The weekly sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1886-1887, 1886-07-01
AN OLD-TIME TARHEEL
CONGRESSIONAL BRIBERY, SES-
ENTY YEARS AGO.
How Hon. Lewis Williams, of Yadkin
county Repel1ed the Oyertures OF a
Lobbyist.

Lobbyist.
The family name of Williams is In |
dellibly associated with the county of
Yadkin, within whose borders mem
bers of this family have been leading
citizens for over hundred years
One of the more prominent posse.sors
of the name was the Hon. Lewis VIII |
liams who was a Representative in
Congress from North Carolina tor
number of years.
The following article which will be
read with interest by the older readers OF |
The SENTINEL, was taken from an ex-
change several weeks ago, but was
crowded out by commencement mat
ter.
The extract below is a portion OF an
article on bribery in Congress and l.
suggested by the recent instances of
bribery among the New York Alder
men:
There have been very few success
full attempts to bribe members of the
American Congress; and, indeed, but
few attempts seem to have been made |
at all One of these is worth re-
cording. In 1912 there died in Wash
ington Lewis Williams, gentleman
Of the old school, and a member of
Congress from North Carolina, who
for many years enjoyed the distinction
of being recognized as the father of
the House Of Representatives He
belonged to a distinguished family of
the Old North State, and was known
everywhere as the soul of honor. 1t
was upon Mr.. Williams that an
attempt at bribery was made. 1t
was shortly after New Years Day,
1918, during Mr.. Williams third year
in the House. Henry Clay was speak
er, John Randolph, of Roanoke,
was in the zenith OF his career, and
the second war with Great Britain had
recently closed.
One morning while at breakfast the
member from North Carolina received
a note asking him to grant the writer
an interview in the parlor. Breakfast
over Mr.. Williams went to the parlor
where he was most cordially greeted
by an elderly gentleman for whom he
had performed valuable legislative
service short time before. 1t was
Col. John Anderson, Of the then Ter
ritory of Michigan, during the war of
1872, in which he took active part,
had suffered much damage to his prop
erty at the hands of the British and
their Indian allies. He had presented
claims for something like $4,000 and
partly through the instrumentality of
Mr.. Williams some of them~had been
allowed. He was now in Washington
again to press his other claims, and
also to push those of number of
friends and neighbors in his far West
ern home. After few words of pleas
ant chat he placed letter in the mem
bers hand.
SEVERELY REBUKED.
Please read it. said he. 1t may
require word or two of explanation"
and SO it did 1t ran thus:
HoNoRED SIR eve you many
thanks for the services you, as chair
man Of the Committee on Claims, have
rendered me, and beg that you will
undertake to aid me in securing pay
ment for additional claims for self and
friends, a list of which | will place in
your hands. | have now to request
that you will accept of the small sum
of $500 as part pay for the extra
trouble | give you. will present it
to you as soon as receive some mon
ey from the government. This is con-
idential, that only you and I may
know anything about it. In other
words l give it to you as man and a
Mason, and hope you belong to that
order. Sir, should it happen that you
will not except of this small sum,
request that YOU will excuse me. If
you do not except, wish you to drop
me few lines if you except, wish
no answer. [ hope you will see my
view of this subject-that it is for ex.
ira trouble Yours with greatest re-
spect. JOHN ANDERSON.
For a few moments Mr.. Williams
was too much shocked to speak. Al
last in blaze of Indignation, he ex-
claimed, q This is the most surprising
communication / ever received, sir
Wait here, sir wait here
Then rushing out he entered the
room of a friend and brought him int
the parlor.
beg that you will not show thu
letter" said the white haired Colonel
appealingly. 1t is a confdentia
communication"
8 A what, sir?" was the indignan
reply. Then to his friend q Reat
that and tell me what you think .
it."
While his friend Was reading, Nh
Williams turned again up,,n the Micn
igandsr am more than astonish