The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1872-10-02
The Chorpennins Claim.

HON. JEREMIAH 5. BLACKS OPINION.
For some time past the democratic
press has been teeming with charges
against Postmaster General Cress-
well, of criminal misconduct in the
case Of George Chorpenning's claim
against the United States. Anticipa-
ting reproduction of the Chorpenning
Gazette articles, against Mr.. Cessna,
and. a. it is always ready to swear
by Jerry, We publish Mr. Blacks
letter in Yindication of the Postmas-
er General. 1t gives a full history
of the case and shows the malice Of
the accusations.
JUDGE BLACKS LETTER
YORK, August 81. 1872.
Nh DEAR SIR: Your letter Of
yesterdays date informs me that YOU
have been charged with criminal mis-
conduct in the case Of Geo. Chorpen-
ning's claim against the United States
and YOU ask me to say whether
know of any grounds for believing
that YOU acted improperly or corrupt
ly in that business | DO not hesitate
TO reply as fully as | can. You are
right in supposing that our adverse
political sentiments will rot influence
me in matter like this. Besides. it
does not appear as | see it. to have
any connection with politics.
What particular act Of corruption
are you charged with? You mention
none in your letter TO me, and | have,
up to this time, seen no specification
of your supposed offence The gen.
eral assertion against a public officer
that he has acted dishonesty is easily
made and impossible TO answer but by
a general denial You have made your
denial in very emphatic terms, aud
every just man in the country will
say that under these circumstances
YOU are entitled to triumphant ac-
quital. Such, | do not doubt, will be .
the popular judgment
Bat vou have the advantage of be- (
ing able to show that YOU executed
your duty in the case referred to with 4
laborious fidelity, and with the strict
est regard To the supreme law OF rhe .
land. 7
George Chorpenning, mail con /.
tractor, alleged that he had, without
any fault of his own, suffered severe l
injury by the unlawful action of
the Pest Office Department-an in
jury which swept away from him all
the previous earnings of an industri
Gus fife and reduced him to utter pow
erty He repeatedly applied to the
for reparatiOn. but was
told he could not have it without the
special authority of Congress. He
went TO Congress as petitioner for
the redress of his grievances, and
fled the proofs of his claim in the
House of Representatives, where they
open to the scrutiny ofevery
for many months Then Con-
yress passed a solemn law. which
directed YOU the Postmaster General,
10 ascertain the amount which the
claimant had suffered according to
the proofs and aaidavits on fle-
Nothing ever came under my obser-
ration. nor did ever hear ANYTHING
20 justify doubt that the duty thus
,ast upon YOU was most conscien-
.iously and uprightly performed.
The law under which you acted. j
md which you were bound to take a
guide to your path and lamp to
7our feet" did not direct YOU to do
more than ascertain by calculation
he gross amount of. the claimants
osses, and of that calculation the ele- {,
nents were furnished and the basis
,rcscribed. Your function was like
hat of master in ehancery who is
'rdered to make up an account from |
,ertain materials which the court has
iecreed to be authentic and legal ,
fou could not get behind the act of
Congress. You were bound to obey
t, even if YOU had believed il to be as
'rodigal fraud as the bonus 10 the
Union Pacific railroad, or as eorruptly
'artisan in its object as the recon !
ruction act Of 1867.
But was there anything corrupt
bout this elaimy Has any fact been ,
made to appear which should have
reused suspicion against il in the !
mind of the most vigilant officer