Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-01-15

nfe-l1tntlai election III our niSloiy. 80
buchanan and his administration did not
escape violent and persistent opposition'
degenerating to Obioquy and persecution.
Mr. Rhodes. by no means an impartial
historian. says his character was above
rcproach. of absolute integrity. Mr.. John
Sherman. i'm 1850. introduced and secured
the adoption OF a resolution declaring that
the President deserved the reproof of the
House for considering the party relations
OF bidders for contracts" but Ia his re-
cert predictions he very explicitly ar
firms the integrity Of the President as a
public officer. His long and useful service
In congressional and diplomatic life
and his pure character did not shield him
from constant attacks and imputatlons
upon his patriotism. on the 5th OF March,
lSA. John CavOde. a representative from
Pennsylvania, introduced resolutions pro-
posing AN Investigation into the conduct
Of the President and insinuatng gravest
charges of official malefeasance. The COM
mittee was TO inquire whether the Presi-
dent. by money, patronage, or other I'M
proper means had sought TO influence
the action OF Congress or Of any commit
tee thereof. The charges were not specific
but vague. loose and indefinite. and tran
scended the authority OF the House, which
had not been invested by the Constitution
with any power. jurisdiction. or suprem-
acy whatever over the President except
it, action IN reference to impeachment.
Under the previous question and party
pressure the resolutions were passed.
and four days afterwards Speaker Pen
ningtOn appointed a committee. The
President was naturally and nercely in
dignant. and on March 18th transmit
ted to the House a manly and vigorous
protest against the unexampied proceed
inc Tho judiciary Commit a tyhorn
the message was referred, sustained the
action Of the House I'm ordering the inves-
tigation. and the House which appointed
the committee concurred. as might have
been anticipated. On the 18th OF June the
Cavode Committee presented report.
from which the minority dissented. \
mass OF all sorts Of testimony, taken ex
parte, without any notice 10 the Presi-
dent was collected. and the ola pOdrda
can be found in huge volume. The COM
mittcc shrank froiE the consequence Of
their unjust and Illegal inquisition, and
reported a resolution neither of censure
nor Impeachment. nor even a resolution
pointing out abuses I'm any Of the exc
cutive departments 10 be corrected by
legislation. Six days afterwards the
President. eXasperated at the star
chamber proceeding, sent another mes
sage to the House, charging that the
committee had pursued a course "at war
with the constitutional rights Of the
Executive and adapted so to degrade
the presidential Office as 10 render it
unworthy of the acceptance Of any man
of honor or principle He further charged
that the committee, in secret conclave,
had spread a drag net over the whole
Union TO catch any man willing to malgn
his character In bold, dignihed
language. with a Jacksonian spirit. he
denounced the inquisitorial proceedings,
and affirmed his willingness 10 meet any
investigation conducted upon constitu-
tional principles. This message was re-
ferred 20 select committee, with Mr..
Stanton, OF Ohio, as chairman, but al
though a member Of II. | do not recall
that 1t ever met. Certainly, no report
was ever made. The early adjournment
OF Congress, and the fierce and alarming
agitation growing out OF the presidential
campaign probably prevented any ac-
ton.
Pending the Cavode investigation, /
dined at the White House, on the invita-
ton OF the President. when no other per-
son was present besides Mr.. Buchanan
and his accomplished niece, who fortu
nately stnl lives to adOrn society and
sustain the reputation of the many re-
markable women who have presided over
the households Of the Executive Mar
sion. The President talked freely and
warmly about the attempt TO censure and
degrade him and the high office he held
at the hands Of the people. and he did
me the honor to request me 10 defend
him. should a discussion occur in the
House supposed that this request
came through the kind opinion entertain
ed Of me by Secretaries Cobb. Thompson,
and Floyd. some, II not all, Of whom
knew what I thought Of the high handed
and semi-revolutionary measures OF the
partv in power i'm the House. Flattered
by the selection. | made dilgent and
thorough preparation. and still preserve
the notes | made, which no opportunity
/ ever occurred Of using
As the Cavode investigation was. among
other things. as TO his influencing the
action Of Congress or committees, by
/ money. patronage. or other means, the
President. very naturally, in the course
Of the long conversation, referred 10 ms
pecuniary condition. He said that being
| an unmarried man, he had decided IN
his own mind. long prior 10 his elevation
! "a The presidency. that he would be con-
/ tart with an estate worth 10000 When
made President he was worth mat
| amount. and he was therefore more IMAM
/ willing 10 expend his yearly salary. lie
! entertained as much a. was usual with
| his predecessors, and tried 10 I'VE as ne
came his high office and be Iouhd the
salary quite adequate to the needs oil
the uosition. The President then re-
/ ceived SS.0o per annum ana ie" per
onisites During and Immediately sue
/ ceedins the wal the salary was uoIoleu
and the perqusites greatly enlarged,
l.. NJ. l.