Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-03-31
The Barlow .sander.Oa Investigation.

Col. Joseph c. MeKibben. whom the
House Committee on Postofhces examined
on Thursday, Is described as an admirable
example of the high priced lobbyist. lie has
been q member Of Congress from California,
lawyer of distinction on the Pacific coast,
an officer of the army, and mail contractor,
and is described A. L suaye. well-dressed
well-eduoated, and hRe-loOking man. lie
explained that his business in Washington
is to influence legislative and executive ac-
ton. When the Democratic minority Of the
postothce Committee made 4 report on the
investigation Of nail-eontract frauds in
1872, he wrote their report for them. When
be had stirred up an investigation. he be
came attorney for the persons Investigated ;
and lie threw the weight Of his influence.
which seems TO he considerable. on either
side of any case, without partiality or con-
science. Brains, he thinks, are more than
money, AMI when Barlow. Sanderson 4 Co.
paid him so 900 II year for - looking after
their interests IN Washing ton" he consider
ed that he Ma only earning lair wages.
The 81. Adams Messenger copies a letter
from Mr. Barlow, in which he SAYS
was not bidder at the last lettings, de-
string 10 get out OF business in which
failed in competition or lad influence enough
to procure a libelous publication in the SEN
sational press. And besides, it was no
longer any use To bid, as there we've plenty
of bids to he had for consideration. or
that the parties were glad to get rid OF
without any pay. In the purchase Of bids
made by other parties ! incurred no respon-
sibiity, being at liberty % accept or reject
the service ii offered On those bids. under
the lar. What purchased was the right
of the bidders. secured 10 them by solemn
enactment of Congress. They simply trans
ferred TO me franchise privilege which
they had, to accept or reject the service, il
offered to them on their bids. Thus bought
of Gov. Thompson all the rights he had by
virtue Of a great number of bids which be had
for service in Utah Idaho, Washington and Or
egon, and | am running the service on some of
those bids, so purchased to-day. acted under
the best legal advice obtainable, a. TO my
right to DO as have done, and every act in
reference to my business with the Govern
ment l am prepared 10 justify upon legal
and moral grounds. | stated to the commit
tee that was not employed to take care Of
the interests of the Government, but that !
believed it had always been well cared for
80 far as fulfilling my contracts was con
cerned. The record will show that all
my transactions with the Government
are strictly honest. legal and honorable
and the gates of hell cannot prevail
against it" The political necessities OF the
hour NAV demand sensational and untruth
full reports, but my testimony will satisfy
any honest man that no improper thing was
done by me or by any official for me. No i'm
proper proposal or even suggestion was ever
made by me or any official Of the Postotfice
Department, or by any for me, and defy
them to prove that there was.
The New York Tribune editorially says
"Mr. MeKibben's examination reveals little
that is definite as to corruption in the former
management Of the Postofhce Department.
All that is clearly shown is that one Of the
heaviest mail contractors hled treely-pr Oh
ably for hlackmail" Ii is stated, also. that
some OF the committee have expressed them
selves as believing the circumstances Of the
case indicate only that Mr.. Barlow has been
tlsckmailed.