The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-07-30

CLAIMS AGAINST THE UNITED srAr.s.-PRAo
rIcEs AT WA&ReToN-The second letter from
our Washington correspondent X. z. X. is TO be
found in our columns to-day. IL contains some
palpable illusions, which viii be understood by all
who are conversant with what is going on at the
federal city The necessity of Liquidation in rela-
ton to claims against the United States, must be
obvious to every rejecting man. We regret that
it is our duty, as IN independent press, to publish
these exposures Of the miserable practices pre-
vailing in the administration Of the federal govern
ment, and which have grown up from time to time,
the natural cOnse quences and results Of the inet
cheney, imbecility, laziness, and easy virtue and
looseness Of moral and political principle of men
entrusted with the management Of public affairs.
We regret it, as they will doubtless become the
subject of invidious remark by the foreign, and es-
pe,ally British, newspapers, to the disparagement
Of our country. 1t is one Of the deplorabe effects
of political parties who seeking the spoils of Of
fee, and are banded and combined by what Mr..
Calhoun called "the cohesive power of public plum
der" Rotation in Office at Washington, and con-
straning every officer and clerk, after five years
service, to return to the rank Of private citizen,
and rendering him ineligible to any public office ex-
cept conferred by direct vote of the people, for five
gence to the public offices, by driving out the drones
and imbeciles, who hold Office merely because il is
source of easy subsistence
The very first enactment that the next Congress
should make, ought to be law directing all per-
sons corporations, Territories, or States, having
outstanding claims or demands Of any kind what
soever against the United States, the settlement
and payment Of which are not clearly provided for
by existing laws to present the same by memorial,
setting forth the same fully, and to make proof
thereof to the appropriate department of the govern
ment-i. c. the department having charge Of that
branch Of business to which it relates-within two
years from the passage Of such act; and declaring
that by neglecting so to do, the claimant shall be
forever barred from the same. 1t should also be
made the duty of such department to examine and
decide such claim as early practicable, and with
IN six months after presentation, and to make re-
port thereof, with all the papers and proofs therein
TO Congress, or before the second Monday of the
next session there aer or, if Congress be in session
when the case lie decided to make such report forth
with; and the law should prohibit the payment of
any such claim, urtii special appropriation be
made therefor; and the law shaula Gifeel the
examination of such claim or demand, notwith-
standing former decision Of the departmental
or accounting officers adverse thereto, if reason.
able ground, such as evidence, mistake, or
error, be shown for revision Of such decision.
The limitation should also extend to all claims
and demands arising after the passage of the
law, though perhaps three years may be allowed
from the time of the transactions from which they
originate, with saving in favor of minors, insane
persons, tene eorets, &c. All claims against the
United States which may, by existing laws be set
tied and paid by the departments, should be pre-
scented within year after they arise accrue, or
the claimant be debarred therefrom.
AS to the course that should be pursued by Con-
gress in reference to the reported to them,
it may be the subject of suggestion hereafter It's
now preferred to wait until the views of cores
pendent submitted to the public We shall,
perhaps make comments psri TaSsu with his letters,
pertinent TO the matters treated Of in each Of them