New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-01-16
Nemqmx Daiiu @ibm,re
THE COLT PATENT CASE.
Charges of Bribery and Corruption.
PURCHASE OF CONGRESSMAN AND REPORTERS
YDrCTIOys OF BANQUETs AND BEAUTY
INTERESTING REVELATIONS.
From Tho Daily Tribune Of ABgu'f D, 1884.


Cote Patent at the last session Of Congress caused
the House Of Representatives 10 take action 10 the
case. Accordingly committee was appointed, with
Dir. Letcher Of Virginia s Chairman, and after due
investigation report was made on the Sd inst From
that report we extract the following interesting pas
sages:
vIEws OF TIE COMMITTEE.
Ho1o Projects are got Through.-The means and
appliances which esored TO by interested parties
TO secure the success Of their numerous
and such as are supposed to be adapted to the char
acter views necessities and objects Of those who are
to be Influenced. Ambitious views are held up TO
tempt some pecunary considerations have their infu-
CT &c with others and third class, who possess in
high degree social qualities, who cultivate and
enjoy the pleaSuIes Of social intercourse, have
such temptations spread before them in the great
est profusion and richest abundance. Those who
are employed in the prosecution Of claims, or en-
deavoIDg to secure the success Of measures of per-
sons private nature, are generally shrewd, expert
enced, and intelligent who have seen much Of the
world and its wsys, and who have schOOled thei
beUghs and tasked their energies 70 devise the bes
nesns of co DpassDg their ends. Such men, by thei
tact and talent know what means can be used mos
efectivey-whst appliances will be most likely to
the end they are seeking 10 attain and as their
profits most generally contingent they are ready
10 such a. will In their view, apply 10 the case OF
each individual.
Female Influence EmDloyed.-Tbe money has been
used, as evidence shows, in paying the costs and
charges incurred in getting up costly and eItrayagant
entertainments 10 which ladies and Members Of Con-
e1ess and others were invited, with view of
futhering the success of this measure. The ladies
having been first duly impressed with the importance
of Colts Pistol Extension by presents of Partisan
gloves are invited to entertainments and the evil
dence shows that while there members OF Congress are
appealed to by them to favor this particular measure.
In the language of witness dead set was made at
the Hon. Gilbert Dean to induce him to 90 for the re-
newal Of Colts Pate MT Whether the same sort Of
social influence and appliance was brought to bear
upon others who were invited to dine or sup at that
handsome establishment we have no means OF ascer-
tanning, Mr. Dickerson has not given us the names
of his guests and has not therefore furnished us with
the means Of getting at the acts Mr. Dickerson seems
to have adopted the rule that
ITO reach the heart get the vote
The suIest way is down the throat"
A Ten. Thousand Dollar Brtbe.-We find that per-
sons who had determined TO oppose Cots Extension
unless they could get some shtsfactory arrangement
which weud protect aud promote their own interests,
after taking the necessary steps 10 make their opposl
ton effective returned home, and from that day 10 this
we hear nothing more of their opposition to Colts bill.
II ia in evidence also that contingent fee of Sl0OOO
has been offered by Dickason 10 active opponent of
Colts bill TO buy off his opposition and TO secure his
countensnce and support tc that measure These par
ties met several occasions TO agree upon the terms
and TO the disgusting details OF their conferences on
those occasions detailed by themselves, the under
signed invite the attention Of the House, assured that
there can be but opinion, and that entirely uniav-
OrDle both 10 Ddy ana Dfckersou.
RdscaHy Letter. Writers. The evidence shows
another important fact that the leer-writers for the
daily press who have been admitted to decks on the floor
of the House. very generally regarded as the most
efficient agents who can be employed by those who
have measures to advance. Although these letter
writer's before they obtain seat within the House
are required TO give personal pledge OF honor that
they are not "employed "a agents to prosecute any
claim pending before Congress" yet we find that in
utter disregard of this pledge aud its spirit they have
been employed in many of the railroad, patent, aud
other schemes which have engaged the attention of
Congress during the present session.
This class OF men, controlling the ne Fspaper CORES
popdence of the country modlng puolic opinion and
fixing the public estimate Of men, can exert power
over those desirous of notOriey, more Injurious aud
destructive than social influences or vena temptations
TESTIMONY OF THE HON. 7. l. cLIyGNAS.
An Anxious CLerk.-The Hon. Mr:Nobe of Mch
gan aso mentioned to in the House. last week that
he had had conversation with friend or acqualnt
ance of his, who, think, he represented to be q
Clerk in one Of the Departments this person expressed
great anxiety to him tina. the Patent bill should pass;
on his expressing his opposition this person vent on
10 say that it's Dassage would help him pretty smart
on Mr.. Mobiles asking him " How much y he s,id he
wou get 500 if it passed; l did not ask hun the
name OF the Clerk, nor do knoE in which of the De-
psrtments be is employed; Mr. Noble said he jocu-
arly and lauehipgly remarked 10 the Clerk that II the
sum was 600, it might be an object, but that s|Oo
was too small.
CArer Fellous.-Mr Matteson Of the House once or
twice remarked TO me, this extension Is altogether
wrong many Of our acquaintance, good, clever
fellows said he, are very anxious for the passage OF
this thing, and saying that II would be something
very handt for them it could psss but said he
il is altogether wrong; he said there was great
pressure by of acquar ances, who were good
clever fellows; they were urging lis passage, and
said il would be handsome thing for them inferred
that he did not aude TO Members of Congress, but 10
persons outsde he made of strong expressions OF
repUgnance 10 the measure.
ESltors an The Business-I one dsy spoke to the
Hon. g. w Jones of the House, and said 10 him that
understood some offers had been made, or something
had been said TO him the subject of Colts extension
He replied that gentleman had ssid TO him Jones'
that he the gentleman referred TO- had heard person
ray that he Jones' could get $50 600 if he would 60 for
this thing Mr. Jones SAID further that he did not ask
who ii was who made such declaration. then asked
Mr. Jones who was the person who made the statement
10 him. He answered that be would not tell. said
10 him that if he should be called before COMMITTEES
be would have TO tel. He answered did not make
sny inquiry about IT, In the evening OF the same day,
Saturday last, about sunset, as l was gong up the
avenue, | met Mr. Jones in front OF the hrkwood
House. Mr.. WaH0ch Of The Star Newspaper was
present or about the same spot. Mr.. Wsuach re-
manned in conversation with Mr.. Jones an Instant
while l was talking 10 another person. Mr. Jones
turned round and said 10 me, IN the hearing OF Mr..
Waach, think, ClingmaD, the man who spoke to
" me about that matter Nicholson, the Editor OF
The Union. He said 20 me one day when was In
" his Office, Jones, heard man say you could get
" ESQ 900 if you would vote for the Colt bill did
" not ask who the man was, nor did he say then
inquired of Nj Jones whether the remark was made
10 him in jest or earnest. He replied that be did
know, for be bad il quired nothing ABOUT il That
tie end Of the conV erssion.
Pistols Gr0tts.-l remember early IN the session,
few DAYS after made some remarks against the Colt
bill in the Houseiss was walking through the Capt..
fol grounds with the Hon. Mr.. Mace he referred 10
my remarks against the bill, and spoke Of efforts
max ing to get il through. Nov, said ne, II have
little son only eleven or twelve years OF age, 10 whom
am, Of course. very much attached; wsSnot aware
that any of these parties knew hsd soni but tse
other morning some one sent round handsome Colt