Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-02-27
CORRUPTION IN CONGRESS.

tives TO examine into The charges of corruption
brought against nsmbsrs Of the House. have report.
ed resolutions impugnng the character of four mem
bers, and recommending their expulsion We have
seen nothing more than synopsis of the evidence
taken before the Committee, but the reports were
signed by four out of Ave of the Committee, we are
led to the conclusion, that there must gull, to aome
extent; whether enough to require the expulsion OF
the guilty parties remains to be seen.
There is very considerable danger, as the House {
Representatives at present constituted that, how
ever deep and blsck the guilt of ths accused par;es
they will escape altogether the punilhment which
their crimes richly merit. They happen 10 bc +,
without exception, New Workers aud Black Repab-
licars, and their comrades Of the Black Republican
stripe will shield them from censure il be possible
The motives which impsl their colleagues to this
course are very strong. The Black Republicans
have made loud professions purity, patriotism, aud
disiutsrestednes, and it will be sad comment all
their phsrasaca pretensious, it four Of their num-
ber be found guilty Of gross corruption, und be ex
PEELED from Congress.
In other quarters too, We note a disposition TO
treat lightly the grave charges which the Committee
have preferred Some presses, moved thereto by in-
auences which we cannot comprehend, seem bent
upon excusing or explaining away all those strong
circumstances which justify the action Of the Com.
mittee.
While We would accord to theee men that courtesy
which would extend to the vilest wretch in the
criminal dock, We cannot agree that they Sre accus
ed Of light offence. or one which they may explain
away rs joke without serious nearing. After q
pains. taking, protracted and thorough Investigations
the Committee ascertaiued that tie persons alluded
to in their report, have been guilty Of acts which
unfit them for places in tho House OF Representa-
tves. In considering that :eport, the only question
to be asked by the House is, whether the evidence
sustains the Committees conclusion. 1t is possible
that the Commte fnstook the force of the evidences
10 which cvent,in e.o The accused members, their
error should be corrected; but If there has been
such error committed By the Committee, then the
case ID clear one, and the four uc prts should at
once be ignominiously expelled from Congress. This
is due, not ess to the country at large, than to the
honor and integrity Of the lower House of Congress.
Ii will be observed that We express no opinion as
to The guilt or innocence Of the accused members,
while the question s yet pending and undetermined
while believing them guilty on the finding Of the
Committee. II the Committee ind wrongly, or il
the inemte:s accused can diacredit :: dsprovs the
testimony g!vsn before the Committee let them DO
it, and let them be absoved from all blame. But we
protest against the ac9uilte Of these upon any
special pleading, Or by any trick, contrvance Or sub
terfuge. One o; them, We believe, has already nd.
nit I'd the truth Of the f4c;s proved nc To him self
but declares, that the whole thing WAS q joke. So
any person, charged With crime would say when az
roiguei for trial, il such plea awaited with cour.
and jury. Mr.. Mstteson and the rest must be taught
that there is joke in the matter. The people Of
the country looking to Congress TO what is 10
BE- the issue OF this investigation no Congressional
corruption, and woe unto the nsn who excuses and
pallia.es a crime which he should condemn ard pun
ish. We had hoped that the Committee would find
nothing In the course Of their examination to confirm
the widely entertained opinion, that there are un-
worthy characters In the lower House Of Cungress
who disgrace their constituents and the nation, by
corruptly trading their votes upon all important
measures. We should have been rcinced if the
Committee had coma TO different conclusion than
that which they have reported but now, that corrup
ton has been found aud exposed lot the members c:
the House do their duty and purge Congress Of all
offenders Let ihero Dc opologists either for the
criminals or the crime which they have committed
Prompt action upon tho report of the Committee 10
due to the Committee, to the implicated members, to
this House of Representatives, and to the public
tmeut Of the country.