The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-02-05
FOUL CORRUPTION

We do not remember ever 10 have laid before the
people, acts ofpublic men high in office, Of charac-
ter reprehensible those are about 10 relate
which are derived from unquestionable authority.
IL will be Tecollected that so nearly were parties
supposed to be balanced II was doubtful which would
have the majority In the Illinois Legislature before
they met II recently heralded forth in the most
Wanting manner in the Globe, that the adminstra-
ton had majority. Ifthey have majority (of one
or two at most) how has il been obtained We will
answer; by shameful and unheard of means Will
1t be believed that the majority thus claimed and
with so much exultation is made up Of Federal Go
vernment ofIicers2 Such is literally The fact For
the particulars. The Secretary OF the Treasury was
informed that the Register of the Land Office at Ga
lena, Illinois, would become vacated on the 3Oh Sep
| TENDER, 1888 About the middle of October follow
ing, JAMES TURNKEY, (broher, We believe, the men,
Der Of the House from Tennessee Of that name
was appointed 10 fill the vacancy. Mr.. Turney il
is said, neither accepted nor declined the appoint
ment; but on the first Monday in December took his
seat in the Legislature Of Illinois Senator and has
continued there ever since, often deciding by his sin
gle VOTE questions OF great political consideration
so nearly are the parties divided.
The Land Office at Quincy has remained closed
from the Both Of September, up 10 this time for the
want Of Register TO the deep injury of many Of the
inhabitants who have been obliged TO travel times
great distances to secure and pay for the lands on
which they reside. What will the people say, il
they are told that this Office under such circum-
stances, has been kept for Mr., Turney2 1t would
certainly seem So for we learn, that gentleman has
recently been nominated by the President to fill that
Office!
Nor is that all. We are assured that it was well
known to the Treasury Department, before the APP
pointment during the recess of Congress- and before
the nomination at the present session was made that
Mr.. Turney was deiauter to the State of Illinois,
for about seven thousand dollars,-that judgment
had been obtained against him for the amount; and
that it still remains unsatis6ed. This gentleman is
thus to be made one of Mr.. Van Buren's and Mr.
Woodbury's Sub Ireasurers!
w. G. FLoop, like Mr.. Turney, was appointed
Register Of the Land Office at Quincy, nl,-like
him, too, he has neither accepted nor declined the
appointment-and like him also, he is member OF
the Legislature, assisting TO make up majority in
favour of the administration. The Land Office,
like that at Galena, remaining all the time closed,
for the want of Res lister. The case of Mr. Flood
Is analogous to that of Mr. Turney, in all respects,
excepting that he is not defaulter. We suppose
this gentleman will be also nominated to the Senate
before the close Of the session. to be confirmed in the
Office after having served the Administration to the
fullest extent in his power while holding the ap-
pontment from the President
We know not what to say of such outrages as
these, sanctioned as they are, if not originated, by
the Federal Administration. Will the people wit
ness in silence, such violations Of all law and in
fringement Of their rights? Will the Senate sane
tion such procedure, by confirming the nomination.
We hope not
| We understand that Mr.. May, of Illinois, offered
resolution in the House few days since, which
would have elected all the facts in relation to these
matters but some friend to concealment objected to
its being acted on whereby, it consigned TO the
Tomb of the Capuets.