Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-03-23
For the Standard.
FUr lnV iNlanuNru
WASHINGTON CRY, March 18th, 1859.


GENTLEMEN In your issue of the 9th inst, find
letter written by the Hon. 7. L. Clingman, dated
"Senate Chamber, March Sd, 1859" in which he
states that your correspondent" has made "a false
statement in relation to the action of the Senate on
the appropriation for the branch mint at Charlotte
This assertion is untrue and is wholly unsustained
by the facts which Mr.. Clngman recites in his own
letter. The paragraph which seems to have given
offence to the Senator, appeared in my letter dated
26th February, and reads as follows: 1.-The appro-
priation for the branch mint at Charlotte n. c.,
which was stricken out Of the legislative appropria
ton BILL afterwards, through the cxertions of
Mr.. Craige and Others, again incorporated in the
bill and agreed to by the Senate" In this brief
mention of the transaction did not pretend to give
details but simply stated the general tnct that the
appropriation mas stricken out and this Mr.. Cling
man admits in his letter while seeking to impeach
the reliability of my statement. lie acknowledges
that despite his efforts to sare IT. 1T did tat to pass
in the committee of the whole in the Senate and the
bare tact is all stated without any mention to
whether it was in committee or otherwise Where
then is the material discrepancy between my state
ment and the Senator's, and upon what ground can
he reasonably predicate complaint?
l was not in the Senate when this matter was un-
der discussion but afterwards in conversing with
member of Congress about its failure, was inform
ed that, through the influence and personal cxplana
tons made by MIR. Crage to Senators, the apprOpri
alton for this useful establishment had been conn-
ued. Knowing that it had been stricken out and
that the constituency of Mr.. Craige had vital in
terest in this matter, felt surprise at the prom
incnce given him in connection with its restoration
for it is an everyday practice of members of one
branch of Congress, to visit the other during the
tendency of measures Immediately affecting their
constituents for the purpose of exerting such inu-
ence as they may possess in passing or defeating
them the case may be. After the unfriendy ac-
tion of the committee and Mr.. Craige's subsequent
association with the matter, never thought of Mr..
Clngman in connection with it. and was greatly sur
prsed to learn that his extreme sensibty had con-
strued my nofensive notice intoa designed disparage-
ment of his services lhave no doubt that the Sena-
tor did all he could but he certainly taled commit
tee to save it. and from the information | had re-
ceved then believed that Mr.. Craige was entitled
to great credit for its success believe so still.
This is plain statement of the whole affair so far
as am concerned.
word more. During my connection with the
Standard as correspondent this is the first time
fault-fnding spirit has been evinced. l have en-.
deavored to deal mpartally and fairly with all,
have never desired attempted to deprcciate open
y or by indrectiou the worth or usefulness of any
man, nor have gone out of the way to seek pretexts
for the bestowal of ndiscrminate and lsomc praise
when this is essential to my continuance as cor.
respondent, shall cease to act as one.
Truly yours,
| MEssRs HOLDEN & WILSON.