New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-02-15

No topic more important or more imminent can
demand the attention of Congress. than that venti-
lhted by Mr.. Hcards resolution Of inquiry go
Unanimously resisted and so unceremonousiy
tabled. Is it true that the President OF the United
St.tes, whether directly or Indirectly, is brlong
Members Of Congress TO vote otherwise than as
their cOnsciences aud their constituents require
Does Mr. A., Mr.. B., or Mr. c., expect lucrative
Contulsbip, Post. Office, Marshalshp attractive
Mission, given to some special crony or restiye' 40
tie price Of his support of the Leconpton inPos-
tuIe Ifthis be the case-if Members are voting
ne they otherwise would not vote, because the
President desires it and is expected to
requite the service in the bestoWal OF
Dis patronage, what is all the corruption
about v hch 30 much dust has been raised TO this ;
That Member of Congress should sell his vote to
some patent monopoly, land;job, or steamship
enterprise, for base lucre is most deplorable fact
if it be fact; but how paltry must be all the cor
rpting influence which can thus b. exerted over
Congress compared with that OF the monopolist for
four years Of Sixty Millions worth of patronage.
who sends his emisssries into Congress to buy
voice, not with hi, own money, but with that OF
the People-to hire Members 20 betray their con-
stituents, and cooy puts his hands into those con-
situents pocket. and takes thence the wherewithal
to pay their betruyer- How long could our Gov
eminent Withstand such prostitution of patronage
such Il incorporation OF the Nations honcrs aud
emClumeuts, as this!
We are in favor of ali the Investigations that
have been ordered, and 20 many more as may be
found necessary. Weapprove OF making witnesses
tell all they know calculated to fssten corruption
upon Members of Congress. There is certainly
grave doubt as to the right of this Congress TO in
quire into transactions with past Congresses, where
by the absent the dead may be exposed to unjust
odum through partial and unfair exposltions OF
transactions uherewith their names are somehow
connected; but, since this obstacle is oyerleaped,
LET us know what Members, if any, have made
money by their votes on Tariffs, Laud-Grants,
Patent Extensions &C., not merely in the last Gen.
gress, but in any Congress whatever. But, while
this inquiry goes on, let not wholesale corruption
be permitted to tamper with the present Congress
with impunity. Since the House has swept its
oor of lobby agents LET not Members of the Cabinet
and other high functonaries enjoy monopoly OF
the vote traffic in the Hail. let not the Touceys
and Blacks and Steadmans whisper their promises
and seductons into closed against all other m-
proper alluIement Here is real need of investiga-
tionaId of decisive action thereupon. We trust Mr..
Hoard will persist in the good work he has COM
menced, and that the House will sustain him there
in. Let us have the President and the Members of
his Cabinet sworn to answer this question" Have
"you, directly or indirectly suspended the grant
cor refusal of any appointment or other favor 90
elected by Member of Congress on the contin-
"gency of his supporting the Lecompton Constitu-
" tom"