The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1857-03-04
Report of the Congressional Corruption
Investigating Commlttee-FourM Mem
bers to be Expelled.

Investigating Commlttee-Four Mem
bers to be Expelled.
The full report of the corruption Inves-
tigating Committee is before Congress
and causes good deal Of squirming in
that honorable body. The Committee
recommended the expulsion of four mem
bers, to wit: William A. Gilbert, of New
York, Francis S. Edwards, of New FORK,
Orsamus B. Matteson, of New York, and
William w. Welsh of Connecticut, all
Republicans 1t might not be entirely
fair to stigmatize the Republican party
because all these men are members of it,
but they have not left US without q good
cause for suspecting the taint to be pref
ty widely spread. Messrs. Grow and
Bennett, two leading Republican men,
bers, together with a number of others,
are ardeutly endeavoring to have the ac-
cused parties acquitted. Every trifing
IcCuuiCaLty 10 IoAeA duSouttSo vi, oho tho
investigating committee is lampooned
without mercy. We are glad to know
that a portion of the Republicans, and
all the Democrats 50 far as we know, seem
disposed to give to the guilty parties their
just deserts.
1t leaked out in the evidence that the
sanity and immaculate Greeley was Stake
holder in one Of the schemes Of bribery
The following are the Resolutions ac-
campanying the Report with the excep-
tion of those in regard to Gilbert which
we published heretofore.
Resolved, That VIM. W. Welsh did coz
ruptly combine with William A. Gilbert, .
member of this House, from N York, to
procure the passage OF a resolution or b5sl
through this House for the purchase of
certain copies of the work of Mr.. Triplett
on the pension and bounty land laws, for
money to be paid the said Gilbert on its
passage.
Resolved, That ". William Welsh did
attempt to procure money from James r..
Sweeney for reporting favorably on the
claim of Roxana Kimbsll, from the COM
mittee on invalid pensions, at this Csa-
gress.
Resolved, That William W. Welsh, men,
Der of this House from Connecticut, be
forthwith expelled from this House.
They report in the case of Mr.. Edwards
of New York, as follows:
Resolved, That Francis s. Edwards, a
member of this House, from the State of
New York, did, on the 23d day of De-
cember last, attempt to induce Robert
T. Paine, member of this House, from
the State of North Carolina, to vote con-
trary to the dictates of his Judgment and
conscience, on bill making grant of
lands to aid in the construction of rail-
road in the territory of Minnesota, by
holding out pecuniary consideration to
said Paine for his support Of said bill.
Resolred, That said Francis s. Edwards
be and he is hereby expelled from the
House.
They report in the case of Mr.. O. B.
Matteson as follows:
Resolved, That Orsamus B. Matteson, a
member of this House from the State of
New Y York, did excite parties deeply inter-
ested in the passage of joint resolution for
constructing the Dcs Moines grant, to
have here and use large sum of money
and other valuable considerations corrupt
ly, for the purpose of procuring the pas
sage of said joint resolution through this
House
Resolved, That Orsamus B. Matteson,
in declaring that large number of men,
bers of this House had associated them
selves together, and pledged themselves
each to the other not to vote for any law
or resolution granting money or lands un-
less they were paid for it, has falsely and
willfully assailed and detained the charac-
ter of this House, and has proved himself
unworthy to be member thereof.
Resolved,; That Orsamus B. Matteson, a
member of this House, from the State of
New York, be and he is hereby expelled
thersfrom.