The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-05-02
The Debate I'm tho House on tho Com
nlitteo OF Inquiry Into Contracts.

The Debate I'm tho House om tho Conn
nlitteo Of Inquiry Into Contracts.
The debate in the House Of Repre-
sentatives, on Tuesday last, on the report
Of the Committee of Inquiry into Govern
ment Contracts, is full of interest and very
suggestive One can hardly pernse the seve-
raj speeches Of the members engaged in this
debate, or reflect upon the spectacle exhibited,
without painful. feeling Of conmingcd sor-
row and Indignation; Of sorrow at discovering
that at such great crisis as the present patti
otism and the desire to save Che Union enter
less into the minds Of the radical Jacobn re-
pubicans than the love Of gain OF indignation
at the thought that men who possess such ins-
maculate political purity should be found on
the side Of peculators. plundercrs and con-
tracing gamblers sndeavoring to thwArt all
tho effort. oc Congress to search out and
unma.k the thieves and robbers who
have laid their rapacious hands on
the Treasury. Such an open and daring
Onslaught, on committee Of investigation
was never before seen in'the history OF parlis-
mentary bodies. In the English Parliament
such inquiries by committee are Of common oc-
curreuce; but never, we believe, has been seen
in the House Of Commons such spectacle as
body Of men in the House itself attacking
committee and seeking TO save the guilty.
Ii was not until the moral sense Of the COM
munity had been shocked by the announcement
Of gross and outrageous frauds committed upoA
the government It was not before the voice OF
an outraged people had loudly called for inyes.
sjga;ion, that this committee wss appointed. In
due time il makes its report, bringing 10 light
transactions the enormlty Of which is a dis
grace and shame, and enough 10 make every
honest man shudder, Bu. what do we witness
IN consequence; 4 number OF individuals be-
longing to the party OF Greeley pures-
who, like that general Of the black brigade.
have held themselves up to the public az abs
lutte immsculates and incarruptible opponents
of jobbery aud frauds start up instantly
on the door OF the House to attack
The committee and its report, and de'sud
number OF the most sbamSless plunderers OF
their country.
In the debate Mr.. Conkiing d New York.
opened The bali by protesting against the origi-
nal formation Of the committee, denouneing il
most illogicslly a. an advisory board
10 supervise questions Of integrity relating 70
every man engaged in the administration Of
departmental affairs" But this very point
which he sssais 80 fercey i one Of the first
and highest duties and privileges Of a psrlia-
mentary body-vz; to inquire, to investigate
and search out into frauds affecting the nation.
The extraordinary gentleman from NeS
York, az Mr.. Wsshburne ironically called Mr.
Couking he il an extraordinary genle-
man: 40 are they ail--all extraordinary gen
tIemen- have lsbored against the witty,
interests OF the country. and sough. 70
uphold cnd screen men engaged in pluAder.
ing and defrauding the people. the army and
the goyernnenl--this extraordinary man was
not simply satisfied with attacking the House
itself in the matter Of privilege; but he went
further -.isquslitying himself for the title
ironically bestowed upon him aud descended,
in his efforts 20 produce an impression against
the committee, 10 the inca nnsss Of charging Ina,
this committee bad, as il uniformly the practice
with all travelling committees. received pe,
msut ul lis expenses.
Other extraordinary gentlemen attacked The
report. end laboTed TO throw tue egs uf their
patronage oven a gang ef pluudereis and rob
h.r. rhe debate rsSed warm. and was reu
ds,ad quite interesting, by ths able reply Of Mr.
W.shburre who me. The whole phsluns lance
IN hand snd drove tbeni 20 he wall. including
Nr. stevens, " Pennsylvania who. in former
debate. had ,sken the SAME ground ia support
nf incubation and psculators The conduct ~
AZ these persons was sci IN IL. true light Nv
III, gentleman AtogethcI il nas spicy
snd animated debate. and will be pro
duetive " much good Tbs insidious op-
Moments OF investigation, the su'tainers OF
,,ad and robbery will now ind the coun.
nv moys determined than ever in insist
.pr upon having all pluodsrer. and thieves
, hunted up and punished Congress will zee
the necessity Of doing its duty In The premises,
uumoyed BY the attacks and special plssdngs
OF some OF their own hody, who, by solioits.
tions st least. ace liH,s better than portioYs
! 9wi"''