Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-01-14
Corruption in Congress.

~ANNSS ~
tives on Friday last will attract attention. An
other investigation of the charge of corruption,
preferred against members of the House, has
been ordered, and it is to be hoped that the gull
ty parties will be exposed and punished 1t Is
lamentably true that the country is prepared 10
believe that some members are guilty. ii sone-
thing is not speedily done to purity the mans Oh
Congress, we may well despair of the Republic.
The following is an extract from the Washing
ton correspondence of the New York hmes;
eve know that a corrupt organization OF
members of Congress and certain lobby agents
ot Washington has existed since early IN The sea-
son of last year We are we'll satisfied that this
organization holds balance of power in its
| hands sufficient in most cases to kill or carry
any measure pending in the House of Represen-
| tatives, and that its power has been exerted in
! favor of measures where its price $1,000 per
vote generally, or its equivalent was agreed to
and that it has been used to prevent favourable
action on equally meritorious measures wmch
were unable or unwilling to submitto the plrat-
| ical tribute.
This organization is confined tono party, but
embraces members of them all-for it is slngu-
lar and notorious fact, that while patriotism can
not rise above partisan considerations, yilany
can. There are many OF those connected with
| it, we do not doubt who have been brought into
it by the devices of Others and without any full
conviction, on their own minds, of its real char
acter. But of its existence and its power over
legislation, there can be as little doubt, as there
is of its turpitude, and of the duty OF the public
press to expose it to the knowledge and condem'
nation of the country
The editor of the Times endorsed the above
letter, and reiterated the charge. But more I'M
portant still, Mr.. Paine, of North Carolina, sta
ted on the floor of Congress that there was mo
want of truth in the allegation He said;
.sThe reason why did not announce it to the
House was that pending the organization OF TINS
body, when q member rose in his place ana sta-
ted that fellow member had directly made an
attempt to tamper with him for his vote Tor
speaker, the only credit he received was that ne
was laughed at and it was charged that he did
not accept the proffered bride because there
was no such profitable place to be had. say
distinctly that there is no want OF truth IN the
allegation contained in the Times article
distinct proposition was made to me ny mem
her of this House. in regard to the Minnesota
land bill; and that $1,000 would be given In
consideration of vote for that BILL If the pro
posed committee shall be raised, and am call
ed on as a witness shall give my evidence"
Mr.. Paine stated that lie had informed MIR.
Sneed. of Tennessee, of the facts in the case but
did not name the member who offered the bribe.
Mr.. S. obtained the floor and .eorroborated the
truth of the last remark
"He was understood to say that it was on
the Esd of December when Mr.. Paine gave him
information similar to that of which the House
is already in possession. He asked Mr. Sneeds
advice and Mr.. Sneed innocently referred him
to the case at the commencement OF the present
session of Congress, namely-that between Mr..
| Pearce of Pennsylvania, and Mr.. Miilward, rel,
alive to the Speakership. Mr.. Paine informed
him among other things, that certain member
came to his seat and asked him if he could not
give his confidence to him; and that he granted
| it. supposing nothing wrong. 1t was then that
the bribe was offered.
"Mr. Sneed advised Mr.. Paine without COM
promising his own honor to await events, oo-
tain the necessary evidence Of the corrupt prop,
osition, and expose the member; and Mr.. Sneed
further said to Mr.. Paine that he would slap the
scoundrel in the face; and Mr. Paine lett Mr.
Sneed with the impression on the mlnd OF the iat-
ter that he would adopt that course"
The announcement raised quite storm OF ex-
citement, and the House was forced, in spite OF
very evident Discrimination on the part OF some
members, to adopt the resolution providing for
an investigation.