The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1859-03-30
BON, J. CLANCY J0NEs III READING
STEAM FORGE Il

[Yrom tho Reading eazotte aud Democrat, March 2e1
The Philadelphia Ledger Of Monday last contained the
following letter from its Washington correspondent, in
which reference is made 10 the charge brought against
the Hon. J. CLANCY Jones by the minority Of the late in
v~estigating committee of Congress of having received pay
Cor The use of his influence in procuring work for the
Reading s~team-Fofge. It will be seen that Mr.. Jones
positively denies having ever acted as agent Ia the nego-
tiation Of contracts with The Forge Company, or that the
officers ever offered him a price for any such service
wAsnrsaros, March 10, 1853.
Me- Finn, navy agent here, Is Ia the receipt of a letter
~ Mr.. CLANCY Jones, stating that he has been very cour-
te0usly received at Vienna by the Emperor and Empress,
and by Count Buol. the Prime Minister. Mr.. Jones's
family has spent the winter at Venice and Florence, but
they vlii soon Join him at his country residence, some
hss mics ftoso tho metropolis. In autumn lac viii set
~ his town establishment. M
NJ Jones speaks Of having received letters from
iieads, rodtlng in a general way, that charges of having
actcd a. agent fof pay 81 the Reading Forge Company,
sgrs preferred against hlm. Expressing regret that pre-
sizes SAnis are NOT staued, he uses language rs follows
Ia the course " FIVE ycars the Reading Forge Company
paid me- ices Eos services from two hundred TO four hun.
dfet doliaS. Which rs all that I ever received. 1 never
ia4e oaubAcis for theta with any man living all con
tracts ~ uhars have been gotten las ! SUPPOSE by their
hciaE che lowest bidders. A recommended them 30 every
ode - e good company, and advised those having work
a. D. done. 10 invite their proposals at least. never
vent tzhina this koue 81 the company told me, some
time ago, they were willing 10 pay for the expense of get
fang ~conttacts, but never pretended 10 offer me a price,
thsy were henorAhAe men and wonld not do IL"
TITS statement ~ Mr. Jones seems confirmed by the
teatim0ny befonc the naval investigating COMMITTEES, since
thai sirsut The sum above named Was shown TO have been
paid ~ the eotnpany for expenses OF Mr.. Jones ia visit
ig Washington On three occasions. IL he was TO re-
eulNc q pCr centsgo upon contracts, nothing would have
hsSn advanced him, but he would only have been enti-
tied 81 pay upon the of The object. Those
who could h. 80 i~orgetful a. 10 testify that q the com
pany had contracts with the government when, in re-
ality, they were with those who had been recommended
Al the department 10 employ the service of the Reading
Forge Company, when Il could be done consistently with
the Interests 81 contractors, might misinterpret the dis
position Of che Stockholders 30 compensate MIR, Jones for
expenses, Into an agreement ON his part 10 receive more
than that amount.
As The little testimony that went to prejudice Mr..
Jones ws entirely q pgh, ho being in Europe common
fairness would seem 90 indicate that before Judgment is
formed, time should Dc given him to make defence to the
charges that have been preferred. Such was the view of
the majority Of the committed, which majority was made
up OF democrats and Americana s