Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-02-25
BRIBERY 81 INVESTIGATION eoMMIrTEE.

Oy the House OF Representatives some WEEKS stiice
to investigate charges Of bribery preferred against
certain mem bers of that body. made report yes.
terday The following is an abstract OF the evidence
laid before the House by the committee: L.s
The testimony is very voluminous, and hence pre-
cludes any thing like fair abstract. 1t appears,
however, that the most important witness sum
moned at the commencement of the proceedings by
the Committee, Jas. R. Sweeney, an ex-messen-
ger of the House of Representatives who in reply
to question by Mr.. Orr. said he knew of case in
which member of Congress agreed to get bill or
project through the House for certain amount of
money! book relating to Pension and Bounty
Land laws by Capt. Trplett of Washington He
reluctantly answered that the name of the member
is Hon. VIM A. Gilbert of New York. He further
stated that the same member had said to him that
he received "seven square miles of land and some
little stock in return for his vote and influence in
the passage of the Iowa Land bill He also stated
that Hon. w. w. WEIGH had remarked to him. that
$50 or so might become necessary to make all right
in connection with favorable report private
bill of which the Committee had charge.
Capt. Trplet questioned as to his having given
to Sweeney an order on the Clerk of the House, for
$l4,50O in the event of the passage of resolution,
for the purchase of his book; which amount it APP
pears was to be used by Sweeney. Triplett men
toned the name of Hon. W. A. Gilbert, with whom
he had a conversation about the book, and said that
Sweeney came to him generally upon the subject
He knew all about the matter from the first-thought
Sweeney friend of this party, and that if he
paid him, Sweeney it would be satisfactory to the
party. The witnesses further stated that Mr.: WEIGH
conversed with him about the book, 1.-THE tenor of
which was based upon the idea of receiving part"
of the contract, and he recolected that, on one
casion, the member asked him. in the event CT their
having to distribute more money than they had con-
templated, whether he TripetD would not do what
was right, or something to that effect
Mr.. Welsh subsequently defended himself from
the CHARGE stating that he reported the private bill
referred to, entirely upon its merits, utterly denying
the statements of Sweeney. As to Tripletls testi-
mony, he said he never understood from him any
other person, that himself or any other member of
Congress would receive any pecunary benefit from
the passage Of the book resolution. No language
used by him to Capt Triplett, could have justified
such implication.
Mr.. Gilbert also made statement under oath, de-
nying utterly the truth Of Sweeney's testimony He
never stipulated for any quantity of land, any Pc
cuniary consideration for his vote on any bill. He
would prove that he not in the habit of talking
freely with Sweeney, and had cautioned others not
to do
Hon. Robert 7. Paine testified to the differences
which he drew from a conversation with Hon. F. S.
Edwards, who, he said, named the consideration of
81, 500 for his votc on the Minnesota Land Bill.
The Hon. Mr. Walk testified that Mr. Edwards had
spoken to him that subject, saying that he his
brother owned considerable land where the
road would pass, and that it would be enhancing
the value of land very much if that bill could have
| favorable vote Mr.. Walk informed him that he
would vote for against the bill, he thought just.
Mr.. Edwards under oath, explained the matter,
| saying he did not, in his conversation with Mr.
Paine. Offer or intend to be understood as Offering
any sum of money, either for himself or any other
person or persons for his vote in favor of any bill
| whatever. No person solicited him to offer
procure any consideration dependent upon the pas
sage of this or any other bill before Congress.
| James S. Pike, Zone of the writers for the New
York Tribunc testified that about the time OF the
passage.of the Wisconsin bill, Hon. O. B. Matteson
made to him remark which led to the impression
that was an offer, which if accepted, would have
| led to transaction. He thought he meant some-
thing.
VIM. c. johnson UTICA New York, President of
the Des Mones Navigation and Rail Road Company
Of the State of Iowa. in the Of the examina-
ton, alluded to note received by him from Mr..
Matteson, and which Henry A. Daniels of Utica an.
other witness, subsequently produced, as follows:
| Private. WASHINGTON, July, Is, 1856.
Dear Sir The Committee in House, have
agreed to report your resolution in Iowa 100000
acres 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 factory be
cut up and used to carry it through, in addition
to what Stryker arranged. can have some agents
to promise outsiders some stock in new factory
Let me know without fail by return mail.
Truly, o. B. NJ.
w. C. JOHNSON, Esq
Hon Reverdy johnson detailed conversation hi
had with Mr.. Matteson, who, among other things
said that either twenty thirty members had asSo
cated themselves together, and pledged each to thu
other not to vote for any law resolution grantn!
money or lands unless they were paid for it. John
told him that he could not believe it. Maltese,
remarked, They are set Of id scoundrels bu
there they were, and nobody could get any thing o
the sort throught without them; that W. c. John
son, President of the Company, must have here $l0O,
600 to carry this bill'
1t appears from the testimony of John Stryker, O
Rome, n. Y, (of the Navi CATION and Rail Roa,
| Company that he made draft of 81 600 in favo
| of Horace Greeley. 1t was retainer for counse
and advice in procuring the passage Of the bill 70
the benefit of the Company. 1t was to be used en-
tirey in his discretion. Mr.. Greeley, some week
ago, informed him that he had received the money
but had personal interest in it.
Hon. VIM. Gilbert was summoned by Hon. w
w. WEIGH, and said that the latter had never re
marked to him, under any circumstances that h
(berD should receive any pecuniary consideration
other benefit if the resolution for the purchas
: of Tripett's book should be adopted.
Hon. o. Is. Matteson, on the 9th of February
sent a communication to the Committee, protestin
against the action of the Committee in his case Tn
charges affecting his character were prompted b
bitter enemies in his district, whose malgnity ha
been sharpened by successive defeats. Anonymou
and unprncpal informers had combined to blast hi
character; and he further says, that the meanest
fender has show of justice in criminal cour
while the with regard to the accused befor
the Committee is different.
t There is very much testimony, but want of tim
$ prevents further notice of it. The accused, il
each case, will have the privilege and right of de
Tending themselves before the House, therefore, a
opinion from the above imperfect sketch should no
8 be formed as to their guilt or innocence.
Proclamation.
By the President of the United States Of Anaerict
:: Whereas, objects of interest to the United State