Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-02-04
Corruption in Congress.


Congress was engaged in some interesting pro-
ceedings connected with the charge OF cCrrup-
ton preferred against certain unknown MEM
bers of the House. It will be recollected that
the charge was made by the Washington cor
respondent of the New York Times in his let
ter of the 9th of january, and reiterated by the
editor of that paper. member from New
York brought the matter to the attention OF the
House, and Mr.. Paine, of North Carolina, stated
on the floor that to his own certain knowledge
there was too much truth in the charge. The
House mt once orderetla Committee of lnvesti-
cation. called ''for short" the corruption Com
mittee," of which Mr.. Orr, of South Carolina,
was appointed Chairman. This Committee pro-
ceeded forthwith to summon witnesses and take
testimony. Difficulties, however, Immediately
arose. One of the Washington letter writers,
named Chester, refused to attend when sum
moned as a witness, and the Sergeant-at-Arns
was ordered to arrest him. He was captured in
Philadelphia, whittier he had fled, aud both Of
iicer and prisoner were detained there several
days by the snow. Simonton, the Times cor
respondent, obeyed the summons, but refusing
to answer questions propounded by the Com
mittee, his contumacy was reported to the House
on the 21st ult.
From the report of the Committee, submitted
by Mr.. Orr, it appears that Simonton testified
that he had been approached by two members
of Congress who after obtaining his promise OF
secrecy, said that certain measures pending be-
fore Congress fought to pay" that the parties
interested in them had the means to pay; that
they individually needed money, and that they
desired him to arrange matters in such way
that if the measures passed they should receive
pecuniary compensation. Others, he said, had
indicated Il desire to talk with him on the sub
iect. but he had warded it of, not giving them
an opportunity to make an explicit proposition.
When pressed to diyulge the names Of the two
members alluded to, the witness refused TO do
so. on the ground that he could not without a
dishonorable breach of confidence.
This is remarkable state of affairs. Mr..
Simontons sense OF honor is certainly very acute,
and suggests the idea Of that sort Of honor
which is said to exist among thieves. 1t is pre-
posterous to suppose that any upright and sane
man would consider himself bound to preserve
the secret of couple Of rogues who thrust
themselves upon his confidence.
The House, on motion OF the Committee, a.
dopted resolution that Simonton be arrested
and brought to the bar to answer for contempt
An officer proceeded to execute the order, and
in few minutes returned with the prisoner
He was introduced into the Hall and made his
statement. "Certain gentlemen, Tho said, "came
and bound him to secreSy, he not knowing what
they had to communicate He had right to
receive their confidence, aud had not volunteer,
ed charges against anybody which should make
it necessary that he should violate confidence
Having become morally convinced that corrup-
ton did exist, he felt it his right as member
of the press to denounce it. He had stated tc
the Committee that he had no personal knowl
edge of fact. Was it right, he having no cor
roborating testimony, to press him to answers?
Still perssting in refusing to answer further, ne
was continued in close custody for the balance
of the session, or until discharged by order o.
the House.
On the following day the House passed bill
more efiectually to enforce the attendance OF
witnesses or the summons of the House. which
was passed by the Senate also, on the 23d, by
an almost unanimous vote. The bill provides
that any person wilfully refusing to give testi-
mony or produce papers before any committee
shall be liable to indictment for miSdemeanor,
and on conviction to pay tine OF not moro than
81 900, nor less than 500, and beimprsoned in
the penitentary not more than one year or less
than one month.
On the 25th Smonton addressed long letter
TO the National Intelligencer, in defence of his
course, which appears in that paper OF the goth
After asserting his own integrity of purpose and
conduct throughout his past life, and appealing
to the editors personal knowledge of him to ver-
ify the declaration, he gives narrative OF the
proceedings before the Committee. He contends
that the Committee had no legal right to ques
ton him further after his statement that he had
no knowledge of any fact duplicating members.
In the worst view of the case the two members
were only tempted to do wrong; he does not
know but they instantly repented; and he gave
them no opportunity to say the whole thing
was Joke lie, however, had indicated two
witnesses to the Committee, who disclosed
facts. which one or moro members will have
to explain away or not as they can.
To plain honest people the manner in which ST.
monitor was approached, looks like afsetalso, and
seems to Justify the Committee in demand
inc to know who the parties are. The honor
of Congress is at stake, ard every means short
OF those used by the Spanish Inquisition should
he employed to obtain the desired information.
If the members were joking, let them say so,
and then let them be punished for the untimely
lest. The matter was no fit Subsection '.oke. ="
But towards the conclusion of Simonton's let
fer. there is q passage which throws veil OF
painful mystery around the affair. Referring
to his reasons for refusing to answer, he says
sthere is at least one other, in which | can have
no personal interest, which imposes on me an
obligation of silence SO delicate and so soul-har
rowing that ii it could be mentioned it would
secure me the sympathy of every human being
of refined sensibility.'
After the above was written We received
Baltimore paper from which we learn that Mr..
Chester appeared before the House on the 29th,
and satisfactorily explaining is conduct, was
discharged from custody. lie went to Phila-
de,phia on urgent private business expecting to
eet back in time to testify before the Committee,
but was detained there by the snow storm.
The Volcano!
The Rockingham Register corrects our state
- loot ,rnnL that Inlra KenneY had re-