Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1866-01-31

sion to investigate charge relative to an
improper attempt to secure the passage OF
certain bill, which was read as follows:
REPORT Of the Committee appointed by the
Senate to ncestigdte an alleged attempt
to procure, ~ corrupt means, the passage
By the Legislature Of an act entitled An
act supplementary to an act regulating
railroad companies, approred february
18Th, A. ID. lS49.
Your committee, ar pointed at the close OF
the last session of the Legislature. to inves-
tisa.e an alleged attempt TO procure, by cor
rupt means, the passage of an act entitled
An act supplementary to an act regulating
railroad companies. approved February 9Th,
A. D. lS49, beg leave 10 submit the follow
ing report:
On the 23d day of March, A. D. 1865, a
bill originating in the House of Representa-
tives, numbered l349, and entitled as above.
was called up in the Senate by the chair
man OF this committee. The object of the
bill was to authorize the execution of mort
gage upon the Atlantic and Great Western
railroad for the security of its creditors.
We understand that the Legislatures of
New York and Ohio, through which States
this road passes, have enacted laws of SINH
lar character. The bill seemed to be of
vital importance to the creditors of the road,
and was. of itself, unobjectionable, and just.
1t would have passed this Legislature with
out opposition or delay had it not been an
nounfed on the floor of the Senate, by the
Senator from Washington (NIr. Hopkins, J
and the Senator from Wayne Mr.. Boards
lee that they had reason to believe, and
did believe, that money to the amount of
twenty-five thousand dollars had been
brought to Harrisburg to be used i'm
properly in procuring the passage OF the
bill in question. Upon this revelation be-
ing made, the chairman of the committee
deemed it due to the character of the Sen
ate 10 ask for the poStponement of the con-
sideration of the bill, and for the appoint
ment of a committee to investigate the mat
ter. The bill was accordingly postponed,
and a committee of investigation (whose
names are hereto appended) was appointed
with power to send for persons and papers.
1t will be remembered that this was on the
day precedingsthe last, on which, by the
rules of the Legislature, legislation could be
obtained The salutary effect of the ap-
pointment of the committee was at once
made apparent. 1t appears by the testi-
mony of Mr.. Ward that Mr.. Northrop, of
Philadelphia, on learning the action of the
the parties who held it in their possession
and handed it over to Mr.. Ward for the
purpose OF being returned TO Mr.. jackson,
the agent OF the company. After the return
OF the money the committee advised the
passage Of the bill by the Senate, inasmuch
as It was entirely proper OF itself, and there
were parties deeply interested in its passage
who had borne no part in the base attempt
to pass 1t by corrupt means. It accordingly
passed and became law The committee
met before the adjournment of the Lagisa-
ture and examined two witnesses, whose
testimony was Immediately submitted to the
Senate. The time being inadequate to con-
clude the investigation, leave was given the
committee to SIT during the recess of the
Legislature. Sessions of the committee
April and on the Sd Of Ma.
The following facts seem 10 be clearly es-
tablished by the testimony thus far obtained
viz:
lst. That thirty thousand dollars were
sent to Harrisburg during the last session of
the Legislature, to be used in procuring the
passage OF the bill in question, Or, as stated
by one OF the witnesses, to pay necessary
expenses incurred in getting it through" 2"
I'd. That Dir. 'Eatlow Jackson, of Phila
delphia, agent for Mr. James VI Henry, a
large creditor of the Atlantic and Great
Western railroad company, procured from
Mr.. Samuel Wann, another agent OF Nc
Henry's in New York, at least TWENTY-FIVE
thousand dollars of this money, and that he
sent the said twenty-five thousand dollars to
H .rrisburg by the handof his brother, }Ir.
John Jackson.
3D.. That Mr. Albert R. Schofeld, of
Philadelphia, was instrumental in inducing
iatiow jackson to believe that the employ
ment OF money was customary and necessary
IN procuring legislation at Harrisburg that
the said bill could not be passed without
the employment of money ; and that at least
twenty-five Thousand dollars of the said
money was placed in his possession.
4th. That upon the exposure made BY
Senators Beardsiee and Hopkins, and the
immediate appointment of this committee
OF investigation, the said twenty-five thou
sand dollars were returned in tact to Mr..
jackson.
9Th. That the additional five thousand
dollars were retained In the hands of Mr..
George Northrop, and subsequently divided
among Messrs. Northrop, Witte and Scho-
field, and that no part of it. the said five
thousand dollars, was returned to MIR.
jackson.
9th. That the Atlantic and Great West
ern railroad company, as such, was not, so
tar as now known, responsible for any part of
this transaction, nor does any blame attach
to the company therefor.
And 7th- That none of the money was
paid TO. or received by any member or of
ficer OF either branch of the Legislature or
of the Goverifment
The committee subpenaed seven witness
es in all, viz:
{. l.. Ward, John H. Brimner. Tatlow
Jackson, John Jackson, William RI Witte
George Northrop and Albert r. Schoield
Messrs. Ward and Brimner are not only
without blame In the matfer bur tha;. a..