The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1857-03-06
ne. m.,... m,v.r C.~,..y.

We make some brief extracts from the tes-
simony Of Reverdy johnson, Attorney OF
the Des Moines Navigation Company, and
VIM. c. johnson, President Of that Compa-
ny, on their examination before the Con-
gressional Corruption Committee.
We regret that we have not the testimony
of John Stryker in full lie, itarpears, was
the general bribery and corruption broker of
the concern. We have only been able to see
an extract from his testimony, in which he
paid Horace Greeley thousand dollars !;
Greeley, it is true, paid it over to third
party, but it was bride, and so intended,
no doubt, wherever it went.
Now we submit to the people Of Iowa
whether it is just and right that such CON-
pany as this, stepped from the sole of the
foot to the crown Of the head in frauds, bri-
berry, and corruption, shall BIO allowed
through their hircing tools to lie do.cn the
character of prominent and honorable citi-
zens of Iowa, to libel the Legislature and
Governor of the State, and to proceed in de-
6ance OF law in the attempt to rob the State
Of Iowa Of the lands of the Des Moines River
Grant.
Hon. Reverdy johnson, (who 10 the coun-
sci for the Des Moincs Navigation and Rail.
road Company of the State OF Iowa. having
been sworn, testified, among other things,
that some eight or ten days before the ad-
journment Of the FIRST session Of the present
Congress, while l happened to be in the
House OF Representatives, Mr.. @. B. Matte
son, Of New York, and member from that
State, asked me where the President of the
Des Moines Company, Mr.. w. C. johnson,
was. told him thought he had left the
city; that | had not seen him for several
days. He then expressed very great surprise
at his having left the city, and said he must
come back; that he was sorry to tell me,
but so was the fact, there pere from ftrenty
TO hirty-l am not sure as to numbers, but
| am sure that it wos either twenty or thirty
members of the House who had associa-
ted themselves together, and pledged each
to the other not to vote for any law or reso-
luton granting money or lands, unless they
were paid for it; l told him | could hardly
believe it. think the expression used
for was indignant-was thatit was ed
outrage" He agreed with me, and was as
far as words and manner were concerned, as
warm in denouncing it as was. He said
they we're q set OF id scoundrels, but they
were, and nobody could anything of this
sort through without them, and that Johnson
must have $l00, 900 to Garry this bill, &c.
| William c. Johnson, of Utica, new York,
sworn, said he was the President OF the Des
Moines Navigation and Railroad Company
OF the State of Iowa; he gave long ac-
count OF the history of the Company, and
replied that be had heard rumors, but had
no knowledge that any agreement or arrange
ment had been entered into by himself or
any other member of the Company, with any
member of Congress, or with any other per-
son, directly or indirectly, for the benefit OF
any member of Congress, by which such
members OF Congress were to receive any
valuable consideration for their aid in car
/ rying through bill for the benefit of the
| Company.
| Question by Mr.Orr-Have you received
any communication from any member or
members Of Congress, or any communion,
ton written, as they allege, by the authori-
| ~ or sanction OF any member or members of
! Congress, with reference to the passage of
1 this bill2
The witness replied, one, only, from Ora
mus Is. Matteson !, il was signed so. b. M
it was in the handwriting of Mr.. Matteson,
and not denied by him; it was franked BY
Mr.. Matteson to the witness after the exist
ence of the letter became public, the witness
says he avoided, as much AS possible, having
interviews with him.
! Henry A. Daniels. sworn, says that he re-
sides in Utica, y. T., and produced the fol-
lowing copy of the paper referred to-
Pnrafe.
WASHINGTON, July Is, 1866.
DEAR SIR Thu COMMITTEE in our House
have agreed to report your resolution in
! Minnesota to 2T5 200 acres, or as you wished
it, but there is much trouble in the way
Some outsiders make mischief. Are you
willing to let your one-quarter of the facto-
~ be cut up and used to carry il through, in
addition to what S,ryker arrangeds can
have some agent promise outsiders stock in a
new factory. lie, me know, without fail, by
return mail. Truly, Ohm.
1 To VIM. G. johnson, ESQ.,
/ Mr.. 0rr-Who 10 this sStryker," to whom
reference is made in the letter?
Witness--l suppose, of course, il is John
Stryker know no other man by that name
Mr.. Orr--Wherc does he belong2
Witness He lives in Rene.
4 MIR. 0rr-Nhat connection has he with
4 your Company
Witness-He is a stakeholder, Director
and member Of the Executive Committee
Mr.. orr-How long has he been Direct.
or in the Companyp
Witnsss-He was Director some time
before my connection with it..
Mr.. Orr How long has he been member
OF the Executive Committee
Witness.-Sincea time prior to my connec.
ton with the Company.
MIR. Orr-Of how many members is thai
Executive Committee composeds
J Witness
MIR. Orr-Who are the members, ant
where are their residences?
Wftness--Edwin c. Litch6eld, he lives II
Brooklyn, and does business in New York.
Elisha e. Litch6eld, his residence is il
Cszenovie, but he spends most of his tim,
. in Nav York.
Orville Clark Of Sandy Hill, N. Y.
John Stryker Of Rome, New York, ant
myself
Mr.. orr---Who is Chairman Of that Exec
utive Committee.
Wisness-l suppose am ex-of6cio Chair
, man.
Mr.. orr-Do you know, by any converse
n