Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-03-06
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP


Mr.. HoARD's RESOLUTION, which occupied
the House during the major part of the day be-
fore yesterday, provides for the appointment of
committee to investigate charges contained
in an irresponsible newspaper paragraph, to
the effect that the President had used the execu-
tive patronage to influence the voc of a mem
Der on the Kansas bill. The paragraph cited
charges that Mr.. Burns, of the Ohio delega-
ton, was avowedly opposed to the Lecompton
Constitution, and having suddenly changed his
opinion, was Intercepted as to his alleged vas
eillstion, when he replied he was to become
the recipient of certain executive favors in con-
sequence thereof. 1t goes on to state that these
favors consist in the retention of Mr. b s SON.
in-law as Postmaster at Keokuk, Iowa and
his own appointment, on the expiration Of his
Congressional term, as United States Marshal
for the northern district of Ohio.
In the preamble to his resolution Mr. Hoard
reiterates this charge, and, by bis modification
introduced on the day before yesterday. de-
elares that common fame" accuses the Presi-
dent, not only now, but in years past, of thus
wronsfully using the patronage attaching to
that position. 1t is because of these allepa-
generaized rumors by common fame''-lying
opposition SANDERS, well known to be such by
Mr.: Hoard, if he is endowed with brains sufi-
eient to scratch himself when he itches-that
the resolution was introduced; and even in
his speech before the House, Mr. III. did not
dare to make definite assertion that any cor
ruption had occurred or was about TO occur
On the contrary, he advocated his resolution
solely on the ground Of the aforementioned
reports and rumors.
We have set this matter forth thus perspicu-
ously, to illustrate on what shallow pretexts
snen grave charges are uttered against the chief
enesr Of the nation. All the allegations are
crude and unshapen, no specific charges what
ever being embodied in them They consist in
mere vague reports and idle rumors. On the
day before yesterday, when the mover of the
resolution was on the floor, he gave the sources
whence his information was derived; and one Of
me gentlemen alluded to as being among his
1niormants explained that he had only related
TO Mr.. d what was told him by another mem-
Der.
Now, We ask, does it not convey q reproach
on the character and intelligence of the Ameri-
can people, that gentlemen who have sufficient
lnfuence In their districts to become members
OF Congress will so far lose their sense of self
respect as to cast the most offensive and injuri-
ous 1mputations on the characters of fellow
members, on such unsubstantial and trivial
bounds as those pointed out above? We are
H. are that the virulence of political disser sions
viii sometimes lead even gentlemen to disre-
gard the oourtesies of life in order to gain van
n n hut L
the first instance within our knowledge where
members of one party have allowed their an
taSonism towards an opposing party to impel
them to seek the destruction of both the public
and private reputation of a fellow-member,
without, apparently, even the shadow of q
foundation on which to lay their charge
When it is remembered too, that the charac-
Ter Of the chief officer of the nation is sought to
be involved % n serious extent in this affair,
the unprincipled wantonness of the attempt
becomes more palpable. Can it be that this
utter indifference about the feelings Of others
this total abnegation Of respect towards those
who differ in opinion with the prosecutors Of
this charges the result of party animosity
alonss Is it not, rather, more plausible to
suppose that the affair grows out of desire on
bers who were last year adjudged guilty Of cor
ruption and bribery. to revenge the effect of
that action of Congress towards them on the
party to which they belonged, by endeavoring
to heap equal oblOquy and disgrace on the
head of some member of the Democracy of the
House! This seems SO to US; and if it is the
case, the effort is more than ever worthy of de-
ANNEXATION, and must react with retributiye
force on the heads of those seeking to perpe-
Irate the wrong.
Mr.. Burns, on the day before yesterday, az
will be seen, desired that the investigation
should be instituted, and introduced other res
olutions with that view, which Mr. Hoard &C.
cepted in lieu Of bis own. The House, how
ever, very wisely considered the charges too
vague and indefinite to be worthy OF notice.
and hence laid the whole subject on the table
We are more than half inclined to believe that
Ar Hoard has acted in this matter the part Of
an instrument in the hands Of other parties be-
hind the curtain.
APPOINTMENTS BY TIE PREsIDESr-By and
erifk k.s adrIee and consent of The Senate
Collectors Of the CHSt0my.-William s. Pom
sroy, district of Fairfield, Conn reappointed
George p. Eddy, district OF Niagara, n. Y,
Sioe A. T. E. Hotchkiss, whose commission ex-
pired orvine Robinson, district of 0swego, n.
Z, vice Enoch B. Talcott, whose commission
expired; Warren Bryant, district Of Buffalo
Creek, n. 7, vice John T. Hudson, whose
commission expired; William II. Curtis, dis
trict Of Yorktown, Va, vice Joseph B. Brit
bingham, resigned John s. Parker, district
Of cherrystone, Va.-reappointed; Henry F.
Hancock, district of Washington, N. Gre
appointed; Julius A Baratte, district of ST.
Mary's, Ga.-reappointed; Robert n. McMiI-
IAN district Of Teche, La.-reappointed; Ben
1smhn Washington, district Of San Francisco
"a vice Milton S. Latham, resigned.
surveyor Of tAs CUSTOMS William A.