The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-12-09
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE.

that order complete the organization of the House
they low proceed to the election Of public printer The
demand for the previous question disagreed to.
A message received from the Senate informing the
House that the Senate had appointed committee to wait
the President of the United States and inform him
that quorum of the two houses have assembled and
are ready to receive any communication which he may
10 pleased TO make. a-H94' ".. a.. r.@
THE PUBLIC PRINTER
Mr. CLEMENS, by consent made personal expana-
ton He first read the correspondence which had taken
place between Mr. FAuLKEEn and himself Mr., FAUX
HEn 1t appeafs wrote to Mr. CLEMENS saying he under
stood him in broadly insnuatng that he was
possessed of facts calculated to mpeach the charac-
ter of Mr. Wendell the printer to the House and Mr.
FAULKNER inquired of his colleague what the facts
and suggested the propriety Of authorizing him. (Mr
FAULKNER although not acting at the instance Of
the friend Of Mr.. Wendell of submitting the state
ment Of Mr.. CLEMENs to the last-name gentleman.
Mr. CLEMENS as the reporter learned from the cores
pondencc it read by that gentleman to the Honse
consented and empowered Mr.. FAULKNER TO submit the
statement to Mr. Wendell. In this statement Mr. Glen
rNs saws that Saturday last he acoosted by per-
son WIZ whom he had an acquaintance Of some years
Standing AT r close OF somewhat protracted CONVEX
saon he said he was nto.s.. as .ne print
ing for Cornelius Wendell He sugge..s. 'nat Pecu-
MARY consideration could be secured 10 his Mr. 49,.
EMS mother, In two contingencies namely first, that
he should cast his vote for Mr. Wendell and secondly
that he should absent himself from his at the time
ofvotng 1t was sufficient to say, Mr. CLEMENS referred
pains and penalties for corrupt approaches to members of
Congress, and told him that he had mistaken the
The person said that ho Mr. CLEMEas had the power to
ruin him. and begged to be spared from the exposure of
the namy. The person has been citizen of vr-
ginia. Mr. FAuLKNER submitted the statement to Mr.
Wendell, who replied that he had knowledge of the
facts alluded to other than those alluded to in that pa
per- So far the inference sought to be drawn that
any person had approached Mr.. CLEMENS in improper
by his authority in his behalf he solemnly de-
MED the allegation and protested against any such in
ference being based nameless author Ii Mr.. Glenn
EMS any other member had charges to make against
him. he would be prepared to meet them He had never
directly indirectly authorized any person agent to
act with members 20 secure their votes for him.
Mr. CLEMENS said that up TO this moment he did not
know Cornelius Wendell did he know him by sight.
he had purpose to accomplish end to subserve
cept to discharge his duty to himself and country In
clusion he remarked that unpncpled scoundrel the
person who approached him was, he would not expose
him account of his family He accepted the state
ment of Mr. Wendell far he denies all completely
knowledge of the proposition which made to him.
(Mr CLENENs) .n.r aaasa. ...... ...a5.a.
The Presidents annual message received and read
Mr.. SMITH, of Virginia, moved that committee be
appointed TO inquire into the prices paid for public print
ing, etc. and that, until such committee make their
port, the election of printer be postponed.
Mr.. HOUSTON offered resolution that the House now
proceed to the election of printer with provso that
the House retain the right to modify the existing law
the subject of public printing they may popcrthe
printer receiving the contract on that condition.
After debate without coming to conclusion upon the
subject, the House adjourned ......