Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-06-22

reader, the following article from the last
number of "7He Opposition" 1t is an over
whelming exposure of the erroneous state
ments of Gov. HARRIS in regard to matters OF
fact with which he ought to have been famil-
lar; and, unless explained by him, must go
far to impeacb the credibility of any charge
he may hereafter bring against political op-
ponents.
Coy. Harris convicted by Omcial
Evidence OF Gross and IncxcusabIe
MIsstatements.
In the report of Governor HARRIs's
speech in this place, published in the
Union and american, of the 4th of May
last, there occur the following pas
sages:
He LGovernor HAKRIs1 charged, further
more that under that ltbe FuLaoRE1 admin
istration had been originated and commenced
a large proportion of the works justly classed
as extravaganza; and which, having been com
menced subsequent administrations have had
to carry on. This he challenged his oppo-
nent to denv.
The Civil and Diplomatic Appropriation
Bill which passed at the session of 1850. un-
der the influence OF the FILLMORE administra-
ton. contained a clause for the extension of
the Capitol, q according TO such plan may be
approved by the President Of the United STATES
and " by such architect as he may appoint to
execute the same.' The amounts which have
been expended in completing this work on
the plan commenced by Mr.. FILLMORE and his
architect foot up the round sum of 81, 695 900,
and the work is not yet completed. The pro-
position to commence this work passed the
House of Representatives, August q, 1850.
OF the 81 members who voted against this
bill, but three were then in opposition to the
Democratic party, and two of them, Messrs.
TOOMBs and CLINGMAN, have since joined our
party.
The Washington Water Works, another
item of Extravaganza, originated with the
same administration, and passed the House
in the same bill with the Capitol extension
project Ii has already cost the Government
81, 4O5 800. There were 81 members voted
against it. 1t was supported by every Oppo-
sitiOn member but three. and two of them have
since become Democrats. OF the 81 who
voted against it, all toere Democrats but three.
In subsequent speeches, as we will
prove if denied, Gov HARRIS has af-
firmed that he, being a member of Con-
gress at the time, opposed the extension
of the Capitol, and he has charged, in
express terms, that that measure was
originated by the FILLMORE Admins
tration.
In his speech at Columbia, he assert,
ed, as we are prepared to prove, if it be
denied, that the engineer who super
intends the construction of the Capitol
extension, and who embellish that
costly edifice with $40, 900 doors, and
SIT 900 windows, was appointed by
Mr.. FILLMORE that it was deemed by
the succeeding Democratic administra-
ton unsafe te remove him and there
he stands till this day, representative
of the prodigality of the FILLMORE ad-
ministration,"
Governor HARRIS was representa-
tive in Congress during the entire four
years of the TAYLOR and FILLMORE ad-
ministration. He was an eyewitness
of the transactions which he undertakes
to state he participated in the legis-
lative proceedings of which he speaks A.;
he was one of the sixty-two who voted
against the Civil and Diplomatic b II
of 1850; he cites that vote to show
that those who voted against that bill
were opposed to the clause, which he
says was contained in it, providing for
the extension of the Capitol; and he
takes special pains to tell his audience
that of these sixty-two Gas he would
have it believed opponents of the ex-
tension, "but three were then in op-
position to the Democratic party, and
two of them have since become Demo
Gratis"
All the foregoing statements by Gov.
HARRIS in regard to the extension OF
the Capitol, We repeat. relate to facts oil
which he had personal knotoiedge al
the time of their occurrence. For their
accuracy, therefore. he must be held
to strict accountability.
TO the truth, then, and to the testi'
mony:
/. That the extension of the Capitol
originated with, or was originated by
the FILLMORE administration.
Utterly untrue in point of fact!
The measure originated solely with
Congress, without recommendation OF
suggestion from President FILLMORE OF
his heads of departments, or from
President TAYLOR or his heads of de
partments. @
In the Senate of the United States
on the 20th of September, 1850. th,
Hon. JEFF. DAVIS. then and now q
Senator from Mississippi, and Secre
tary OF War during President PIERcE''
administration, offered the following
amendment to the Civil aud Diploma
tic Appropriation bill which had beer
previously passed by the House OF Re
representatives, aud sent up to th,
Senate: