The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-04-15
The Cabinet on its Last Legs.

Taylor has caused TO the party which elected him,
or the unmitigated contempt which is felt for it by
the party who opposed his election. Nmety-nine
men of every hundred Of the voters of the thirty
States and both houses of Congress- unite in cor
dial opinion, that the present cabinet is the most
miserable, weak, foolish short-sighted, imbecic,
corrupt and dishonest set of men that ever dis
sruced the annals Of any administration, since the
commencement of the federal government, under
General Washington.
General Taylor came into power just about thir-
teen months ago. He was elected because the
people believed him honest, sagacious, and TO be
trusted. They wished 10 reward him for his brave
~ and services at the head of our army on the
bloody battle fields of Mexico. That he is honest,
no man doubts for moment; but their confidence
in his sagacity is widely shaken, and for this I'M
mistakeable fact, he is wholly indebted TO his
wretched cabinet
When II was known what names he had called
about him, the people acquiesced without noi.e,
although the men were generally unknown to them,
and the appointment of this cabinet created very
general surprise. still no opposition was made TO
them; they were confirmed at once, and allowed
10 take their places, with a determination TO give
them fair trial Clayton was the man best known
10 the country. As a Senator his course had not
talent, and it was hoped he would prove good adj
ministrative officer. Ewing was also somewhat,
but rather uniavorably, known. When he left the
cabinet which General Harrison had called about
him, he had acquired the sou6riquci of the " Ohio
Butcher" for he had removed more officers. and
endorsed the infamous doctrines of to the victor be-
longs the spoils," more effectuay and dsastrousy
than any man before him; and it was fondy hoped
hat han Toh, TIL.
ington TO his salt works in Ohio, they would pre-
serve him until the general resurrection. OfNIr
Meredith very little was generally known, beyond
the fact that he was % well 10 10" lawyer lived
in Philadelphia, and had iinanciered somewhat ex-
iensivey in tie Schuykill and other bonI.s in the
fourishing days of those Specializing institutions.
His appointment as Secretary of the Treasury az
ionished many of those who had never heard OF
him, and surprised the few who knew his calibrc.
Revcrdy Johnson was pretty extensively known, IA
having smashed u bank, which created mob in
baltimore, and the good people of the monumental
city smashed his elegant windows in return, and
the city paid him the damage. This was his first
step up the ladder Of fame. His next into the
Senate, and his last into the jcwelry Of Presi-
dent Taylor's cabinet.
After these four prominent names had been men
tened, the people Were satisfied, and asked fur
Their questions. The three last, of ollamcr, Craw-
ford, and Preston, might well have been Shocks
Puggins and Croppy. Nobody ventured TO say
aught against these men, for few knew that they
ever existed, or where they had always kept them
selves. The cabinet was talked at "a queer, and
there the matter rested. until they had few
months TO move, and show what they were made
al.
Well, what next Their first efforts were di-
rrctcd towards controlling the press. IL il unge
cessary to alludc TO the attempts made TO purchase
Ibis press. The celebrated Brcga correspondence
exhibited that matter end Mr.. Secretary Clayton
in true colors The community began 10 wake up.
They saw there was something underhand. aud
forcsaw wrong ahead They have not been mis-
taken Letter writers and correspondents were
employed for each department and Paid by appoint
mcnis to important offices or interest in doubtful
claims. The wreihed. miserable policy ofMr. Clay
ton began 10 dcvclope his weakness. The department
81 State was in a terrible way. No order, sys-
TEN. bot confusion grew worse COMPOUNDED under
him. Ills neglect Of his duties, his foolish diplo-
matte quarrcls, his constant absence. his refusal To
sec Senators and members. of his own party. who
had night to see him; his irregular habits, his
pro misses unrcdccmcd. and his rflng with the hon
or and the reputation OF he Pr siden his neglect Of
seeing that the heads of his bureaus attended 20
their duties, when IL was notorious that our foreign
Ministers. Charges and Consuls have scarcely had
their letters answered from the time they were
appointed until the present; bic being gullel ny
Spectators into offering treaty to Sir Henry Bul-
wer in regard To Nicaragua. whlchi is notorious
rcrson employed by Sir Henry had drafted for Sec
Rotary CLAYTON, aud with which our government
had no concern 10 incddlc; and acts innumer-
he. small and great, which would disgrace any
statesman m any petty duscdom OF Germany,
should have caused tho removal Of Clayton siN
months ago. Mr.. Meredith u equally unpopular
and unfit for his position, secretary ct the ira
sury. lie commenced his career with general
sweeping 81 men from office; appointing men IN
their places notoricusly unfit 10 DO the duties; ana
in some instances his appointments have been vsg-
sbonds and thieves that he has been Obliged 70 re-
move himself In other cases, he has removed /
faithful and competent men; mcn who have rcnled |
their lives IN the war Of 1872. and IN Ncxico--a /
class of ncn, whose services 20 their country have
ever been remembered. and have been shield |
ffcm party prescription lie has informed Congress
that there was a deficiency in the Treasury of siv-
teen millions. incurred hv expenses during tl,. war
with Mexico when in fact these millions were r.
ouircd 10 he spent in paying Chickusaw, Calphin |
and other enormous claims. in which b. and other !
members Oft the cabinet are VIGOROUSLY deeply in
terestcd
The PEOPLE now discover how these sixteen
millions were to h, squandercd in paying these
unjus, and enormous claims, TO bc divided among
the cabinet, and the smp'oyt,s and agcais
necessary TO he rewarded for defending ard
rcssing them. Mr.. Johnson gives his official crin-
zen. as mcmlcr Of the cabinet, that tlcy are L.
gal; another member Of the cabinet pays them. aad
another receives and puts in bank sl0,0cO Of one
single claim.
Congress are amazed; the people are shocked at
sueh barefaced plumber Of the treasury by the Off
.iai General Taylor has chosen 10 guard Il. Tho
<eunty looks to the man hey have chosen, for his