The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1871-02-11

than we were prepared to believe that even
he could descend 10. His whole conduct ex-
poEes as corrupt purpose to plunder the
treasury out Of nearly a half million of dol
lars as was ever attempted. This well con-
cocted fraud was thoroughly exposed last
week in Congress by Mr.. Dawes. of Massa-
chusetts. The POST Master General is
equally implicated with Cessna. The for
mer ought to be removed from the Cabinet
and Cessna expelled from Congress. The
following Washington dispatch to the New
York Eorld of January 30th will give our
readers toierabIy correct idea of this at
tempted fraud. 1t is fair to infer that the
exposure made by Dawes in the presence Of
Cessna closes the public life of the latter for
all eternity. Thus has ended in shame and
disgrace, the political career Of as finished a
trickser as ever dishonored this or any
other State in Congress.
AN EXPOSURE OF THE LOBBY Y'-There was a
fearful exposure to- day OF the dark ways and
vain tricks and corrupt practices of the lobby
and its Influence on Congress that ia rarely if
ever witnessed. 1t is n long story, but its
preparation Committee learned last week that
the Treasury Department was about TO pay a
draft drawn on its current anprOpTia ton by the
Postmaster General ior nearly half a million Of
dollars. to pay the claim of one George ChOr-
pennug for ancient mail service, whch had
been repgdiated by the Post Office Depart
meut Tor the last ten years. They further
learned that the Postmaster General based his
action on q joint resolution passed by Congress
last July, authorizing the auditing and the ad-
iustment of the claim. Some Of the older Off
cers OF the government added to the intor ma
tiCn that the claim was fraudulent, all OF W hiCh
iacts led to passage of a resolution skiing
for suspension of the payment until an inv es-
tigalion could be made BY the commissioner.
The investigation proved Il most remaIkabl g
state Of things.
Fir.t-that one Of the counsel of the claim :
ant was Ex First Assistant Postmaster en-
eral Earle, laie law partner Of Postmaster
General Crcswell.
Second-That the joint resolution to pay the
claim was put through the House by John
Cessna, of Pennsy yivania under the suspension
OF the rules, without report or debate-ihat
il passed the Senate the same day, and was
signed soon thereafter by the President, com
prSing in all but eighteen hours.
! IhirG-That Earle submitted to what pur-
ported 20 be a report of the House Postal Com
mttee to Creswell in favor of this, but which
proved to be without the slightest foundation
40 such report ever having been even dis
cussed by them.
Fourth-that Creswell, instead OF waiting
for an arpiIca ton TO pay the claim, drew 4
draft against the general fund for it
Flith-That he paid it in face of reports
made by Postmaster Generals Brown, Holt,
Blair, Randall, and HIMSELF that this claim had
/ no foundation in law or equity.
These aad many other facts zero brought to
the attertion Of the House by Mr.. Dawes and
Mr.. Beck. and created such CONSERVATION that
members generally left their seats and gath
cred around the speakers. When they con
ciuded resolution was unanimously passed
repeGling the joint resolution to pay the claim
Even Mr.. Cessna, who pushed the job original
ly, sat in his seat and never said a word. Mr..
Beck commented lorcibly on CreSwel's mex
pl!cIble conduct, and on tho course of Earle,
who, from his position First Assistant
Pustma ter 9 eneral, obtained knowledge OF
this claim, then resigned and prosecuted it rs
an attorney.