New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1857-01-19
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENTS.
WASHINGTON, Jan. II, lS5

| ling development, namely, the disclosure OF an at
tempt to bride one of the members of the House, in
order to secure his vote for certain bill granting
lands to the Territory of Minnesota. The primary
cause of Il was re appearance of an editorial article
in the New York Times, charging that corrupt com
| binatiou existed among certain members of the
House aud eertain members Of the lobby by the in.
fiuence of which, coupled with liberal of money,
any measure of legislation could be either defeated
or carried, as these sposmen might determine A
member from New York brought this article to the
attention Of the House, and declared that so gravea
charge demanded investigation. Hereupon Mr.
Paine of North Carolina rose and asserted that the
article in the Times not wholly devoid Of truth
that he himself, on the 23d of December was ap-
preached by another member, who told him that
vote in favor of this Minnesota Land Bill would be
worth fifteen hundred dollars to any member who
should give it. He says that he Indignantly rejected
the proposal, but, by the advice of fellow member
concluded to keep quiet about it until some favorable
opportunity for disclosure should present ITSELF Such
an opportunity now occurring, lie deemed it proper
to mention the circumstance, and to his willing
ness to go before an investigating committee and give
his testimony in full. 49,
As may he supposed, such a development created
a profound sensation. A committee of investigation
without dissenting voice.
For the sake of the American Congress and our
own reputation as nation let us hope that this grave
accusation has not, in reality, the serious aspect
which it now bears. No one doubts the truth of Mr.
Paines allegaton--but it mary be that he miscon
ceived the intention of the member, perhaps, mis-
understood his language. Charity suggests that we
place favorable construction possible upon the
alleged cowuption--t though if well established the
House, in vndicaton of its own dignity and sclfre
speCt, should be prompt to eXpel the offending men,
Der.
1t was hoped that the present Congress would be
free from the excitement about the affairs of Kansas
which occupied much of the time and attention of
the last. But it appears that we are not destined to
enjoy repose even now. On yesterday a memorial
was presented from the inevitable Reeder, protesting
| against Whtields claim to his seat and claiming
that he (Recder) is the legay-eected delegate to
Congress from the Territory of Kansas This is about
the coolest piece Of presumption that the annals of
politics have afforded. At the election held ac
cordng to law, Whitfield received nearly the entire
vote that was cast. Subsequently, the Freesoiers of
the Territory held a sort of mass meeting and, with
out color Of law or authority, went through the for
naty of electing Reeder. They now have the assur-
ance to claim Reeder as their delegate. This is an
illustration of pure original unauthorized squater
sovereignty and is only earnest of the confusion
anarchy and discord, which must necessarily prevail
when this favOrite dogma of Gen. Cas- and Mr. Blu
chanan shall become, under Democratic auspices the
established policy in the Territories.
1t is presumed that Reeder has no expectation Of
getting the seat and that his object is only to pocket
the handsome dOuccr which Congress is in the habit
Of giving to unsuccessful contestants.
News reached here yesterday that the notorious
John ". Forney had received the nomination of the
Democrats Of the Pennsylvania Legislature for United
States Senator from that State. In all probability
he will in few days be elected. Some of his Demo.
cratic brethren here were struck aghast at the recep
ton Of the 1t will be rccollected that nearly
all Of the Virginia members, as well as others from
the South refseda few years ago to vote for Forney
for Clerk Of the House as they considered, very
justly too that he had personally disgraeed himself
ly his letter to Roberts. The prospect of his being
elected Senator and of those members having to sub
nit to his position in body of higher honor than
that to which themselves belong, has created a howl
ing and crashing of teeth here among the elite of
the Democracy" as Mr.. Richie used TO call them
that is frighttul to behold.
What viii be the future of the American Rcpublic
when Senators are made of such material as Forney,
and when fifteen hundred dollars are openly offered to
a member of the House for his vote?
But this is not ALL 1t is asserted in several reliable
papers, and not contradicted by any, that Mr. Btu
chanan himself has written letter fvoring Forneys
pretensons and this is really the secret of Forneys
success in getting the caucus nomination. The idea
of Mr. Buchanans interesting himself in behalf of so
notorious parsonage as Forney, for so elevated
position as seat in the United States Senate does
not comport with the reputation Mr. Buchanan has
always borne for moral propriety and high sense of
dignity and seErcspect. Can pitch he touched with
out deflemen? Can Mr.. Buchanan ally himself with
Forncy, without risking portion Of the inlamy that
universally attaches to FOrney's name?
\ very curious and entertaining Cabinet imbr0glio
has arisen here within the last few days 1t appear
that Hon. John Barney, eX-member Of Congress,
and very wealthy and eccentric old gentleman, met
Gen. Clss at Mr. Marcy's house Oh New Years day
and rallied the old General upon the prospect of his
soon occupying Mr.. Marcy's position. Gen. Cass
| made some cvasive reply, which Mr.. Barney con-
strued into admission that he had been rendered
the office and had accepted it. He accordingly tec-
graphed it to the New York Herald. Some stir having
been created by it, the Herald published a curious
letter from Mr. Barney, which was designed to be
private, repeating his former allegation. Gen. Cas-
| called Mr. Barney to dsayow the construction as
had placed upon the Generals language Int he not
only failed to do it, but writes a letter to the Union
still maintaining his first position. Thus the matter
stands at present.
! Mr., Barney is the same man who challenged the
French Minister, Sartiscs to fight duel few years
ago because the latter who was his next door neigh
Dor, was in the habit Of shooting rats in his back
yard on Sunday. Subsequently, he challenged him a
second time, because he announced that at party
which he intended to give he should have none but
pretty women. Barney contcnded that a foreigner
had right to make social distinctions in republican
America
The report that Vanderbilt had advanced half
million dollars to Costa RIGA to be used in offensive
warfare upon walker, is denied. In the meantime
the next arrival from the lsthmIs is looked for Will
intense itcrCst--a parties believing that the futur,
OF Nicaragua hinges upon the events OF the last few
days. ESSEX.
ELECTION AT HEsENA.--On the 9TH inst munci
pal election took place in Helena, Arkansas, wlhcl
resulted il the choice Of the entire American tickle
for Mayor, Aldermen and Marshal.
FIGS, PRuNEs AND CAEDLEs.-Eresh supplies o
these ARTICLES have been received by Mesr. A. F. Cochran
Han, No l. New Lcvce and No. II Fulton street