".: . jabfarb `-;:vepoiftev.
10
Towanda, Wednesday, March 11,1846,
FOR CANAL COMMISSIONER,
WILLIAM B. FOSTER. JR.
Caw. Cuumosiolcur.—We place the MAIM or Mr.
Foster, at the-head or our paper ae tho lku rrtm run
trulatefor Canal Cotamissioner.- The proceeding. of the
Convention may be found in our Harrisburg letter.
Tea "Covert:Lice " firtence.— We have authority
for saying that the report that McCook has brought un
anion ageing; Mr. Violist arid other', is mery
particular, and told by those only rho would eneuuiuge
guilt, by Wnxing the guilt•.
speaker of the Senate.
The Hon. Basin. L. Sazuwaon, Senator from this
district, and who now occupies the Speaker's chair, is
every way worthy df the honor conferred upon hint by
the Senate of Pennsylvania, in his elevation to that im
portant. dignified and responsible station.- ilia elevation
to preside over the deliberations of that body, may justly
be esteemed a high compliment to his moral qualities, his
integrity, and his ability to discharge thrious and
manifold dunes imposed upon him, as well as an honor
to the district he represents. Mr. Sherwood is a citizen
allege county, and, although representing Bradford in
the Senate, his personal intercourse with our citizens has
been comparatively limited. For ourselves, we can scarce
ly claim a personal acquaintance with him, yet we have
Ailtfts much interest in his legislative career as any citi
zen of his own county could, and rejoice as heartily at
his preferment as if be resided in our midst. He is our
representative in one branch of the state Legislature. and
we feel a pride in claiming him as such.
All who have visited. Harrisburg during the prevent
session, agree in the opinion that the office of Speaker
of the Senate, has never been administered in a moretlig.
nifted. efficient and impartial manner, than by the pre
sent Speaker. Familiar with all the, rules which govern
legislative bodies. he is prompt, fearless and correct in his
decisions; and in the few instances in which appeals
have been taken, be has been most triumphantly sustain
.ad by the body of the Senate. In all his intercourse with
his fellow senators, he is courteous and obliging, and of
consequence, carands their respect and esteem. Asa
presiding officer, few of his predecessors have had the
good fortune to have elicited such general commendation.
As a representative, Mr. S. is attentive to the wants and
and wishes of his constituents, and by his high moral
bearing commands an unusual degree of influence. As
a citizen, Mr. Sherwood equally enjoys the confidence of
his followeitizena, his neighbors and his constituents.
The Bribery Case.
•
We?ie surprised at the tone of the hig prem. rela
tive to the attempt recently made to bribe Col. PioHet,
into the support of the Lehigh Bank. The unjust re
flections, and mean insinuations thrown out, with a de
sign either to ridicule or reproach, must have its effect;
which will be to countenance and encourage the practice
elfin frequent, and often too, successful, attempts to
subvert legislation, and make it the instrument of indi
vidual pecuniary advancement. There should be but
one sentiment on this subject; that of unqualified. exe
c:llion of the copduct of those who visit Harrisburg with
the design of bribing members of the Legislature into the
support of their favorite measures. The whiz tress,
however, wink at the matter, and seem to think there is
nothing in such practices to make a noise about. Either
their nostrils have become so familiar with corruption,
that it has no longer an unpleasant odor, or else they are
doing violence to their clear convictions of duty.
No people have been more grossly abused by legiele
tion,-secured by corrupt influences, than the people of
this state. A single instance, brought about by the san
Influences which were attempted on Col. PiolleLinvolv
ed the tax-paying people of Pa., into a debt which has
been the chief cause of their threatened bankruptcy. Ha l
the Legislature promptly rejected every overture of the
United States Bank, the credit of our state would not
have been hazarded, nor would the people be, as they
now are, burdened with oppressive taxation. The suc
cess which this base enterprise met with, although it re
flected disgrace on the state, in the estimation of every
other state, yet it gave such encouragement to this species
of legislation, that from that time, Harrisburg has been
the rendezvous of a mercenary and unprincipled set of
agents of private corporations. seeking for legislation in
some shape. Although such was the admitted fart, no
man dared raise his warning voice, without being charged
with demagoguism, or something else, equally contempt
ible. The whig press has at all times, and on all occa
sions, participated largely in checking every attempt to
frown down and expose these base interference,. The
evil has, consequently, become one of great enormity.—
The successful attempts of those, whose interest it is, to
sustain a class of borers at Harrisburg, has become truly
alarming. It was to demonstrate clearly, that nothing
short of ferreting them out, and holding them up to pub.
lie odihm, would deter others, or check the open influ
ence of the whig press to sustain them. Cob Piollet,
by his firmness, has carried this matter through, to the
consternation of the whole phalanx of hired boron.
Col. Piollet, however, is not the only one deserving
gratitnde. for their course in this matter. Those who
conferred with, and advised him, assisted materially 'to
sustain him, and expose to public mutiny the machi
nery by which the people have been flagrantly imposed
upon. The whig press, however, in some instances, be
lieving they can do the gate administration more harm
by attacking its members, than by proscribing Col, Piol
let, assert that he was badly advised and led on by Menne
Willer and Laporte. Col. Mllet could not have been
more fortunate in the selection of his advisers. They.
are men seldom guilty of an error in judgment, and ne
ver of heart. In this instance, they advised 'the best—
Vas only proper course. It would have been well for
the state, if some of the predecessors of the present excel ,
lent Executive, bad bad in their counsels men of like
honesty and firmness. -The eonsequences of corrupt le
gislation, would not weigh, es it now does, like an in
cubus on the people. We mention the names of Meese.
Miller and Laporte in connection with this affair, with
pride; and as a terror to evil doers.
We should like to know what better advice could have
been given Cot. Piolka than was given. Suppose the
CoL had at once repulsed Mr. M'Cook, on the'first
icti
mation of his design ; or suppose Messrs. Miler and La
pxtelited advised him to do so, should M'C. make ano•
thee approach : the whole whig press would then have
opened their batteries on them, for conesafina the matter
end winking at an enormity of this kind. If they had
disclosed it, their fate would not have been different. In
thpt case, it would have been said of them, that it was
a Wee; a bug-bear ;• a till, matter; or something of the
That it is the duty of every one, having an opportuni4
ty, to expose iniquity of this kind, no honest man Will
dispute. What more than this, have these gentlemen
done? Had they done lea, they might justly have de•
served reproach. Col. Fiollet has made the greatestsad
rifice in this matte?, and deserves the greatest gratitude.
That he aught, and will be sustained, we have no doubt.
No other course could have have so effectually discomfit
wi the band of corporation hirelings. Do the whigpreas
.
hope to attain any goad end by screening Mr. IrCiiolt
Ought they not, in s matter so dear to the interest of a
pompte already literally robbed, openly and strenuously to'
denounce this species of conniption I or nnotihoneity,
decency and right be hooted,'because by it the interests
of a party may be subserred 1 The honor is due the
whip mat,- of raising the issue whether honesty is to be
stiitained or not. : the maxim says honery is the best poli
cy._ That (Jul.Prollet will be sustained, is evident from
the tone of the Democratic press. We select a few from
the hundred eneoniums of merit won by the Colonel for
his honesty and firmness in this affair
[From the Pennsylvanian.)
THE BRlnEttr Cif , '" •T lisuirisinntn.—lt ie report
ed that Mr. McCook has brought an action 'against Jrs•
se Mille', the Secretary of the Commonwealth, John
Laporte, surveyor Geom . ; mid Moans. Durrell and Pi
ollet; of he House . of Representatives, for conspiracy
thst as. fur detecting and exposing his attempt to pro
cure legislation by means of bribery. We perceive,
also, that some of the Whig papers, true• to their voca
tion. are attempting to screen or palliate the offence of
McCook. by endeavoring to rest odium on these gentle
men, We do out believe there is ■ right minded man
in the State, who will not approve the course pursued
by Col. Piollet and his advisers. They did what every
honest member ought to du whenever he believes there
are such men as McCook about—that is, catch, expose
and punish them. If members of the Legislature am
to be sneered at. or censured, or condemned by inuernlo,
when they perform the unpleasant duty of expiring such
crimes, no one will ever take the trouble to detect them.
None but those who approve of such acts, and who
would be dispmred to give or receive a bribe, will do oth
er than sustain those who in the present case have been
instrumental in their exposure. Col. Piollet has act
ed well throughout, and descries the approbation of all
honest men. A few such exposures will effectually
keep away from Haniburg all bribing borers—nothing
so soon drives away "rarminia," as the fear of traps !
[From the Intelligences and Journal.]
There has been considerable excitement produced at
Harrisburg recently, in consequenceof an attempt on the
part den individual, by the name of McCook, of Ohio,
to bribe CoL Piollet, a member of the House of &Vie
sentativee, front Bradford county. McCook it appear
was interested in the matter of the Lehigh County Bank
which came up for investigation this session; and in
orderto obtain the personal influence of Col Piollet,
proffered him the sum of five hundred dollar, as a bribe
for that purpose. The subject was brought before the
House by Mr. Piollet, and the Sergeant-at-Arms order
ed to' arrest McCook, and bring him forward for con
tempt, which was done. CoL Piollet is a gentleman of
a pure and upright mind, and has been influenced in the
course he took in regard to the matter, with the purest
intentions of bringing the offender to justice. Wfint
disposition will be made of McCook we do not know.—
We have been informed that the only law which will
reach his case fairly, is the one relating to contempt, for
the violation of which, we will beyond doubt be subject
ed to fine and imprisonment.
[From the Lancaster Democrat.]
Col. Piollet, de,•ernes the lasting gratitude of every
friend of pure legislation. For years and years—end
with mingled feelings of pin and mortification we pro-
claim it—a pestilentially corrupt atmosphere has hung
over the balls of ourtate Capitol. Organised bands of
'• borers" have bee, ir stationed on the floors and in the
lobbies. They have even invaded the committee room
itself; and there have stood, and there, possibly, many
of them still stand, as a purchasable barrier between the
pdople and their representatives. Applicants for right
eous and unrighteous measures, fur a series of years,
have each in turn been compelled to secure the aver•es
limated influence of these mercenary men by pecuniary
offerings ; pretty much in the same way u the tribute," .
of old, was paid by Christian princes to the pirates of
Northern Africa.
Hoz. D. Wit. or's Stucco, on the Oregon question,
may be fouty3 on oar outside. It has received the most
flattering notice from the press generally, and been ex
tensively copied.
We extract from the " WilkeeDarie Farmer," rim
following notice of Mr. Wilmot and his speech :
"On our outside is the speech of the Hox. Davin
WILXOT, on the Oregon question--a gentleman whose
name and person is favorably known to moat of our citi
zens—but yesterday as it were familiarly mingling u a
law student in the society of our borough, and today a
Representative of one of the most intelligent constituen
cies of which our Commonwealth can boast in the Con
groms of the Nation.
This rapid promotion of so young a man has not been
the result in Mr. Wilmoes case of accident, for he is
personally known to a large majority of his constituency.
It has not been the result of intrigue, far he is known to
be abuse and beyond the practices of the low expedients
of the demagogue and political trickster. Nor has his
rise been the offspring of family influence and family
combinations- pushing, as is too often the cam, media.
crity into places, for within our knowledge, Mr. Wilmot
has not a relative within the disirict that he represents.—
Of all the causes which produced his selection, there .is
not one upon which the moat sensitive mind might not
look back with pride and exultation. Alas! of how few
can this be said! whether of those who early or late suc
cessful, find in the " pride of place" a refuge against the
pricking' and torments of conscience, or of that other
class who, to sooth the anguish of defeat, can find no
consolation in their own bosoms of having deserved sue
au by their own upright practices and honorable deal
ing.. To abilities the most brilliant and solid, there is
added in Mr. Wilmots character a thorough strait for
ward fixedness of principle that never swerves or falters
—that abides the issue whether for good or ill—wheth
er in prosperity or defeat. It is these qualities, the lof
tiest that can stimulate humah action that has endeared
Mr. W. to his constituents, and recommended him,while
comparatively so young to their affection and confidence.
And when time shall have ripened a reputation already
so excellent, we predict that Mr. Wilmot will be regard
ed with equal confidence,' and by the Democracy of the
entire Commonwealth." .
Anzsm—Gro. PRATT, at his Agency OfOce, New
Yrirk ie our duly authorized Agent for the transaction of
all business connected with the Reporter office.
V. B. Pausal, 1 4 .1 e. 00 Ann street (adjoining Tn.
bone Office) New forth Real Estate and Coal Office,
59 Pine street, Philadelphia is authorized to receive sub
scripticms and advertisements for the Reporter.
In selecting • medium for the purpose of advertising
we would respectfully call attention to the Reporter.--
We have no desire to boat when we say that it affords
a most desirable opportunity for communicating to the
public information wished to be conveyed in advertise.
menu., having nearly double the eirmiletion of any paper
in the County ; and much larger than any paper In
Northern Pennsylvania (with perhaps but one ramp.
tion,) and loaded in a thriving end proaperons county,
containing enterprising and intelligent citizen; who an.
derstand too the benefit of purchasing from thine who
are desirous of Wring. . .
Entesz.—Thernwill bee partial 'Mime of the gun
an the 25th of Aptil. It will be the beet total eclipse
until 1831.
Cosinseisci.--tie 'Whig into irfth'
are defending 34T00k. and the next is a declarationthat .
all concerned 'bribe transaction are "lessofocoa." We
suppers they. wish - to intimate that if Whip had been
approached, the offered money would have Win 41:
pocketed and rascality went unpunished. TrinsactiOna,
not yet forgotten,' tear them sufficient teathiiony ,that
such would have teen the case.. ,
NATIVE ANZDICAN CONVZSINION.—The Natives
had a Convention at Harrisburg oh did 28d ult. for the
pupae of nominating • candidate for Canal Commis.
clonal'. FRANCIS Kailas of Allegheny. president; and
Capt. Richard H. Morton was unanimously nominated
for the Native American candidate for Canal Commis.
mitmer
`A LAGUE rDIIIOIII.—The Public Ledger" at Phil
adelphia, bee ■ daily circulation averaging from twenty.
four to twenty-five thousand and a ty six per day.; Or
six hundred and fifty six thousand per Month. The
Ledger is decidedly the hea conducted paper in the U.
dunes and has received for its enterprise and spirit, a re
munerating reward.
JeDGE WOODWAIID has written ;IQ able letter to the
editors of the Pennsylvanian, which, tho' couched in
the most gentlemanly language, is a complete 'efotalion
of many of the charges urged against his nomination.—
As an act of justice to him, we shall give it an insertion
at the earliest possible moment.
DEATII or Da.VThia celebrated wail robber
died in his tell at "Western Penitentiary on Friday
night Feb. 20th. lie Ws tietitenatcl to ten years im
prisurunent, in 1841.
Taxa, Szierroa.—We see by the Corpus Christi
Gazette that Col. H. L. Mamas., formerly of this boro'
has been placed in nomination for U. S. Senator from
the State of Texas.
JANIS lirCstrzaTr, is to be hung on Friday May
Bth, convicted in Huntingdost county, of the milder of
David nasals.
Proceedings of the Penn'a. Legislature.
[Correspondence of the Bradford Reporter.]
✓ Hitnnisnurto, March 6. 1846.
GENTLEMEN-1 think. I stated in my last,
that Mr. Webb opposed the amendment offer
ed by Mr. Knox to the appropriation bill pro
viding that the judges of the cowls shall be
paid according to the salaries heretofore fixed
by law, and in obedience to the decision of the
Supreme Court in case of Judge Hepburn. if
I did make this statement. [.committed an er
ror, for Mr. Webb made a very able speech in
support of the amendment. The amendment
was subsequently voted down, and the section
as reported by the committee adopted by a
large majority.
A large amount of business of a local char
acter has Been transacted during the week ; but
little, however of interest to your readers.
IN SHE HOUSE—The following bills were
passed : A bill changing the name of the gene
ral convention of the Baptist denomination for
foreign missions to that of the American Bap
tist Missionary Union, and for amending the
charter of thi same.
A bill to encourage more effectually the de
struction of wolves in the county of Iti'Kean,
and of foxes in the counties sar•Butler and Wyo
ming.
A bill supplementary to the act incorpora
ting the Athens and Ithaca rail road company.
and for oilier purposes passed the 10 day of
March, 1838.
Mr. Webb introduced a bill to make the vil
lage of 'Croy in Bradford county a separate
election tlistr Ct.
Mr, Piollet introduced bills to provide for
the payment of debts by the township of Can
ton in the county of Bradford ; and to autho
rize the Canal Commissioners to repair a cer
tain road in Standing Sionepradford County.
Mr. P. also presented petitions to extend the
jurisdiction of justices of the peace in Bradford
county:
The Committee on the Judiciary reported
against the petitions from Erie county for jury
trials before justices of the peace ; and against
the petitions of colored persons of Allegheny
county for an amendment of the constitution
permitting blacks the right of voting ; which
was adopted, yeas 73, nays 13.
Mr. Eldacd introduced a bill to incorporate
the Luzerne and Wayne rail road company.
IN THE SENATE—The supplement to the act
incorporating the Sunbury and Erie and the
Pittsburg and Susquehanna Rail Road Compa
ny was passed.
A message was received from the Governor
'miming the supplement to the act incorpora
ting the Beaver Meadow Rail Road Company.
Mr. Ross introduced a bill to incorporate
the Schuylkill, Carbon and Luzerne Rail Road
Company.
A number of local bills were likewise passed.
Canal Commissioners Convention.—The
Democratic State Convention for the nomina
tion of a candidate for Canal Commissioner as
sembled in the Court House in this borough
on Wednesday last. '('here was a full atten
dance of delegates, and a deep interest was
manifested in the business which called them
together. General Wm. J. Rogers, of Bucks,
was appointed chairman, he having received
82 votes, and R. C. Hale of Mifflin 82. Much
time was consumed in settling claims for die.
pitted seat,. A committee was appointed to
report officers for the permanent organization
of the convention, who on Thursday morning
reported the names of the following gentlemen,
which report was adopted, viz :
President, BENJAMIN CHAMPNEYS,
of Lancaster.
ice Presidents. Reuben C. Hale. Mifflin ;
Alexander Black, Allegheny ; J. B. Sterigere,
Montgomery; Jacob Brinker, Butler; Sam'l
Carr, Bedford ; John Snodgrass, Westmore.
land.; Francis Tiernan, Philadelphia city ; M.
D. Wartman, Philadelphia co. ; J L. Gillis,
Elk ; William Fry, Lehigh ; Dr. R. M'Clel
lan. Beaver; Alex. M'Keever, Delaware ; Dr.
Alex. Small. York ; A. H. Reeder, Northamp
ton ; J. P. Hoover. Venango ; T. B. Overton,
Bradford ; E. B. Hubley, Schuylkill ; Allison
White, Clinton; John fdanderfteld, Berke; .L
L. Smith, Philadelphia co.; Abner Kelly. In
diana; Isaac S. Munroe, Columbia; J. Magee
Philadelphia city.
Seereutaries—G. R. Riddle. Allegheny ; J.
Creswell. Huntingdon; G. W. 'Pen Brtztek.
Mercer; Wm. A. Galbrutth, Erie; Joel t.
Danner. Adams ; Adam Stemmer. Montgome
ry; John Stallman, Phila. co.; Jacob Red
seeker, Lancaster.
Several resolutions in rater of the one term
ptinciple, and for the nomination of a 6* new
man were offered and rejected, when the fol•
lowing gentlemen were placed in nomination i
R. H. Kerr nominated A. A. Douglass.
T. C. M'Dowell .• W. B. Foster Jr.,
H. C. Hickok Thoiuu L Power:
Wm. Fry W. K. Huffoagle.
J. L. Gillis " -L. G. Closer.
• ' "Samuel Dmiti:
J. Y. James 44 E. Y. Bright.
Alexander Power " . Ed..A. Reynolds.
E. 0. Criacraft Is' - Wm. Patterson.
W4Turrell' it Wm. Hartley.
":114 convention then proceeded to ballot for
i''etittlidate *lnch resulted u follows :
M 13141. Poster Jr. . bad 84 motes
Ai-A. Douglass, - " 10 ...
Thos. J. Power. so t 9 "
Levi (4. Clover, 9 "
Win. Patterson. , 44 3 44
W. K. Huffnagle " 4 "
Rainuel Dunn. .6 5 ..
E. E. Reynolds, " ' 2' "
E. Y. Bright, " 2 "
So Wm. g. Poster fir., our present worthy
and etBcient President of the Board of Canal
Comnitssioners was nominated for re-election.
Although much excitement prevailed at times
during the sitting of the convention. yet the no
mination appears to give general satisfaction.
The committee on resolutions reported the
following which were unanimously adopted :
Whereas in accordance with the well estab
lished usages of the Democratic party it is be-
C ruing and appropriate that the Delegates se
lected by the people to concentrate the public
will and make the necessary preparation for
another contest to maintain the supremacy of
our party, should reiterate and make known the
measures we advocate and the principles we
cherish—in that spirit of frankness and disdain
of dissimulation which'has always induced us
to hang our banner on the outer wall."—
Therefore
Resolved. That Democracy aiming at the
greatest good of the greatest number; having
for its single object the perfection of human
government—the attainment and the security
of the political rights of man, and being in it
self the only means of attaining the great and
glorious end at which it aims is in its Vital es
sence one and unchangable: and although in
the mutability of human affalte and the fallibil
ity of human judgment means of forwarding
the good work. may at times be honestly cho
sen which mature experience or progressive
knowledge may again discard, yet in the beau
ty and simplicity of its truths, and the glorious
purpose to which it tends, it is and must be
always the same, and like the Mosaic pillar of
fire and cloud, will be the steady, unfailing and
brilliant beacon that shall lead and light the
eons of men through the nights of adversity
and the days of prosperity to the promised land
of equal rights and civil liberty, where tyranny
and superstition ate known but to be mucked
and despised.
Resolved, That in view of the progressive
enlightenment of the age—the spread of knowl
edge and civilization. and the inevitable effect
of the example of this great and happy and
pow,rful republic successfully and gloriously
illustrating the principle of sell-government be
fore the eyes of an admiring and wondering
world, we look with confidence for the tithe
when the ridiculous and profane superstition
of the divine right of kings,worthy only of the
dark days when power was but another name
for tyranny shall become a mockery and a by
word among all the nations of the earth—when
the sceptre of the monarch shall only be-found
deposited along with the obsolete helmet and
shield of the crusader—and when men enlight
ened by christianity and republidanism
look back With wonder at their insensibility to
their own power their o*n rights and their
own dignity.
Resolved, That we should endeavor as the
first step in this gteat wotk to preserve free
and uncontaminated from the polluting foot of
tyranny. the soil of this great continent, and
that our duty to ourselves and to mankind as
well as gratitude to Providence for the political
blessings we enjoy, requited us by all justifia
ble means, to cherish and encourage the pro
gress of free institutions upon this continent,
until the Western world shall be a galaxy of
Republics.
Resolved, That we rejoice in the undenia
ble evidence that the people of this country are
united as one man in in their determination to
maintain even to the last resort of all nations
our clear and incontestible right to OREGON—a
right so demonstrable and impregnable that
naught but rapacity and injustice would ask us
to iurrender it: and that in our opiLion the no
tice to terminate the joint occupancy should be
given with all convenient despacth.
Resolved, That the able and masterly expo
sition in demonstration of our title by Mr.
RocstariAN and the decided advantage obtained
by him in the discussion, entitle him to our
thanks and our increased respect and esteem,
and prove still more conclusively his talents
his research and his patriotism, and we ap
prove of the course of the members of the Sen
ate and Hodge. and Heads of the departments
for the advocacy of American rights and prin
ciples in reference to our National domain.
Resolved, That we have the fullest confi
dence in the integrity, the talents, and the de
mocracy of JAMES K. POLK, whose administra
tion must elevate the character and promote
the prosperity of our Country, whilst it will
earn foehirnself the gratitude of the people and
'the eulogy of the historians
Resolved, That the Indetiendent Treasury,
as recommended and sustained by Martin Van
Buren throughout the sunshine and the storm
of his administration, and as industriously de.
nounced ad derided by our opponents. is a
cardinal and favorite measure of the Democrat
ic party, in the propriety, necessity and effi
cient utility of which we have the fullest con
fidence.
Resolved, That in our opinion a Demderat
ic administration should always surround it
self with its political friends, and as the octal
stations of the country are to be regarded not
as .. spoils" but as grave trusts of influence
and power for which the holders are responsi
ble to the people, they should invariably be
placed in the , hands of the party who are
~
re
sponsible for their exercis , and for that and
other obvious reasons, the patronage of Demo
cratid administrations sho d be distributed to
Democrats alone.
Resolved. That we would respectfully call
the attention of PreSident Polk and the heads
of departments to this subject, and assure them
of our opinion that high considerations of policy
require that his Executive patronage should not
be bestowed upon our political opponents, be
lieving as we do that to bestovir it upon them
or suffer them to retain it. will prejudice the
interests of the party and paralyze the efforts
its members.
Resolved. That the administration of FRAN
CIS R. SIIIINg has been what the Democracy
of the State expected from a man able, honest
and pare. That he has by his wise and pru
dent councils, by" the sataty of ilia official
and Cabinet appointments—hisleinine and or
thodot Democracy.-- , his undoubted and ad
mitted Integrity of conduct and purity of mo
tive. deserved and received the approbation
and the esteem of the Democratic party; and
has sho wn to the public 'What wonders may
be achieved in elevating the character and cred
it of the State—in reforming . and retrench
ing its expeutilitures—in tranquilizing and
uniting the party—healing its dissensions
and correcting its errors—by the magic effect
of honesty, and integrity, and by the careful se
lection of honest men as depositories of influ
ence and power s e course of conduct - which
the people have learned to appreciate and the
benefits of which they are anxious to retain.
Rescilved, That we sincerely rejoice in the
restoration of the credit of the State, and duly
appreciate the industry., fidelity and ability of
our State Treasurer. Col. James IL Snowden,
in. bringing about this happy result.
Resolved. That we present with pride and
self-gratulation to the people of the State, Wm.
B. FOSTER. Jr., the nominee of this Con,,en
tion—a gentleman worthy, in every respect of
their cordial and united support—whose talents
anti scientific acquirements are of a high - order
—whose experience is matured, and whose in
tegrity ig not denied, even by his most decided
opponents.
Resolved, That we recognize as an easen.
tial doctrine of Democracy. and as one of the
many and important benefits conferred by the
liberal spirit of our Institutions, that the radiant
light of Freedom from our soil shall continue
to cast its gleam of joy upon the oppressed of
all nations; that our country will be as hereto
fore, a common vantage• ground where the em
igrant from a foreign soil shall be welcomed,
protected and cherished with that heartfelt hos
pitality. which should ever characterize the
spirit of republicanism and christian charity.—
And we therefore cordially respond_to the sen
timent unanimously adopted by the Ds:mocrat
ic National Convention, that every attempt to
abridge the privileges of becoming citizens and
the owners of soil among us, ought to be resist
ed with the same spirit which swept the alien
and sedition laws from our statue book.
Resolved. That the conduct of our Canal
Board has shown an economical, careful and
efficient spirit, and they are entitled to our
highest consideration and confidence.
Lehigh County Bank Invr stigation.
THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE
That immediately after their appointment, they
entered upon the discharge of the ditties assigned
them, and commenced the examination of wit
nesses in the presence of the said Daniel M'
Cook who was attended by his counsel, James
McCormick and Thaddeus Stevens, Esqrs., and
continued the examination from day to day until
they had taken the evidence of all those persons
supposed to be acquaintedwith the facts connect
ed with the transaction, favorable or otherwise
to the person implicated in the charge of bribery
The Committee have appended to their report
a copy of the evidence, and will state briar the
facts proved and the conclusion to which they
have atrived from:their investigation :
It appears from the evidence introduced, that
the said Daniel tl'Cook resides in the Countylof
Carrol, in the State of Ohio, and at the present
time holds the office of clerk of the several
courts of said county : and that he is here in
capacity of an agent for the Lehigh Countyßank.
at Allentown, in this State, his particular object
being to obtain from the Committee on banks
in this House, a report against the proposed re
peal of the charter of the said bank, and that in
the attempt to procure the vote of Victor E.
Piollet. a member of said committee, for a favora
ble report to said bank the offence charged was
committed.
In the first place, the said Daniel M'Cook at
tempted to procure the vote of Mr. Piollet through
the influence of his personal and political friends:
for that purpose proposing to the lion. John
Laporte, to whom he had been casually introdu
ced, that he would deposite with him five hun
dred dollars, for-the use of said Laporte's son,
to whom he said he had written to come to liar
isburg, and to whom he proposed the money
should be paid as 130011 as the committee made
a favorable report.
Being repulsed by Judge Laporte, and an at
te'npt made at his instance to induce Elishar S.
Goodrich. Esq.. Clerk of the Senate. and a
citizen of the same c ninty with Piollet : for the
consideration of one hundred dollars, which was
offered to influence the said vote, having failed,
it seems that he determined to approach Mr.
Piollet in person ; and on Saturday last, having
sought -and obtained an interview with him he
stated his wishes, urging upon him as reasons,
why his vote should be favorable to the bank,
that the op psition to the hank was without cause;
and that the same persons interested were mem
bers of the same political party. to which he
(Piollet) belonged, and that men of high-stan
ding and influence in the democratic platy, were
anxious that flit bank should be sustained.
At this interview, no intimations were given
that money would be paid for the desired vote ;
but on Monday morning he again called on Mr.
Piollet, and stated to him that he had written
to his father to come to Harrisburg, to attend to
the business of the bank before the Committee.
and that he had offerettihina three hundred dol
lars as a comoensation.
Your CoMmittee view this as an offer made
to Mr. Piollet of that stim of money, to induce
him to vote as desired, us it apparent that the in
tention of the said M'Cook was not to procure
the service of a father )f a member of the Com
mittee merely to assrst in explaining the matter,
but the evidentXrention was to propose to 11r.
Piollet in i indirect manner, that he would
give hi to sum mentioned, fur his vote. This
view is strengthened by what subsequently oc
curred, as we learn, in the same conversation.
He (M'Cook) stated, three rf the committee
agreed to report favourably, and that he would
deposit with him or any other person he would
name five hundred dollars, if he (Piollet) would
tote for a report favourable to the bank.
It is unnecessary to give a detailed statement
of all that occurred at the different interviews.
Suffice it to say that, on Tuesday morning, four
hundred dollars was paid by said M'Cook, to the
said Victor E. Piollet, and an additioonal one
hundred dollars promised, upon ocndition of a
favourable report being made, thus proving the
commission of the offence charged bey and rea
sonable doubt.
And in - the opinion of thecommittee, the evid
ence offered and received on behalf of the said
Daniel M'Cooli, does not impair or iu any de
gree weaken the evidence before them. There
are no material discrepancies between the testi
mony of Mr. Piollet before the transaction testi
fied to by Messrs. Edie, Pomeroy end others ;
and in regard to the evidence of good character,
the effect that it has made upon the minds of
your committee, is to increase their surprise and
regret, that any man possessed of character and
reputation (and Mr. M l Cook appears from the
evidence to have been) could so far forget what
was due to himself and to his fellow-men, to vol
untarily attempt and actually consummate, an
offence second only In its blighting consequences
against the well beingof government to Treason
itself. - _
. .. . .
. .. .
It is proper for your Committee t o uy,
~
in their opinion, their is nothing inthe tok A
of Mr. Piollet. connected with this te enue 7l
calculated to throw the least suspicion up ee T --. j.i
asa manor:as a member of this body. H e 2
. 1
throughout under the- advice of the H et i! ,?4
taporte. Surveyor General, the H on. J eue i t e:
ler, Secretary of the Commonwealth, and] A
miah M. - Burrell, Esq., a highly tesp et&
member of this Legislature, who all urged„r
hint the bene fi cial effects that would result
0 4
...- ( o .:”
such an exposure as could only ti e made te r N ~i ,
milting the offence to be consummated
actual payment of the money. And ye w c ce,
..
mime concur in the opinion, that the exp., -1
and proper punishment of this highhanded % A
rage, will tend to perserve unimpaired thee r4 I
fidence of the people in the purity oflegid% e T - _;1
actiOn. - - --1
The Committee deem it due to Messrs 9
lands, Steel and Barber, the threeinemberi;
the Committee on Banks, who are mentionedi
the testimony, as being understood to be hu t ,
ble to the Lehigh county Bank, that there ir k
the slightest evidence for a supposition. that th e
had been tampered, with in relation to this aff
Their characters for honor and integrity 10e1,41,
this idea, and it was clearly proved that they! ) ,
never exchanged a word with Mr. M'Cook, t y
did not even know him, until lifter his arrest h
the Sergeant at-arms.
In view of the circumstances, your Comm it
tee is constrained to say, that a most grass ey,
tempt of the dignity of the Rouse, and a flar c
attempt to corrupt one of its members, has br e
perpetrated by Daniel M'Cook. The eridu ct
is clear. to the point, and leaves us room 4
doubt. if any doubts could possibly exist.l
the face of the parole testimony in the ease, the
must all at once be dispelled, by the produttia
of the identical money with which the cont 7
attempt was made. Upon this conclusive hr,
rests a consideration of much importance's
and in all similar cases. •
It may he alleged, that it was the duty of :1. 1
gentleman who was approached, to repel then
tempt at the first blush. It might be rerreu
hered that a brevioni attempt was made nn M
Laporte, for the purpose of reaching Mr. Pio!lc.
by M'Cook. and that intimation and a w. rn i tt
was given to Mr. Piollet, that he would probabr
i.e corruptly approached. and that it was forte
purpose of making a complete exposnre, that be
concluded to let the matter take such a count
and LIO just as far as the author of it intendsd.
and would punish it. It is sufficient' to say, le?
is not sustained by the evidence, that M'Cock
was drawn in and induced to act as he
His previous deliberate intentiom'is deltic
proved; and that he carried it out, is no marl
wrong but his own. No man of honcst purpose.
could , by any possibility he induced to erect
a crime, by the mere fact that no man stays ha
hand.
The offence being then clearly proved, the
question that presents itself, is this / what ac
tion shall the House take to insure the pun
ishment of the offender '+ This case being
without precedent in this Comintursealtbot
is important that the action of this House upon
it, should be dictated by prudence andsire,
it will, doubtless hereafter, in some dcgree.lt
looked upon as a precedent in this Cowmen
wealth, although it is to be hoped, that as tot
the first, so It mac be last case that it iitay eft'
be acted upofi by a Pennsylvania Legielatua
Your committee can scarcely find languie
sufficiently strong to express their abhorrent
and detestation of the perpetrators of sech cc.
fences as the one they 'w_ereicharged to linen
gate. They strike a deadly blow at our fat
institutions, poison the head springs of legis:r
tion. thwart the high and pure purposes ofiti ,
people, and laugh at law, and morality. I .
they be permitted to go unwhipt of justice, at
be thus encouraged to prosecute their ink.
mous vocation, honest legislation wiChe mn
possible. and our whole frame of remitter
ttve government in the end become but a Ist.
ted senulchre.
It is due from the House, to its own honor.
and dignity, to public justice and gond morale,
that such an example shall be made, as Olt,
deter men from similar offences, and clear the
atmosphere around our legislative halls from
all clouds and taints of corruption )
This House can only punishr' the contempt
against its privileges, by i reprimand from the
Honorable Sperker, and by directing the Ser•
geant at Arms to retain in his custody the of•
fender during its session. But the toffenre
committed to the investigation of your Cope
mittee is punishable at common law by (iv
court's of justice. And in view of the fart the
any punishment which this House could in.
(hut. would be entirely inadequate, and th
the ends of justice Would be the more certain
of fulfillment 'by placing the offender with.;
the power and under the Icontror i of the
dicial tribunals of the Commonwealth. your
Committee would respectfully offer for tha,
consideration of the House, the followtng resit.
lotions :
Resolved, That the Attorneys Genral, or hir
Deputy, in the county of 'Dauphin, be reques
ted to take the necessary, steps to arrest and
bring trial, in said county, the 'person of D3'
niel McCook, upon the charge of having It .
tempted, by the payment of money, comp
ly to procure the vote of V E, Piollet, Esq-.
a member of the Pennsylvania Legislature, is
favor of the Lehigh County Banks and that,
upon that upon the issuing.of warrant of arrest.
the Sergeant -at-Arms be directed to deliver e
the proper officer the person of the said Daniel
McCook.
Resolved, That the Committee be disehart .
ed from the further consideration of the sub.
ject.
JOHN C. KNOX. •
ALEXANDER GWIN,
R. T. GALLOWAY.
Mr. Tregn, from -the same committee sub
milted the following, which was read:
REPORT OF THE MINORITY:
The undersigned members of the Coininit .
tee, appointed to investigate the circumstances
connected with the alledged attempt by Daniel
McCook, corruptly to influence Victor E.
ollet. a memberof the Committe on Banks. in
the House of Representatives. in relation to his
vote on the peuding investigation of the Con
cerns of the Lehigh County Bank—beg !ea'
to express their dissent from the report of the
majority, so far as relates to the concluding
paragraph and first resolution contained iu that
report.
Though the undersigned entertain equal
feelings of abhorrence with the majority. in re•
gard to this bold attempt of corruption. yot
believe that inasmuch as this Committee "
appointed simply to investigate this affair.
their duty is confined to a full inquiry into tsar
and circumstances, by obtaining all the err
dence in their power. They do not think tt
within the province of the Committee, in Pe e "
scribe what course shall be taken by the Hoof ,
in relation to this matter; but betters that the
E"`
11