The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-01-15

THE ADMINISTRATION AND TIKI Loco-Foco De-
rauLrERs.-We have intelligence from Washing
ton, stating that the administration, after several
cabinet meetings, have plucked up courage to meet
the crsis, and have determined to prosecute, both
crminaly and civilly, the whole catalogue of loco
foco defaulers whom they have discovered and
removed from Office since they came into power.
BY the best accounts, it seems these deiaulters
number nearly thirty in all, perhaps more; and the
aggregate amount of their defacations will be over
two millions of dollars This Is the latest and
most authentic statement that we have been able
TO procure.
This movement of the cabinet is most import
ant one, in every point of view 1t will create a
deeper and more exasperated feeling between the
two factions, wings and loco-focos, than even the
removals of the public officers which have taken
place. Yet, we don't see why these laws, which
were enacted under the administration of Mr.. James
Polk and his party, should not be strictly carried
out by the present party in power, without let or
hindrance, sympathy or reproach, from any quar-
ter. The law referring to defaulters was passed
In 1916, and directs that
Any ocer charged with the sate keeping OF the pub
lie moneys who shall loan, use, deposit in bank,
exchange any portion Of them shall be deemed guilty
Of felony. be imprisoned not less than six months
TO the thus embezzled. Amy failure to pay
the money required shall be deemed priaa facie evil
dence of such embezzement.
According to this important law, every public
officer whose accounts deficient, should be pro-
secuted crimlnaly, indicted by the grand Jury,
tned and, if the evidence Is sufficient, convicted
and punished 10 the extent prescribed. This is
very severe, but the ocofocos must take their own
sauce, as it was prepared by their own cooks.
In coming 10 tins result, we understand the
cabinet hestated for long time They deemed
the proceeding too strong-as looking too much
Ike oppression but Gen. Taylor, it seems, took
the bit in his mouth, and considered himself
bound, by his oath 10 support the constitution and
the laws, to carry out tins one referring to de-
faulters, as 1t was passed by both houses of Con-
eress and he is determined that II shall be carried
out during his administration TO the fullest extent
fall on whom il may. We were prepared to see
in this movement some backing and filling IN the
present miserable, blunderng, cowardly and
sncaking cabinet, but the Presidents moral
courage, original nerve and tenscity of purpose
came up in the right place, and supplied all the
deficiencies in the weak men about him. And
why should it not be Sc Why should fashion
able and rich and snowy and gorgeous officers OF
the government be permitted TO steal the property
of The people, to the amount Of thousands and
millions, with impunty, while a poor ragged
creature, who only takes few dollars to stay the
cravings of hunger, is brought up before the courts
tued, convicted, and sent to the penitentiary or
State prison, without any hesitationl Let the
laws be applicable to the rich and the poor, with
out distinction Of class or fortune. Such, we
understand, the determined feeling Of the Pres-
dent, in opposition TO the trembling, skulklng pur-
poses of the cabinet. This determination will
have great effect the action of the Senate to-
wards the nominations now before them. What
that effect may be, 1t Is difficult TO say.