Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-01-19
the Charge Of Corruption.

The allegation made by the examiners into
the affairs of Lawrence, Stone & Co., has called
/ forth considerable Comment in the House OF
Representatives, and a motion for select
committee of investigation. The allegation is
that upon the books of the firm in question
aprears an entry Of eighty-seven thousand
dollars paid in obtaining the passage through
Congress o. the tar # bill Of 1897. AccOmpa-
/ nying this was further statement that the
same firm had paid eight thousand dollars tor
editorial service" in New York. This latter
charge does not Of course conc within the pur'
view Of Congress. 1t is eminently desirable
however, that either the firm in question
should give more specific information, or that
some other means should be devised OF getting
ar the exact truth of that matter.
/ la the House, Mr. Buriugane followed
Nj. Stanton 10 the debate, 10 support OF the
motion for select committee OF investigation
COMPOSED of five members. As Represen-
tatiye from the state, where the principal
establishment OF the MijdlescX Manutac-
turing Company was located, he was special
/ ly anxious for full investigation. lie ad-
mi,ted that there was no charge, even by I'M
plicatiOn, against any member of Congress,
.
nend!ture was made by responsible parties,
he thought the House would best consult Its
dignity by ordering tue commt'ec. tie re,
+ ferred TO the high standing OF the name OF
one gentleman in the firm named. His name
bad been synonym of mercantile honor
aud integrity, and he trusted that the lnveStl'
/ cation would remove from it even the shadow
/ Of reprOach.
| Mr.. Davis, Of Md, after some expressions
/ Of his contempt for the press, entirely IN
called for, as he Immediately aiterwarG ac-
knowledged that the allegation in question
/ did not come from that quarter, and Was made
/ by responsible parties, opposed the motion fJr
a select committee, and thought the CON
mittee Of the last session conducted their
/ examinations in such manner as t. justify
their being entrusted with this.
I Mr.. Kunkcl, of Pa, rebuked Mr.. Davis fo1
his denunciation Of the press, and intimated
pretty plainly that but for the newspapers
| there would be more legislative corruption
than there is. He in turn rallied at Ne"
! England merchant princes" and supported
the motion for select committee.
MIR. Harris, Of H., diverted the discussion
| bv moving that the former committee on cor
| ruption, &C., be Instructed to report what ac'
/ ton was necessary in respect to member
/ from New York, who was condemned by that
committee hut was member OF the present
House. The Speaker pronounced the notion
! our Of order as an amendment 70 Mr. Stan
| tons.
/ At this point the discussion was very i'm
/ prupcrly made to assume a party character
Mr.. Harris had said that the Democratic par
ty had nothing to fear from the investigation
and Mr.. Stanton retOrted that the Democrats
had their family troubles, Of which the SALE
Of Fort Suelling might prove to tie one, anI
further nsinuated that possibly Mr.. llalrrs'
assertion might be disproved il the inveStlga
ton was ordered.
Mr.. Grow protested against the characte,
the dabate had assumed The speakers were
virtually charging members with corruption
lie denounced, uujustiy We think, the Iormc
select committee asserted that they had no
given accused members the opportunity, t
which they were entitled, OF cuutron ting tn
witnesses against them.
Finally the House adopted a resolution Of
fercd by Mr. Lrtcher, appointing select com
mttee of five to investigate the matter, witt
power to seud for persons and papers. MIR
Harris then made q separate motion IN refer
ence to the case Of Mr.. MattesOn, OF \.
the consd Grafton of which was postponed tai
Mo, day, Mr.. Mattcson having been caIie'
home by family aiil,ction.-N J. conan.