Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-12-16

&C was AbandOned-rhe Trail GeS.
ting too Hot for Grant.
Special b the Cincinnati Enquirer.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 14.-Afr. Beck made
8 raid on the enemy to-day, by offering a
resolution p.oviding for Select Committee
of five members to investigate the causes
which led to the dismissal of proceedings
by the government in the celebrated safe
burglary conspiracy. The resolution made
a sensation, and for a time it looked as II
the motion to suspend the rules for its pas
sage would not be even seconded. Butler,
by instinct, fearing danger, took the lead
in opposition. There was a decided MAORI
ty, however, for seconding the resolution;
but it failed 20 get twO-thirds, the vote
standing 1876 ayes 70 s. nays. Every Dem
oerat and large number or the better class
Of Republicans voted in the afim-
alive. Shortly after the defeat Of
the resolution, when the appointment
Of committee to investigate the Viczs-
burg affair was up, Butler made a ding at
those who had voted to Investigate the safe
burglary conspiracy, when Mr.. Beck re-
piled with much seat, stating that the OBJ
jet of those who refused to vote for his
resolution was to cover up the well known
completely of high officials of the Govern
ment and the District in that infamous
transaction; that the Government had
abandoned the prosecution, and the AtOr-
ney General had dismissed Mr.. Riddle, the
special attorney appointed to prosecute
the case, because he had developed
facts which fastened guilt upon those
men; and that it was necessary to cover
up their guilt so as to prevent the
exposure Of the infamous acts of the
Acknowledgement that the resolution had
been defeated. With such an accusation
as this from a responsible member, it is
difficult to see how the Republican party
can dare to refuse an Investigation. II is
believed that il must come in the end, and
there is the most direct authority for stat
ing that when the whole truth comes to be
told it viii put Shepherd, Grant and Viii
liams in a most unenviable light before the
country. Riddle was dismissed because he
laid the evidence Of Shepherds completely
before the Attorney General, and wanted to
do his whole duty.
Special 20 the Cincinnati Commercial.
The refusal Of the House to-day to pass
Mr.. Beck's resolution to have the admins
tration Of justice in the District invest.
gated, shows clearly in what quarter the
wind is set now. The Administration has
regained its hold upon Congressman who
came here few days ago fresh from the
people and warm for reform. The average
Congressman can no more resist the pa
troniZing nod of the little men in high
places, than he can decline an invitation
TO dinner at Welcker's. The influences Of
the White House have not lost their
potency. Notwithstanding the well known
fact that United States officials have been
for months labOring to defeat the ends Of JUS
tice in the matter of the safe burglary con-
spiracy trial, notwithstanding that these
efforts have been open, shameless aud un-
blushing, an that the precedent thus es-
tablished is a most dangerous one and
foul outrage upon the country, Republic
can Congressman have yielded to the spirit
Of loyalty to party, right or wrong, so far as
TO refuse to investigate the case They
knew, too, that the investigation would be
made by Republican COMMITTEES, and that
if nothing wrong was discovered, no harm
to anybody would be done, but they real
lied in their inmoSt souls that the course
of justice had been criminally tempered
with, and that by a Republican Administra-
ton, and with short-sighted zeal they voted
TO conceal the crime, lest its revelation
might injure the party.
This is a sample Of the reform within the
party that the Republicans have for so
many months so loudly promised the cOun-
try. The resolution was defeated by vote
of I39 yeas to 81 nays, and of the nays not
a half dozen were Democrats. Among
those voting against the resolution were
IA D1Hfnenr, oraH Nib
sons. of Ohio; Orth, of Indiana; Ben But
Ter, and his humble imitatOr, the cadetship
broker, ROderick Random Butler, Of Ten
nessee; Harrison and Maynard, Of Tennes-
see; George F. HOar, of Massachusetts,;
Hubbel, of Michigan, who, while men-
Der Of the District Investigation Commit
tee last session, went on junketing expe-
dition with Grant and Shepherd to Cape
May; Credit MObilier Kelley; Mckee, Of
Mississippi, and the carpet-baggers gener-
ally; William Walter Phelps, and all the
New Jersey Republicans; ThOrnburgh, OF
Tennessee; Lyman Tremain, who seldom
opens his mouth in or out Of the House,
except to refer to the fact that he helped to
convict Boss Tweed and others Of that sort.
The issue was squarely made, and nc
body acted in ignorance. The question
was, shall the Administration be permitted
without rebuke to use its influence and
power to shield criminals simply because
they happen to be the personal friends Of
the President-and the Republicans Of the
House agreed to-day to protect the Admin
istration in such abuse of its power. The
second session of the Forty-third Congress
starts out badly. This days work only
ruts a new stain of infamy on the Repub-
lican party.
The Democracy are in high glee at their
success in getting the enemies to the inyes-
tigation Of the frauds in the safe burglary
trial on record. There was some lodging,
and notably among some gentlemen who
have been loudest in their professions OF IN
dependence and desire for House cleaning,
reform, and all that sort Of thing. There
is evidence which would have been pro
duced, had an investigation been ordered,
that Marshal Sharpe summoned nifty
talesmen to fill out the jury, and that they
comprised the whole ring almost. Deputy
Marshal Phillips refused to make any use
Of the list, whereupOn Sharpe undertook
the lob himself. There is evidence also to
convict nearly all the Federal oflice-holderS
in New Jersey of active efforts to run on
the important witnesses for the prosecution
Ex-Congressman Halsey, VIII was the Re
publican candidate for Governor Of New
Jersey, was quite active in that direction.