The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1857-01-17
THE COMMITTEES OF INQUIRY.

The committee appointed by the House of Representa-
ve to investigate the charges of corruption brought by
the New York Times against certain members whose
not specified and also the direct charge Hon Mr.
Paine has most important duty perform and il i:
hoped it will be performed without or favor Whether
these offenders lii such there be) belong to the blackre
publican, the democratic any other party of little
consequence TO the public welfare If they are guilty lei
them be punished nnocen acquitted before the world
Justice to them regard to the dignity and honor of the
House and above all justice to the people Of the United
States impeaively demands thorough searching nves
gaton of charges which if true calculated eecusy
10 undermine that system of representation which is the
basis Of this government by destroying all confidence in
the integrity and purity of the representatives.
If the people cannot trust their immediate representa-
tves whom they trust? If the fountain whence all
laws and all authority originate becomes corrupt and de-
fled the that flows from win be equally vitiaed
and the due administration of laws become the
of all grievances because the laws themselves will come
forth reeking with corruption The legislative within
the limits Of the constuon the sovereign power which
not only the people, but ali their institutions suber
Went 1t in vain that have able and upright judges
and magistrates if those by whom their conduct pre-.
scriOed and regulated governed by pecunary and in
eresed motives 1t bad enough when legislative bodies
exclusively influenced by party feelings but it is ten
times when they become vitstsd by personal pecu
mary interests and sell their votes 10 the highest bidder
In the they governed by certain principles
which some believe right others wrong but whether
right wrong il they sincerely believe in them there ia
something akin to virtue in endeavorng to carry them
out By all lawful But when members can be bribed
to support oppose measure whether good bad, or
what is still more degrading become pandsrs Of
ton legislative bodies markets for buying and
selling men, and the people have security against
worthless, irresponsible tyranny.
Far be itom nsnuae that there ever have been
are members Of Congress of this description although
compelled in all kindness confess that laws have
been passed Of late which LEFT only the alternative of
Gliding that Congress either acting without any rea-
the less said the better When the grounds assumed for
the action Of individuals public bodies composed Of
members selected from the great Of the people for
their superior talents and Judgment notorously pal
paby insufficient justify their Of action we have
right to infer that they governed by motives
like fools is apt excite shrevd suspicion Of their
being knAres-
Perhaps there existed public body exposed 20
greater temptations than the Congress Of the United States
having in some measure assumed the position OF pablo
slOner for the relief Of everything and everybody h.r
ing the absolute disposal Of sixty eighty millions
Of dollars annually and some seven eight hundred mil