The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-02-14
BRIBERY. CoRRUpT1oN AND Farm

BRIBERY, CORRUPTION AND FRAUI
The flinders Getting IN Tight Plac,
Tile CATS Ears Sticking Oui-Inrestt.
cation Of the C6mmitee.-It will be re-
membered by our readers that we fre.
quently charged that the Funding bill was
passed by the last General Assembly. by
bribery, corruption and fraud, and that
the interests of the people of Virginia had
been totally disregarded in the desire of
certain parties to acquire wealth. Rumors
OF different kinds have been afloat since the
passage OF that measure, duplicating State
officials, members of the Legislature, and
capitalists of this city and New York.
So impressive became these rumors, that
the Legislature finally yielded to public de-
mands and by resolution determined to
investigate the matter as far as possible.
A committee was raised for that pur-
pose, with Mr.. Smith, of Nelson, as its
chairman, who, with the other members.
have been busily engaged for several weeks.
IN taking testimony in the case.
Among other witnesses summoned be-
fore the committee, John w. Jenkins,
Esq, prominent lawyer of this city, was
called upon to testify. While the investi-
cations of the committee have been kept
profound secret, the refusal of Mr.. jenkins
TO answer certain questions, has brought to
hght the fact that he was employed by GER
tain interested parties to secure the pass
age OF the Funding Bill" for which he
was paid considerable sum of money.
The committee has progressed SO far in
their examination of Mr.. jenkins, as to
inquire who were the parties that employ
ed him, and what amount was paid for his
services ?n
To this question Mr.. Jenkins refused to
reply. The committee made a report of
the facts to the House on yesterday, when
a resolution was adopted arraigning the
witness before the bar of the House to
purge himself of his contempt, or forced to
answer the questions of the committee,
This morning Mr.. jenkins was brought to
the bar of the House, and the same oues.
tions asked him which he had refused to
answer before the committee. The witness
again refused to answer the questions. and
asked the House to permit him to make a
defence. This the House also refused. and
MIR. Jenkins, by resolution of the House.
was ordered to be taken in custody by the |
to await the further orders |
of that body.
There is considerable futterng among
The wounded pigeons, both of the Legisla-
.ure and among certain moneyed men who
are not at home to callers, and who fear
,he result OF the investigation. Of one
hing our readers may noio be certain, and
hat IS, that there is large sized cat in the
neal tub, but whether the aforesaid feline
will be brought to light or permitted to en-
oy his comfortable quarters, we know
lot. We trust the present Legislature has
already discovered sufficient to induce the
belief that the " Funding Bill'' is the child
'f corruption, and that the people of Vir-
s'nia are in no wise legally or in honor
pound by its provisions.
Specializing in legislation to benefit .
corporations may be forgiven; but when
he guardians of the people and the
protectors OF the interests and rights
II the State, permit themselves to be
fought by spectators and shavers, such
'ody deserves and will receive, the eternal
ondemnation it deserves. F,
MIR. Jenkins is now in custody of the
ergeant-at-arms, where he will remain un- {
i further orders of the House. S
Col. Jenkins places himself upon his
institutional rights as an attorney, and l
elieves that he has fairly answered all s
estions which the present committee of {
le House had the right to ask. He states
nat he has already denied to the commit
&c that he either directly or indirectly. {
sed money to secure the passage of the
Ill in question, and claims that the amount r
his fee, or the name of his client is not 3
ertlnent to the question under investiga- |
on.