The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-06-18

The True Objects and Intents Of
the Committee.
NEW ExPUNoiNo RESOLUTION
&c.. &C., SC.


I'm umvnrfy RxroRf coyoDE INVESTIGATING oox
= Anxkg
Govcrncr WinslSw will tomorrow present 70 the House
Che following minority report from the Covode Committee
which shows up the objects and ntents of the committee
In its true colors
On the 9Th Of March the House motion Of Mr. Covode
Resolved, That committee of 1--WE members be ap-
pointed by the Speaker for the purpose of investigating
whether the President Of the United States any other
ocer Of the government has by money, patronage,
Congress any committee thereof for against the
passage Of any law appertainng to the rights of any
6tste Territory; and also TO inquire into and nvesti
ate whether any officer or officers Of the government
have, by combination otherwise, prevented and
defeated Or attempted to prevent or defeat the execution
Che President has failed refused to compel the execu
eion Of any law thereof That said committee shall in
Vestgate aud inquire into the above at the Chicago
other Post Offices and at the Philadelphia aud other navy
yards and TO any abuses in connection with the public
buildings and other public works OF the United States
Resolved further That as the President in his letter
% the Pttsburg Centenary celebration Of the 25th No
carry elections said committee shall inquire into and
ascertain the amount 30 used in Pennsvlvan any
n% hy M and by whose WAS an
from what sources the money was derived, and report
the Of the parties implicated and for the purpose
aforesaid said committee shall have power TO send for
persons and papers, and 70 report at any time.
These resolutions referred to committee, con-
isng Of Messrs Covode on, winslow Train and Robin
son. They involve and charge the committee with the
consideration Of distinct branches Of inquiry
Frst-whether the President any other officer of the
has sought by improper means to influence
che action Of Congress for against the passage of any
law appertauiug to the right of any State Territory
secoud--whether any officer OF government has, by
combination otherwise, defeated attempted to de-
Feat, the execution of any law.
Third-whl Their the President has failed refused to
compel the execution OF any law.
vourth-Ahnscs at he Chicago and other Offices
Fifth-Abuses at Philadelphia and other navy yards.
Sixth-Abuses in connection with the public building
and other public works.
Seventh-The employment Of money TO cary elections
m the States, and especially in Pennsyvanahow much,
where by whom, and under what authority employed
end from what service derived.
These resolutions large their terms covering SO
much ground and opening such imable field for the
qualification OF passion and malignity, and, by
Quence rendering defence in like and
dicult have occupied the committee and
1Aborious investigation from the 18th Of March, involving
alyjmeetngs for period Of time equal to one half Of
che whole session OF the House. aud to that Of almost
is business sttngs snccls organization by the cleo
Sion Of lis Speaker must be obvious that by posi-
ty could the committee have examined thoroughly any
one Of these seven distinct subjects Of investigation much
eeas could Il have given all partial investigation
The person. property and character OF the Citizen well
she highest or humbst under the protection Of the
representatives of the people, will be TO the undersgu-
ed, as doubtless II will be to every fair minded man
In this House and the country, should injustice
have been done 10 any individual In the course Of
this inquiry by Of the inadequate time allowed
for the examination Of subjects OF such magnitude,
source Of most painful regret.
As the Congress does not expire until the 9TH March,
1861 the undersigned deemed In view Of their sugges-
tous and these Of justice To private individuals
and public personages whose character had seemingly
been tracd and sportcd WITH that this investigation
shoud not now close but that application should be made
to the House for to sit during the recess without
which permission the duties charged upon the committee
could not all be performed But in all this the
undersigned was overrued This determination of
tbc committee Is much 10 be regretted, since
II adds force 10 the suggestions which have
already obtained crcdencc and extensively circulated
through the public journals that this Investigation was
not commeoced carried for the honest ascertain
upeut Of ruh bnt that In point Of fact Is
srsck and shallow continuance for partisan purposes 10
ooup document TO print Il at the expense OF the
uDdnty and 70 circulate under the authority this
ouse win view 10 influence the fall elections and that
70 this end unjust aspercns public and private cha
sacter and unwarranted against the integrity
OF We highest ocers Of the government were not at all 10
30 regarded In the nature OF
possibly unjust 70 the motives n the Of the rcsou-
tions and certainly in derogaton Of the justice Of this
House, character and dignity and the undersigned fears
chat the OF the proceedings in the committee the
disregard II seems 10 the undersigned, OF private
rights and the compulsory violation OF private confidence
Che criminal because unnecessary viii greatly tend
% give color 70 these suggestions.
Perhaps many things that have occurred and have
trbutcd create and strengthen the public mind the
probabilities Of such conclusions but the legitimate
and natural results Of resolutions Of this character aimed
alike and purpose the President and the high
officers Of his administration They offered bait too
tempting be refused by the pack Of sandcrers scas
OF society. who working the heels Of deccncy
and rcspcctsbility, and suffering for their nyorte
reports the effects Of sapderous rcfatations The
coward sheltered under an anonymous signature,
20 his spleen and malignity without risk Of dis
covcry and the Of this investigation had stmu
hied nfsccoccs and encouraged tslebearers II will be
well for the country the practice should stop here.
Vague and indefinite in their charges there scarce In
Me wide range OF politics subject which eager and
Ingenious prosecutor might no, have brought into exami.
pson under color Of their authority The undersigned
waA anxious, nay, socous, 70 shield the mover IL his
motes pure and patriotic from unjust aspersiou
20 srps laid In his power He sought therefore 10
nc tina inquiries Of the committee within the inns, sco,
OF the resolutions 10 charges founded upon reliable
sources, and 10 examinations conducted unae,
The known rules Of lows which are oh.
-tained In judicial tribunals. The more desirable
and necessary this since the sessions Of the Commit
tee, obviously nquisoria as i's duties, we're Sc.
cc need they must be- and It's province was 70
Determine, pos upon the dearest rights Of the citizens
his good name and reputation denying 10 him the sacred
right ocoorontns his and Of examining the
witness But the undersigned regrets say that all
edcrts on this part futile Most OF the charges exam.
Ned were founded on anonymous communications Others
upon information from persons destitute Of character and
sahoss pcsision-dspsccd ONCE holders, disappointed
Suce seekers, venal placement advcuurcrs mercenary
sns-whose politics were bounded by no ofticr motives
nAo se" interest An the evidence which unex Iained