The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-02-16

ANNAPOLIS, Feb. Is, 1860
The House Committee on Corporations, engaged
in the investigation into the manner in which the
Travers- Brock ordinance was obtained and as
signed sat yesterday about nine hours. Its place
of meeting is in the folding-room Immediately I'M
der the Library, room capable of accommodating
large number of spectators, who accordingly
| improve the opportunity. / cannot say that am
favoraby impressed with this species of search
| after truth. The members of the committee sit
around one end and part of one side of long table
their stenographic reporter opposite, and the
| newspaper gentlemen at the lower end Brooks
LAWYERS have little side-table to themselves while
the opposing counsel sit at the other side of the
| long table, | do not understand that there are
many legal gentlemen this committee. The
| Chairman, Dr. Goldsborough, is man evidently
of intelligence, but still no Judge of technical legal
propositions. So far as know, Mr.. Gordon, of Allie
gauy, is the only lawyer of note on the committee,
and he was not present at the examination vester-
| day. In consequence, the opposing counsel had
rather free-fght over their points, and the deci-
sions of the committee would not in all probability
be sustained by the Court of Appeals. A specta-
tor may easily infer that there division of opn
ion in the committee, some of the gentlemen
manifest very strong sympathy for Mr.. Brock and
his counsel, showing undouhted signs of impatience
These committees of investigation have been car
ried to extraordinary length at the present ses-
| sion. No less than three, of great Importance
in session, for part of the time ltaneousy
! Yesterday and to-day. The Brock the Stump and
the Gather and Purnell election inquiries were all
| on hand, and tire Houses both sat in the morning
till three and in the evening from haIfpast seven
till eleven. The committees have sometimes re-
NAMED in session till one two, and the members
are really worked beyond all precedent After ALL
l doubt whether any real good has been effected in
any instance by these Investigations. Members
have been worried and wearied, and l am impressed
with the belief that the result will be pretty much
the same rs if none of them had been held
Even in Brooks case, and that of Judge Stump
l doubt if single opinion has been made up on
the facts brought out in the committee-rooms. Es-
pecially has this been the case with the Election
Committee; but it must be remembered that the
work was done for this committee in the city, in
advance of the session, and yet, even this, elabo-
rate and conclusive as it is, has practically been
fruitless. The members returned still hold their
seats and have taken their full share oflegislation,
just as if their right had not been impeached As
regards the legislation which has grown out of the
November and other elections, it may be assumed
that this would have taken place the evidence
of the press and common fame just well if the
conclusive evidence Of the outrages had never been
presented. Upon this point, to show what may be
done by testimony before committees, we have on
this fifteenth day of February a committee still
taking testimony about the election, not of the
members OF the House, but of Messrs. Gather and
Purnell, and scores OF witnesses, who estifving
that the November election was a model Of
fairness, quietness and peace. l am very much
afraid that committees of Investigations with
power to send for persons and papers, do
not pay. These attempts have been all well meant,
and carried out in good faith, but fear nothing
has resulted from them but needless expense of time
and money. Many witnesses have been examined
to-day in behalf of Judge Stump, who is here with
his counsel, Mr.. Walsh. They have all pretty much
testified to the exemplary life of the Judge. Mr. Will
liam Alexander-who lately issued manifesto, sta
ting that the strength of the Americans was not in
their hair, nor, if he is their representive man,
he might have added, in any thing at that end of
their persons-swore that for chasteress of Ian
guage, and general propriety, and sobriety of de-
pertinent, no Judge in his knowledge stood before