The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-04-06

In the Senate this morning, after the preseu'S
ton by the President pro tenn. OF document Hoi"
the Secretary OF War respecting the natonai ann
I.es Mr.. MAGsux rose land said he had gwen ho'oe
OIL Friday that ne should move that the senate 10
int, ,ex.cu,ive session at the earliest period on thls
morning, bat twas then supposed maj PfoDao'y 'ue
loan hin 4. measure of very pressing importance,
would demand their earliest attention. Under
s,a,d;oo ,or however, that that bill was not yet
ready for their consideration, he would make the
motion for going into executive session, and he did
SO because he thought II due to the character OF the
Senate in view of the position they occupied before
the country as il appeared that's portion of the &C
ton of the Senate Friday last had produced
strong sensation throughout the community, and lie
thought il was due to themselves that they should
review, with the least possible delay, whatever
might be the subject Of complaint.
At the instance Of several Senator's however, Mr..
MASeUM withdrew his motion for the purpose of
allowing the morning business to be gone through
with in the first place.
Mr. EVANS, from the Committee of Finance, TO
which was referred the bill from the House for the
extension Of the loan of 1911, and for addition
of five dollars thereto, and for allowing interest on
Treasury notes, reported the same back without
amendment.
this bill on to- morrow at one O'clock.
Several memorials and petitions were then pre-
seated when the Senate went into executive
sion.
Mr.. MAEauM's remarks referred to the confrma-
tion on Friday last of Alexander Powell, as Consul
10 Rio Janeiro. II is understood that the President
sent message to the Senate stating that Mr.. Powell
had declined the appointment, and intimating that
there had been some mistake in the matter. The
appointment being thus annulled the President was
of opinion that the commission OF MIR. Slocum, the
present Consul, held good Upon this some discus
sion arose, and the whole matter finally refer
red to committee.
The appointment produced an extraordinary sem
slon in this community, which has not yet subsi-
ded. There are many rumors afloat unfavorable to
his character, but until he has had opportunity to
Yindicate> himself, it would unjust to go into
details, Whatever may be the result of an nvestl-
CATION, no b'ane can rest upon the President. Pow
ell was strongly recommended, and his testimonials
Were booked by Mr.. Webster, and Mr.. Choate who
Is his relatver Mr. Powell was clerk in the Land
Office, under General Jackson, and it is said that he
has been in the employment of the government by
the appointment of Mr.. Webster who rus. of course
be familiar with his character and qualifications.
Lord Ashburton reached town this evening by
the cars from Annapolis. His Lordship is stout,
hold looking man, with mild and pleasing express
sion of couatenauce. He proceeded imme diateIy to
the house Of MIR. Clarke, Clerk of the House of
Representatives, which had been hired for him and
prepared for his reception. The house is situated
on President Square, near Mr.. Webster's. He was
met at the cars by several members of Congress and
other gentlemen. He remarked that Washington
had greatly increased in size since he va, last here
Some time must elapse before any thing can trans
pire indicative of the tone of the instructions under
which Lord Ashburton is to treat with us upon the
momentious questions now in dispute between the
Two countries. Meantime it is to be hoped that the
press generally will abstain from all injur Gus
ments upon the character of the distinguished unc
iionary. TIE task entrusted to him is of great
delcacy and difficulty, and it is the obvious dictate
of patriotism to refrain from every thing that shall
have tendency to embarrass the negotiations.
Gov. Glmer is still bussly engaged in ferreting out
abuses in the different departments. He is chair.
man of the retrenchment committee raised at the
extra session, and his labors have been arduous and
unre uniting For some time past, he has been en-
gagged in looking into the affairs of the Indian De-
partment, and although he has not had that ASST
lance and cooperation from the head of the bureau
which was desirable, and which he had night to
anticipate, his Investigations will no doubt develope
vast amount of fraud and corruption. Abuses OF |
all sorts have long been suspected and charged upon
the administration of this branch of the government
Inquiries have been evaded, investigation stihed |
and every effort to uncover maversation has hher.
to been successfully hwarted blu, the day for con-
ceament has passed. No trickery or management
on the part Of the Commissioner will avail TO shield
the guilty. With honest and fearless executive
and committee of Congress, determined and !
untirng, may expect to collision of all sorts |
exposed, and every corrupt Transaction ripped up |
The severest scrutiny is indispensable to an honest
and Intelligent administration of the affairs of the
several departments. The power of the accounting |
officers is immense. In fact this government is a |
government OF Auditors and Comptrollers. If they |
are not honest and competent, it is in vain that you |
have virtuous and able men at the head of your de- |
partments. With competent and trustworthy n en- |
al the head OF your bureaus, you cannot have a cor
rupt or feeble government Corruption you may |
have in appointme nts-that is inevitable where |
your Secretaries are impure-but there can be no |
great embezzlement or misapplicaton of the public
treasure without rascality or folly in the accounting
officers.
tits understood that the grossest mismanagement
has for long time existed in the Offices of the
Fifth Auditor. This officer has the supervision of
the light house establishment of the country. He
has discussed some millions of dollars during
the last twenty-three years, and investigation will
probably prove that a, least two and half milliols
oil this sum have been useessy squandered. The
annual expenses Of the Light House establishment
have increased within the last seventeen years from
one hundred and fifty thousand, to seven hundred
thousand dollars aud at the present time thirty
light houses are utterly useless for all the purposes of
commerce, being dllapidated and tumbIinr down
from the defective manner in which thew were con.
structed The responsibility rests upon the auditor
and If the facts shall be proved upon him, his lease
Of official life will be short one
The steam irgate Mississippi arrived and anchor
ed of Alexandra between three and four O'Clock
this afternoon The Missouri has NOT Vet arrived |