The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-01-16

today as synonym Of mercantile honor and integrity
He would not deepen the shadow which rested ON IL, be-
cause Of the honored dead who bore and the generous
Irving, who bear it. He hoped that this investigation
would disclose the fact that the senior member OF that
hrm had been unfortunate, rather than involved IN he
intention OF crime. Whatever may have been hS mo-
tves he preferred 10 him friend but he would
not shield him from the commission OF wrong.
Mr. DAVIS, (opp) Of Nd said that no man held the po-
litical press more contempt than he He stood in
fear OF II, and held in such utter contempt that he
Grand Jury for vile hbel When charges made in the
press he deemed them unworthy of investigation He re-
garded his reputation and the reputation Of every gentle
man here as more than enough to lopk in the face the
whole combined press of the country But this diff
erent case involved Of the merchant princes, in
the books Of whose firm entry appeared OF $S7 600
paid for procuring the passage of the tariff act This is
statement based responsible name, aud s adequate
how the money was distributed II may have been spent
egltlmately to pay the expenses Of agents II got into
the hands of any member let him die the death He was
for following the precedent of the last Congress in
ductDg this proposed Investigation. The select committee
appointed enquire into charges against certain members
charged with corruption oppressed no man in his rights
and character but all treated Justly carefully and
teBdery He opposed at length Mr. Stantons proposon
Jury and in the absence Of the record left the character
Of the accused open to suspicion.
Mr. STANTON in reply said be proposed that the commit
proauced whenever occasion required.
Mr. DAVIS said the gentleman proposed to take away
thing OF advantage TO the accused and thus would
embarrass the proceedings with difficulties:
Mr.. KUSKEI, (opp) of Pa remarked that all such in
VefuEatonb mVoiVeu ume, IOuDe anu expehfej Dut he
in favor of the now proposed. These charges
extensively made the whole country, and If
they were nothing more than newspaper charges he
would be still for investigation Hecoud not concur with
the opinion Of the gentleman from Maryland relative to
the newspaper press, which had not failed to serve its
frnction. You may put corrupt men in the Houae and
Senate and corruption may reek all along the avenue yet
with all its abuses, free press may the liberties of
the people. This charge was not only made in the
paper press but the authority of the stockholders of
the Mddlesex Manufacturing Company. He knew nothing
about lawrence Stone Company 1t is said they are
merchant princes OF New England. But he knew that
these merchant princes struck hands with the free trade
M t ba & 10 S re %
England towards the rest of the country the of
the panic The gentleman from Massachusetts, spoke Of
the high character OF Lawrence, Stone & Company.
We're they TO be euoged Congress because their books
show they spen. to control the industrial interests
Mr.. BuRINGAME replied tha. the gentleman from Penn
sylvana was aborDg under misapprehenson and after
repeating what he had said, added " If the gentleman
means that was eulogy the senior member of the
hrm let him make the most Of it. did not consider it
| eulogy."
Mr. KrNKEI--T the gentleman reracts, am satisfied.
| Mr. BURIISGAME. E.-I retract nothing; never said IT,
Mr.. KUNKEL-n the gentleman AYERS that he did not
pronounce eulogy | am mistaken Members were
sailed with regard to corruption in connection with the
tariff policy and has been charged over and over again
to affect that policy together with propositions to admit
railroad iron free of duty Thus the great interests of
Pennsylvania were kept in anxiety and suspense The
charges were uttered when the tariff act under
sderaon. He heard them when he went home, and but
for the mild and genial winte there would have been
l
Mr., HARRIS, (adm.) of Ill, thought it proper that
some investigation should Jake place. and thought did
not affect him and those with whom he acted.
Mr. MORGAN, (opp) of N. Y, wished to know by what
| authority the gentleman made that assertion.
| Mr. HARRIS replied he had before him the names Of
those who voted for the notification Of the tariff No
thing had anspIed 70 show In what direction the money
had gone but from what ranspred last session the de-
mocrac side has very little TO fear from the present in
vestgaton might be well enough to go Boston, but
they had better turn 10 the congressional record whore
| would be found case worthy Of consideration lie
meant that Of Mr.. Mattesou, who fortunately,
| member Of the democratic party
Mr.. Harris then offered amendment setting forth
the proceedings Of the last House, relative Mateson
and nstructng the committee proposed, 10 take all
cessary 10 vndcate the character of the House. Mr.
Maeson, he said was still resting under serious mputa
| tons.
Mr. STANTON raised question of order that the amend
| ment Ia not german To the pending resolution.
| Tho SPEAKKR ruled II out OF order
| Mr.. STANTON thought II WAS the first duty OF every
family political party to purge It's own household
| and he would twice as readily vote 70 e1rf J@Vgs
as member rom the The other % parry party, because
was important that It's integrity should be preserved
to settle, including the sale of Fort Smelling The cardinal
object Of the manufacturers was 70 get rid OF the duty
WOOL and the gentlemen on the other side voted accor
dingly-therefore they the very implicated In
Of this charge In reply Mr. Davis Of Mary
land, he sad-It possible that injustice had been
done the accused parties Of the last Congress by the In
vestigatpg Committee but he made the point that the
rights OF members not TO depend the discretion Of
M. HasRs, Of NJ wanted 70 know % whether Mr. STAN
ton mean, say any democratic member was mpli.
| Gated in the sale OF Fort SnengY
Mr.. STASroN--I meant 10 say that the administration
made the sale, and that member Csmh) from the gen
uemans state moved for an investigating committee
and that seems all round to be family aair-,ha,s
Mr.. Gnow, opp Of Pa, protested against tho position
assumed by Mr. Davis OF Maryland, and Mr. Harris of
Illinois The latter had attempted to throw suspicion
members OF the House, and Ike the OF old thanks
God he s not like other people and wraps his cloak Of
| selfrigbteousnefs about him. He trusted that the at
tempt make the select committee Of the last Congress
precedent would not be successful. He would throw
round the most humble individuals the safeguards Of the
law The constitution guarantees that the person charged
shall be confronted with his TAs former
mittce called profgates from the streets 10 blacken the
character Of members and In secret chamber allowed
them To give evidence In the abseun OF the sccused He
nesses sha be- called withon, the accused being permitted
to confront them. The character Of member Of Con.
gress should not he held less in esteem than that Of
petty thief who entitled 10 q fair trial He repeated
That the committee Of the last Congress prevented the
cused from confronting the witnesses and having
judgment
| Mr.. HARRs, Of nl-Tbe gentleman from Ohio says
and others Ike the Of old he means 10 assert
that, al thank God am not az other men, he is correct
II the gentleman will put binsaeH the position Of the
other man mentioned 70 inc scriptures ny way o. contra
diction, and exclam "God be merciful o me sinuer,
have no doubt the exclamation would meet with hearty
amen from every gentleman on this floor. QAughter)
Messrs stanton Grow quietly their seats when
resolutions were introduced proposing an investigation
into the conduct of the late Clerk OF the House. and
| laiion TO the sale Of Fort sneingS
Mr.. erAsroS rcplcd-The Fort Smelling involved
| nobody by name.
| Mr.. LyTrHpR reeumDg-Nor do these proceedings In
vovc the name Of any member Of Congress. When the
OF the late Clerk taken up why did not the gen
| uemsn from Pennsylvanis Grow protestS Now, be
said great outrage be committed rights violated
and the accused aragned and prosecuted secret and
brought before the House for Judgment
Mr. STANTON said the Clerk the person nau,ed The
Fort Smelling did no, involve the rights of any
Der or the character of the House The sale OF the
property was the of the Executive and as the House
has no power 20 try him, they could not pass oense
Mr. IErtuER-Your explanation amounts 10 this: You
did MOI rise occssion, because nobody named;
and you did not rise the other because somebody
named. 80 far Secretary Floyd concerned, moro
pncunded charge made the reputation Of
| public o1ioer.
Mr. RopxRr SMITH. (adm.) Of ILL.,, said be offered the
resolution for committee 20 inquire into The facts
cerning the pae of Fort Smelling He sad the Sec
retary Of War did anything wrong the matter, but he
he knovri I'm al