Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-01-15
Great Corruption Fund.

An EXTRAORDINARY aruce appears In the Albany At
las and Agus of the LIST inst and will doubtless create
considerable sensation We copy:
"MORE OF THE MASSACHUSETTS CORRUPTION CASE
About month ago we published letter from Boston,
which stated that disclosures connected with the failure
of the house of Samuel Lawrence & Co., had revealed
the startling fact that some $4,000 to $4,000 had
been expended by him in behalf of the manufacturing
corporations for which he agent to procure the pas
sage of tariff bill during the last Congress Our
correspondent also made illusions to late Speaker
now Governor Banks, as having been in capacity
connected with the disbursement of these funds The
assertions OF correspondent created some squirmng
but were not boldly denied in any quarter The Journal
of this city, it is true created additional suspicion against
Mr.. Banks by the shallow defence which it set up for
him. pretending that the discovery OF a note given by
him to Mr.. Lawrence for 5000, which he borrowed to
build addition to his house, was the circumstance
which had connected his name with the affair.
"Our information was from such source that we have
had no doubt of the substantial truth of the allegation
that some $4,000 had been expended at Washington,
corruption fund to procure favorable legislation for
manufacturing interests, and we have been expecting
further developments in authentic FORM The cur
tain has been lifted little. despatch from Bos
ton giving the proceedings of the annual meeting of the
stockholders of the Mddesex Mills, says that commit
tee of investigation previously appointed reported
"That Lawrence, Stone & Co. paid $4,000 to
the passage of the tariff of 1851 of which $4,000 was
dsbursed by the New York house for printing, editorial
service &c. but no satisfactory explanation has yet been
afforded of the application of the balance.
"Eight thousand dollars was expended in New York
printing, olitUriai srrvfcx, tSU.. Who We're the
recipients of this $4,000? Was the distinguished Pro
tectonist, Horace Greeley, who in another wellknown
case, was the agent for distributing lobby funds in
which he has refused to disclose the recipient of
any part of this $4,000? Let us have full disclosure.
"But the whole sum used was $1,000, of which only
$4,000 expended in New York, and the report
says no satisfactory explanation has yet been afforded
of the application of the balance. This little balance
was $4,000. What has become of it Where was
it expended? Doubtless at Washington. Who pock-
eted it? Had Speaker Banks anything to do with it,
and if So what his relations to the money? What
members of Congress shared in the distribution of the
funds t-H... -,..
at is pretty certain that the investigation committee
of the last Congress- did not ferret out all the corruption
that has estered in and about the capitol Matteson
Gilbert & Co. were not the only members who should
have been exposed If they would consent to turn inform
ers there would be terrible futterng among many who
assume the garb of honesty. There must be III
vestgaton of this great $4,000 corruption The
facts should be dragged to the light Let know how
many patriots, who shrieking for freedom in Kan
sas were at the same time holding their hands behind
them to receive brides for their votes on important
measures of legislation. r &C.. a. .a#
"'The fact that so large of money should have
been contributed by single house to the passage
of the tariff of 1857 is well calculated to produce in
tense excitement in Congress and the country. How
much other houses contributed remains to be seem
1t will not be forgotten that in the struggle the
tariff question alluded to- the interests of Pennsylvania
postponed subordnated to promote the interests
of New England We cannot but express the hope that
the parties to this scandaous transaction may be thor
oughly exposed Had Mr. Guthries reasonable COM
promise that question been carried it would have
given great satisfaction to Pennsylvania but it
that the manufacturers of New England had taken care
in advance to promote their ends, no matter at
whatever Philadelphia Press. r..