The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-10-10

The vote of Ohio, for President, in 1914, stood
as follows
Clay. ................. lb5O57
Foih l4SllI
Wing plurality. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 5,9+o
bHhey, Npohtion) $4,000. c,ooV
We will awes. the returns. They will
begin come along tonight, over the telegraphlc
wires.
Newspapers In washington-COngrcss al
Reporting.
The few unlucky editors, who, from motives of
curiosity, or inspired by the vain hope of finding
an item of intelligence, are in the habit of opening
the two daily journals issued at the seat of the ge
neral government, have been somewhat puzzled to
account for singular phenomenon which has re-
Gently been exhibited in these remarkable sheets.
We allude to the publication IN these journals of
elaborate reports of the debates that occurred
during the last session of Congress, which, it may
be recollected by such of our readers blessed
with a retentive memory, did actually come to an
end at some period or another In that epoch of the
dusky past which we have left six million, three
hundred thousand, two hundred and sixty-four
miles behind us. Having ourselves a rather dis
tinct recollection that the phllosophic prints IN
question, had treated the proceedings and debates
Of the respectable Congress of these United States
with profound and becoming contempt, when it
was actually in session, we were, we must con-
Tess, somewhat mystified IN endeavorlng to make
out the rationale OF this postprandial entertain
ment with which they are now, from day to day,
delighting their innumerable readers. Aware of
the extremely cautious manner in which the men,
tai faculties of the eminent personages who conduc
the Union and EfteUigenc0-as these journals are,
we believe, designated-are accustomedto operate;
and having occasionally had an opportunity of OBJ
serving the prudent dellberation with which they
folfed themselves against the hasty admission of
facts conclusions, which the vulgar herd of men
and editors had swallowed without winkng, we
Were at first disposed to account for the phenome-
non by the supposltion that Messrs. Gales and
Ritchie-we believe these are the names-had
Just yielded to the conviction that the first
session of the Thirtieih Congress, was acu-
ally, undeniably, and soemnly, at this present mo-
ment, IN iull blast with the usual quantity of bad
grammar, genuine patriotism and Indifferent
brandy-and-water. Again, we were tempted to
entertain the idea that these renowned seers might
have been mlraculously gifted with the power OF
second-sight, and were enabled by Its means to
disturb the mournful repose of their half dozen
compositoIs, by the tat job of printing the debates
of next session in advance of all their contem-
porares.
But we were mistaken in both supposltions
resolution, introduced by the interminabe and too
susceptible Hon. Thomas II. Benton, in the closing
hours of the session, and adopted by the Senate,
explains the whole mystery of this and as
founding piece of enterprise on the part of the
busting, energetic and interchangeable Washington
editors. BY this resolution, the Secretary of the
Senate was authorised to contract with each of
the Washington daily newspapers for the re-publi-
cation of the debates which had been reported and
printed by DR.. Houston, the stenographer for
which they were to be paid at the rate of fifteen
dollars per column! When it is recollected that
the actual cost of this e-publication-whch Is
proceeding at the rate of from six to twelve col
umns per day--is about one dollar and eighty
cents per column, idea may be formed of the
iberaliiy of this arrangement on the part of the
Senate. For all this matter too, be it borne in
mind, the country has already paid, IN pursuance
of the contract made by the Senate with their
stenographer. Stare not, o! simfle-minded patriot,
IMMERSED in the ways of Washington diplomacy!
Congressman are not without conscences, for did
not the same body which sanctioned this satisfac-
tory bargain, refuse a telescope to your National
observatory, and save two-and sixpence per diem
by reducing thu wages of messengers!
We had really supposed, and no doubt the pub
lie in general shared IN the pleasing anticipation,
that when the system OF giving out the public
printing by contract, was adopted, an end had
been put to those profligate expenditures of the
public money, by which the party newspapers at
the seat OF government, had maintained their
eleemosynary existence. For many years, this
corrupt system had been permitted to exist with
out inquiry, and without assault. Sums, which
appear almost absolutely incredible, had been
from time 10 time law shed on whatever apology
for a newspaper, had happened to be "the Cynthia
of The minuie"-the darling OF the reigning party
In these tunes of delicious dalance, the profits
on one single Job ofprnting, amounted TO upwards
of four hundred thousand doilarsi These were,
indeed, the halcyon days OF "public printers -
days in which coarse clod-hoppers, guiltless OF
BRAN, but glorious DULLES, aud smart clerks,
with impervous hides and dabs at scurrlity,
found themselves, in year or two, worth half
million! These were the peaceful times in which
respectable drve,
Though stale not ripe though thin yet never clear;
so sweetly mawkisb, and so smoothly dull,
received the golden shower and most potent at
the supper-table, wrapped legislators in Elysium
But, alas
Twas happiness too exquisite to last
HAttracted TO this abuse, TO many Others by
the independent journalism of the country, the
public attention began to be directed to the sub
ject about three or four years ago and on the ac-
cession of Mr.. Polk, some measures were taken
by Congress TO retrench the enormous expendi-
lures ostensby made for the public printing and.
subsequently, after the sprighty Richie, and the
emlnently accomplished literary gentleman, who
acted as his partner, Mr.. Ieiss, had been allowed
atransnory enjoyment OF this meretrcous connec-
ton with the government, the whole system was