Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-01-23
TUESDAY Eve, Jan. l3. 1868.

was mlbleu tO-uay oy very inaccurate
statement Of Secretary Chases substitute for
the House bill to supply temporarily funds
to the Treasury to pay the army. The sub
stitute authorized one hundred millions Of
six per cent. bonds running ten years, fifty
millions treasury notes without interest
green-backs, and fifty millions Of treasury
notes bearing four per cent interest and re-
deemable in two years. The notes receivable
for every thing except custom duties. The
Senate passed the substitute bill promptly,
and rejected the House bill. trust the
House will concur, and SO give speedy relief
to the suffering soldiers. They must be taken
care of come what will
The ISvEsTIeATIoN.
The committee raised on my motion, in
reference to certain charges in the ~ Y Tri-
J,tne, have reported unanimously that "after
a full invesh CATION OF the case, we are unaoIe
to discover that any approaches of a peounia-
~ nature were made to any members Of this
House, either By those interested IN the measure.
or others but that they do find evidence Of
indirect but unsuccessful efforts made by third
parties to obtain influence of officers Of the
House, sufficient to found the charge of the
correspondent Of the Tribune, and therefore
cannot discover that he has been guilty of
any breach OF the privilege accorded to him
as a reporter in this House" This conclusion
was adopted by the House without objection.
Inasmuch as both committee and House have
unanimously exhonorated Gales & Seaton,
the Committee on Printing, every member,
has been entirely accomplished. 1t turns out
that there was reason to believe that "third
persons" i. e. the lobby speculators had uu-
dertaken to turn penny for themselves, and
/ never supposed he intesded to impicate
myself or any member; but he was careless
and loose in his statements. and readers might
infer more than he intended. 1t was right,
therefore, to correct the matter, and it has
been done. A word as to the lobby agents
their game is to volunteer electioneering for
claims, and, if the claims are admitted, they
then dog the claimants with demands for pay
this without being employed, without author
ity, and usually without having affected the
vote of single Congressman. Indeed, in
nine cases out Of ten, members are prejudced
against claims in which these cormorants are
caught. 1t is species Of swindling, and
am glad to add that since have been in Con-
grcss the business has been growing more and
more unsuccessful. This advice to claimants
never employ claim agent--never. Consult
au honest lawyer at home to establish facts
by good evidence--consult your member and
then an honest case, properly prepared, will
receive favorable consideration. If the hand
of claim agen; is in the case, it will be sus-
pected. Remember poor dog Tray, and new
er be caught in bad company. In writing
this do not intend to have it understood
that there are not honest lawyers here who
prosecute claims. There are such, and men
on the ground may well avail themselves of
the experience of,.honorable men of this class:
but do mean to say that many are mere
spectators in want Of a job, who have no
thought but for compensation-who will en-
courage doubtful claims, and thus subject
the claimants to loss Of temper, time and
money; and especially do | warn all concern
ed against every man who processes to have
"inhuence" with members of Congress,--as
much as to say that be can put them in lead
ing strings. Depend upon it, that cannot be
done, and the man who promises it not only
insults Congress, but attempts to cheat the