New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-12-09
HOrSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

Mr. CLEMENS obtained permission to mako per-
soral explanation. He read letter from his COL
league, Mr. Faulkner, asking him to state the fscts
upon WI ch he in caucus based his conclusions with
reference to the statements impe aching Mr.. Wendels
character. Mr. Clemens in reply, agreed to Faux
rers suggestion to submit TO Wendell in order to give
him an opportunity of vndicatiOn C!emenss written
statement describing the circumstances under which
he last Saturday approached BY person who said
he interested in prccuriugthe printing for Wendell
aid that pecubiry consideration could be secured for
Clemens in one Of two cont:ngencies-frst, that
he should cast his vote for Wendell, or secondly
abstain from voting. Mr.. Clemens, to this, pointed
the man to the act of Congress providing pains and
per aes for such corrupt approaches and told him he
had mistaken bis man. Wendell in reply, solsmny
protested against such charges, based on nsmeless
author. If tie charges were properly preferred, ne
would promptly refute them. He had never directly
or indirectly employed any peson or agent to procure
votes fer him.
Mr.. Clemens having finished reading the correspond
ence said he mad never sesn Wendell TO his knowl'
edge ard had purpos's to accomplish other than
faithful discharge Of his public duty He was con-
strained exposing the name OF the see undrel who
approached him on account of the mans family, who
should nc. be COZ founded With the guilty He accepted
the statement OF Wendell, so far a. his denial OF au
completely or knowledge of such proportion was
concerned.
Mr.. SMITH Va offered resolution for the sp.
poirtment Of committee to examine into the subsc!
of the Public Printing and providing that the election
Of Printer be postponed until their rspOr. be made
He said it was believed that enormous corruption was
connected with this subject and hence the necessity Of
an nvestigs top The profits were probably $500 900,
and Printer who might BE- elected to-day would get
quarter Of million for his contrsc..
Mr.. CLINGMAN said cleo. Printer first aud
afierwaId investigate.
Dir. HOUSTON, who had moved to prosesd to the
election Of Printer, said he would agree to that.
Mr. HOCSTON-A suggestion Of tina. kind amounts
rothIg.
Mr.. SMITH Tenn II am fast friend Of Mr.. Wen.
eel ard state his authority that he abdes By the
decision Of the CAUCUS and supports the nonires.
Mr.. KEITT of S. c. srd he did not go into the
CAUCUS but would vote for the nominee because tia.
gentleman suited him.
The debate was here interrupted by the reception
Of Il Presidents Message, which wss read
Mr.. BOC0CK Of va. appealed to the House to
complete tie organization by the election of public
printer Then he would join with others in fereting
out extiavsgarce and corruption.
NJ. GROW PA advised the House to begin the
reform in the printing here by curtsng the enormous
Expenditures which had created our Government into
siy.l Of al the book establishments of the country.
The books which were sent out By Congressional au-
ttoity were not worth the paper they were printed
on.
without concluding the t,cu;son Of the subject, the
House adjourned.