The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1848-12-27
washington Correspondence.

ti8ed-Reuledy proposed.
On Monday last, the Hon. Mr.. Embree in
troduced in the House of Representatives Sc
ries of Resolutions contemplating q more eco
nomicai administration Of The public finances.
The second resolution &C the series Is as fol-
lows, viz:
Rs8oIued, That the Committeeof Ways and
| Means inquire into the expediency OF adopting
a more economical system of public expendi
lures: BY estimating the mileage of members
of Congress, and Delegates of Territories By
the nearest mail route from the city of Wash
IngtOn 10 the post office nearest the residence
of each mem1er or Delegate"
l look upon this move Of Mr.. E nbree as en-
titling him to the thanks of every honest man,
whatever may be his party attac nents; for
what, | would ask, are high-soundin political
professions, as such, in comparison with high
souled and self-sacrifcing devotion to the prin-
ciples of right? The constituency of MIR. EN-
bree may be justly proud ofhim; for planting
himself upon the principles of honesty and
truth, and refusing to be swerved by influence
or gain, he occupies loftier pedestal than the
most splendid statesman who thrills our legis-
Ialive halls to-day by the power and force of
his eoquence, and tomorrow is found stulti-
flying his moral faculties and perceptions by
doing that whilst clothed with the robes of Of
fee, which, in his private relations, would
place upon him the mark of public reprehen-
sion.
One of the striking features of the times is,
that our public men are much more lax in
their official, than in their private characters
Men who are honorable, conscientious, and
strictly honest in all the private callings of
life, will, and do, when vested with power
and place, by confdiug constituency, disre-
gard, in most alarming manner, those very
principles, when the violation of which.
would place them in the most menyiable
position. This pleague-spot which mas so
plainly and unequivocaIly manifested itseifin
our legislative councils, calls loudly for the
most powerful and efficient remedies Anen-
llghtened public opinion brought to bear
through the silent yet ornnipotent ballot-box,
is the proper corrective in all such cases. Men
who succeed in obtaining the consent of the
people TO act as their agents, in the manage
ment of the interests delegated, should feel
| themselves under the most solemn obligations
to act with the same scrupulous fidelity, as
they would be compelled to do in the ordinary
affairs of life, or forfeit the confidence of the
community in which they live, and If not in
clined 10 this course of their own free will and
accord, they ought to be made to hear and feel
the indignant remonstrance of the voice of the
people declaring that ''lohom 1t leaL it putsup.
aud lchom il l0ilt 1t puts dolcn"
The halls of Congress have become hot-beds
OF corruption, exhibiting the most wanton and
wastelul expenditure of the public money
Too many of our public men seem to have dia-
metrically opposite codes of morals for their
public and .heir private life. For instance,
will the people believe, Tor does it not almost
appear too incredible for beliet?) that mem
bers of Congress living within. six, seven, and
eight hundred miles OF the Capitol, BY the mail
routes, by taking the most circuitous ones,
travelling hundreds Of miles away from Wash
ington actually charge their mileage at twice
| the real distance, and double the distance too
which they actually travel for whilst their
mileage coming to, and returning from Wash
ington, is estima ted by these tape-w orm routes,
most of them, presume, take the direct route
home, upon the adjournment of Congress. A
member from Indiana or Ohio, starting for
Washington, and taking the Lake and Ocean
route, travels almost, if not quite, double the
distance necessary, for which he is paid at the
rate of So for every twenty miles. Does not
every honest man say that this abuse calls
loudly for correction? There are always those
in Congress who look with dsapprobatou up
on every species of dishonesty. public or pr-
vate, yet the old adage that ''what is every
body's business is nobody's,' or perhaps, the
more serious fear of turning upon themselves
the odious hue and cry of 'demagoglie or some
kindred epithet, has sealed their lips and pal
sled their efforts. Happily, the long silence
has at length been broken BY your representa-
tive, who, | trust will continue to watch this
matter and wake ii up from its slumber in the
committee rooms, where it will be sought 10
be buried in oblivion, until it becomes a law
The third resolution which proposes reduc-
ton of one half of the pay of the members of
Congress, after they have been in session three
months, is also very important: but of this,
more hereafter. u.
| EMIGRATION TO TExAs.-The Alexandra
(La.) Republican, Of the 9Th inst. s1ys: ''The