The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-12-10
The Public Printer Caucus.
OUR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENTS


The Public Printing al Washingon-Democrac Caucus to
Nominate the Public Printer-Aeged attempt 10 Corrupt
&emhsr-Correspondenoe on the Sn,ject-wendels EN-
phat,oduy Denies The Imputatiom, and the Member Re
fuses 10 Disclose the Name Of his Would BE- Ssdaor
Seedmdn Nominated the FIRST Bdilot-DissGtigoc-
tion ard Grumbling as 10 the Result
The democratic members of the House of Representa-
tves assembled last evening in in the House hall
for the purpose Of nominating individual to have the
profitable privilege Of enjoying tremendously large share
of the public plumber in the shape of profits printing
during the present Congress There three promi-
nent candidates for the post Mr.. Wendell the present
incumbent formerly a foreman in the Union
Office, and now, within the last four years, one
OF the mllionares of Washington; Mr.. Steedman
editor and politician Of Ohio connected with Of the
Cincinnati newspapers, and soon to initiate Mr. Wendell
in rapid accumulation of the Of unrghteousness
and Mr. Banks very sefmportant little editor Of little
sheet in the little village Of Petersburg, Virginia, who
very desrous Of having the chance that OF his
competitors has had and that the other is to have.
The crowd Of hungry looking, keen eyed vuturous In
dyduals who througed the passages leading To the hall
where the had assembled, sufficient indication
Of the richness and magnitude OF the feast which they
hoped have opportunity of gorgng themselves One
who not posted up the subject Of the immense
amount Of spells and plunder involved in the public prn
ershp could hardly account for this ockng together of
the vuitures, and this meeting solemn deberatiye
semby OF the donors OF the plunder. But possibly
the crpcss contained In yesterdays Globe OF the
way in which money Is made here in the position
of Clerk TO tho House may furnish suggestive criterion
OF the much more magnificent pundcring jobs OF the pub
lie printer. may say In passing that one Of the demo
cratic candidates In caucus FOR the Cerkshp Of this Con
gress marshal OF the State OF Ohio Office worth
80 900 year and this Office be ing and xous
resign for one the nominal salary Of which Is but 900
year.
But 10 the caucus for public printer. You must know
that in the general democratic caucus held Saturday
evening, for the purpose OF nominating Speaker Clerk,
and other officers the prntershp matter up, but
not then disposed Of on account chiefly Of state
mcnt made by new member from Virginia. that an ef
fort bad been made 70 tsmper with himto brbe him 10
vote FOR Wendell This member Is Mr. Sherard Clemens
Owing this statement well to other difficulties In
the matter, the nomination Of public printer post
poned and further caucus to dispose OF the matter was
Al the caucus, Mr. Harris of H. presided There werc
some ninety net i've members present S After inc calling Of
correspondence which had passed between himself and
Mr. Faulkner, Of Va, and letter from Mr. Wendell the
public printer, repudans the act Of the person who had
approached him.
Mr. Clemens statement, enclosed in his communication
| 10 Mr.. Faulkner, is as follows
STATEMENT PREPARED 10 Rx SUBMITTED DEMOCRATIC
Caucus sEsBERs HorSg or REPRnESTArwrs ruR
THE THIRTY nm cosGsxss, AT TIE ADJOURNED MEETING,
Amer what occurred in the democratic satur.
day night last, had right TO expect that should be
called authoritative form for tho facts upon
which tho statement then orally made predcated.
proceed, therefore, 20 detail thcm IN writing have
hitherto systematically refused 10 answer any personal
upon the subject for the simple reason that
had the right 70 place the whole affair IN written Ian.
| guage beyond misconstructon or misrepresentation.
may be well In the outset to state that am not
quansed with the present printer Of the House. and do not
even know him by sight.
On Saturday last the nth OF this month was aecosed
by person with whom have had an acquaintance Of
some years standing At the close OF somewhat pre
racted conversation he informed ,ha, he
ed procuring the house printing during the present
Congress for Cornelius Wendell Of New York, at present
printer of the House.
lie suggested that specific consideration could be
cured my mother, dependent upon OF two contin
gcnces-Frst that should cast my vote for said Corne-
us Wendell the election for House printer the pre-.
sent session.
second that should abstain from voting by absent.
ing myself from the House at the time OF the vote.
without dilating upon my emotions at such an
ure il SUFFICIENT say tha, referred him 70 the sixth
Of the Of Congress Of Feb 26 1853 by which
the proposed crime was punishable told him
he had put himself in my power; that he had
such thing was a gross personal insult myself aud
that shoud exac, from him the amples, reparation.
He became deeply sgaied; supplicatad my pardon in
the mos, mpassoned terms said that he had been mss.
ken and misied that lie knew had the power 10
him aud all connected with hinf and beseeched me 10
spare him the nfamy which would attach 10 the exposure
OF his name At present have nothing further say
oept that he never has been to my knowledge cti
gen Of vrgnis and that In this whole Affair have acted
on my individual responsibility alone, and that the
have taken hes been prompted entirely by the duty
owe the government whose onnoer am.
This statement am ready c verify in the most solemn
OF all forms. AlFRRARD CLEMENS
The foregoing statement, made by Mr. Clemen. " NJ.
Faulkner was sent by the latter 10 MIR Wendell, tue
printer The following is the reply Of Mr.. WENDELL
TO HONORABLE rHs DEMOCRATIC rEsnxRs norss
RKrRnaSrAnvH.
Gentlemen The Hon. Sherrard Clemens having
At the earnest solicitation Of my friends, submit Il
10 me copy OF statement Indirectly affecting my cha
racier which statement he intends 70 lay before you this
/ than that contained in his psf6r
from his statement that any person approached him an