The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1875-03-06
The Pacific MaiL S,xbsisza.

week. 1t must be remembered that the 42d Con-
gress granted a subsidy of million to this COM
pany, with the avowed view of encouraging
American commerce, the steamers of this Csmpa-
ny carrying the mails between San Francisco and
China, for which service the million was given as
compensation. Early in the present session of
Congress there was great rumor raised that
there had been corruption and fraud perpetrated
by some of the parties connected with the matter
and particularly did this rumor point to members
OF Congress. In consequence of these things the
House ordered an investigation of the Affair."
That investigation has been concluded as far as
practicable, and that conclusion reported by the
committee. The chief object of inquiry giving
rise to the investigation was: "Whether money
was used corruptly by any person to procure the
passage by Congress of the act providing for
steamship mail service"
The report says that A. B. Stockwel was elect
ed President Of the Company in November, A. D.
1871, and with him new Board Of Directors
In January, 1872, Stockwell employed R. B.
irwin, of New York, as the Company's agent to
then secured the adoption of resolution by the
Board of Directors, authorizing 'the President in
his discretion to employ counsel and incur such
necessary expense as may be necessary in connec-
ton with the measures for additional subsidy
now pending before Congress" This authority
was obtained upon the express promise from
Stockwell that the expense should not exceed ten
thousand dollars. 1t was to b. used in employ-s
ing counsel collecting statistics and other legiti
mate expenses. Irwin was employed without
the knowledge of the Directors.
About 5000, 900 in round numbers were used
by Stockwell ostensibly for services in procuring
the above named legislation by Congress. More
than $TOo, 900 of this money was used by Irwin
with certain parties, beyond this it appears from
the evidence that he still does not account for
more than $3.50, 900, but claims sos, oO0-of this
to his personal "expense account" $35, 900 ap-
pear TO have been paid 10 certain New York par
ties who were operating against the bill to buy
off their opposition. The committee expresses
great surprise that such large sums of money
should have been paid to persons who are almost
if not absolutely without influence to assist or
embarrass legislation. The whole evidence
shows that the entire transaction was reckless
robbery of corporation under the control of
spectators"
Several important witnesses could not be pro-
cured. Among these are Col. Forney, absent in
Europe; VIM. S. King, absconding in Canada,
and A. B. Stockwel, absent in Europe. King
was postmaster of the last House and is a member
elect of the 44th Congress. He was Summoned
before the committee for information concerning
the subsidy in Feb, 1873. He testified then that
he did not receive dollar nor know of the ex-
penditure of one IN connection with the subject
of inquiry, and that he kept no bank account
The evidence recently taken shows that he re-
ceived $l25, coo and that he did keep bank &C.
Of New York, member of the present House, re-
ceived $500, 900. But Mr.. Shumacker's memory
is SO poor that be does not remember what he did
with the money, (Which left most unhappy
impression upon the minds of the committee"
The committee ''find no facts TO show that any
part of the money paid to King was paid any
member or officer of either House or TO any per-
son under their jurisdiction, while the fact re-
mains that the disposition of $45, 900 of that
money is not disclosed" The fact that 1886, 900
of the $780, 900 is not satisfactorily accounted for
is owing chiefly to the refusal of King to testify
to the truth, and the failure of John G. Shu-
macker to present all the facts which the COM
mttee believe it was in his power to give. The
committee believe the importance of the absent
witnesses and of the question involved requires
that the investigation should not rest at the point
where they are obliged 10 leave it aud recon-
mends that the evidence taken concerning King,
Schumacher and Stockwell be certified to the next
House of which body King and Schumacher are
members. King is also recommended 10 the no.
tice of the District Attorney in Washington for
indictment for perjury. The committee farther
recommends that those entitled to the privilege
of the reporters gallery who have accepted money
for corrupt purposes be hereafter excluded.
A WISE REcoMMENDATIoN.-In consequence
Of the revelations growing out of the Pacific
Mail Subsidy investigation, the Committee of
Ways and Means has recommended bill to
Congress which proposes to reduce lobbying
to legal profession to be governed and con-
trolled by law and we'll defined regulations
hereunder. The individual who is engaged
in the prosecution Of q claim or the passage of
a bill before Congress must file with the House
or Senate Clerk or Chief Clerk of the Depart
ment before which he appears, paper which
shall contain his name, residence, and the SUBJ
jsct matter in which he is interested, as we'll as
what compensation he is expected to receive
for his services. The committee states that
this course is deemed necessary to the protec-
ton of Congress against further transactions
as discreditable as those they now have under
consideration. The recommendation is based
upon an honest common sense view of matters.
There is nothing dishonorable or dscredtable
to lobbying as a matter of fact. The terpitude
depends upon the character of the lobbying
altogether. There are many claims which are
entirely just, but which would never be grant
ed, if there were not some one to present their
merits and keep the cases continually before
ehO ddFiHS ehOh III SO' ihio
cannot be done except there is some one to do
il. The object of the committees recommen-
dation is to better protection to this class
of clients as we'll as to protect Congress from
the imputations of the corrupt lobbyists
lag~The american has been having virtuous
spasms again concerning the futile efforts being
made to secure the removal of Mr.. Collector
Booth. The correspondent of that truthful
sheet from Washington seems to know great
many things about the matter that nobody else
knows 1t is we'll to be wise. The paper that
has information that no other paper can get
makes reputation for enterprise and sells its
paper. This is enterprise that pays. Presi
dent Grant and Secretary Bristow are fully
satisfied that there is no violation of law and
Mr.. Booth is willing to stand upon his record
in the position.
rs Senator Cameron. of Wisconsin, denies
that he will ally himself with the Democrats
in the Senate. He announces that he will act
with the Republicans. 1t will be remember
ed that he was elected by coalition of Re-
publicans with Democrats to defeat the Re-
publican caucus candidate.