New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-04-27
TIE CONGRATULATIONS CONTROVERSY. .

The charge of attempted bribery brought
against the Hon. W. Osborn, United States Senator
from Florida by the Hon. c. NJ. Hamilton, Senator nom
Texas was the subject OF recent explanation in Con-
gress by the former gentleman. II Will be recolected
that the charge, as made, implicated in the alleged
bribery tho Rev. DR.. A. G. Osborn Of Brooklyn. ON
Tuesday evening last Dr. Osborn read before his church
statement of the transactions referred to and explained
his connection Herewith The principal points presented
were follows
A Company was organized on the Goth Of December,
1862 to construct railway in Florida. Mr. Hamilton
then a representative from Florida in Congress, was
asked to become Of the corporators Mr. Hamilton
declined; but Immediately drew up similar papers incor-
porating another company perform the same work,
and filed them to take precedence OF the one which
he had been invited 10 subscribe to. Subsequently
proposition was made through Major Purnan which
was understood pror Of cooperation on the part OF
Mr. Hamilton in the Company first formed and, as such,
was cordially accepted. The letter In when
the Rev Dr. Osborn, who President OF the
Company expressed his acceptance OF this oer Is one
those alleged to have contained an offer on tho part
of the Osborns bride Mr.. Hamilton with the stock OF
the Company in order TO his influence In legsa
tion favorng the railroad Dr. Osborn states that this
letter was not received by Mr.. Hamilton until the char
ter was already obtained having passed both Houses IN
Florida; and Dr. Osborn also mentions that no egsla
ton in Washing tOD where Mr. Hamilton then was cou
have at ali afeced this matter. Mr.. Hamilton wrote
reply to this letter in which trace OF the notion OF an
the terms upon which he will join in the enterprise ana
cease process OF interference already alluded to-
There were evidently fears ut the time on the part or
the corporators of the enterprise that Mr. Hamilton
would subscribe to and gain possession OF nalofy 0l
tent of S250OO In June, $780, the United states senate
The Secretary OF The Company declares his sigma
ture that Mr.. Hamilton, when the b came before tae
House of Representatives, desired t. it TO secure to
himself the federal patronage OF the State Dr. Osborn
says this was met by - refusal on the part part
appointments The bill failed Of pa. ee at that
session Dr. Osborn has made oath that o. eb. O. lSIl
MIR. Hamilton proposed to him explicitly 10 give ms
House, on condition that 100000 Of the stock Of the
him along with certain political Influence in favor Of
United states Marshashp which Mr. Hamilton coveted
Mr.. Hanon's reply TO this affidavit Is, not that he
never made these propositions to the Company but that
he never made them seriously" These offers, Or
Osborn says the Company declined 10 CONSIDER. but
there an offer of stock bylDr. Osborn as follows:
mesE . Son choose 70 cooperate With Us or railroad
Prise viii transfer to as our land gni obtained o9
you already have which ,uedd by your friend Mr. Pur
DR. Osborn declares that this offer was made because
Mr. Hamilton had complained that his interest in the
Company was insufficient The stock that was thus Of
fered to Mr. Hamilton unpaid stock liable to call for
instanents upon 90 days notice. Col Alberger, the
So was t hi. way oss to Mr. Hamilton Mr. %oa
ced s offer to me in person on TIE ground That he Son no., S IS n
demands for such stock which never offered him
specific charge OF offer Of $4,000 In money as
DripI sde w ca Aiberger The answer to This on the
mart OF Col Aberger is total and unequivocal denial
Dr Osborn admits that, for the sake Of harmony he
did offer Mr.. Hamilton the salary he wanted as an
officer of the Company; but declares That aterward,
when he coOy made this one of the conditions OF ms
vote his proposition rejected" The rest OF the eX
PLANTATION furnished by DR.. Osborn relates to the
alleged threats in his letters OF political injury
to Mr.. Hamilton. which the Doctor considers TO
have simply fOTecasng Mr.. Hamlltons future for
him. in declined 10 further the internal improve
OF Florida, and demonstration that land grant
from Congress to the railroad would not have been
swinding the United States Dr. Osborn also defends
the propfety of his engaging in the management OF
railroad enterprise while the pastor OF church by eit
ing the example Of the Apostle Paul as tennanufac-