerted in favor of measures where its
price Isl 900 per vote generally or its equiva
LENT was agreed to- and that it has been used
to prevent favorable action on equally merito.
rious measures which were unable or unwil-
ling to submit to the piratical tribute"
Arguing that the position Of the editor Of
tho Times, as public man, added weight to
this allegation, Mr.. X commended for the pro-
priety Of an investig alton, and to that end,
moved the following preamble and resolution
Whereas certain statements have been pub
lished charging that members of this House
have entered into corrupt combinations for
the purpose of passing and Of preventing the
passage of certain measures now pending be.
fore Congress Therefore,
Resolved, That a committee, consist ing OF
Eve members, be appointed by the Speaker,
with power to send for persons and papers, to
investigate said charges and that said com
nittee report the evidence taken, and wha.
action in their Judgment is necessary on the
part of the House, without any unnecessary
delay.
Mr.. Paine, of North Carolina. scarcely knew
whether or not he ought to say anything in
relation to the matter that had been brought
to the notice of the House. He knew nothing
Of the editor of the Times, nor Of the journal
itself, nor Of any communication that had been
20 - g Il
whether what was there stated were true or
false but this he did know, that there had
been q proposition made in the House by one
of it's members upon this very subject
Cries of Who?" and Name him
Mr.. P. replied that he would not name tho
member. 1t was with feelings of Indignation
that he heard the proposition, and the reason
he did not resent it was because it would have
been a violation Of the rules of the House
He had not announced the matter to the
House because, during the struggle to effect
an organization of the body, when member
rose in his place and stated that An attempt
had been made to tamper with him in the
election of Speaker, the only credit no re.
ceived for his development was laughter and
the charge was made that he did not accept
the bribe because there was no such place 10
be had as that which was rendered him. Mr.
p. would now state that there was not a want
of truth in the article that had been read and
that distinct proposition had been made by
a member of the House, and in regard to the
Minnesota bill, that fifteen hundred dollars
would be guaranteed a member to vote tor
that bill. If the proposed committee should
be raised, ard he be called upon, he would be
ready to give his evidence.
Cries of I" Let Us have the committee -
Mr.. A. K. Marshall, of Ky, suggested tina
the resolution should be so amended as to base
it upon MIR. Paine's statement rather than on
tho article Of the Times.
Cries Of mo, no ~
Mr.. Phelps held that the fact that the edi-
tor of the Times has been, up to very recently,
the Lieutenant Governor OF New York, en-
titled his statements (charges) made By MIN
to as much attention on the part Of the House
as that Of the gentleman from North Carroll
ma.
MI A. r. Marshall conceived that it was of
little importance what had been that editor
former position; and that it would better com
port with the dignity of the House to base its
action in such q case upon the statement of
one of the body. He also urged that the res
olution should be made to embrace all such
attempts that might have been made upon the
floor of the House.
Mr. Campbell, of Ohio, was opposed to oc.
cupying the time Of the House at this late
period Of a short session with such action,
based on mere newspaper statement. If it
was proposed to base it on the statement of
the honorable member from North Carolina,
he would vote for it. He moved to amend the
preamble by adding to it as follows:
And whereas a member of this House has
stated that the article referred to is not want.
ing in truth.
Mr.. Orr did not think that the proposed
investigation would occupy time unnecessarily,
and held that the House, to vindicate its own
dignity, should at once or der the proposed
investigation.
Mr.. Grow concurred with the gentleman from
South Carolina that grave charges against the
integrity of a deliberative body, when made
by newspapers of any character or position in
the country, were proper subject for the in
vesugation of those against whom they were
directed. lie therefore raised no question az
to the propriety of the course proposed by the
resolution before the House. His principal
object in rising, however, was that the impress
sion might not be made upon the public mind,
by the case that had been referred to by the
gentleman from North Carolina, that the House
was willing to pass over in silence a charge Of
corruption against ono Of its members. Mr.
q accordingly stated the circumstances Of the
case advorted to by Mr.. Paine, which, Mr.. u.
held, originated in playful pastime
Mr.. Brooks thought it due to the Speaker
that the House should not throw on him tho
duty Of selecting the committee in suoh case
The Onus Of its selection should be on the
House. lie therefore submitted the following
substitute for the resolution Of Mr.. Kelsey:
NCsoiCeI, That committee Of FIVE be elect
ed On to morrow at one o'clock, to investigate
the charges Of corruption which have been
brought To the notice Of the House, and that
said committee be empowered to send for per-
sons and papers.
Mr.. Walker held that to adopt this substitute
might create the impression that the House
distrasted the Speaker He also thought th at
an investigation should take place upon such
charges made by any party whatever.
Mr.. Brenton remarked that perhaps it was
due to himself to say something before the
resolution was voted upon, because it was
known to all the members Of the HJuse that
the Minnesota land bill had been placed in
his hands alone, as member Of the Commit.
tee on Public Lands, fer examination and re-
port He had acted Oh this as on other sub
jects, and would receive informatiO from me n
residing in Minnesota, and would act indie.
pendently on every proposition which might
be submitted for his consideration As to
whether any influence had been exerted upon
any member OF the committee with a view m