Rock Island Argus., 1872-07-19
Senator TrumbulI'S Spring
field Speech.
Criticism Of SOme Of the Cor
ruptiOns and USurpatiOns Of
the Grant Ring.
"wbat is the liberal Movement 2"
The Greeley and tie Grant Platform.
DEFENSE OF PERSONAL LIBERTY AND
TIE HABRAs CORPUS

Hon. Lyman Trunbull addressed large
meeting Of delegates and citizens Of Illinois
Who we're il attendance on the Liberal Re-
publican aud Democratic State Conventions,
ip the State House Square After he had
been introduced the Senator spoke as fol-
lows:
FELLOW ClIIlESs l rejoice to have an
opportunity TO address so many of my fell
low.cilizens, and from different portions Of
the StsSssin regard to the present condition
OF pablo affairs and the position which /
have deemed it my duty TO take in regard
20 them. Il is now lust about eighteen
years since | addressed meeting 10 the
hail Of she House Of Representatives on the
political questions which were then sgita,ing
the county, aud which led TO the formation
Of new parties, Of that party with which
have been attached, aud with which | have
acted as your Representative 10 the councils
Of the nation for now more than seventeen
years. During that long period events OF
the most momentous character have oc-
ourred-the most remarkable that have ever
happened in our history and the questions
upon which the Republican party was formed
have been settled, aud settled | trust for
tion, aud that organization has fallen into
the hands Of men who seek TO prostitute the
name Of the party to their own selfish pur-
poses, aud to make it mere party Of pSr,i-
sans. During this long public service il was
not 10 be expected that IN my public action
should always have acted in accordance
with the views Of oil my constituents, and |
can only claim that have brought 10 the
& 1 H. 4 - l. 1
bad, aud have eBdeavored to discharge
my duties honestly and faithfully to the pso-
pie who have 80 frequently honored me BY
re-elecuouS 70 the positions / have held.
Three cheers for Mr.. Trumbull were here
called for, aud we're heartily given. With
10 the last few years, many abuses had orepi
into the administration OF the government,
numerous defaloations had occurred, among
the most noted Of which was perhaps, that
Of Mr.. Hodges, . Paymss,er in the office
Of the PSymAster General in the City OF
Washington, whose defaleAlions, Occurring
there right under the eye OF the Govern
menI, amounted to more than 100000.
Other dsiAlcAhons had occurred in other
parts Of the country. a committee OF in-
veatiganon OF previous Congress had re-
ported that great abuses existed iu the Gus
tom House 10 the city Of New York. They
reported that officials 10 that Custom House
we're 10 the habit Of receiving brbes, and
that the public service was very greatly de-
morallzed.
AT the commencement, Of the recent ses-
sion Of Congress, with q desire to inquire
into the causes OF these defalcRtions and the
abuses that existed in the Customs Depart
msnI o New York and in other cities, and de.
parsmsnts Of fGovsrnmsnt,to 10 ascertain wheht-
or supsrnumearry officers we're employed,
Vhssher money bad in suY instances been
paid oui Of the TreaBury without authority
of law, introduced into the Senate q reso-
luton for raising JOINT committee Of 10.
vsssiganon and Rstrsnohmsnt, to be com
posed OF members Of the Two Bouses of
Congress, with power to send for persons
aud papers. When offered that resolution,
] did u IN good faith, for the purpose Of dis
covering and exposing frauds, aud, If they
existed, Of applying the proper corrective,
and without any dsSign OF Injuring the Re
publican party. | was simple minded enough
10 believe that the Republican party
20 which / had been attached, and
with which | had been identified for so
many yeArs, Wodd BE- lifted IN public esti-
nation, would be strengthened before the
people, il it had the virtue aud the honesty
10 expose, even among its own members,
wrong, corruption, and fraud, If it existed,
and to apply the proper corrective. And
admtI.hAg was very much astonished when
that proposition was met by gentlemen in
the Senate who constitute what for breviLy's
sake, ! may this evening dsnominRts as
Senatorial Ring, deuOuncing me as un-
faithful to the Rspub blieAn party, and as
throwing dirt upon it by Offering a resolu-
ton to inquire into the oonduoE Of public
officers. Cheers | was denounced as
unfAithful because had offered resolution
Of this character. Fellow citizens of Illinois.
i ask you IL that was a breach of trust TO
Tou. mo" mo" A public sentiment
was aroused throughout the country by the
opposition to this investigation, an investi.
cation not Of a novel character, for similar
ones had been had 10 previous Congresses
The people throughout the land, through the
public press and otherwise, expressed their
condemnation Of this attempt to prevent in
Veiugauon, aud to cover up abuses, il they
existed The voice Of the people was heard
by tom Senatorial Ring, and they made
has'e 70 devise some scheme by which tho
inVsaugaton could be rendered Intellectual.
n party caucus OF Republican Senators WAS
oaueo' ana scheme devised to change the
coaraeter OF the resolution, and 20 orgsnize
ena Paek me committee, which, instead ofI
gong tor1n 10 uncover and xposs oorrun.
hDui saoulo 20 forth 70 conceal and eovar /,
up Inc proposition for the Joint Commit
Tee OF the two Houses, With power 20 ssnd
Tor persons and papers, was voted down ana
IN its place a resolution was passed ora.,;n,
committee OF the Senate alone Tha -
bsrs Of that committee we're selected 4, :.
patty caucus, and not single Rspublc,n
ssuA'or who had originally favored The in.
vs'nganou vas placed upon the committee
Ilia was contrary to all parliamentary law
aud contrary to the plainest principles Of
oommon sense, it tho object was to DISCOVER
ABUSES, aud contrary to that rule OF uarlin
@sA'Ary Law which Says that child mua,