New-York tribune., 1869-03-12

W. Ea' i1torF0gasGd SsSo fully to his kn0T9dSgS wifSS
give your Committee the name OF person from whom
he had received Information OF any such facts or In any
decd. this witness stated that when he heard rumors o
corruption he 1" purposey Investigated no farther He
ayidy did this writer for proessedy religious news
paper seize hod oi seandalou rumor utterly REGARDLESS
article" written for pay! While yonr Committee
recognize fully tho right aud duty of the
The conduct OF in public fe they are satisfied that
such indiscriminae attacks upon legislative body
based upon idle runOIS and written by men who take
not to ascertain the truth asehood Of what they
write are not only unjust but tend directly to encourage
and Increase the evil which they profess to desire TO cor
rect Public accusers who purposey abstain from such
Investigation as VIII enable them to know the facts Dy
making ndiscrimnate aud general charges and in cover
ing guilt where really exists, and dyerting attention
rom those VINO deserve censure ana punishneht' ANN
The result OF the abors OF your Committee may be sum
l. Large sums Of money were expended for corrupt
purposes by parties interested in legislation concerning
railways during the session OF 1863.
. Lobbyists were thus enriched and in some cases
received money on tho false pretense that the votes o
Senators were TO be influenced.
g. There il no proof Of actual bribery Of any Senator.
T. The newspaper charges made In the Instances that
brought 10 the notice OF your Committee We're
founded upon alone and have been IN no case sus
taned by the evidence OF the writer's, other proof
Your Committee deem IL their duty, however, 10 e1-
press the opinion that under the law 1t exists, II
Is almost impossible prove the crime OF bribery where
II has been committed Both the parties to tho transae
ton, who alone can ordinarily have knowledge of the
commission Of the crme now liable to the same pun;
ishment True the testimony given by the trial
OF another cannot be used against the person tesnG
but the witness well that such testimony neces,
sarly gives the clue TO evidence by which he hmselt
could be convicted and punished. the result either
refusal TO testify, or remarkable forgetlnines CT
something worse. Your Committee recommends ent q
change in the law by which the gyer OF bribe when IS
accepted shall DO exempt from prosecution not from any
disposition TO paate tine guilt OF the party giving DiDe
but because public policy requires that the means OF ob
tanning proof shall be and this can be done only
By e1enptng from punishment one Of the guilty The
public trust and violates his official oath f there can
be Degrees In guilt OF this kind greater than that OF m
who gives It, At all events your Committee submit that
the Legislature owes 1t to It's own reputation and dignity
70 adopt such measures beet adapted to remove
| every obstacle that now exists TO full and
| thorough investigation as TO the conduct o
! ing law, after much discussion in the recent
Constitutional Convention inserted as provision II
the proposed new Constitution ana has frequently Deen
urged upon the Legislature To refuse To adopt IL wouo
subject the Legislature, with degree OF plausbty
If justice the charge of unwilness to expose tsel
TO the risk OF inviting evidence as 10 te ttusn or ais
hood OF the charges often mado against It's purity at
honor For the protection OF the innocent that may D
uujusty accused from motives Of malgny or revenge
IL Is recommended that upon trials i0r thls erue h'
pary charged be allowed TO testify In his own BEHALF
| Your Committee also OF tho opinion that some
legislation is necessary 10 prevent the deposit OIL larg
sums OF money with the members OF the LOBBY iOf pur
OF corporatont by the directors officers, or agents VIII
intent to violate the laws against brbery ana WIN tha
view they recommend the adoption, with snch lnolica
tions aud amendments as may seem proper or tue vi
for the more efectual suppression aud punshinent
bribery" heretofore introduced BY their Chairman; AM
| now on the files Of the Senate.
IL is perhaps proper state that Senator Edwards VIII
! was originally upon Tie Committee wOs at the close o
the last session excused from serving upon II further
and that Nichols oI appointed in his place
! All which is respectfully sqh:ntted.
! slATIHEw HALE, Chairman.
! FRANCIS =. THAYER.
| March, leo. ASHER L. NICHOLS,
/ - 49,