The New York herald., 1845-01-31
CoaRuprros IN Hrel. PLACES AT WASHINGTON

The detalcation, recently made public, OF the
Clerk OF the House OF Representatives, appears to
be only the first Of series of similar develop
ments which will be brought out during the PEE
sent session, illustrating the gross corruption OF all
parties, and all branches Of the government. II
seems that the editors of the Globe, John Jones, OF
the Madisonian, aud particularly the Tyler adml-
nistraton, will all figure in these depredatlons
upon the public treasury. An instance has al
ready been given, showing how Blair and Rives
of the Globe feahered their nest, by approprating
large sums OF money in payment OF particular
books, furnished TO the members, by whom they
were afterwards sold at half cost. Blair and
Rives retort upon John Jones, of the Madisonian,
that he receives gratuites tor employing his infu-
ence in distributing Offices, and that he is fed by
the departments. On the other hand, we hear
also strange stories about the Collector of Boston
The mode in which he got his Office the inter-
ception Of several Of his private etters-and in
situations thrown out that John Jones had the
lingering OF something in that appointment. In
one of the Houses of Congress, resolutions were
brought in, asking for full exposition relative to
the " Choctaw contract as it is called, while,
In the other House, statements are made under the
name Of" Eugene O'Donnell'" respecting per.
son Of the name Of "Colonel Zabriskie," of New
Jersey, who is represented as having pocketed
several thousands OF dollars for supplying live oak,
which he received merely for his political influence
in getting the contract for the persons who complied
with its provisions. But here is the statement Of
O'Donnell, which we annex, as it presents GU
rious chapter in the annals of political corrup-
tion:-
Some fifteen eighteen months ago, in casual con
versaton had with the late B. NJ Voorhees, chief clerk
ofhe Bureau OF Construction and Repairs ian individual
with whom had been on terms of familiar acquaintance
for years he remarked he had matter OF great import
vided promised not to divuge the matter Its publicity
must necessarily lose him his situation. Iassured him
that no act Of mine would endanger his office unless the
substance of the communication materially interested
myself or my friends His disclosure was to the follow
aThat James G. Zabriskie, Of New Jersey, had made
application to the President for certain contract repre-
sentng to him the sacrifices he had made in his service
personal and pecunary that he completely out Of
pocket and that unless he favored him with this contract
he must be rrerevaby ruined That the President told
appertained to his Office, he Voorhees) directed by
the President to prepare the papers he did that
tain sxsnsve then in the city Supposed to BE-
Zabriskie $ 900 for his bargains which terms Zabrskie
accepted that when the papers perfected the con-
$sOOO that Zabrskie haggled for the original land
that Voorhees, availing himself Of this hestancy in the
and aware OF character of the
stole march Zabrskie called upon the purchaser al
Gadsbys Hotel delivered him the papers pocketed
the $sOc0 that Zabrskie talked lofty, sormed, and in
sisted upon the whole Of the money thai he, Voorhees
laughed at his fury held firmly to the cash told him. Zs
brske) he should give him but half $4 OoO) which
sum Zabriskie at last gladly accepted that he Vocr
hees observed him. ne knew he had 5000 Of the
ney to pay over to certain individual but who this in
dividual was did not at the time enquire but have
SON to suspect have ascertained This surmise is
more than strengthened from the following incidents Pre-
yous to my taking any steps in this matter called upon
Mr.. -, late Chief Clerk in the Navy Department. sp
przing him Of all the circumstances just stated and the
asrccOusly corrupt interference Of the Execuve in this
knowiedssd he suspected as that he apprehended
il might seriously implicate the President and Mr. Hen
and that az "a. papers a with
the case, and that, ii summoned before committee he
would act as became him.
Navy Agent was more or less concerned in the matter
collateral circumstances, Independent of the close int
tenanced the supposton that he most probably the
recipient Of the 81 900. Mr. - begged me to be very
his surprise at the mpuation assert
might prove highly preudicial to Scott especially his
denomination by Tyler to be before the Senate
replied made charge; and there the matter ended
But to my utter astonshment on the following day,
CLEANED from Mr. - such information as places beyond
% the S to @
when Mr.. -, in b,ntering tone, remarked, Why
scrsps-that you concerned in the ZaDriskis con.
tract p further intimating him the information which
ne (Nr ~ nau ODtaln0u on the 6unJeCt SCOTT was
electrified anxiously asked who had informed him p
saying that only one other person besides himself
privy to the matterthat he knew all about tthat Voor
hees got 81 0oo and that he (scot ought to have got
some of the money.
Scott having apprised Of my intention that
the decease of informant has placed him beyond the
reach OF Executive vengeance well as released the
undersigned from the obligation of having
thus learned my attention Of enstiDg all the honor and
virtue and courage and patriotism Of Congress in the in
vestgaton of this detetable of bribery and corrup
ton the ALARM and called few days since upon
the best and dearest friend have EARTH soliciting his
interference to dissuade from prosecuting this matter
but he has mistaken his for this very gentleman,
man on earth to protect namy screen corruption in
any individual however exalted in rank depraved in
EUGENE MCDONNELL.
According to all these accounts, it is plain that
the grossest corruption prevails at Washington in
the distribution Of office-in the appropriation OF
the public money-and in the management Of the
public fnances-on all hands and by almost all
parties. We trust, now that the general subject is
broached, Congress will so on and sft every thing
to the bottom If there be anything worse or
more corrupt in Tylerism that in any of the other
parties, we should like to know 1t but as yet we
believe that Tylerism is not more expensive evil
that any other ism which has preceded it in the
management OF public affairs. Mr.. Tyler, as Pre-
sdent of the United States, and in the manage
ment OF public measures, has conducted himself
with good deal of talent and discretion, and we
will say patriotism. He had difficult task to per-
form and ne has surmounted the difficulties which
beset him with commendable degree Of success
But his dispensaton of the Offices in his gift--his
efforts to acquire political influence through that
ispensatioR-have been the most censurable part
OF his administration, and will always rebound 10
his dlscredit. His confidential advisers ave been
set OF the meanest and most contemplate men
that ever surrounded a President and they have
led him astray in the most anghabe and ridiculous
way. We trust the day will come when his eyes
will be fully opened to these errors.
BIOGRAPHY OF CAPTAIN RYNDERs.-The nOtorIe-
ty of the celebrated Don Giovanni of the demo-
cracy, greatly increased by recent events, has
given rise to an inquiry after his birth, life and
adventures. 1t appears that the gallant Captain is
a native of this State, having been born sonie-