The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1851-07-12


sures Of the tremendous frauds successfully prac-
decd on the Commissioners for the adjustment of
the MEXICAN claims. exhibit laxity of morals
azouf tAose who deal with the Government, an
.unAfhfdlness on the part of those entrusted with
~ interest and fiscal operations of the United
States. which must arouse the attention of the
country, and call foF the most thorough and search
ing Investigation by Congress. One Of the great
evils which the people must guard against, in the
rapid growth and extension of the country and
the consequent increasing patronage and the dis
pensation Of its enormous revenues, is the demoral
king and corrupting influences of public office
and public money. As the operations of the Gov.
eminent become more extended and more multi.
farious and Offices more numerous, there is less
watchfulness over the doings Of subordnates by
tbs heads Of each department If the public ser.
vice. 1t is scarcely possible that the same strict
accountability can be now enforced with each
public servant that was enacted from every one in
the days Of the earlier Presidents. when the public
revenues were comparatively small. For years
past the public has been made sensible that
system of corruption was steadily extending itself
through all the minor fiscal agents of the Govern.
ment that was rapidly destroying public confidence
in their integrity and impairing the tone of public
morals. Every fair and honorable competitor for
public contracts has found himself defeated by the
collision of some subordinate official with some
personal tavorite, who as circumstances too often
indicated, paid consideration for the official favor
bestowed. The system extends itself from the
most important appropriations of Congress to the
smallest purchase in the Quarter Masters Depart.
mont. The Florida and Mexican wars did much
to introduce and extend this system of peculation
1t has been seen and felt to greater extent in
this city, than, perhaps, in any part of the country.
If the public do not keep watchful eye on all
these operations, and when well grounded suspi.
eion exists, demand an immediate and thorough
investigation, official infdelity and venality will
become as much of byword among us as it is
in Spain, Mexico, or the Brazils. Public opinion
can do more to arrest the evil and punish the de-
linquent than The most strenuous exertions of the
powers of the Government.
We know that in this city the most just and in.
disputabe claims of several of our citizens have
been rejected, while the enormous sum of half
million has been awarded by this Mexican Com
mission to man who 10 known never to have DOS.
s'ssed. during his whole life, property to the amount
OF five hundred dollars. In one case, the claimants
depending SO confidently on the equity of their
claims, and the conclusive and indisputable evi.
dence by which they were supported, refused to
allow more than five or ten per cent to the agents
at Washington for representing their interests In
the other cases, shares in the claims have been
transferred to rich bankers and influential persons
at Washington, or fees amounting to forty and
fifty per cent. have been given to eminent counsel
and influential politicians, to secure success in
these operations on Uncle Sans pocket. Con gress
Hargous claim, as well as those who pocketed the
money allowed on Dr. Gardner's fictitious claim.
If any evidence be wanted at Washington of the
extent of this DR.. Gardner's losses in San Luis
Potosi, or in Mexico, there are persons here who
knew his daily employmenis in both places He
was an iiinerant dentist and quack doctor, whose
wits were hardly equal to the procurement of lis
daily bread. When his purse was low, and the
practice of his profession Improbable, he did not
hesitae-it 10 said-to put on buskn in panto.
mime to gain half an ounce. If he ever possessed
silver mine, an interest in one to the extent of
hundred dollars, it was never known 10 his init.
mate acquaintances in Mexico If he ever imagined
himself the possessor of silver mine, it was dis
covered and worked in the Doctors widest mid.
night dream, and its revenues could never have
been very substantial, for they never visibly ex
tended his purse or increased his resources