Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1857-01-22
BRIBERY IN CONGRESS.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, !
Jan. 9. 1857. q

/ foSS~N - Pst' oHkS,
and an adjournment was about being
effected when Kelsey introduced
subject hich caused much excite
ment. He presented it as aqueslion
OF privilege, first causingitlo be read
at the Clerks tabIe-an editorial
from the N. Y. Times, of the 9th
inst, which charged members of
Congress and lobby agents with gross
corruption, mentioning the Mime.
sofa land bill in the connection, and
saying that evidence can be pro-
duced to carry conviction TO every
honest breast that tue criminals
should be driven from the place
which they have dishonored.
Mr.. Kelsey remarked that The
charges contained in this article
appeared 10 have been based on a
letter from this city TO the Times.
Uader ordinary circumstances, it
would perhaps be a waste Of time to
notice articles Of this laracter ap.
pearing in the newspapers, but the
editor of The Times occupied a
position before the country which
entitled his statements to credit. II
he is in possession Of the facts be
therein charges, he should substan-
tate them before committee of tue
House, that members who may be
guilty OF such conduct should be
known TO the country. As The case
now stood, he Kelsey could neither
vote for or against certain pro-
position without bringing himself
directly under the charges IN that
article If there exists such con-
bination as is alleged, he wanted to
know it and have the facts go before
the people. lie concluded by offer
ing the following:
Whereas, Certain statements hay e
been published charging members
of the House with entering into
corrupt combinations for the purpose
Of passing and Of preventing the
passage of certain measures now
before Congress, therefore
ResOlped, That committee of
five members be appointed by the
Speaker, with power TO send for
persons and papers, TO investigate
said charges, aud that the committee
report the evidence 10 be taken and
what action, in their judgment, is
necessary on the part Of The House
without unnecessary delay.
Mr.. Paine-I scarcely know
whether ought to say anything OF
not. ] know nothing about that
letter, nor bis journal ! know
nothing about any communication
made to it,. know not how he OBJ
tanned the information. know mol
whether it is true or false; but dc
know that there has been a PROPOSE.
ton made in the House, bv member
of the House, upon the subject.
J Sensations, and cries OF who is he
expose him.
l Mr.. Paine shall moi name The
gentleman.
I [Cries of SHOWN in front-stand
out Of the aisle, we can't see.'
| shall mention no member by
name. Voice You ought to doh. I
Ilwas with feelings Of indignation
heard the proposition. Impatient
demands OF "What was III" "Tel
it," The reason why did not an.
nounce il 10 the Huuse was, thai
pending the organization Of this body
a member had directly made the
attempt to tamper with him for bis
vote for Speaker. The only credit
he received was being laughed al
and il was charged that he did mol
accept the proffered bride because
there y as no such profitable place
to be had. / say distinctly that
there is not want of truth in the
allegation contained in the Times
articl". A distinct proposition was
made TO me by member of this
House in regard to the Minnesota
Land bill. and that fifteen hundred
dollars would be given in consid-
Grafton of a vote for that bill. II the
proposed committee shall be raised,
and | be called upon as a witness,
shall give my evidence.
! The resolution, after debate, was
adopted. The Speaker will an.
nounce thu committee tomorrow
Adjourned.
STOPPING PAPERS. An exchange
says:
@When man gets mad and stops
his paper, he always borrows the next