The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-01-19
P q S II S C. r l P II.
Washington.
Correspondence Of the Herald.l

Washington.
Correspondence Of the Heraldl
WASHINGTON, Jan, II, 1872.
Bankrupt Latv-Apportonue Bll-State Of Parties
Office Seekers.
The declaration Of Mr. Clay to-day, that he could
not be governed by the instructions Of the Kentucky
Legislature has inspired the friends Of the Bankrupt
Law with renewed hopes Of the defeat of the repeal
bill in the Senate though the result is still doubtful
1t is supposed to-day that Mr.. Rvss will go against
the repeal. II that shall be the case, and Mr.. Cuth
bert, ofGeorgis, who usually stays away until near
'he close of the session. arrives the vote is expected
10 stand rs to 25 The suggestion that the repeal
Dill might be vetoed by President Tyler. has excited
much discussion, and some excitement here
Nothing Is known on the subject but the fact that
the President senta special message to Congress in
favor OF the law, and knowledge of the frmness
and consistency Of his character, has produced an
impression which is almost universal, that he would
withhold HIS assent from bill repeating it. The
conse quence Of veto, under the circumstances is
matter of general speculation. All the northern
wings who were Jealous against the exercise of
the veto power, during the Extra Session, are now
anxious for veto, and are ready to pledge them
selves TO support the administration, in case Mr. Ty-
Ter shall negative the repeal In the present state Of
the public mind no act OF Congress would be so
beneficial to thePresident the repeal Of the Bank
rupt Law. A veto would rally around him hos
of attached and jealous fren DIS, and insure his re
election.
The ratio of representation adopted by the appor-
tonment Committee seems not to be generally &C
ceptable to the House, and il is doubtful whether
the report will be agreed to. There is disposition
to bring the rate down, and SO increase the number
of representatives up to three hundred. We hope
this disposition may be carried into effect. The
advantages of large representative body mani
fold and obvious. In the first place the opportunity
to bring corrupt influences to bear is greatly lessen
ed The experience of the last few years is decisive
on this point. The Legislature Of Massachusetts
consists Of more than four hundred members, and
no instance of bribery corruption has ever occur
red in that stable old commonwealth, while in
Pennsylvania, with house ofreprese natives of one
hundred members, enough to make up majority
have been bought like cattle in the market. This
has occurred not from any greater want of virtue in
Pennsylvania than Massachusetts,, but merely be-
cause fifty men can be corrupted more easily than
two hundred. Then,in large body business would
be transacted more rapidly than small one In.
crease the House of Representatives to three hun.
dred, or three hundred and fifty, and twenty men
would do all the talking. Speaking for Bancombe
would be done away wi,h-there would be more
order and decorum in The bedy-and much greater
facility and despatch in throwing of busiaess
Every thing is still in state of chaos. No man
in Congress knows his position or what is to be the
course of his party. The power of the cid acknow-
ledged leaders on both sides, seems to be broken,
and the rank and file are beginning to think for
bonn Thaya oh olx, nj
confusion before, and what is to be the result, no
man can predict In the Senate, the more promi.
nent men of the democratic party are determined to
oppose the administration, right wrong, without
discrimination hesitation but there several
honest and independent men, who will think and
act for themselves. Within the next few days, we
shall have some interesting developments
There is great influx of Office seekers Just now
and the executive mansion is overrun with them at
all hours. The known desire Of President Tyler
that every application should be made at the head
o. the proper department, is dsregarded, and he is
const anty annoyed with personal solicitations for
offices of every grade. When he had a Cabinet
that was playing the game Of his enemies, it was
almost Indispensable that all applications should re-
ceive his supervision. But now that his political
family consists in the main, offmen who are looking
the good of the country, and who will be satisfied
with the hsnor reflected upon them by a pros.
porous administration of the government, without
undertaking to further any Interior schemes of their
own, he can safely devolve upon the heads of the
several departments the task of deciding primarily
upon applications of every sort. We doubt in fact,
whether he will not be constrained at last to adopt
rule that shall be n1exibe, to receive no applica-
tions except through the head Of the appropriate
department Such rule would relieve him from
world Of labor, perplexity and annoyance. Let
testimonials in every case be sent to Secretary
he could examine them, and when there were
conflicting claims, present them to the execu-
tive for decision. If the President required fur
Their information, he might call upon a member
Of Congress, other person familiar with the
circumstances, upon whose sincerity and intelli-
gence he could rely In this way, the public inter.
est would be just carefully guarded, and the Exc.
cutive saved vast deal of labor. As the thing is
now managed, he is liable to all intrusion and i'm
portunity, at all hours Of the day. So hungry and
are not to be repealed in any way Specific hours are
designated by the President for the transaction OF
business, but the doors are kept closed, the ante
rooms are thronged in season and out of season.
The thing is getting TO he intoerable, and must be
put al stop 10. President Tyler is too benevolent
and kind hearted to deal with these fellows and the
whole artillery of the press should be brought to
bear upoa them.
TWENTY-sEVENTHC CONGRESS.
Second Session.
Senate.