New-York daily tribune., 1859-02-14
FROM ALBANY.

Ersr Our Own Correspondent
ALBANY, Saturday, Feb. j., 1859.
The Senates Lobby Committee had session
Yesterday afternoon or evening, at which Erastus
Corning. IT,, was examined touching any useful
knowledge be might pysssss in regard to supposed
improper rhlences brought TO bear ou members of
the Legislature Of 1857, in correction with the
passage Of bill To bridge the Hudson River at this
place and the amount Of biissful ignorance which
that young gentleman possessed, as developed by
his testTony was quite refreshing. He knew of
10 influences. proper or improper, brought to bear
on the passage OF the act m question; ne couldn't
tell exactly when the act was passed--dldn't re-
member whether be- was in the city at the time or
not--he didn't seem quite sure that he knew Of the
passage Of any such act at all, and in fact seemed
10 know nothing Oh that subject or any other--at
least ANYTHING likely 20 be Of service to the Com
mttee. Indeed, it was quite evident that ne was
one Of the Origin kBOw-uothings. and was soon
dismissed, les. he should throw the chairman into
the shade. Clearly, Mr.. Wheeler has not got hold
u the right man yet
To-day the Lobby question has assumed a new
and more interesting phase. As the surgeons say,
We have " fresh subject, or, fact, two or three
fresh subjects and il is to be- hoped that they Will
be properly dissected BY the surgeons the Senate
Mr. o. Is Wheeler stated in his place that he had
proof positive in bis possession that efforts had been
made 70 tamper with the Committee, by at least
one member Of the Legislature aud member OF
the lobby. But to begin at the beginning OF .hs
interesting affair:
The Lobby question came before the Senate in
the form Of the unfinished business of yesterday,
being the proposition to add tgo more members to
the Committee of Investigation. which was voted
down, when Mr.. BRANDRETH offered resolution
to cOnfne the action of the Committee to charges
of corruption having reference to the present
Legislature.
Dir. o. b. WHEELER opposed the resolution
and for the information OF the Senate, IN order that
members might vote understandingiy. made state
mcnt that the Committee had selected the Albany
Bridge bill ss the one for examlnatiOn-an exam
inatiOn into the manner Of It's passage. lie was
prensred to prove that there was corruption con-
pected with the passage of thst bill. Again he be-
lieyed be was prepared To prove that an improper
influence had been attempted to be exercised over
the Sergesnt-at-Arm of this body, by member Of
this body. to prevent the investigation Of the SUBJ
iect the Committee had commenced examining.
Aeaip large sums of money had been offered to
a hiyhly.esteemed frisld of his 10 his influence
on bin (Mr. o. b. Wheeler) that he would abstain
from The meetings Of the Committee. lie was pre-
psred TO prove all this before the Committee. he
lad Dot sought the position he now occupied.
Some Senators had stated that in making the .er
ence TO the Committee on Public Buildings it was
only in fun. His constituents were not IN iun
when they sent him to the Senate He did not
regard il as matter of fun--nOt the most remote.
He had only to say further that if the Senste de-
sired to abrOeate the power intrusted 10 the Com
miitee, very well. He would be well pleased. If
Senator's desired to instruct him m his duties, be
wished they would do il here, and not folio tim
to the cosk-room or the library, with their advice
The same with the lobby. He desired to be dis
charged from this unpleasant. duty.
DIR. BRANDRETH thought the Senate had no
right to 20 beyond is own members in this inyesti
g5ton. He was free to say, for himself, that he
had never been improperly approached By any per-
son in regard u his legislative duties.
Nr. DoHERTY, q member or the Committee,
spoke at some length, in which be advocated
granting the " idest lstirude to the Committees n
yestiRstoD, and seemed Ia be after legislative cor
ruption with d remarkably sharp stick. In the
course of his speech. b. frequently e1 :ted laugh
ter for the grotesqueness OF his figures. Mr. ID.
said ihst be eonsd, red that his course with this
Committee had rendered hi; appearance in Albany
a public nuisance
Mr.. DoHERTY slso made another remark the
truth Of which vii not probably be questioned by
suy intelligent person familiar with the subject,
VIZ: tha. " Tie Democratic party VIII never suffer
Itself 10 LAY nay where corruption is at stake"
Mr. DnEN did not intend - occupy any more
time On this subject, but be cOuld readily that
ls position might be mi.apprehended. This morn
irg the Chairman Of the Committee had presented
charges having form and shape. Investigation in
that direction ought not to be checked. Ii there
il law our statute book passed by corrupt in
iuence. near or remote, and Senator assures US
that be is prepared to prove It. then let the
nation go forward. The Chairman had assumed
the province OF preferring charges; very well, let
kia seaTe Ihe EeslonE.bli'y. Le: ths Commi,,ee