The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-12-01
ORGANIZATION OF THE HOUSE.

i ORGANIZATION OF THE HOUSE.
We have heretofore called attention to the
being entrapped into the support of men fol-
the various offices of the House, who will use
their influence for the overthrow of Republican
principles. We have also pointed out the dan
ger and disgrace which the selection of corrupt
men will inevitably bring upon the party. Thai
the Republicans were miserably cheated in the
organization ofthe Thirty fourth Congress, every
intelligent man knows; but the following article
from the Richmond (Va.) Wing of March
1885, furnishes demonstrative proof of the fact
Let every Republican member read and pom
der, before he falls into similar snare. No
man should receive Republican vote who will
be ashamed or afraid to acknowledge his obi
CATION, or who will confer office upon the enc
mics of Republcanism.
From the Richmond (vs.) Wing of March, 1856.
MR. CULLoM-HIs APPOINTMENTS.
We take great pleasure in giving place to
the following letter from friend in Washing
ton, a distinguished member of Congress-, and
a perfectly reliable, high-minded gentleman,
|
we know, made by our Washington correspond
ent, in reference to the appointments of Gen.
Cullom the Clerk of the House of Representa-
tives. Our correspondent represented Gen.
Cullom as having appointed to subordinate
clerkships in his department many open and
avowed Aboitionists. We, of course, could
know nothing of the real facts of the case our
selves but we are now satisfied that our CORES.
pondent's representations did Gen. Collum gross
Injustice, and We cheerfully repair it, as far as
is in our power, by publishing the following,
from source entitled to the most implicit con-
| fdence:
WASHINGTON, March 5, 1856.
DEAR SIR see the Nashville Union and
other Democratic papers in the South are
| charging that Gen. Cullom, Clerk of the House
of Representatives, has appointed Abolitonsts
to office, and they give as authority for this
charge "the Washington correspondent of the
Richmond Wing, q Know-Nothing journal"
quote the language of the Union.
Now, have looked into the facts, and l am
sure that the greatest injustice has been done to
! Gen. Cullom. l have not seen the letter in the
| Wing alluded to, but have felt that it is but
! Just to give you the FACTS, and do not doubt
! that you will take pleasure in doing justice to
Cullom, editorially. l will be responsible for
! the accuracy of the facts / state to you.
! Gen. Cullom, as Clerk, had the appointment
| of NINETEEN subordinate officers in discharge of
duty connected with the House. To fill these
Offices, he retained eight of the incumbents who
were appointed by Col Forney. These eight,
! the Democratic papers will hardly say are Abo-
! litionists. l have no idea they are. They are
John NJ. Barclay Daniel Buck, T. D. Harris,
! w. II. Minnix Jo Ohm Messimmer, Z. Emerich
! L. Speice, and j. B. Florence, brother of Flor
ence Democratic member from Pennsylvania. J
OF the remaining eleven, five are from the
Southern States, to wit w. Z. Ingram, of Ken
lucky; J. C. Walker, of Tennessee John Har-
vey, of South Carolina; B. w. Bates, Of Dis
trict of Columbia and A. 7. Owen, of Vir-
GINA do not know all these personally, but
l cannot suppose that any doubt will be enter
tanned that they are all free from the imputation
| of Abotionism.
-Then-there- are but six who are appointed
Democratic Clerk ] have taken pains to see
who they are.
First. N. B. Markle, of Indiana, is a men,
Der of the American party, was Wing, was
! appointed to office under Mr.. Fillmore, ind lie
states TO me, could he have had the selection of
a candidate for President, Fillmore would have
been his choice, " because, while President he
did nobly sustain the Constitution and laws of
the country" He of course disclaims that he
is an Abolitionist
!
! the American party, and denies that he agrees
or co-operates, or ever did, with the Abolition.
lists, or with the so-called Republican party.
Third. c. b. Adams, of Connecticut, has
been Wing, held Office under Mr.. Fillmore
during his whole term, resigned when Pierce
! came ln,) Is an ardent advocate of Fillmore's
| reelection, and denounces as untrue the charge
of Abolitionism as far as he is concerned.
| Fourth. Isaac Strohm, of Ohio, denies to me
| that he is or has ever been an Abolitionist, was
appointed to office in the Treasury Department
under Mr.. Fillmore, was turned out under
Pierce because suspected of Americanism, and
claims to be identical with Henry Clay on
questions connected with Slavery
Fifth. William Hazlett, of PENNSYLVANIA. was
Wing, is now an American, has not only, he
says, never fraternized with the Aboitionists.
but, on the contrary, 1" has been thrown into
frequent and violent conflicts with the fanatical
leaders of that organization" This is his O,on
language.
Sixth. P. B. Tompkins, of New York, de-
nounces the charge of Abolitionism as SANDER
Gus and untrue, as far as he is concerned. He
says he is an American, National Conservative
IN his politics. He refers me to the position of
Henry M. Fuller in the late contest for Speak.
er as exemplifying what he regards as correct
sentiments.
~ III" given JOu the pOSlJlOnS OF all
Gen. Cullom's appointees, upon careful ascer-
talnment as far as l thought it necessary to
pursue the investigation, with a view to the
question sprung.
There are nine other appointees of the Clerk.
l have employed as map-makers, &C., in the
Land Ohice. L have not seen these men. or
pushed inquiry particularly into their politics.
but am assured that about the same state of
things would be found as to them. / learn that
the chiefofthe corps served in that position under
Ioueey, and is retained by Cullom and as to
the other eight, four of them are appointees
from Southern and four from Northern States
am satisfied that the charge of your correspond-
ent copied so generally in Southern Democratic
papers, does Gen. Oullom great injustice. Nv
object Is to place the facts before you. as much
in detail as my time will allow, that Won NAV
have reliable data to do Mr.. Cullom Justice. If
any fact l state is called in question, will be
responsible for the statement. | feel assured
that you will take pleasure in correcting this
injurious impression, if you concur with me
that it is not just.
With high regard, your friend, &C., &c.
To Mr.. Ridge'uay, Ed. Wing, Richmond, Ia.
PROCLAMATION OF Gov. WIsE.-Vfsite to
observation-disclosures Wise, of Virginia. has
issued proclamation, in which, after stating
that he has ordered a military force to Charles
town, in view of the execution of Cant Rrown
and may probably call for further military aid
odds. y ~'~j